Owning a Puppy in College

There's not much better in this world than a puppy. They are sweet, fun, loving, and are always down for cuddles. I'm sure many of you out there would love to have a puppy right now, but aren't sure if it's right for a college kid to have a puppy. Where would he pee? What if I wanna go out? Does he come? What if I can't handle it? Can I afford a dog? These are all questions my boyfriend and I had had to ask ourselves before we took the dive and brought a puppy home to our crappy college apartment. Here's what it's like to own a puppy in college.

It's Hard Work:

This goes without saying, but having a puppy isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Mom also isn't around to pick up your slack, so getting a puppy really challenges your responsibility. He's gotta pee every hour or say good bye to that full return of your safety deposit, he needs nourishment, and lots and lots of play time. They chew everything, fall off everything and cry when you leave him for the first few weeks. You also have to keep your apartment clean. Don't be that kid who leaves beer cans and cigarette butts on the floor for your dog to chew on.

Puppies and dogs alike should also not be left alone all day. They need human interaction and it is selfish to get a dog if he's just gonna sit alone all day. My boyfriend and I both are able to work from home and arrange our schedules so that they puppy is almost never alone, at least for not more than 2 hours. If your life is too hectic to accommodate these basics, then you should not get a puppy.

They Will Bring You Back to Earth:

We spend most of our time on screens, flipping through social media, dealing with drama and doing school work. At the end of the day, you're lucky to have gotten at least an hour of real world time. A dog will help get you back on the ground. They need to be played with and walked constantly. It's a physical, full time job that you can't buy an app for. My boyfriend and I are closer than ever now that we go on 2 walks with a day with our puppy and have countless play sessions with him. Having a puppy forces you to stop and smell the roses (literally) and it's amazing.

They are Expensive:

Dog food is expensive, but if you buy large amounts, you'll only have to drop a lot of cash every now and then, depending on the size of your dog. I have a maltese so we only have to buy food once every three months or so. They also need shots, toys, a bed, leash and collar, and God forbid your puppy should get sick. Jake and I got pet insurance, which is something to look into if you have extra cash. Can you afford to even by the dog itself? An adopted dog, at least in my area, is about $150, and a purebred is up in the $1500 range. If you're scraping by, pay check to pay check, don't get a dog.

They Are Heart Healers:

Speaking as someone with constant worry and anxiety, I can say that puppies really are therapeutic. The focus on them and the love they give in return is so wonderful. Even having your dog next to you can change your mood. All through finals week, I had my puppy on my lap as I wrote research papers and studied. He kept me mentally stable! Those loving eyes and a good snuggle can cure anything.

So now that you know what having a puppy is like from a college kid's point of view, you can gauge where you are in life and if you are ready to make the steps to get a dog. Jake and I waited a couple years until we were more stable and comfortable, and waiting may be what you should do as well. Really think this through because getting a puppy is pretty much like having a baby, joyous and exhausting in the best ways.

xoxo,

Emily

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