college student wants a dog?

[TeT1]

I want to have a dog, but I'll be living alone and will be gone about 6 or 7 hours a day. What would I do with the dog during that time? How does anyone with a job have a dog?

 

[sassy]

You could crate the dog while you are gone. Once he is done teething and house broke you can let him run loose. I would suggest researching crate training. Puppies require a lot of work so make sure you are making the right decision.

 

[simpsonsmonkeynut]

i think its cruel leaving a dog on its own for that length of time. but if you are going to get one, DONT get a puppy, get one that is already house trained.

 

[blasian08]

(thanks for your answer on mine

okay about ur topic:
well a dog needs attention and devotion like anyone else
to have a dog and be gone for 6-7 is not fair to the dog
so i would probably suggest you get a cat, since they like their alone times often or maybe a parakeet/cockatail
those are the ones you can be out for 8 hrs or more
a dog needs time and comittment..
chose your decision wisely
hope i helped

 

[simpsonsmonkeynut]

i think its cruel leaving a dog on its own for that length of time. but if you are going to get one, DONT get a puppy, get one that is already house trained.

 

[KZ]

It's fine to get an ADULT dog (at least 3 years old, but 5+ is best) if you're gone for 6-7 hours a day, especially if it's a large dog. Most 5+ year old large dogs sleep, like, 20 hours a day. There are exceptions of course, but it's easy to tell if a given dog is lazy or not. I can leave my 4-6 year old dogs, who are around 50-60 pounds, alone for 7 hours easily. They sleep on the couch while I'm gone. Being alone for 7 hours doesn't seem to bother them any more than being alone for 30 minutes.

A puppy left alone for 7 hours will turn into an ill-behaved monster who craps all over your house.

But since you're a college student, make sure that you have the resources for a dog and family cooperation and support. A lot of college students get dogs without having much foresight about how their parents may react, and then bad things happen because they aren't totally independent yet.

 

[raul]

well you can't leave the dog alone at home......think something else...may b get a parrot or a bird

 

[brigeTTC#1]

honestly, and i'm not trying to be rude or anything, but maybe consider getting a hamster or something.... dogs need a lot of love and attention... and especially puppies. being a college student you have a lot of class etc and a whole life ahead of you exploring. perhaps it would be wiser to wait until you are 100% settled?

 

[KZ]

It's fine to get an ADULT dog (at least 3 years old, but 5+ is best) if you're gone for 6-7 hours a day, especially if it's a large dog. Most 5+ year old large dogs sleep, like, 20 hours a day. There are exceptions of course, but it's easy to tell if a given dog is lazy or not. I can leave my 4-6 year old dogs, who are around 50-60 pounds, alone for 7 hours easily. They sleep on the couch while I'm gone. Being alone for 7 hours doesn't seem to bother them any more than being alone for 30 minutes.

A puppy left alone for 7 hours will turn into an ill-behaved monster who craps all over your house.

But since you're a college student, make sure that you have the resources for a dog and family cooperation and support. A lot of college students get dogs without having much foresight about how their parents may react, and then bad things happen because they aren't totally independent yet.

 

[brigeTTC#1]

honestly, and i'm not trying to be rude or anything, but maybe consider getting a hamster or something.... dogs need a lot of love and attention... and especially puppies. being a college student you have a lot of class etc and a whole life ahead of you exploring. perhaps it would be wiser to wait until you are 100% settled?

 

[KZ]

It's fine to get an ADULT dog (at least 3 years old, but 5+ is best) if you're gone for 6-7 hours a day, especially if it's a large dog. Most 5+ year old large dogs sleep, like, 20 hours a day. There are exceptions of course, but it's easy to tell if a given dog is lazy or not. I can leave my 4-6 year old dogs, who are around 50-60 pounds, alone for 7 hours easily. They sleep on the couch while I'm gone. Being alone for 7 hours doesn't seem to bother them any more than being alone for 30 minutes.

A puppy left alone for 7 hours will turn into an ill-behaved monster who craps all over your house.

But since you're a college student, make sure that you have the resources for a dog and family cooperation and support. A lot of college students get dogs without having much foresight about how their parents may react, and then bad things happen because they aren't totally independent yet.