Having a dog by your side in college can be an awesome experience but it can also be really challenging. As college students, we have so much on our plates already and it can be overwhelming. That's why it is so important to really think before making the decision to bring an animal that is completely dependent on you into your life.
Dogs aren't just possessions that you can throw away when you get bored or tired of taking care of them. They are living, breathing animals and they aren't going to understand why the person that is supposed to be their whole world is now suddenly dropping them off at a shelter and leaving them there. I decided to write this article to share what it has been like for me having a dog in college and to hopefully help other people decide if they are ready for that commitment.
Photo: Derrica Atchley
1. Having a dog is a huge time commitment.
Not having time is the #1 reason I see people give as to why they are giving up their dog. Taking care of a dog is a huge time commitment and it is so important to make sure you aren't too busy before bringing a dog home. It's not enough to just make the time to feed the dog and take it out for a quick walk every day.
Most dogs (including mine) will get destructive if they don't get enough exercise and attention. How much exercise and attention a dog needs depends on your particular dog but when getting a dog it is safe to assume you are going to need to dedicate a lot of time to it. I have had to give up a lot of nights out and time with friends because I needed to go home and take care of my dog. If that is not something you are willing to do then maybe a dog isn't for you at this point in your life. Another thing is your dog is not going to care that you are studying or have a lot of homework to do when it needs to go outside or wants to play. Having a dog means managing your time so you can get your stuff done and spend time with your dog.
Photo: Derrica Atchley
2. Having a dog can be expensive.
It is insane how fast my dog can go through a bag of dog food and bigger dogs can go through food even faster. Not only do I have to buy food but I also have to get my dog's heartworm preventative every month so she is protected against the serious threat of heartworms. Another thing to factor in is vet visits if your dog gets sick or needs its routine vaccinations and let me tell you firsthand vet visits are expensive.
Having toys, bones, and treats around for your dog is also important so that they have something to play with other than your personal belongings. These are all the things I have to worry about paying for after having my dog for a while. New dog owners have to buy collars, leashes, dog bowls, etc. when bringing home a dog and if you bring home a puppy it will need puppy vaccinations and to be spayed/neutered (I will use this moment to encourage all dog owners to get their dogs spayed/neutered). Needless to say owning a dog is expensive and on a college kids budget, it can be hard to afford. Seriously think about if you are going to have the money to support yourself and a dog before bringing one home.
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3. Having a dog isn't always fun.
My spoiled rotten dog is a very important part of my life and I love having her around but sometimes she makes me hate her. When people think about getting a dog they often just imagine long walks, playing at the park, cute Instagram posts, and cuddle sessions. You will definitely get all of these good parts of owning a dog but you will also get the bad parts too.
My dog is a year and a half old and she has already destroyed so many of my things that I can't begin to keep count. Although her destructive behavior is getting better as she gets older she still gets into trouble when she is bored or left alone for a long time. When you have a dog you have to be prepared for some of your things to get destroyed in the process (especially if you are getting a puppy). You also have to be prepared for the occasional accident. Even if your dog is potty trained sometimes you may be busy or not paying attention when they let you know they need to go outside and when they gotta go they gotta go. It happens. Cleaning up the messes is just one of the not so glamorous parts of being a dog parent.
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4. Having a dog in college can be the best thing ever.
If you read through this article and still think that having a dog is something that you can do and want to do then I promise you won't be disappointed. My dog brings so much happiness into my life and although she causes some stress she relieves a lot of stress too. I can be having the worst day of my life and coming home to my dog being so excited to see me will instantly lift my mood. Having someone in your life that you know loves you unconditionally no matter what happens can be really comforting especially when you are away from your home and family in college.
Having a dog can be the most rewarding experience if you decide that you can handle it. If you want a dog but don't want to make the long-term commitment of getting your own you can always foster one. This is also a great idea for people that just can't afford a dog right now because everything is paid for by the foster organization. Another option for people that love dogs but can't have one is to volunteer at the animal shelter or humane society. They would love to have extra volunteers and it gives you a chance to hang out with puppies for a few hours. I will end this article by saying I encourage you to make sure you put thought into bringing a dog home because no dog deserves to be abandoned by the person they thought that they could trust. If you do get a dog in college make sure to give it the love and attention it deserves and I guarantee it will give you 10x the love back.
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