I have a question...

[Frost]

I am currently 15 years of age, soon to be a sophomore in high school. While I have no idea at this point which college I shall be attending, I would really love to have a dog. I have had only a single dog before, and I am ashamed of how I treated her. She was a Chow/Some-type-of-terrior mix. When I was 5 or 6, I would run around chasing her, sometimes hitting her with whatever I had in my hands. Being a misguided, ignorant child, I thought that was how to play with her.

Years later, I realized I was being unnecessarily mean and cruel. Within 2 years, she became fearful of anyone other than my grandpa, and soon after that viscous. I was terrified of her. Yet I still seeked redemption. Having no doggy treats, I would try to feed her through the bars of her gate, letting her sniff me to know who I am. I did this for another couple of years, religiously. Only when I was 10 would she let me pet her, and do tricks for me (I was still scared though, she would bite if caught off guard). However, I was extremely happy for what little she allowed me.

On December 23rd of 2001, a month before my 11th birthday, she was put to sleep. I was distraught. She had cancer, and was already blind in one eye. I cried to no end. That night I dreamt about her, and that she finally let me hug her. I woke up, and was about to go see her when I remembered she was died. I cried some more.

For the past five years I have wanted another dog, but my grandparents won't allow it. This is why I must wait until college. I have the funds to get one, even now, but I worry that finding an apartment to house a Rottweiler will be extremely difficult. I also worry that I may make mistakes in training her, especially since it seems to be a very difficult task.

Can someone please tell me how feasible it is, if at all, to own a Rottweiler while attending college? Will it be too difficult? Also, what else do I have to worry about? I've already read almost all the stickies on how to properly raise a puppy, and it seems very challenging. Do you, having probably already gone through college, think I will have to time to devote myself to her?

P.S. While in college I do not have to work, and will be given a steady flow of cash from my father (around the amount a $15 per hour salary would provide). Also, I already have more than enough for college funds, with more than a million under my name for such uses (my mom is schizophrenic, so my dad has taken precautions and that money will be used in the event I become mentally ill and cannot work)

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Frost

I am currently 15 years of age, soon to be a sophomore in high school. While I have no idea at this point which college I shall be attending, I would really love to have a dog. [/b]

Welcome to the Forums - I can certainly understand you wanting a dog - but ANY dog - especially a Rottweiler - comes with a lot of reponsibility - not the least of which is "TIME".

School work in high school is very time consuming - college even more so. You will also find that once you can drive - your social opportubities will expand and you may be home less and less.

In the meanwhile - is there a shelter you could volunteer at and direcxt your interest in a way that would benefit a homeless dog?

[JemarsSerena]

If your serious, focus all your energy on school first. After college you can get a good job and a nice house then worry about a pet. Rotts REQUIRE lots of time, energy and devotion that you will not be able to give while focused on other things.

[Roscoe's dad]

I'm not sure that it would be feasible. You may be in a dorm which is sometimes a requirement for 1st year students. you might be renting from someone that won't allow dogs. you will need to be focusing on your studies and the pup may interfere when cramming for exams.
I would wait till you are done with school and then look into getting a dog. You have a lot of time to research different breeds to find the right match for your future lifestlye.

[BostonRott]

College is a time to both study and learn, but also to have fun (says she who partied a weeee bit in college). Owning a dog is a LOT of responsibility. Also, if you go to school off-Island, the dog can not easily go back and forth between the mainland and the Island. Quarantine is involved for any dog returning to the Islands.

I would strongly suggest you wait until you are out of school. I know you don't want to hear that, I know how hard it is to wait.

While you're in school, consider finding a local shelter or SPCA or Rescue organization near to school. They would LOVE to have your help in walking dogs, training dogs, etc.

[LavenderRott]

In a word - no, you won't have the time to dedicate to a dog.

BUT - if you look around, you may find a rescue group or a shelter that would love to have help during the time you do have to offer. In the meantime, you will learn a ton on what it really means to raise a fine canine citizen so that when you graduate from college you can make a truly educated decision on what breed most fits you.

[slinger]

I agree with everyone else here.

All dogs, but especially Rotts, require a great deal of time.

I personally don't think that I would even own dogs if I had to work full time outside the house. I don't think it's fair to a dog to be alone all day, everyday.

Please consider the advice of volunteering at a rescue or shelter. That would be a great opportunity to learn more about the care and training involved in dog ownership.


~Leanne

[2rotties2luv]

We had a dog all of the time my daughter was growing up. When she went away to college she wanted a dog in the worst way. I tried to discourage her for all of the reasons given above. Fortunately, she listened and didn't get a dog.

After she graduated, got a job, married, and THEN got a dog, followed by a second dog. Between herself and her husband, they can give the dogs the time they deserve.

My daughter has said to me that she is very, very glad that she DIDN'T get a dog while she was in college. Now that she knows how much time is required to properly raise and train a dog, she admits that she would have never been able to do it while in college.

[Frost]

Thank you all for posting. Though realizing this brings tears to my eyes, I shall not get a dog while away at college. I shall consider, however, seeking a rescue shelter of some sorts so I can at least help in one way or another. While I want someone to comfort me, especially while seeing the only two people in my life succumb to old age with cancer and arthritis, I must admit that it wouldn't be fair for the pup. That it would only cause more harm, and selfishness on my part. Thank you, I am sorry to trouble you all.

[BostonRott]

You are no trouble at all. Your questions are heartfelt and well thought out.

[LavenderRott]

Originally Posted by Frost

Thank you all for posting. Though realizing this brings tears to my eyes, I shall not get a dog while away at college. I shall consider, however, seeking a rescue shelter of some sorts so I can at least help in one way or another. While I want someone to comfort me, especially while seeing the only two people in my life succumb to old age with cancer and arthritis, I must admit that it wouldn't be fair for the pup. That it would only cause more harm, and selfishness on my part. Thank you, I am sorry to trouble you all.

I am sure that every single dog you spend time with at the shelter will be of great comfort to you. Rescued dogs seem to appreciate people more.

And you are anything but a bother! Stick around and I promise you will learn a ton. Then, when you are ready, you will know exactly what to look for in a breeder and a pup!

[damp]

You are one of the few teenagers who listen to the adults advices and don't even argue.
You are smarter than the average!

Good luck on college! Have fun and enjoy

[SABELLESMOM]

We had 3 dogs when my daughter was in college. Some of her living circumstances especially the last 2 years, allowed her to have a dog. So she did, for a few days.

From time to time she's take one for a visit. It was fun, I'm sure. But a huge responsibility. She had to get up to feed and toilet the dog... Find time to walk the dog... Study, go to classes and Rugby practices and matches... Shop for groceries, study, cook, clean, bathe... Study, do projects, e-mail all her friends and talk on the cell phone... endlessly... And I didn't even mention having a social life, did I?

She did it because she wanted to. We let her, so she could continue to grow in all aspects of responsibility into a mature adult. The dogs were already trained.

Did she gain from it? Yes. And nearly all of her roomates benefitted from a jog with one or the other of them. Everyone loved the dogs.

But... after a few days of having a more hectic schedule, even with all the attention for having a dog... she was happy the dog could leave again. And once the dog was back home again, she enjoyed her life at college.

I'm not sure having a dog full time at college would be all that great. There are so many avenues, and exciting possibilities, and opportunities for a great social life, in addition to the study and learning of a subject to help you have a good income in life.

Your dog would also be "untrained" and there are so many hours needed to devote to that, and feeding and exercise, and still be successful at college. And then there's money. What if the dog needs medical treatment, beyond just regular shots, frontline, and heartworm pills? Time consuming and costly. Would it be fair to saddle your parents with all of this? NO. It would not.

Go to college. Make it some of the best years of your life! ENJOY it! Soak it up and make great memories you'll treasure for the rest of your life.

Leave getting a dog of your own to a time when you have the time to devote to raising one properly, without having to rely on your parents to do it for you. You will have a better dog, because you had the time for it. You won't regret waiting, once you see what college is like.

And you didn't "trouble us" one bit! You obviously are sensitive, loving and intellegent enough by your common sense response to forgo the immediate pleasure. Good luck with whatever you choose to study do for a living, in life! Your time with a dog of your own will come. You can learn a lot for when you finally do have your dog. Stick around.

[Bob Flynn]

Heck with the dog stuff, I am impressed with how well evrything was defined and excellent sentence structures.
Bob-

[Cherry Heart]

You stated your case and took the advice given well. If you choose to give your time to a shelter or rescue, thoes dogs will ALL become yours in a way. They will look forward to seeing you, and you will look forward to seeing them, with the added bonus of a heartfelt goodbye when you see them go to their forever homes with YOUR help.

Please stick around the forum, learn (Gosh I wish I had looked around here for a couple more years then I did before i got my dog) and share stories and questions with us about the dogs you might help with at rescue!