getting a dog?

Question

I want to get a dog preferably a 1-2 year old dog one thats young but not a complete puppy. The problem is most shelters reject me because I'm 20 years old and live in an apartment. I go to school and live in an average sized apartment 1100sq feet, I also live a few blocks from a park and go for daily runs in the morning (in which the new dog would come with) I thought this would be a good time to get a dog b/c my parents still cover most of my expenses so there won't be a problem there and with college classes I would be gone a max of 3 hours instead of leaving for a 9-5 job everyday, not to mention my roommate will be in and out as well. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, most breeders just have puppies which im not really looking for and most shelters don't think i'm fit for a dog. I would like to help out the shelters but it's getting to the point where I might end up getting a puppy any suggestions?

Answer 1

Thank you for considering a shelter!!!!!!! Perseverance is the key, but Im wondering why they would deny you? Ask the ones that have told you no again what the reasons were. If no one still will let you adopt, send them a donation thanking them for their time and look in the paper, you will still be saving one unwanted puppy from the shelter.

Answer 2

Just wait and bide your time, I rushed into buying a puppy and picked her up 1 hour before I got the keys to my new house I had just brought. It was probably the worst thing I could ever do. A few months later I had hardly no kitchen left!!! And now she's 1 she's even worse she jumps a 7ft fence with a 10ft drop the other side to get into my next door nieghbours kitchen. If you really wanted a dog that much look for local adverts for free dogs that are more mature if people a desparate to find there pet a new home you might be the right candidate! and therefor you are still doing your bit as I suppose it might of/could of ended up in a shelter anyway!!! Hope you get fixed up, but don't rush into it a dog is for life not just for christmas!!! They need a lot of looking after, vets fees etc... I in the house all day long with my dog and that still isn't enough!!

Answer 3

Are you absolutely sure you will be able to keep the dog for 10 years or more?
You can call breeders to see if they have any retired show dogs or dogs that were returned to them. They tend to be 3+ but they can be expensive if they have any titles to their name.
It may be worth seeing some 'free to good home' ads. Ask why the dog is being given away, most of the time it is because the owners have a change in lifestyle.

I think an independent but not working breed would be best, not a companion or toy dog as they need to be with their owners.

Answer 4

I work at an animal shelter and as long as your apartment siad it was ok for you to have a dog, we would adopt to you! However, it is not the shelters fault that they will not adopt to you, they want to make sure the dog is going to a good, permanent home and lots of times when students leave for the summer, the dog comes back to the shelter b/c you dont want it anymore. They are just trying to do the best they can for the dog. Check at other shelters around. Look on line b/c I know alot of shelters that would approve you and ship the dog to you for the normal adoption price. Good LUck!

Answer 5

Get a calm dog, one not given to running away and make sure your roommate is as conscientious as you are. Obviously given your ltd space, a small dog would be best; you could get a daschsund (sp), a pug, a cairn terrier (Toto, Wizard of Oz), a scottie, a minipin, (a tiny dog that looks exactly like a doberman pinscher but not related breed-wise), a cocker spaniel, a chihuahua or a pomeranian.
Do some research, talk to some breeders and explain your situation and try the shelters again.

Answer 6

Some breed specific rescues might be a little more understanding. Rescues, rather than shelters, are more likely to do home checks and examine your lifestyle, talk to your vet, and check out your sources.

Check out www.petfinder.com. Most dogs on there are from private rescues.

You can also adopt a dog directly from the owner. www.craigslist.com has A LOT of daily entires on dogs available for adoption.

I do respect you for looking at shelters first. Please please do not buy from a pet store, no matter how desperate you are. Someone out there will give you a dog if you truly deserve to own one.

Greyhounds would actually be an ideal companion for you. They love to run, but are couch potatoes when indoors! Check out the old racing dogs. They may be a little older than 1-2 (perhaps 2-3), but they are still great dogs!

Answer 7

talk to the shelters and go to the same one multiple times asking them to show dedication. other wise get out a phone book and ask pet store if they have any old dogs. but if they are like one or two and not trained they cant be trained the are like teenagers in dog years and dont forget after college the dog is still there and your parents might stop paying. breeders could charge way to much because one dog can make up a large part of income.

Answer 8

Talk around, let people know you are looking for a dog, make sure you decide early what type of dog you will be looking for. I had a very similar situation; I wanted a boxer but not a puppy because I wouldnt be home to potty train, but you cant just get a boxer from anyone. So one day after searching, online, pet stores extc. I went and got my nails done and told my nail guy that i wanted a boxer dog, he wanted to give his 1.5 year old boxer away to a good home because he worked all day, the rest is history. Just get the word out there.

Answer 9

Look in the paper or put out an ad. You may have to get a puppy but look on the bright side. This would be a great time in your life to train a dog. It won't be too long till you can take it for a run. Good luck.

Answer 10

Try looking in the classified ads in any local newspaper or one of the "swap shop" type magazines. There always seem to be people looking for new homes for their dogs, often for free. The advertisers don't want their dogs to go through the stress of being in an animal shelter and possibly being put down. You would save the shelter's fees and hassles. Although you would not be required to spay or neuter your new pet, I would recommend it anyway. I have placed several retired sled dogs into pet homes using free classified ads.