Dog Health Questions: Should I get a dog...?

First off I want to say that I am and have always been a dog person. I grew up with dogs and have always had special relationships with them in my opinion. When I was only a few months old my parents took in a puppy for a friend. I grew up with her and when I lost her from cancer it felt like I lost a best friend. We got another puppy soon after that from the shelter and everything had been going great with that (potty trained in four days and I'm pretty proud of that haha) until it to succumbed to cancer (I know what a coincidence right.) It's been years since my dogs died and I haven't had one since. I miss the companionship and loyalty that a dog brings.

I'm now 16 almost 17 and am really thinking about getting another one (Sheltie in fact as that was what my last dogs were.) My mom (parents divorced) says she is thinking about it. This summer I can devote almost 100% of my time to a dog training it and being active with it. I'm an avid outdoors person so being active is not a problem at all. I have a part time job working about three hours three to four days a week so whenever I would be away it would be for short amounts of time. My mom is also willing to help out here and there with training and letting it out to go to the bathroom.

There's only one problem and that's me going to college in a little over a year. My plan would be to let my mom take care of it for the first year (I plan to go to college locally and would be able to come home during the weekends every once in a while.) After the first year I would move into my own house with some friends most likely and could take the dog back. I am very knowledgable about the care of dogs but I'm really torn as what to do. I'm sure most of you will say that I should wait until after college and I partially agree but I just don't know. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. sorry for the length.

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Yes, I think you need to get your sheltie now while your mom can help you with potty training. The first few months are going to be important in your puppies life so make sure you schedule that while you are out of school this summer and while your mom can help. Check the colleges in your area to see if they have pet friendly programs, they have different rules for different colleges. There are 17 pet friendly colleges and universities. Some have size and spay neuter requirements, and shot requirements. Some require your pet to be in a cage. The most popular colleges are.....
Eckerd college, St Petersberg Florida
Stephens college,,Missouri
New Mexico State University New Mexico
MIT Massachusetts Tistitute of Technology
CALTECH California Institute of Technology
State University of New York, Canton
Shimer college Waukegan Ill
UCLA
Vassar
University of Pennsylvania.

They find that it is a positive experience to bring your dog to college for the student, and there are no limits to pet sitters if you need one. You might try typing pet friendly colleges in your search engine for more information, because they all seem to have different requirements and rules. good luck

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• Wait till you are finished with college.


• Is your mom home to take care of it? Is your mom willing to take care of it while you're in college? Can you afford it? Can your mom give it the attention it will need? Will she be able to take care of its coat (regular grooming)? Do you have a fenced in yard? Do you have neighbors (shelties can be very yappy)? Will there be human companionship most of the day? Will it have room to run?
  
  If any of these are a problem you shouldn't get one. You need to be dedicated. Hope this helps! (:


• I would wait until after you finish college. Alot of ppl have the same plan as you do but do not realize all the time consumed with College and their social life. You have no idea where you will be at in a couple years so I would not bank on being able to take the pup back with you. Also you would be leaving when your pup is still in the puppy stage. I would wait until you are thru with college and have settled down so you don't have this puppy who would be moved around often. -God Bless-


• Actually I'm a ,senior on my way out the door to college and I think getting a dog would be great, if it's for you and your mom and she doesn't mind the responsibility when you go off to college. But a year away, you may change you mind. You can not like the freshman dorms at the college you want, or you may decide to come home more often yadda yaddaa. I know I changed my mind a lot when I looked deeper into the colleges I wanted to go to when I toured and saw what they looked like, and looked at tuition prices. I am a dog person to and I think they are just great to have around, like another friend. It sounds like your really experienced with dogs, and you wouldn't be a bad caregiver for a pet, so I think you'd be really responsible through the experience.


• I would wait until you where completely done with collage cause you are going to have to pay for gas in your car and if you plan on getting a apartment that will coast you to.If you only have a part time job then it mit not pay enough money for you and your dog. You would also have to pay for food for you and your dog. But then again having a dog is wonderful. I am a dog person myself I know how hard of a decision these could be ope my advice helps you good luck!!!!!!!!