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This is kind of a frivolous question, but I've been working and moving a lot, and I've never had time to adopt a dog. I'd like to adopt one when I start school, but I was wondering if people find it possible to take care of pets while in school.

Thanks!

Having a new dog might be stressful, but I haven't generally found having a pet to be overly burdensome as a 1L (neither have the half dozen or so other dog owners i know). It's actually a lot easier to take care of my dog with my current schedule than it was to take care of him when I was working.

It probably also depends on where you are going to school. I found that NYC would have been a major burden as a student with a dog (so glad I didn't go to NYU). If you have any sort of substantial commute, it would suck.

ummm

smokemonsterfromLOST wrote:This is kind of a frivolous question, but I've been working and moving a lot, and I've never had time to adopt a dog. I'd like to adopt one when I start school, but I was wondering if people find it possible to take care of pets while in school.

Thanks!

your username made me lol.
Dogs, especially new dogs, take up SO much time. Have you ever owned a dog before?

i have a dog - 2L here. love my dog, couldn't have survived 1L without her. but, the first few months / year after you get your dog are a REALLY important time for the dog for training, possible health issues, socialization with other dogs. do not, I mean do not even fucking think about getting a dog for 1L. That is just inconsiderate and evil. You will neglect your pup when he or she needs your loving attention most.

ilovesf wrote:Dogs, especially new dogs, take up SO much time. Have you ever owned a dog before?

I grew up with a family dog, though I've not had one independently (aside from dog-sitting and volunteering at local humane societies). headandshoulderos is probably right, though, it makes sense to wait, especially with a shelter pup that needs extra attention. : [

smokemonsterfromLOST wrote:

ilovesf wrote:Dogs, especially new dogs, take up SO much time. Have you ever owned a dog before?

I grew up with a family dog, though I've not had one independently (aside from dog-sitting and volunteering at local humane societies). headandshoulderos is probably right, though, it makes sense to wait, especially with a shelter pup that needs extra attention. : [

If you're committed to the idea, I would get one a couple of months before school starts so you guys can get acquainted. I don't think it's horrible to have a dog your 1L year, but you need to have the time to walk it, feed it, all of those obvious things, and it can be really expensive.

Took less than 2 minutes:

Pets in law school

Having a pet in law school

smokemonsterfromLOST wrote:

ilovesf wrote:Dogs, especially new dogs, take up SO much time. Have you ever owned a dog before?

I grew up with a family dog, though I've not had one independently (aside from dog-sitting and volunteering at local humane societies). headandshoulderos is probably right, though, it makes sense to wait, especially with a shelter pup that needs extra attention. : [

yea. having a dog during law school is no problem, but GETTING a dog for law school is a huge problem and really unfair to the dog.

maybe if you got a dog like tomorrow and did everything right from now until august it would be ok. idk.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:Took less than 2 minutes:

Pets in law school

Having a pet in law school

I'm a special snowflake and need my own thread. Thanks - I did a really casual search and didn't see those; will review them as well!

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just get a cat

+1 in the 1L with a dog club. I actually got my puppy about a month after starting school. I live directly across the street from campus and people come to study at my place all of the time between classes. I come home directly after class and stay at home pretty much the rest of the day -- it's where I study. Other than the last week or so, I have spent plenty of time with my pup, socializing him with people and other dogs at the dog park.

These last two weeks have been harder because of finals, but my mom took him for a few days, and he's gone to doggie day care for two days, so I know he's getting plenty of interaction. In general, I would say if you can get a dog before school starts and spend a few months with him, getting through all of the typical puppy behavior, you'll be fine.

Just be aware that it's a living, breathing puppy -- it's a big time commitment, and sometimes not a very fun one (think chewing, accidents inside, barking, shots, etc.). But generally speaking, my puppy makes me way happier to come home than anything else would.

Having worked with numerous rescue agencies and as a current dog foster, I would recommend rescuing an older dog rather than a really young puppy if you're set on having a dog for 1L year. There are a lot of great older dogs, most of which have had at least some training and plenty of socialization--and are already housebroken! Older dogs (which is to say 2 years+) are also happy to sleep for a good bit of the day, rather than needing to constantly be walked or played with as a puppy might. And you know exactly how large the dog will end up being, in case you're living in a place that has size or breed restrictions. Just a thought!

thestillpoint wrote:Having worked with numerous rescue agencies and as a current dog foster, I would recommend rescuing an older dog rather than a really young puppy if you're set on having a dog for 1L year. There are a lot of great older dogs, most of which have had at least some training and plenty of socialization--and are already housebroken! Older dogs (which is to say 2 years+) are also happy to sleep for a good bit of the day, rather than needing to constantly be walked or player with as a puppy might. And you know exactly how large the dog will end up being, in case you're living in a place that has size or breed restrictions. Just a thought!

+1! I've volunteered at a local humane society as well, and I'd definitely go with a rescue - they're often super sweet.

thestillpoint wrote:Having worked with numerous rescue agencies and as a current dog foster, I would recommend rescuing an older dog rather than a really young puppy if you're set on having a dog for 1L year. There are a lot of great older dogs, most of which have had at least some training and plenty of socialization--and are already housebroken! Older dogs (which is to say 2 years+) are also happy to sleep for a good bit of the day, rather than needing to constantly be walked or played with as a puppy might. And you know exactly how large the dog will end up being, in case you're living in a place that has size or breed restrictions. Just a thought!

You may even be able to become a "foster parent" with a rescue agency or local charity. That way, you don't have to worry about paying for the medical expenses and you get an allowance from the charity for food, etc... However, the one problem is that if the dog is adopted, you lose them.

Maybe adopt an older dog that's already trained and has slowed down some?

I don't have a dog, but I'm a 1L and have a raised 2 puppies and 3 dogs in my life. There's certainly more than enough time. Even during finals week, I feel like I would have had enough time.

Please, for the sake of the dog though, realize you're going to be working full time in three years as well though, which is much harder on dogs.

Any views on a calm rescue, like a 5 year old dog?

soitgoes9 wrote:Any views on a calm rescue, like a 5 year old dog?

Especially from a kill shelter, your busy lifestyle would be an improvement. Some of it may depend on where you're going to school. I study at home a lot and there is plenty of grass, etc.

Ask for a weekend home visit to try out the fit. Don't stress if it has an accident or two...dogs get stressed too and act out of character.

dr123 wrote:just get a cat

+1
Got 2 kittens just before the start of 1L and they've been wonderful company, but also low-maintenance.

soitgoes9 wrote:Any views on a calm rescue, like a 5 year old dog?

I adopted a 3.5 year old dog. It's been one of the best things I've ever done He wasn't trained, but it was pretty easy training him. He had some pretty bad separation anxiety at first, but with the help of a crate we got over that after ~1 month.