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Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:53 pm
by msblaw89
Was considering buying a dog this summer to take with me to law school for some company. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:56 pm
by bdm261
I'm going to have my dog still when and wherever I go to LS. I have heard from law students that it's very helpful psychologically to have an animal friend throughout all the LS stress of exams and whatnot and no matter how hard of a day you had in class, your dog is still there to wag its tail and greet you when you come home
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:58 pm
by GeauxTigers7
I'll have my dog with me when I start LS as well. But I would not recommend getting an un-trained puppy and taking it with you. My dog will be 5 and does not require a ridiculous amount of attention. Even though I give her a ton.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:58 pm
by msblaw89
GeauxTigers7 wrote:I'll have my dog with me when I start LS as well. But I would not recommend getting an un-trained puppy and taking it with you. My will be 5 and does not require a ridiculous amount of attention. Even though I give her a ton.
That's why I was thinking of buying one soon to train now
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:03 pm
by GeauxTigers7
I can't really speculate too much since I'm an 0L as well. But I will tell you one thing, I don't think I would stay sane without my dog. After a rough day at work, she is the absolute best thing in the world to come home to. Puts a smile on my face every time. I imagine she will help me in similar ways while I am in LS.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:06 pm
by EMZE
I love my dog.
That said, it is a lot of fcking work depending on the breed and energy requirements. My doberman has endless energy, and when I am exausted, he wants to sit on me, next to me, put his face in mine, and fight for every drop of attention I can give him.
I worry that next year I will be rationing my time between my dog and the library.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:08 pm
by bdubs
Once housetraining is done it's not really a problem. Try to live close enough to the law school that you can do most of your studying at home.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:12 pm
by msblaw89
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm thinking medium goldendoodle (30-35 pounds). I love golden retrievers, but I don't want shedding.
Any current law students with dogs out there?
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:16 pm
by GeauxTigers7
I have a golden. Best dog in the world. She is 4.5 years old and just started calming down within the past year. She still acts like a puppy and wants to play when I get her excited, but she is calm and lazy when we're just hanging out. But this means your dog will probably start to calm down around the time you are done with LS.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:36 pm
by dingbat
msblaw89 wrote:Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm thinking medium goldendoodle (30-35 pounds). I love golden retrievers, but I don't want shedding.
Any current law students with dogs out there?
I wouldn't get a retriever(mix) - they're known for having a ton of energy and requiring a lot of time (disclaimer: I've got two huskies, but I've had them for years)
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:05 pm
by kalvano
Get a Rottweiler. They have the energy level of a sedated slug.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:22 pm
by msblaw89
dingbat wrote:msblaw89 wrote:Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm thinking medium goldendoodle (30-35 pounds). I love golden retrievers, but I don't want shedding.
Any current law students with dogs out there?
I wouldn't get a retriever(mix) - they're known for having a ton of energy and requiring a lot of time (disclaimer: I've got two huskies, but I've had them for years)
I really just want something that won't shed
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:32 pm
by MTBike
kalvano wrote:Get a Rottweiler. They have the energy level of a sedated slug.
Ummm... yeah, OP don't listen to this guy.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:35 pm
by EMZE
If you want something that don't shed, get a schnauzer(?). Neighbors have a mini and it is a pretty sweet dog.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:39 pm
by mrman17
You also need to consider whether it would be good for the dog, especially since you will spend so many hours of the day away from home. If you get a dog, it better not be a high maintenance breed.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:57 pm
by kalvano
MTBike wrote:kalvano wrote:Get a Rottweiler. They have the energy level of a sedated slug.
Ummm... yeah, OP don't listen to this guy.
It's true; none of my friends with Rotties have active dogs at all. They are older, though...4-6.
Same for Greyhounds, as well. They have about 20 minutes of energy a day, and the rest is spent napping on the couch.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:01 pm
by Br3v
As long as it doesn't restrict living arrangements to greatly I think it's a great idea
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:10 pm
by msblaw89
Br3v wrote:As long as it doesn't restrict living arrangements to greatly I think it's a great idea
Most of the potential apartments I am looking at are within walking distance to the LS and allow pets
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:14 pm
by Br3v
msblaw89 wrote:Br3v wrote:As long as it doesn't restrict living arrangements to greatly I think it's a great idea
Most of the potential apartments I am looking at are within walking distance to the LS and allow pets
Br3v Jr?
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:20 pm
by bdubs
mrman17 wrote:You also need to consider whether it would be good for the dog, especially since you will spend so many hours of the day away from home. If you get a dog, it better not be a high maintenance breed.
Being a law student doesn't mean spending many hours away from home every day. If you live close to school then you can come and go whenever you're done with class.
I spend maybe 3-4 hours a day at school and have plenty of time to hang out with my dog.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:29 pm
by EMZE
bdubs wrote:mrman17 wrote:You also need to consider whether it would be good for the dog, especially since you will spend so many hours of the day away from home. If you get a dog, it better not be a high maintenance breed.
Being a law student doesn't mean spending many hours away from home every day. If you live close to school then you can come and go whenever you're done with class.
I spend maybe 3-4 hours a day at school and have plenty of time to hang out with my dog.
What kind of dog do you have?
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:33 pm
by oldhippie
my LS experience is different - i live far enough from campus that i go and come home once a day, treat it like a full time job.
i would never be without my dog, and i think he's a tremendous stress relief for me. that said, he is VERY high energy and i have to wake up early every day to take him for serious exercise, and i still take him to dog daycare (yes, it has come to that) on long days so he isn't in a crate for 10 hours at a time.
but i wouldn't trade having him for anything. and he forces me to chill the hell out and play with him regularly, good stuff when school gets a little out of hand.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:14 pm
by EMZE
RE: oldhippie
That is a great point, that having a high energy dog does force me to take 30 minutes or whatever out of my day to walk him or run. My main concern is foir his well being while I am busy all day. I don't crate him anymore, though if I have to rent while in LS that may become compulsory.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:19 pm
by msblaw89
My family has always had at least one dog. There is just something about having a dog when you have a BAD day. With the stresses of law school, I feel that having a dog would be super beneficial.
Re: Thoughts on having a dog in law school?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:29 pm
by Always Credited
This is a corgi/golden retriever mix, and my future dog. I'll have it for my last year in law school.
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