I have always wanted a dog, but I am afraid I will not give it enough affection and love when school starts.My parents work until late hours. I will be 6-7 hours away when school starts. What do I do?
2006-08-28 15:55:31 · 25 answers · asked by dancegrlx 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
DO NOT GET ONE!!!! I thought I wanted one as a teenager too, but I'm so glad my parents wouldnt let me- Wait until your older and have more time and space for a dog. Dogs do require alot of attention. Consider a cat- they can be left alone for 12 hours and not piss and poop all over everything. Plus cats dont chew up stuff when left alone. I hope you look at all your options and dont adopt then neglect an innocent dog!
2006-08-28 16:03:47 · answer #1 · answered by ChrissyLicious 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello.I'm glad to hear that you have a love for animals. Dogs can be the best companion you will ever have and their loyalty is un-matched anywhere. Not even you spouse will give you the unconditional love and committment that your dog will give, and enjoy. In answer to your question , please wait . While a lot of people are of the mind set that " They are just animals " or " it's a dog....it has no feelings " , trust me when I tell you that they have feelings and emotions . In the same way that you can get depressed or lonely , as well as embarrassed and comfused , so too , can a dog. My 'pal' is better than Lassie ,Rin-Tin-Tin , Old Yeller ,Benji,Marmeduke , Snoopy , and Scooby-Doo and he has shown me just how susceptable a dog can hurt , just as human can . Wait until you can committ to spending good quality time with your dog. If the luxury can be afforded , and after you've found you have the time for a pet , I'd say get a mixed breed. Large mixed breeds are unbelivable with their love. I have a rotweiller-shepard mix and there is not a mean bone in his boby. Mixed breeds tend to be a little calmer than purebreeds. A terrific place to get a dog is at the local animal shelter. Remember , I've already told you about a dogs feelings ? The dogs at the "pound" are in a miserable mind set. Probably very confused and hurt that they have found themselves in a cage and no comfort. You can believe me that a rescued dog WILL know that you have become it's savior ( sort of like , the lion with the thorned paw ) and will spend it's entire life paying you back. When you are ready to get your pet , please e-mail me and I'll give you a few pointers on how to also make your dog become the best behaved dog in your town. I hope this has helped.
2006-08-28 16:34:11 · answer #2 · answered by Attaboyslim 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With the dog being alone for 6-7 hours a day before it has any human contact seems quite a long span for a puppy. Do you have anyone that could dog sit for you while your in school, a neighbour with a fenced yard or a graduated friend who works evenings. If no I would suggest that you hold off until you have the time to spend housetraining as well as teaching it tricks and manners. Dogs can be very expensive as I have a shih tzu that has now cost me approximately $1800 in eye surgeries. You have to remember they are cute and cuddly but are also a very big responsibility. Try pet sitting for someone on the weekends for a few weeks and see if you are still up to the task of responsibilities.
2006-08-28 16:06:32 · answer #3 · answered by amc_065 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am very glad that you realize that.. you would be surprised at how many people do not.. they just want a dog and that is it. Getting a dog is taking on responsibility. A dog wants to be not only loved but to return that love and if his master(s) is(are) away, he cannot do that and it does affect the dog.. believe me.. You have to have time to take it on walks and to be with it. I am assuming that you are away 6-7 hours DURING THE DAY.. If that is all, you would probably be alright but after that, you must give the poor doggie as much of your time as you can
2006-08-28 16:01:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
6 -7 hours a day is not too long. I had 2 labs and they slept almost all day long anyway. They sleep almost as much as cats. They could hold their pee all day too. I would get home from work and let them out and then we would play ball. They would eat their dinner. We would hang out and watch tv together and go to bed at night. But if you start working after school you might not have much time for your dog - so concider will someone else be home to take care of him or not?
2006-08-28 16:08:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't get one. If you are gone that long it will chew everything you own to hell. Unless you crate it. And would you like to spend 8 hours in a crate every day of your life? No.
The dog will be miserable and you won't be able to enjoy it for all the problems it has. Unless you have a fenced in yard. If you have a fenced in yard, go ahead and get a dog and let it run crazy all day. Thats what dogs do, so it will be happy and you will be happy.
I second the idea to volunteer at the SPCA first, and wait at least two weeks before getting one of your own.
2006-08-28 16:04:29 · answer #6 · answered by langsuyar 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is better to hold off on the dog until you can live in a place that you can have one. Trust me... parents don't like to have dogs dropped off on them (especially needy puppies). Wait until your soph/junior year when you are living on your own. If you are wanting something that doesn't require much (exercise, grooming, etc) and will be inside most of the day, get a small pooch with smooth short hair. If an outdoor pup, try a medium sized dog that doesn't have overactive tendancies.
2006-08-28 16:04:22 · answer #7 · answered by munchkin_4684 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would pass on getting a dog at this point. Puppies require loads of care and time. Puppies need to go outside frequently and need to eat 3 times daily. Older dogs already used to people being away might handle it but then it would still be iffy.
2006-08-28 16:02:14 · answer #8 · answered by J Somethingorother 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
either get a dog small enough to take with you, or not at all.Getting a pet takes way more than just wanting one.It would be so selfish to get a dog when your not willing to devote the time and attention that they deserve. so take it from there good luck with your choice, but think about what you can offer the dog, not what the dog can offer you.
2006-08-28 16:05:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am a dog expert i have 30!! yes get a dog but when you are home play with it a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!! it you are between the age of 14-17 then maybe not because you won't be around very much.
we breed and sell dogs labs, Golden's, and Bernese mountain dogs!! you can email me at brenda_morgan_is1@yahoo.com!!!!!!!
2006-08-28 16:01:22 · answer #10 · answered by cutiy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋