Being a pet owner is not as glamorous as you may think it is. It's a hard job and you should seriously consider all your options before deciding to get one. I am a huge dog lover and I come from a family of dog lovers, so having a friendly companion always around was something I had grown used to. Going away to college and living without one was kind of tough, and towards the end of my first year away from home I gave in and got a 4-week old pit mix. I had no clue the kind of hardships that I was setting myself up to face. So, before you give into your puppy fever, here are a few things you should consider before getting a dog while in college.

1. Make Sure You Have Time For Them

Dogs are great companions and it's so nice coming home from a long day and having them there all excited for you to be home. They give you nothing but love and it's so relaxing, but just like they give us all their love, we need to give them all of ours.They need to be walked at least twice a day, more if you have the time for that. They're going to want to play with you; depending on how active your dog may be, some can play for hours and some can play for a few minutes before wanting a nap. They need to be bathed, and have shots, and trained. Training is not easy and it takes time and patience, especially if you are wanting a puppy, because they need all the training This includes, but is not limited to, potty training, simple commands, tricks (if you choose to teach them), crate training (if this is the method of training you choose), etc. If you are looking for a older dog (which might be a better choice for a college student considering they are a lot less demanding than a puppy) the training would be significantly less. The only training needed would probably be just helping them get used to your routine of living because it's going to be a different routine than they are coming from.

2. If You Thought You Were Broke Before...Wait Until You Own A dog.

Dogs are not cheap. Between toys, food, vet visits, shots, accessories...you will be broke. If you are struggling with money without a dog, do yourself and the dog a favor and do not get one. Because trust me when I say, you will go broke. I was on my own with paying for everything for my baby girl and being that she was so young she needed all her shots and she also needed a ton of toys because she kept breaking them. She also need special formula for the first month or two because she didn't have teeth and couldn't eat puppy food. Let me just say, puppy food and dog food is not cheap. You will spend between $30-50 and sometimes more depending on how large the breed is and how much you feed them. I sometimes would skip out on buying groceries just so I could afford food for my puppy. I also sacrificed going out with friends because I didn't have the money to go out with them.

3. It's Not Always Cute Owning A Dog...

Dogs are messy. They also make mistakes when they are first learning and you are going to have to clean up those mistakes. I can't tell you how many times I have had to clean my dog's pee or poop off the floor of my apartment when she was first being potty trained. It was worse when she got bigger and had accidents in the house. It wasn't bad when she was small and her feces were small, but the larger they get, so does their...well, poo. It's worse when you give them a rope toy and they start to eat the rope. I can't tell you how many times I have had to pull rope out of my dog's behind. It's not cute. They also may get sick and vomit and you have to clean this up as well while trying to keep your dog from putting it back into its mouth. Like, I said, dogs are messy. They aren't always cute. They do weird, nasty things. They sniff each other's butts for goodness sake! You just have to accept that as a dog parent these are things you're going to have to get used to.

4. Research The Breed You Want

All dogs are different and different breeds need different things. It's good to know what kind of dog you want and what to expect when you have that dog. Some breeds are less active than others, some are better apartment dogs, some are more high maintenance than others, etc. You really want to know all you can about what kind of dog is more suitable for you. You may think you want a beagle, but if you are living in an apartment complex, a beagle may not be the best option for you considering that they are known for howling. This may cause noise complaints from your neighbors, and nobody wants that. Also, if you want a Rottweiler or a Pit Bull, they are very active dogs and need to be walked or even jogged several times a day. It's all about finding the breed of dog that suits you and the type of lifestyle you are living or want to live.

5. Dogs Are Family Too

After everything's said and done, dogs are really rewarding to have around. They become part of your family, and they make bad days good ones. They help pick you up when you're down, and they also are always down to cuddle (at least mine is)! They may be messy, and expensive, and take up a lot of your time, but they are also amazing, and fun, and loving creatures. You will not find another animal that is more loving than a dog. They look up to, you are the leader to their pack and they have such an unconditional love for you. Respect that love and treat them well. Don't ever get a dog unless you are ready to care for them, because they are a lot of work. But they are also extremely good friends to have around.

I never really thought my situation through before getting my girl, Luna, but I also wouldn't trade her in for the world. She is honestly my child and I gladly give up spending time with friends to spend more time with her. I don't mind spending all my money on her even it means I might have to skip breakfast for the week. She keeps me grounded, and she's so full of life and love and she amazes me every day. She has a personality all her own and there isn't another dog on this earth that is like her. So, I'm not saying don't get a dog while still in college, because it is possible to do. I'm just saying, really think it through and do your research before going ahead and getting one.