im going to college next year and im thinking of getting a dog not a big one but a cute lil one. im still not sure if i should or not but i want to know what the good and bad things of having a dog is and what is the best kind of dog for me to get.
o n i was wondering about how much it cost to take care of a dog....
***THANXS***
2007-06-21 04:40:32 · 26 answers · asked by I love Dionne 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
PROS- companionship, friendship, not bored all the time
CONS- cleaning up after it.
as for breed no one can tell u exactly what breed to get for U. i suggest u start by googling small dog breeds and go from there
as for costs here is a list of supplies u need and the cost range
*food- depending on brand it can be anywhere from 8 to 25-30 dollars for a big bag. (25-30 being the high quality dog food that is really good for ur dog)(this is the cost per bag)usually costs 120 dollars yearly for the cheaper food.
*toys- roughly 60 dollars on toys a year. maybe more
*leashes, collars, tags, food dish etc.-25 dollars in the first year and about 15 for the years to come
*license-30 dollars yearly in ur town unless u live in the country
*treats-130 dollars yearly depending on the treats u use and how often u use them
*vet-250 dollars yearly not including medications i.e. flea treatment, ear mite treatment, etc
*medications- 70 dollars roughly
*grooming supplies-20 dollars for supplies that should last u a while
*shots for a puppy-150 dollars
so for yearly cost ur looking anywhere from 700 to 1250 dollars depending on some things. like the type of food u buy, the amount of treats u buy, and the amount of toys, and the amount of vet bills. so it is a lot of money to take care of a dog. so u might want a job if ur considering getting a dog in college
2007-06-21 05:09:08 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, having a dog can be very rewarding, but it can also be kind of a pain in the butt sometimes. Here are pros and cons:
Pros-
Your dog will be so happy to see you when you come home every time, it will sort of feel like you're a celebrity and he's a groupie.
Nothing's quite as lovely as watching TV and having your doggie come and rest his head on your lap.
Walking your dog is great exercise, and it is really motivational to know that you'd better go on a walk with your dog OR ELSE!!!
If you're single, dogs are MAJOR dude magnets, as long as they're not too foofy and girly.
They provide hours of entertainment- my dog even sleeps in a funny way, so he's always good for a laugh.
You can totally talk to yourself, and if anyone catches you, you can pretend you were talking to the dog.
If you're sad, dogs can totally sense that and they'll come over and try to cheer you up.
Cons-
You were wondering how much it costs to have a dog? Well, let's just say that I had to take my dog to the vet the other day and came out $324 lighter. And of course, there's all the food and toys and grooming supplies. I'd say it costs about $10,000 in a dog's lifetime.
If you get a puppy, prepare to lose your deposit on your apartment, because that carpet will never look right again!!!!
You will no longer be able to eat a meal without feeling sad little eyes watching you, hoping for a little treat. Prepare to feel guilty for eating.
Dogs get sick, and when they do, they poo and puke all over the house, no matter how old they are, so if you have a weak stomach, it may not be for you.
MAJOR CON: Since I already have the greatest dog in the world, you'll have to only settle for the first-runner-up. (j/k, LOL)
Bottom line: Dogs are great, but be sure you have enough, time, attention, and money for one, and also make sure you have patience. I hear good things about Yorkies, if you like small breeds, or Pugs. I have a bulldog myself, and I love him so much!!!
2007-06-21 05:03:30 · answer #2 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't...unless you're going to be home for many-many hours a day.
Think about a dog like a child who never grows-up.
It starts-out needing constant care and attention until you can train it to not leave messes, and to not jump out windows, eat furniture, dig holes in floors, etc
Once you've reached that point, the dog is now semi-independant.
That being said, it should not be left alone for more than 6-8 hours at a time, not only to prevent smelly little accidents, but to prevent the animal from feeling as if you've abandoned it. (A second pet, a built-in plyamate, if you will, can alleviate *some* of this problem, but then you will also have twice as many accusing eyes to deal with when you spend a 15 hour day away from home.)
If you are planning to be in a place where several of you are living, and there is a group willing to care for the animal, I would advise a 20-50 pound dog. Small enough to be comfortable, and large enough to cuddle. In any case, make sure you find a breed that is very social, otherwise you will have problems in a group environment.
As much as I hate to say this, being a dog person...a cat would probably be better if you're planning to live alone.
As for cost, it depends on breed, and size. Add in the cost of high-end foods if you want to go that way, plus vet care (and pet insurance, which is the rage right now), it can be anywhere from a couple grand or less in annual expences, to multiple thousands. One of the cheapest surgeries you'll bring the animal in for will be for spay/neuter services, and that can cost from $100 up. Add in the $500 fee for training the wee beastie, plus shots and boosters...
The unlimited and unconditional love the dog would give you is not something to be accepted at *your* convenience. While the dog's life will revolve around your schedule, your life will have to revolve around the dog's needs. Much like a child, except the dog can't tell you what's wrong with it. Given that dogs live between 10 and 20 years...
2007-06-21 05:23:45 · answer #3 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me these are just a few of the main things to think of.
Pro's
Unconditional love and devotion.
Good listener.
Always there to dry your tears.
Companionship.
Cons
Cost of vet bills which can run into thousands if the animal is in an accident or becomes very ill.
Always needing to find someone to care for it before you can make plans to go away even for a couple of days.
These are just a few things to think about. With you going away to school i would say it would be better to wait until you are all done and have a stable home.
If you really can't wait for a pet at this time a cat maybe a better option.
Just be sure to think it through very carefully before you decide what to do.
2007-06-21 05:01:06 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. P's Person 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm also a college student & I just got a dog a week ago.
Pros:
will love you unconditionally
always have a companion
helps with my mothering instincts : )
go on walks together (helps you get exercise)
self-esteem booster when you teach your dog tricks & commands
have somebody to talk to, play with, & love
reduce stress & lowers blood pressure when petting
will alert you to danger by barking
Cons:
expensive to take care of a dog- foot, sometimes extra rent, deposit, health, grooming, boarding, toys, bed, etc. (the 1st yr. can be anywhere from 500-5000 & the following yrs. after that would be anywhere from 300-2500)
must clean up after all their messes
can't leave the house as often (i rarely leave the apt. & yet I feel a little bit hindered by this)
reliant on you for everything
must be home often (this may be hard if you're in college & want to hang out with your friends often- my advice is to wait til you go and figure out how much time you'll be home first)
lose a lot of spontaneity b/c now everything must be planned to consider the needs of the dog
have to put in a lot of training time
2007-06-21 05:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by Sum 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a dog is great: you have an instant companion, a fearless protector, and a good friend. There's always someone waiting for you when you get home.
If you're going away to college, I would not get a dog. It's going to take up a lot of your time initially. And when you have to spend all day at the library studying, who's going to take it out to the bathroom and feed it? The same goes for non-college students. I work 8-5, too far from home to drive back and forth during lunch. I have to have someone let my dog out every day at lunch - and sometimes after work if I have to stay late! And when I want to stay out late or spend the night at my boyfriend's house, someone has to take care of my dog!
Having a dog is a big commitment, a lot like having a child. I read that the cost of caring for a medium sized dog over its lifetime is around $12,000! This is not something to get involved in if your time is going to be limited, as it may be while you're in college.
2007-06-21 04:51:36 · answer #6 · answered by xK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost will depend on many things - how often it goes to the vet, if it has health problems, the quality of food that you buy, how much you'll need to put her in the kennel when you travel, licensing fees, obedience class, etc. Dogs tie you to your home, they can't be left alone for a weekend like a cat. They need regular exercise (I walk mine 2x a day) in order to be happy & healthy. They shed like crazy, bark in the middle of the night for no reason and if you get a shelter dog like I did, you won't have a minute of peace, she'll follow you everywhere. You'll need a fenced yard to make sure your dog doesn't get hit by a car, run away or bite someone. It's cruel to tie a dog outside. But they're great companions when you're ready for the responsibility. My dog is always happy to see me now matter how crappy I look or feel. She's sweet and gentle, great with people and she cracks me up at least once a day. You can search the internet for web sites that will ask you a bunch of questions about your lifestyle to see which breed is best for you.
2007-06-26 05:38:07 · answer #7 · answered by burghgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cost: at least $2,000 a year for food, shots, toys, flea and heartworm preventative. That does not include emergency trips to the vet if he eats something he's not supposed to, etc.
If you are going to college, make sure you are not required to live in a dorm, because the dorms won't let you have a pet. You will have to live off-campus.
Having a dog is a lot of work, but it is very rewarding. Pros: they're cute, fun, and love you unconditionally. Cons: picking up dog poop, cleaning up throw up, pee and poop in your house, clipping nails, cleaning ears, paying for grooming, expressing anal glands (eeeewww!), and you can't go away from home for long because your dog needs you to feed him and take him outside.
The best dog for you to get is one you like. Please consider rescuing a dog- you can find a lot on petfinder.com. Research the breed so you know what it's like first.
Good luck!
2007-06-21 04:48:23 · answer #8 · answered by Bambi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well since you're going to college, I would recommend you don't get one. College is really time consuming, and then when you're not studying, you'd probably rather spend time with friends than your dog. Dogs need a lot of care and attention and you won't have the time to give it to them. Sure, they can be fun and look cute, but you might get bored of playing with it, or at least annoyed with having to play with it after having to study and do all the other stressful things in college.
Plus, dog can be extremely expensive if they get hurt or sick. My dog was recently hit by a car about four months ago and the bill ran up to nearly five grand. Accidents can happen at any time and you have to be able to financially support whatever comes up. Since you're in college, I doubt you'll have the money or time to properly care for a dog right now. And if you plan on getting an apartment with a roomate, alot of people might not want to share the apt. with you if you have a dog.
My best advice to you is to just wait until your settled down and out of college, or at least in a situation to where you have more time and more money. Getting a dog when you're just starting college is an awful idea unless you happen to have tons of money, are taking just a couple classes, and have think you'll have an abundance of free time on your hands. All of which are really doubtful for a college freshman.
Well, good luck on your decision.
2007-06-21 04:58:12 · answer #9 · answered by Bats 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends on your situation...do you already know where you will be living? If not, do not get a dog before as you may not be able to find a place that takes pets. Pet's are not acessories, they are a real financial and emotional obligation. They look to you for EVERYTHING and can do nothing for themselves. Food, flea and tick protection, grooming, snacks, toys, beds, VET BILLS (oh and everyone underestimates those!!!!) Dogs are very very expensive to take care of them properly. They take a lot of training and care...will you have the effort to put forth for potty training when you're struggling over a test you have the next morning? There are so many things to consider. You rae entering a new phase in your life that's hard enough without added resposibility thrown in....get situated, get a good job and a schedule that;s fair to a dog (will you be gone all the time??)
Just lots to think about...and please, if you decide to get a pup...PLEASE adopt...please...
2007-06-21 04:47:53 · answer #10 · answered by rattgrrrl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋