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Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:35 pm
by LizLemon
I currently live with my boyfriend and we really want to adopt a small dog. We're waiting until we find out where I'll be going to law school so that we can move into a building that allows pets. My question is... is it realistic to expect that I'll be able to take care of a pet (with his help of course) while I'm in law school?

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:36 pm
by waldodanto
I sure hope so.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:37 pm
by presh
.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:51 pm
by Grad_Student
It works out fine and it's nice having a buddy. Go for it.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:54 pm
by PublicLaw
Gosh I hope so, since I'll have two small children...which are way more challenging than a puppy.

I would recommend to kennel train it though, it gives it security while your away and keeps it from destroying everything in the house!

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:55 pm
by LizLemon
presh wrote:
LizLemon wrote:I currently live with my boyfriend and we really want to adopt a small dog. We're waiting until we find out where I'll be going to law school so that we can move into a building that allows pets. My question is... is it realistic to expect that I'll be able to take care of a pet (with his help of course) while I'm in law school?
Would this be an actual puppy or just a small, but grown, dog? There is a big time difference according to whether or not you have to train the dog.
We're leaning toward a smaller size like a Maltese or Mal-Shi. I would hope to find out where I'm going to law school sooner than later so I might have time to train him/her during the summer. (I've never had a pet although my boyfriend has had 3 dogs in the past so I'm a total newbie).

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:56 pm
by Anonymous0L
Get 2 puppies so they won't be lonely.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:57 pm
by presh
.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:59 pm
by wahoo831
I have lots of classmates who have dogs. They all seem to make it work just fine. And if you're on campus late, your boyfriend can be home, so you're golden. I'd guess that depending on what cities you're looking at, the bigger concern would be finding a reasonably priced pet-friendly apartment. (I'm at Duke Law, so that's not a real problem here, but I lived in DC before that, and 'pet rent' could get quite steep there.)

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:01 pm
by MrSoOoFLy
LizLemon wrote:
presh wrote:
LizLemon wrote:I currently live with my boyfriend and we really want to adopt a small dog. We're waiting until we find out where I'll be going to law school so that we can move into a building that allows pets. My question is... is it realistic to expect that I'll be able to take care of a pet (with his help of course) while I'm in law school?
Would this be an actual puppy or just a small, but grown, dog? There is a big time difference according to whether or not you have to train the dog.
We're leaning toward a smaller size like a Maltese or Mal-Shi. I would hope to find out where I'm going to law school sooner than later so I might have time to train him/her during the summer. (I've never had a pet although my boyfriend has had 3 dogs in the past so I'm a total newbie).
NO.

The smaller breeds NEED a lot of attention. Hell every time my girl friend and I go out for dinner our maltese cries and scratches at the door, when we get back home she's standing at the window waiting for us to come home.

Even when we're home, if my girl goes to run an errand and leaves our puppy will cry for a while.

Small breeds need A LOT of attention. I honestly think dealing with kids would be easier since kids can at least understand you'll be back in an hour.

I really don't recommend a small breed for law school. But hey every puppy and owner relationship is different. We probably baby our puppy WAY too much but we wouldn't change a thing.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:03 pm
by youpiiz
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Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:06 pm
by PublicLaw
MrSoOoFLy wrote:
LizLemon wrote:
presh wrote:
LizLemon wrote:I currently live with my boyfriend and we really want to adopt a small dog. We're waiting until we find out where I'll be going to law school so that we can move into a building that allows pets. My question is... is it realistic to expect that I'll be able to take care of a pet (with his help of course) while I'm in law school?
Would this be an actual puppy or just a small, but grown, dog? There is a big time difference according to whether or not you have to train the dog.
We're leaning toward a smaller size like a Maltese or Mal-Shi. I would hope to find out where I'm going to law school sooner than later so I might have time to train him/her during the summer. (I've never had a pet although my boyfriend has had 3 dogs in the past so I'm a total newbie).
NO.

The smaller breeds NEED a lot of attention. Hell every time my girl friend and I go out for dinner our maltese cries and scratches at the door, when we get back home she's standing at the window waiting for us to come home.

Even when we're home, if my girl goes to run an errand and leaves our puppy will cry for a while.

Small breeds need A LOT of attention. I honestly think dealing with kids would be easier since kids can at least understand you'll be back in an hour.

I really don't recommend a small breed for law school. But hey every puppy and owner relationship is different. We probably baby our puppy WAY too much but we wouldn't change a thing.
Actually, it's not just small breeds--we have a lab/aus. shepherd mix who has severe seperation anxiety. You should def do some research on the breed before you get a dog, some dogs really really want to be with their "pack" all the time and others are a little more independent. Also you will need to exercise the dog so it won't be so hyper when you leave. In general this is easier with a small dog, but once again it depends on the breed, some are very hyper. You'll also want to get some good tips on training.

Make sure you can find a place to live that allows dogs, like someone else mentioned, pet rent can be a huge pain and some places won't even allow certain sizes/breeds.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:11 pm
by MrSoOoFLy
Also, see this thread that was on TLS earlier. You may find some helpful tips here:
Should One Get a Puppy before Law Skool? Poll!

Edit: Skipped lines which messed up the link. My bad

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:14 pm
by LizLemon
MrSoOoFLy wrote:Also, see this thread that was on TLS earlier. You may find some helpful tips here:

Should One Get a Puppy before Law Skool? Poll!
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How funny! That's almost the exact same question. I guess I should have searched for "puppy". Didn't think it would even bring up any relevant matches.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:19 pm
by MrSoOoFLy
Sorry my mistake...

Wrong link was on the clip board.

I fixed it.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:21 pm
by LizLemon
MrSoOoFLy wrote:Sorry my mistake...

Wrong link was on the clip board.

I fixed it.
thanks. i deleted it from my reply for that girl's sake!

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:24 pm
by MrSoOoFLy
LizLemon wrote:
MrSoOoFLy wrote:Sorry my mistake...

Wrong link was on the clip board.

I fixed it.
thanks. i deleted it from my reply for that girl's sake!
lol thank you <333

Back on topic. Maltese puppies are fucking awesome.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:33 pm
by Jasper12
PublicLaw wrote:Gosh I hope so, since I'll have two small children...which are way more challenging than a puppy.

I would recommend to kennel train it though, it gives it security while your away and keeps it from destroying everything in the house!
Hmmm...children are more challenging than puppies? Wait a sec. Can you not just kennel train your children also?

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:38 pm
by JMC
You should read Cesar's Way before you decide to get a dog.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:41 pm
by drhunterr

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:00 pm
by PublicLaw
Jasper12 wrote:
PublicLaw wrote:Gosh I hope so, since I'll have two small children...which are way more challenging than a puppy.

I would recommend to kennel train it though, it gives it security while your away and keeps it from destroying everything in the house!
Hmmm...children are more challenging than puppies? Wait a sec. Can you not just kennel train your children also?
Apparently it's frowned upon by CPS...I prefer just chaining them in the basement, at least then they can continue putting together the fake Gucci bags to help pay for my education. :wink:

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:04 pm
by lrw05d
i bought a puppy while in undergrad, and it definitely was time consuming but possible. it balanced out, because while i have possibly the most stubborn, sensitive, attention-needy puppy in the world, i also have parents within driving distance to take care of him when i go out of town. :lol: be prepared for lots of 3 am walks.

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:09 pm
by Jasper12
Ha I like you Publiclaw!

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:26 pm
by jackrabbitjones
OP, you are fully aware that puppies grow into large dogs, right?

Re: Is it realistic to have a puppy during law school?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:29 pm
by Jasper12
Also, dogs don't go to heaven! That movie was full of shit!