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PrimalMU

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Is it better to get a dog early and have time to work with it and bond before moving for vet school, or should I wait until I move and get one there?

Here's my situation: my parents are being a-holes and are refusing to let me keep a dog at the house for the month and a half before I move. I think this is incredibly unreasonable, especially given the fact that they are previous dog lovers, they love dogs, and I'm moving half-way across the country to accumulate $100,000 of debt to become a veterinarian.

I'd prefer not to go against my parents' wishes, but they are unable to give me a reason why I can't get one. Nothing maddens me more than the "because I said so" argument. However, if I do go against their wishes I know I'd only be in their bad graces for a few days until they warm up to the dog, then everything would be fine.

So what would you all do? I'd much rather get a dog now so that I have time to work with it before moving. If I get one after I move (which will happen if I can't get one now), then I'll only have a week to work with it before classes start.

And please, don't tell me to just wait until after the first semester is over or something. That is absolutely, 100% not an option.
 
I would respect my parents' wishes and recognize that they don't even owe YOU a place to stay, but are nice enough to let you stay with them. It's their house and if they don't want a dog there that's their prerogative, and it's noone's problem but your own that you have chosen to move across the country and accumulate $100,000 worth of debt so that you can be a veterinarian.

Yeah I get that it might be kinda nice to get the dog while you have time to spend getting to know the dog, but plenty of people get dogs once they're already in school and make it work. If you really desperately need a dog sooner, you could always pay rent to live somewhere else until school starts...
 
I'm in the exact same situation!!! It makes it worse that i'll be gone for a week during that month and a half before MSU starts. I'd have to make my parents take care of it (and I'll get a puppy so it will need lots of attention). I don't have any pets now, and I don't think I can go another 4 years without a dog. I am just so afraid that I won't have enough time to spend with my dog. I really don't want it to be lonely.
 
Ive been battling this same thing with my parents for...6 yrs lol. Luckily, after college my sig fig and i got a place together and adopted a cat!

I personally could never just bring a pet home and hope my parents like them. I know they like cats, but they have their own personal reasons for not wanting another one. They never told me, but that's just how it is.

Like dgm said, they are letting you live somewhere for free. Do you know how much money you have saved by living with them? It makes me jealous lol I chose a cat+less money and you chose no dog+more money.

There is only so much you can do to "guilt" them before it becomes disrespectful. If you are 100% adamant about getting a dog BEFORE school and not during or after 1 yr...the only option I see is to rent your own apartment for 2 months before school starts. I know around here there are lots of students moving out and a lot of people who want to sublet their place. You could get a furnished place from subletting from someone else who allows dogs. It sucks, especially for only 2 months...but it does show more responsibility than just forcing a pet onto your parents.
 
luplodw said:
(and I'll get a puppy so it will need lots of attention). I don't have any pets now, and I don't think I can go another 4 years without a dog. I am just so afraid that I won't have enough time to spend with my dog. I really don't want it to be lonely.
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Why get a puppy? Why not get a young adult that is already nearly if not fully potty trained, not ridiculously needy and will be able to handle the long days that you're at vet school?

I agree that the OP needs to respect their parents wishes if they are living with them. I can have pretty much any animal I want here where I'm staying in MI but I know that every summer and winter break when I come home my mom will have to deal with my animals and potentially care for them if i go out of town - therefore I also get my pets okayed by my mom. It is slightly annoying since we are adults and I, myself pay my own rent for my own place 9-12 months out of the year but it's the price you pay.

I'm lucky and got both my dogs during undergrad. They were both around 9 months old and only took a short time to be trully potty trained. I've also had 1-2 years to acclimate them to dealing with being kenneled or locked in a room for many hours. They know to leave me alone and keep themselves busy if I need my quiet time and they have each other for that.
 
I agree with Greenwhite. Get an adult dog. You probably won't have enough time to properly train and socialize a puppy even if you got it now. Do you think it is fair to risk a puppy developing behavioral issues because you are too busy at school? Get an adult dog. It will require less initial care and you will still be able to bond with it.
 
i agree about the adult dog too. i'm already feeling guilty about leaving my cat alone basically all day and more if i go out at night. In vet school my cat will be even more lonely since i'll probably be gone MORE. I know...its just a cat....but still, there is no way i would even consider a puppy. Not fair to them at all. Especially considering you will be leaving them alone for their whole young lives!
 
Older dogs need homes, too! 🙂
 
Have to say I so completely agree with the adult dog sentiment. I think (among other things) it is unfair to expect a puppy to occupy itself for 8-10 hours a day (or more), you are asking for behavioral issues as well as making it very hard for the pup to be potty trained. I don't think it matters whether or not you plan on crating your pup, I just can not see how this would be a good situation for any puppy. Plus, it's not like you'll be coming home from a long day of work and free to spend lots of time with your puppy. I imagine you will have only a limited amount of time between doing all the normal things one needs to do every day, and the loads of studying you probably plan on doing. Just my opinion, but unless I could bring my pup to school with me I would never concider it, and maybe at some point you'll become friendly with instructors or staff that would let you keep yor pup in their office. I just can't imagine that happening at all during the first year.

EDIT: I've got a dog (my malinois in the avatar) who will be 15 in Sept. and I feel horrible about the amount of time I'll be spending away from her. It makes it worse knowing that she will probably not be around when I finish school and can again spend more time with her. She is with me at work every day, and has been for the last 10 years. She'll be with my mom during the day, so she won't be lonely, but she has gotten very clingy (and neurotic!)in her old age and needs/ wants my attention more than my 2 border collies did when they were pups.
 
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I agree with most of the sentiments already expressed. If you absolutely must get a dog before veterinary school, an adult, owner-surrendered dog from a shelter is the way to go. These dogs are often the victims of "doesn't match the carpet, kid that has been with the dog for 6 years 'is allergic' ", etc. The best part is, these dogs have lived in a home, are usually housetrained and sometimes already know basic obedience and have socialization skills. That would be your best bet. In no way would I recommend getting a puppy before veterinary school, *unless* you are planning on rooming with a non-vet student (or non-med student, or other professional, etc.) that can devote time and care into your new pooch.

Don't mean to sound harsh, but I think it would be highly irresponsible to bring in a puppy at this stage in your life. I'm having second thoughts about wanting to bring my cat with me to school, and this is an adult cat. You have the rest of your life to devote to animals. (That's what vet school is for!!) If you are really hard bent on getting a puppy, I would wait until after you've graduated, but if you need a dog *now*, a shelter-adopted, adult dog is the way to go.

Good luck!!!
 
It all depends on priorities. I got a puppy in October of first year and he is very well socialized, trained, and preparing to debut in agility and obedience competition in June. Yes, I gave up every lunchtime for the rest of first year to go home and let him out at lunch. I skipped happy hour to take him to visit other dogs and people. He came to agility trials with my other dog. I get up early on the weekends to train my dogs and exercise them.

If you want a pet dog who will require no additional effort or work to train and socialize, get a cat. My cats are far more tolerant of my benign neglect than my dogs would be. The cats just curl up on the bed and spend time with me that way. The dogs want to know when we're going to do stuff.

No dog, including an adult, and especially an adult from a shelter with unknown early socialization/training/baggage will be a good citizen with no effort. Some adult shelter dogs may need more work than a puppy from a good breeder. You have to decide what you can handle as a first year.
 
I would say no on getting the dog.

If your parents have been helping you get to where you are, there should be a relationship of respect. I know a lot (most) people are heading to school with animals, which is to be expected. We want to be vets! I've recently become dog-less and have been very tempted into getting another dog. I worry though how much time I can give to the dog with adjusting to school. I'm going to have to make sure I feed and rest myself enough.

I'm not ragging on those that are bringing already owned animals with them or even those getting new animals before school. Most people are going to animal friendly situations; my living arrangement won't be best.

Has anyone here raised a puppy their first semester?
 
I really don't understand this mentality of I'm going to vet school, it's time to get a dog. Whether it is a puppy or adult doesn't matter, I don't think it is fair to the dog. Unless you have someone who will be home to take care of it, a vet student's schedule and a dog's needs do not match. I plan on being in class from 8-4 everyday and then coming home to study for hours. Being in a crate or home alone all day is not what you want for a dog. I am very sad to be leaving my dog at home with my mom because I know that I will not be able to properly care for him. I would suggest more independent pets like cats and rabbits for students. IMHO
 
How many dog owners DON'T work full time? Over 50% of US households own dogs, and most people work full time. As long as the dog is getting appropriate exercise and attention the other 16 hours of the day I don't see an issue. It's not like only stay at home moms are allowed to own dogs.
 
rileydog said:
I really don't understand this mentality of I'm going to vet school, it's time to get a dog. Whether it is a puppy or adult doesn't matter, I don't think it is fair to the dog. Unless you have someone who will be home to take care of it, a vet student's schedule and a dog's needs do not match. I plan on being in class from 8-4 everyday and then coming home to study for hours. Being in a crate or home alone all day is not what you want for a dog. I am very sad to be leaving my dog at home with my mom because I know that I will not be able to properly care for him. I would suggest more independent pets like cats and rabbits for students. IMHO
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Some dogs adapt to it better than others. I personally have a two (or three)-year-old Beagle who is, uh, high-energy and will be coming with me to vet school whenever I get in. I've got no choice - my mom can't stand the dog so he's coming with me (since he likes me). I am worried about what he's going to do, but he seems to do fine when I'm gone long days at school. I'll just definitely have to either get a place with a backyard or find a dog park for him (along with a bench for me to study on!). I think it'll work out somehow.

I think (or have heard) that bigger dogs can be more lazy? Well, depends on the dog, I guess. I was thinking more Saint Bernards, etc. Small, hyper dogs may not be the best choice. I'm praying he "mellows out" at least a LITTLE bit by the time I move.

Edit: I also think CanadianGolden makes a good point.
 
CanadianGolden said:
How many dog owners DON'T work full time? Over 50% of US households own dogs, and most people work full time. As long as the dog is getting appropriate exercise and attention the other 16 hours of the day I don't see an issue. It's not like only stay at home moms are allowed to own dogs.
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I dont think any of us said that only part time workers can own dogs, we were simply replying to the "puppy vs. adult" idea. And the OP did not actually say they are going to get a puppy, i think we randomly started our own topic.

Also, i guess i should add on to my previous post that i didnt mean you shouldnt get a dog at all, i did mention that i think if you really want one you should move into your own apartment instead of forcing it onto your parents. Secondly, with the whole "spending time" debate, this really depends on the person. IF you make time to let your dog out at lunch, spend time with the after class and late night it is fine. I would just want the OP to clarify how much time they are willing to spend with the dog before I agree they should get one. I personally, don't want to give up any "extra opportunity" in vet school because I have to rush home to let my dog out. If the OP is willing to give up certain "precious" vet experiences or random things that may occur to take care of their dog, then i say go for it!

I just got a little worried with the OP's wording, like they are going to spend time with it a lot before vet school and then that's enough. I may have just assumed too much from the wording.
 
Nothing wrong with deciding you don't have enough time for a dog (or a new dog). I just want people to know that it is possible.
 
CanadianGolden said:
How many dog owners DON'T work full time? Over 50% of US households own dogs, and most people work full time. As long as the dog is getting appropriate exercise and attention the other 16 hours of the day I don't see an issue. It's not like only stay at home moms are allowed to own dogs.
Click to expand...

Of course not. I work full-time now and hate leaving him in a crate during the day. But I spend a lot of time at night with him. We dine out a lot at restaurants with outdoor seating, we go to the dog park and go to dog events where he can meet and play with other dogs. These are all things I most likely won't have time for while in vet school.

nohika said:
Some dogs adapt to it better than others. I personally have a two (or three)-year-old Beagle who is, uh, high-energy and will be coming with me to vet school whenever I get in. I've got no choice - my mom can't stand the dog so he's coming with me (since he likes me).
Click to expand...

And also, I understand that some dogs do adapt well and sometimes there are extenuating circumstances and you have to take your dog with you. I'm not saying having a dog while in vet school is bad. I just don't think getting into vet school is the right reason to get a new dog. Should a dog come into my life while in school, that's fine, I may adapt my priorities. But I am not going there planning on getting a dog. It was a very difficult decision that I had to make to leave him behind, but I know it is the best thing for him.
 
As a different perspective, I would say wait on the dog until you're settled in your new space simply to reduce travel and settling-in stress. I also traveled halfway across the country in preparation for vet school, moved into my duplex a month before classes started, and would never have been able to handle the stress of getting everything set up for myself at the house, on campus, and around town on top of training and getting to know the quirks of a new animal, which may or may not include darting out the door when you're bringing your furniture and appliances inside.

Instead, I took home a kitten two weeks into classes LOL.

Either way, I think you'll appreciate having a little bit less to stress about when you're still getting on your feet and getting comfortable in your new home and city. If that turns out not to be the case, then the shelters will be waiting for you.
 
I know of one vet (graduated within the last 3 years), who started vet school with 2-3 dogs, by the time she graduated she had 6-7. BUT every bit of her spare time was spent with her dogs, and she did a LOT of dog sports. If your life will be completely centered around school and your dog, I think the dog will be a very lucky pup. But I know the reality is that many college students, even vet school students, want to have a fairly active social life, and there just isn't (IMO) enough time for a dog (especially a puppy). You also have to think about what's going to happen when you go home, either for vacation or if you go back for the entire summer. Chances are your parents still will not be accepting of a dog in their home.

I'm lucky I don't have to move to go to school, I've been in the same place for 12 years and it's only 30 minutes from school. I don't have to decide if I should take my pets with me, but I also know I don't plan on adding to my menagerie during the next 4 years.
 
I'm getting a puppy for many many reasons. I don't feel like going through them all but that is not something I am debating. The only thing I am worrying about is when to actually get it
 
IMHO, you have no right to "go against" your parents and bring a dog home. It's their home, and they deserve more respect than that. Believe me, for years I have wanted nothing more than to adopt an animal of some kind (hamster, ferret, kitten, you name it, I wanted it). When it came to pocket pets, I thought it was somewhat unreasonable for my parents not to allow it in the house if I was only home for at most three months over the summer. But it's their house, so I'm not about to go out and get one. I can wait.

PrimalMU said:
And please, don't tell me to just wait until after the first semester is over or something. That is absolutely, 100% not an option.
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Can I ask why? If you've waited this long, why can't you wait a few extra months until you have the time off from school to really socialize the dog to you, your home, etc.? I understand wanting a dog, but there has to be a line between impatient and irrational. Unless there's another reason why you couldn't wait that I don't know.
 
PrimalMU said:
And please, don't tell me to just wait until after the first semester is over or something. That is absolutely, 100% not an option.
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Yeah, why not?

I've been waiting to get a dog for a while - I am finally in a position to get one, both time and financially, and I still have to wait till the breeder I've chosen has one that will fit my needs.

I definitely would wait until after at least your first semester - I am glad I did. you will have SO MANY things to do, outside of the 8-5 of vet school classes, like clubs, dinners, meet and greats, shows, socializing, ect. (and don't forget, at MS-State attendance is mandatory, and they do/are enforce that to some extent).

I know you don't want to hear this, but I would wait until after your first year to get a puppy, then take the summer to work with it, train it, enjoy it.

If you REALLY want a dog ASAP (which I can relate, and understand), why don't you consider fostering a dog for one of the many shelter groups. You can keep it for a while, and see how it fits into your schedule. If you think you can handle it, you can get your own. A puppy is a puppy, and its not really going to change much from now till July when you start.

Just MHO
 
Here's my not so humble opinion on both debates:

First, respect your parent's wishes. They are kind enough to offer you a place to live for free for that time and it would be inconsiderate of you to bring home a dog anyways. They may have reasons they are unwilling to share, or they may simply not want the inconvenience of having a dog in their home at this time. It doesn't really matter. What DOES matter is that they've expressed to you that they don't want you to bring a dog home with you. You've got plenty of time to get a dog later on.

On the puppy versus adult dog issue, I say that I like sleep. I value my sleep more than I value most other daily necessities. I have house trained 4 puppies over the past 2 years and would not want to be doing that while starting a new rigorous academic program. My two youngest potty trainees were Parker and Skye (8 and 10 weeks old respectively). Do you know how often an 8 and 10 week old puppy needs to go out for potty training? Every 2 hours. All day, all night. They must go out every 2 hours. And if you want potty training to WORK, you have to follow that schedule until they hit 12 weeks...when you get fortunate enough to let them go for 3 hours.

At 16 weeks I felt I could push it to every 5 hours. My dogs seemed to do fine with that. But that still meant at 2 or 3 am I was up to let them out. And at 6 months most of them could hold for a good 7 to 8 hours. But I'll tell you what, a month never feels so long until your sleep is being disrupted every few hours. And while with my 10 week old dog I presumably had the help of my husband, I certainly did a lot more waking up and letting him out than he did. I got Parker after my husband and I split, so it was JUST ME doing the potty training and the waking up and the driving home in the middle of the day. Not super cool.

The other two dogs I got at 5 and 6 months of age, so they were a little easier to potty train. A little. Toby was resistant during the day at first. He could hold it pretty well during the night, but during the day even when I came home every 4 hours he had a tendency to whiz at least once. Eva was not too bad actually, but I did have to wake up in the middle of the night to let her out.

I wake up every morning now and thank my stars that both of my boys are potty trained. Every now and then I have a wild idea of getting another puppy and immediately think "Sleep. We like sleep". Plus, my boys are used to a schedule of me being away for the better part of the day, so they should adapt well to me being in school next year. It helps me feel a little better about the whole deal.

So if you have the fortitude to go to school every morning, take a break in the middle of the day to run home, study like you need to at night, survive on broken sleep and still manage to remain happy and functional...go for it. Otherwise, maybe hold off and get a dog when you're used to your schedule, and get an older puppy or young adult that needs a good home!
 
I think you should wait and get a dog when you get to veterinary school. I know you don't want to wait until second semester, but perhaps you can wait just a few months into your first semester? You might find that you just don't have as much time as you thought you did.

I'm taking my two dogs with me and honestly, as much as I love them, thinking of having to take them out during my lunchtime when the clubs usually meet kind of saddens me.
 
"Here's my situation: my parents are being a-holes and are refusing to let me keep a dog at the house for the month and a half before I move. I think this is incredibly unreasonable"

Wow. I will assume that you initially wrote this post in a spirit of frustration and venting and that you are not as obnoxious, ungrateful or immature as your writing suggests. Stop whining, respect your family and take the time to realize that perhaps you are not ready for a dog, puppy or otherwise, at this point in your life.

My parents NEVER let me own an animal when I was a child and so I waited 24 years before I ever owned a dog. I'm starting vet school this fall and it was worth the wait.
 
der2002 said:
Wow. I will assume that you initially wrote this post in a spirit of frustration and venting and that you are not as obnoxious, ungrateful or immature as your writing suggests. Stop whining
Click to expand...

No need to be rude or attack him! Think about what you said about him and apply it to what you just said
 
our forum is starting to sound pre-allo these days...a lot of personal attacks. is everyone going through rough times right now?

let's all chill out a little and get back to our supportive ways.
 
ah yes, as much as i wanted to respond like der2002 did i bit my tongue. If i had lived with my parents now...i could have saved 50k 😱 😡 ogod...what have i done??? LOL
 
But the pre-allo forum is so entertaining...

I am waiting to get any type of pet until I don't have to spend any vacations in my parents' home and until I get a permanent home.

In my opinion, you would be grateful to wait at least until your 2nd semester to get any kind of new pet. You may regret it if you get a pet before you are on your feet at your new school.
 
rileyroo said:
our forum is starting to sound pre-allo these days...a lot of personal attacks. is everyone going through rough times right now?
Click to expand...

Two comprehensive finals tomorrow that I don't care about, and cannot for the life of my bring myself to study for. I have a feeling I am going to let an A and a B I worked hard for all year slip to a B and a C 🙁

Yeah, a bit stressed
 
on the issue of leaving dogs alone all day...

let's be honest, I feel awful about it too. But both my parents at home work full-time and work 30 min. away, thus don't come home to let my dog at lunch. As long as she is let out right before they leave for work and right after, then she is fine.

She is also the happiest healthiest dog I have ever owned!

Also, I asked a vet student at my school about the class schedule, and he said he really only spent 1 semester at school from 8 -5. he said some day there are only morning classes. so honestly, it might not be that bad.

for 3... I am rooming with someone who has a dog as well. We can always switch off who gets to go home. pLus, the dogs can play together during the day.

and remember, some people go to vet school with children! and children need even more attention than dogs. and though I'm sure it's super stressful, it can be done right.

my point is mostly that while having a dog during vet school may take some extra planning/time, I personally don't know how I'd make it through vet school without a dog that helps de-stress me!
 
No Imagination said:
Two comprehensive finals tomorrow that I don't care about, and cannot for the life of my bring myself to study for. I have a feeling I am going to let an A and a B I worked hard for all year slip to a B and a C 🙁

Yeah, a bit stressed
Click to expand...

at first i thought this was a pre-vet student senior yr!! just wondering...if you dont mind....what classes are these? why would you not care about two vet classes??
 
No Imagination said:
Two comprehensive finals tomorrow that I don't care about, and cannot for the life of my bring myself to study for. I have a feeling I am going to let an A and a B I worked hard for all year slip to a B and a C 🙁

Yeah, a bit stressed
Click to expand...


good luck!!
 
BlacKAT33 said:
at first i thought this was a pre-vet student senior yr!! just wondering...if you dont mind....what classes are these? why would you not care about two vet classes??
Click to expand...


lol.

If you have to ask, you probably won't understand.

16 more days and 7 tests left....16 more days and 7 tests left...I want to throw myself out a window and run away from vet school forever...16 more days and 7 tests left...must keep studying no matter how much I hate classes and not let grades slip....16 more days...
 
BlacKAT33 said:
at first i thought this was a pre-vet student senior yr!! just wondering...if you don't mind....what classes are these? why would you not care about two vet classes??
Click to expand...

Pathology and Epidemiology

Pathology - we just took a test 2 weeks ago in it. It was 40 questions, and we had (and used 2 hours). The final is 100% cumulative (no new portion of the material) and it is 80 questions in 2 hours). Kind of feel like whats the point?

Also, I need to get like a 99 for an A and a 40 for a B in the class... where is the motivation there.

And epi... well, its just dry as hell, besides, they provide the formulas for us. So, I am going to watch some more HuLu.
 
Epidemiology is the bane of my existence! Every time I try to study I die a little inside.
 
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