Now, I definitely want a dog. Please watch
http://vimeo.com/39074291

Puppies are a pain in the ass. Rescue a couple year old dog or something. My dog is 2 and it's still like having a small child.

I would not consider going to school without my dog....

Yea, I think this thread has just reinforced my want for a dog in LS

Put a deposit down for an irish goldendoodle ( mother is 1/2 irish setter 1/2 golden retriever) Dad is 100% poodle. It is "mini" around 30-40 pounds full grown. Mom weights 47lbs and Dad weighs 26lbs

I want to bring my dog, but she's a beagle and she'll only be 3.5 when I start school. I may have her stay with my parents (who want to keep her anyway) until I at least graduate. My cats, however, will be with me regardless.

Your puppy sounds cute!

If you are looking for a non-shedding dog, you should definitely choose the puppy with the curliest hair. A lot of doodles shed (just as badly as golden retrievers), despite the common notion that these are non-shedding dogs. It seems to be that the tighter the curl in the hair, the less of a chance of shedding. Also, grooming is a pain and very expensive. You may want to check out this website, http://www.doodlekisses.com, there is a ton of info about doodles.

I have a mini goldendoodle (plus the maltipoo pictured in my avatar). My goldendoodle is a f1b and was supposed to be 15lbs, but he's actually way bigger than I expected... not that it's a huge deal. He's the sweetest dog and actually very laid back. He passed his therapy dog test when he was 11 months old. Both of my dogs are finished with the puppy stage (they will be around 4 years old by the time I start law school) and quite frankly love to sleep all day. But, I am worried that I will neglect them next year

I would absolutely not go to law school with a puppy of any breed. housetraining is not the end of puppyhood by any stretch.

Since it sounds like you're getting one, pay a couple hundred bucks to get a professional baby proofer to come to your apartment and provide advice. And don't take any of your relatives up on offers of nice furniture. And never ever ever leave your shoes out. The first one's a joke; the others are not.

If you really must have a dog now, please consider adopting an adult dog instead. Having a puppy may be good for you. Having a 1L owner may not be good for the puppy.

TCR

This, plus:

If you are really dead-set on a certain breed or mix, look around for breeders that may be looking to place an older, retired breeding dog.

There are also a lot of rescue organizations in need of short-term fostering (anywhere from one night to a few months)
That's a great way to have a dog, do a good deed, and not lock yourself into a long-term commitment (having a dog and being a first year biglaw associate is bordering on cruelty to animals)

Having a dog in school is great. Your schedule is more flexible and if you like to study at home having a dog is a great companion. I got mine at the end of 1L (almost graduated) and I haven't regretted it (and she's a rescue with some socialization issues, so it hasn't been smooth sailing the whole time).

Pretty sure the answer is no, but I wonder if any law schools would let you bring a dog to class with you. Like, if he were to just sleep on your feet and be very well behaved.

I'm willing to pretend that I'm blind...

Just be sure you can give your dog enough attention.

My spaniel requires tons and tons of it. He needs a ton of daily exercise to keep him happy.

Please don't get a dog if you're not willing to put in the work. A lot of people neglect the amount of attention and exercise they need and it's not fair to the dog.

That said, I don't think your 1L year would be any worse to get a puppy than say, working full time. Puppies are terrible. They're adorable, but terrible. They require a ton of work and attention. LOL @ people saying after housebreaking it's no big deal. They'll still chew your shit up and destroy your house. It's not like you don't have to watch them once they stop peeing on the carpet.

+100 for this thread... I've been wondering the same thing myself. I've been wanting to get a dog forever, but I'm not sure 1L year of law school is the right time. Then again, maybe there will never be a "right time."

To those of you with dogs - how hard was it to find an apartment near your school that would allow you to have them?

Most of the generic corporate complexes (AMLI, Gables, etc.) all allow pets, just having a set fee (they like to call it a non-refundable pet deposit, which makes no sense). You're going to have more trouble if your looking at small investor-owned properties like condos, 4-plexes and the like, but even then you shouldn't have too much trouble.

That said, the Mrs and I will probably buy so we can have the fence we want for our guy (not to mention because prices are down and interest rates are at 3.9%).

I'm thinking of attending Cornell and it has been extremely hard. Ever the large complexes do not allow dogs

I don't know anything about Ithica, I would expect large apartment complexes to be the least accommodating. They tend to be less willing to haggle over anything (whether it be rent, utilities, pets, etc). If you're renting from a landlord who isn't some giant apartment complex you have a better chance of being able to haggle for allowing pets even if they don't initially allow it.

Lol, I went to the Humane Society to adopt and the GORGEOUS Huskie they had there was awesome, but I could not take him home because I realize that he would just be too much to handle in law school. The dog was just amazing to watch; he has boundless energy. He ran full speed up and down the yard like 100 times and showed no signs of stopping. I need a lower energy pooch! Which BTW brings me to ask: How long can you leave a dog without it getting lonely? Will I have to be in the library for long hours or could I study at home? (I prefer home)

It depends on the dog.

If you're a gunner, having a dog can be cruelty to animals.
When I was working crazy hours (out the door at 7, home after 11) I didn't get a dog even though I really wanted one. It was only when my lifestyle changed that I got my boys (and even then a neighborhood kid would come over and play during the day

You can definitely study at home. Honestly I only need to spend about 3 hours per day at school.

depends if your dog is already a lawyer or not..

Get a significant other. It does mean another animal to train, but gives your dog a companion.

This is what I plan on doing