when can i get a dog?

Question

following up on the previous question about convincing my parents to get me a dog. I can understand that since no one is at home from 8 (my parents leave for work then) to generally 2 to 3 in the afternoon (when I get back from school), it might not be a good idea to keep a dog. I did read that some dogs are find left alone for this period of time so I thought it would be ok. But the thing is I need to know then does that mean I will never be suitable to keep a dog, since my parents expect me to work overseas, so there would probably be no one in the house to look after the dog even after I grow up.

I am going to stay in the house for at least 3 more years.

Answer 1

I know I am going to get slammed for this one for sure but here I go......Get your dog. Life is short and love is endless. I think anyone that is so concerned about whether or not they should be a dog owner well should be a dog owner. I wonder how many years you have left in your parents house right now? And how could parents make you work over seas. Your life is yours. When you graduated where you want to be as an adult will be your choice not your parents. Also no one knows where we will be tomarrow must less in 5-8 years. Not to be morbid or anything but when I was 11 my favorite cousin that was only 16 passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of kidney failure. No one is even guaranteed tomarrow. I think one of the best experiences in life is the love of a good dog. You will be growing in ways you have no ideas. To be truly responsible for another life. If you are ready for that then start researching breeds or visit your local rescue. Good luck.

Answer 2

I suspect that for the present and near future you should not have a dog. Carrying a dog across borders can be a real hassle - requiring extended periods of quarantine and extensive veterinary records etc. etc.

SO, I would put off getting a dog until you are grown up and settled as an adult. Then, the choice would be yours.

But be patient - you won't be in this situation forever. Longer than you wish perhaps, but not forever.

In the meantime, study up on dog care and dog training etc. so when you're financially stable enough to have a dog - you will be more prepared.

And make friends with people who have dogs so you can at least be around them for now.

Answer 3

You can get a dog when you are financially independent enough to cover the veterinarian bills (which can be very high if the dog has an accident) and when you are dependable and reliable enough to be able to take care of the dog's needs for the balance of its expected lifetime. Dogs need basic preventive healthcare just as people do--check-ups, worming, immunizations, flea medicine, heartworm medicine, grooming--and so on. It can be very costly to take the dog in for even the most basic needs if the dog is healthy. Recently my dog had an accident and broke 3 of her toes--which are the long bones in a dog's leg that support them. So far, it has cost me over $1,000 in vet bills--a lot of money. But because I made the commitment to provide for her when I adopted her from the Humane Society, I spent it to give her good healthcare.

If you know that you will be going away to a foreign country, you need to check to see if it is even possible to take the dog into the country and to whatever location you will be working. If you are going to do something such as work as an au pair or nanny, it would probably not be possible to take the dog with you. At that point, you are going to have to make the decision to give the dog up--and that is not easy, since by taking the dog, you have made a commitment to care for the dog for its lifetime.

Perhaps when you are settled in your job overseas it will be possible for you to own a dog. You can get a dog in the country that you live in and take care of it there. If you return home, you will have to find out the laws about bringing the dog back with you. Since you will have worked, you should be able to save money to bring the dog with you.

I wish that I could give you a more hopeful answer, that I could say go ahead and get one now. But too many people do that without considering the consequences for their changing lives. It doesn't sound as if you are financially capable of caring for the dog, and your parents don't sound as if they would help you out too much if the dog requires medical attention--as it surely will even if it is just routine care. But it's still a decision that you must make with your parents, whether they will help to support the dog financially or not, who is going to care for the dog when you leave, and so on. It doesn't sound as if it is a good time for you to be considering adopting a dog. Too many people get dogs on an impulse without planning on what will happen if they are unable to care for the dog, the financial problems that they will incur, and so on, so that our shelters end up filled to capacity with dogs that are no longer loved--a very sad situation. You sound very mature to be asking the right questions, and even though it may be difficult for you to wait, it's probably better for you and for the dog that you want in your life some day. And some day, you will make a great dog owner because you will be ready to take on the responsibility for the dog's life.

Answer 4

Older dogs can be left alone longer than puppies. If you really want to get a dog, try your local shelter and get an adult dog. They are able to handle longer periods of time without potty breaks.
There are many people that work full time and also have dogs.

Answer 5

Can you take the dog with you overseas ? I don't know the current quarrantine laws for your tageted country, but you can look into it at that time.

Do you have friends that might take the dog ?

Would you be willing to put the dog up for adoption thru a Rescue organization ?

What timespan are you suggesting... 4 more years or 8 more years ? If 8 years, you might adopt an older dog... and both of you would be happy with the time that you have together...