What To Know Before Getting A Dog In College

Written by Aliza Eduljee

Point of View

You just moved into your first apartment and realize that you want a companion! You decide that a dog will be a good fit because you’ve either already had a dog growing up or you are a dog-lover and are ready for the responsibility. You begin to look at breeds, shelters, and breeders and finally narrow your decision down. You’ve found the dog of your dreams! 

But, before you start buying all the fun things for your new pup, make sure you consider the space you’re in. In college, we usually don’t have too much room and occasionally have roommates, so you have to plan and accommodate! 

Space

You’ll want to consider the living space/area you are in. Will you have enough room to have a crate or play pen? Is there a security deposit that you’ll have to worry about if the puppy destroys some things (I’ll tell you right now, THEY WILL! Don’t go into this thinking they will be a perfect, trouble-free puppy. If you aren’t okay with a couple messes and some new dings and dents in the furniture and walls, a puppy is not the right decision.) Another thing to consider, do you have adequate grass around your residence for potty breaks? (Tip: You’ll want to make sure it’s close by for those 3am puppy potty breaks). 

Money

Will you be able to afford and provide the life for your puppy that it deserves? With a new dog, there are lots of new costs and expenses, from vet fees and treatments (vaccinations and flea/tick/heartworm prevention) to replacing beds and replacing blankets, toys, collars, and leashes, to food and treats! So, dogs are an expensive addition; however, they are 100% worth it and ultimately, you’ll find yourself spending more on them than yourself. 

Time

Time is a big factor when it comes to a new puppy or new dog in the house! As a college student, there are many things that can cut into your time. For example, studying, classes, activities, clubs, going out with friends, and sleeping! These are just a few of the time-consuming things that you have to manage with a dog because (guess what) they will be right next to you the entire time waiting for the small break to play or go for a walk. So, if you don’t have the time to train, walk, and play with your dog, then a dog is not the right fit because they deserve to live a good life, not sit in a crate for 7 hours at a time while you’re away. 

Roommates

Lastly, before getting a dog, you’ll want to make sure all the residents of the house/apartment are okay and on board with your decision! (Usually, a lot of problems arise when someone is not aware of a big addition.) You’ll want to talk to them about the type of dog you wish to add to the house, make sure they are 100% okay with the decision, and will not be burdened with allergies, space-issues, etc. In an effort to respect your roommate(s), you’ll want to make sure that you will be able to provide for the dog on your own beforehand because this is YOUR dog and YOUR responsibility, not your roommates. 

A little about my personal experience with getting a dog in college: 

I adopted Bindhi in 2020 when I was in my 2nd year of college. I was already in the process of looking for a puppy to adopt from a local shelter, but at the same time, my previous roommate had adopted a dog (now, my Bindhi) and found that a dog was not the right fit for her at that time. I quickly decided that she was the addition I needed in my life.