Do I have room for it?

If you are living in a dorm, chances are you don't have room for a dog.

Dogs need space and a tiny room just won't cut it for most dogs.

However, if your room is a decent size and the dog is small it may work.

The general rule with this is to just think about if it is humane honestly. If it feels wrong, then you probably shouldn't get one until you move somewhere that has more space for it.

2. Will my roommate/roomates allow it?

Most people live with a roommate or several roommates when they get to college and of course you need to get permission to have a dog from all of them.

You never know if someone is allergic or is uncomfortable with dogs, so it is vital that you ask or else you could be getting booted out of your room.

They need to be comfortable with it roaming around the common areas and with if it sheds, barks, or howls.

3. Can I financially handle this responsibility?

The running joke that college kids are broke is rarely just a joke, as many of us actually are.

So if you want to get a dog you need to ask yourself if you can handle all of the fees involved, not just the flat payment to get the dog.

You need to consider how much vaccines, vet appointments, food, toys, leashes, collars, bathing supplies, medications and other things will be going to cost. Many people think a dog costs just how much it says on paper, but that is not the case.

So be ready for the financial obligation and if you really want a dog then make sure you are able to get a job or have some other way to pay for their needs.

4. Do I have time for this?

College students are busy almost all the time between school work, friends, on campus events, classes, and other clubs.

So you need to make sure that you have time to walk your dog several times a day because if not they most likely will be destructive or take their energy out in other negative ways. It is not fair for them to be cooped up in a cage or room all day and then to only go out once at night.

You need to make sure you can be there to feed it, to play with it, and to also train it.

All of these things take a lot of time and it is manageable but you need to make sure that you are committed to it.

5. How big are it's parents?

If you do decide you are ready for a dog you need to look at how big it's parents are and what their temperments are, as they are usually a good indicator of how your dog will grow up to be.

You want to get a dog that is fit for your living situation. For example, if you live in an apartment with some friends and decide to get a dog you need to make sure it isn't too noisy

and that it is small enough to live comfortably there.

6. What else do I need to know?

If you are getting a dog and have already checked all of the above questions, it is important to ask yourself this question so you can prepare for everything.

Make sure to ask yourself every question you can about the situation so that you are adequately prepared.

If you know that you are getting a Basset Hound, then look up it's temperament, it's energy level, and everything else that you need to know to be prepared!