Yes or no to getting a dog if you...?

Question

Worked 40 hours a week. Went to school two nights of the week. Lived in a 2 bedroom apartment with a 15x25 backyard. Lived down the street from a park. Right across the street from a college with a big open grass field. Was willing to spend all your free time with the dog. walk it. When you went running it ran with you. If money was tight but you could afford it.

I'm thinking about getting a German Shepherd. I want a best friend with four legs and a tail. A dog thats loyal and will never leave my side. Not to mention good with people.

Thanks to you guys and gals who responed with an excellent and thought out answer. D, I like what you said about owners who have got in over their heads. I've been known to do that from time to time. Opened my eyes a little bit with that one. And now that I think about how busy I am right now, I know that I am only going to get busier this time next year with the Police Academy coming up. I'll wait til I'm done with school and have entered my career field before getting a dog. Thanks again to those who answered.

Trish, I would LOVE to be in the K-9 unit and that's what I'm shooting for now that I think about it. Thanks.

Answer 1

That's a pretty small place for a German Shepherd. You also are gone a lot.

Why not spend "all that free time" you mention volunteering at the animal shelter first? Walk THOSE dogs every night, except class night. Then you can see how much 'free time' you really have, and how much is required to care for a dog, not to mention how much it costs. Try out your self-discipline first before using it on a live being.

You want a "dog that will never leave my side" but you won't be around him! You work 40 hours a week and do class as well. Just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should. This may not be the right time for you to adopt a dog. Finances play a BIG part as well. Can you afford office visits to the vet, teeth cleanings (@ $250), and immunizations? What if something happens? Dogs can get hit by cars and remember the recent pet food scare? Many people had to rush their dog to the vet for hospitalization (just 3 days = approx. $1,000) and the animals still died. What if your dog comes down with kidney failure or cancer? It can happen; not all dogs that get ill are old dogs.

Will you be: going back to school full-time, getting married, getting a roommate (potential allergies), having a baby, getting a new job, losing your current job, getting new furniture, having a problem with your landlord because of the noise and barking, etc.? There are many people who use these excuses to dump dogs that they no longer want to make the effort for because they got in over their head.

All this has to be taken into consideration if you are a responsible person. Remember, your first concern should be what is in the best interest of the dog! He or she has no voice to speak on his/her behalf, so it needs to be a good 'fit' for all concerned.

Answer 2

A German Shepherd is a big dog that requires a fair amount of exercise. Can you walk him/her daily with your schedule?

It sounds like you're devoted enough. NOW. Does the complex allow a dog that big? Can you afford the vet shots, the food?

He or she will be good with people if trained and socialized properly. Again, if you put the time in, that may work.

Keep in mind, though, that for a puppy especially being without the owner for 8 hours or more might be stressful... not to mention tough on holding the bladder.

My honest assessment is that if you can find someone to help out a little bit here and there with taking care of the dog (letting it out while you're working, for example), and the complex allows it, and you're willing to get it the shots and what he or she needs... then do so.

Answer 3

Right now doesn't sound like a good time for you. I would think a GSD is way too big for the conditions you describe, You need to be able to spend a good deal of time in the beginning with a puppy to get it trained properly for when you can't be there and it sounds like you don't have that luxury. You would be better off volunteering at a shelter, rescue or an animal hospital for now. However, if you just can't wait, go to a shelter or rescue and see if they will match you with a dog who needs a home. If you qualify they will match dog you and your circumstance. That would be best and you would have the satisfaction of knowing you have saved a dog in need.

Answer 4

You mentioned the police academy? Maybe you should try getting into the K-9 unit. Or voluteer to work with the dogs at the K-9 unit. I don't know if they do that, but for a future officer it would be good training and a foot in the door. Plus you would get to work with these wonderful brave officer dogs.

Answer 5

German Shepards might get too big for a two bedroom apartment and for a 16x25 backyard. You might consider getting a littler dog. Maybe medium sized.

Try some of these dogs:

Dandy Dinmont Terrier
American Eskimo Dog
Bulldog
Keeshond
Basset Hound
Clumber Spaniel
Finish Spitz
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel

If none of these fit your style try going here:

http://www.pedigree.com/community/selectADog/?style=dogAdoption&breadcrumbOverride=%2FdogAdoption%2Fthinking%2Bof%2Badopting%2Fselectadog%2Easp

Answer 6

as someone else said.. possible but hard..

That's quite a strict schedule.. BUT.. if, say you had someone who would be willing to go in while you are at work and take the dog out for a bit.. If not it may be too long to keep the dog in the house... (trying to hold it in can make dogs sick).. money being tight might be an issue..just try to save up for an emergency.. But, running with it is a great idea.. good for bonding as well.. It's not a downright bad idea..

Answer 7

it could work...but you'd really have to be dedicated to making it work

I'd save up some money because dog health emergencies can be expensive, do some research on low cost vet clinics in your area, figure out how you're gonna keep the dog entertained while you're at work (kong toys, a friend who could stop by and play with him), figure out how you're gonna keep the dog exercised (waking up early to walk the dog helps with exercise, and your dog's mental health)...I also urge you to research german shepards because they may not be the best dog for your lifestyle

You sound like you could handle it, but it's important to be prepared before making that leap...you may want to consider getting a slightly older dog (3 to 5 years old) that way the dog won't be as hyper and hard to train; you may also want to consider using your vacation days the first week you have the dog or saving some money to hire a trainer because a new dog needs to be trained right away

good luck

Answer 8

Possible but hard.

German shepherds are great dogs and highly trainable but their intelligence also means they bore easily and bored dogs get into trouble. If you get a puppy, you'd need somebody to check on it mid-day and play with it and if necessary let it out to go potty. You would need to commit to obedience training - which means classes at night on top of your busy schedule and walks and runs every single day. And I would seriously consider doggie day care several days a week.

It can be done but your situation is less than ideal and you'd have to do some things to mitigate that.

Answer 9

I've got the perfect dog for you. It is called the Japanese Chin. It is very loyal, in the Toy Group, and you only have to brush it twice a week! I'm planning to get one too, and it's a very good dog for what you are describing. The Japanese Chin would be happier if someone was with it all the time, but it's okay if someone isn't for short periods of time.

Answer 10

is it fair to the animal or just to you?? help a shelter or pound; transport rescued dogs; a ton of ways to help until you can be there and be fair to the animal as well; we all want but what does a dog need ; an owner who is home or least more than out