Yorkies and College Students?

[CJxDanielle]

Anyone here a college student and also the full-time caregiver/parents to their yorkie babies? I will be a junior in HS this year (so I will graduate class of 2012) so college is coming soon! I've considered most of my options (seeing as I will be 16 when I graduate).

I'm thinking I might be going to a college instate which would mean my Cody would be near by, although I am considering going to Tom Rose (dog training academy) to take those classes and become a dog trainer and get a side job in that

To become what I would like to do it would take 8 years of schooling and another 3 working residency.

But my consern is only the first 4, what did you do when you were in college with your furbabies (non-yorkies too)? was it easier or harder on you? did you enjoy it? where did you live? how did you support yourself and your furbabies?

If this is in the wrong section please forgive, i'll have an admin move it.

Thank-you so much and look to hearing back from you!
- Cj x Danielle!

[DvlshAngel985]

Honestly, I took the non-traditional route. I was accepted to 3 great universities right out of hs, and I turned every one of them down due to fear. If I were to do it again, I would do it differently. I would accept the school that I would have loved the most (UCI, I did end up graduating from there ) and I would have gotten a furbaby earlier. Not freshman year though, your barely getting the lay of the land freshman year. I would in sophomore year, or junior year when the course load gets heavier. That is if my parents would help out financially a bit. I would have wanted a furbaby during the harder years because Kaji is a fantastic distraction, but in a good way. There are days were you need to focus and spend hours upon hours doing homework, or research. A furbaby makes a fantastic distraction when you've just had enough. My senior year, my roommate had a pom that I would walk whenever my mind needed a breather. I would come back refreshed and ready to work again.
Instead, I went to community college, met an awesome guy, we both transfered together to the same school, and after all the schooling was done for my BA, I got my furbaby. I'm not complaining because I'm happy with the way things turned out. Except for the fact that the economy sucks and a lot of my fellow recent grads and I are having a really hard time finding a stable job.

[mjharpst]

I am a fulltime college student and have three yorkies, although my husband and I both work. I got my first yorkie when I graduated high school and was lucky enough to live at home when I first got her and had my parents. Good luck to you in your endeavors and I would be hesitant to add a dog while you are still unsure of your living arrangements. It can be rather difficult to have a dog in cetain living arrangements.

[mjharpst]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I would have gotten a furbaby earlier. Not freshman year though, your barely getting the lay of the land freshman year. I would in sophomore year, or junior year when the course load gets heavier. That is if my parents would help out financially a bit. I would have wanted a furbaby during the harder years because Kaji is a fantastic distraction, but in a good way.

Its funny that you say not in your freshman year because through a research paper I just did for class on pet therapy, it has been shown that pets relieve stress and anxiety during your freshman year and help to act a support system for new students. But I do agree, your freshman year has enough adjustments and adding a dog during that time may be difficult.

[CJxDanielle]

Originally Posted by mjharpst

I am a fulltime college student and have three yorkies, although my husband and I both work. I got my first yorkie when I graduated high school and was lucky enough to live at home when I first got her and had my parents. Good luck to you in your endeavors and I would be hesitant to add a dog while you are still unsure of your living arrangements. It can be rather difficult to have a dog in cetain living arrangements.

Oh Im not adding a dog this is a pup I already have

Thank-you for the advice so far guys!

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by mjharpst

Its funny that you say not in your freshman year because through a research paper I just did for class on pet therapy, it has been shown that pets relieve stress and anxiety during your freshman year and help to act a support system for new students. But I do agree, your freshman year has enough adjustments and adding a dog during that time may be difficult.

I added that part because of what I've seen my brother and cousins go through. They all moved out, so that was an adjustment. They all lived in dorms with strangers, so that was another adjustment, not to mention no pets in dorms. They had to keep themselves on a schedule for the first time ever, and most were unsuccessful sometimes. Plus, from what they say a lot of things change freshman year. There is so much exploring (aka partying ) and adjusting to do, I'd fear a furbaby would be pushed aside. The last two or three years seem more stable since most college kids know what they're doing by then. Plus, I did read a similar article about pups or pets in general being a good stress reliever. There's more stress when you're doing a research paper then when you're doing general ed classes. At least that's how I felt.

[CJxDanielle]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I added that part because of what I've seen my brother and cousins go through. They all moved out, so that was an adjustment. They all lived in dorms with strangers, so that was another adjustment, not to mention no pets in dorms. They had to keep themselves on a schedule for the first time ever, and most were unsuccessful sometimes. Plus, from what they say a lot of things change freshman year. There is so much exploring (aka partying ) and adjusting to do, I'd fear a furbaby would be pushed aside. The last two or three years seem more stable since most college kids know what they're doing by then. Plus, I did read a similar article about pups or pets in general being a good stress reliever. There's more stress when you're doing a research paper then when you're doing general ed classes. At least that's how I felt.

My aunt was telling me this (almost exactly). She said it would probably be best to have Cody stay with my mother or a friend that lives in Flordia for Freshman Year (and maybe Sophmore too), depending on where I decide to go (aka what offers I get) and how close that might be I would see him most days.

I've pretty much made up my mind with Tom Rose though. So once/if I go there I would be taking on another pup for the program (before I go to college that is) and would be doing that so I can have something stable to do as a job. So that would be my doggy interactment between classes.

[Britster]

I am almost 20 years old and full time caretaker of Jackson. I didn't go straight to university though, and am attending community college still. I do still live at home with my mom, step-dad and sister but I have my own section of the house w/ bathroom, bedroom, living space, etc. I also don't really party, I have a few close knit friends and like to do movies, dinners, shopping, etc so I'm available often for Jackson. He is the center of my world, for sure I got him when I was 18, and wouldn't have changed a thing. I got him during my winter break so I had a good month to be with him, train him, bond with him. I think it's great and a perfect time to have a dog if you are responsible about it because you're not tied down to anything yet. Jackson will ALWAYS be a part of my family; when I get married, have kids (although not planning on any of this for a long time) and nothing will ever change that. We have a bond that can't be broken. I know a lot of people in college get a dog and then forget about it once their lives get too busy or have kids, etc. I have a few friends who could NEVER own a dog, LOL. They are totally not responsible enough. It's like having a kid... if I'm out with friends, I've gotta be sure to get home in time to let Jackson out, and I feel bad if I've been gone all day and then have to leave again, so I'd prefer to stay home with him, things like that!

[CJxDanielle]

Originally Posted by Britster

I am almost 20 years old and full time caretaker of Jackson. I didn't go straight to university though, and am attending community college still. I do still live at home with my mom, step-dad and sister but I have my own section of the house w/ bathroom, bedroom, living space, etc. I also don't really party, I have a few close knit friends and like to do movies, dinners, shopping, etc so I'm available often for Jackson. He is the center of my world, for sure I got him when I was 18, and wouldn't have changed a thing. I got him during my winter break so I had a good month to be with him, train him, bond with him. I think it's great and a perfect time to have a dog if you are responsible about it because you're not tied down to anything yet. Jackson will ALWAYS be a part of my family; when I get married, have kids (although not planning on any of this for a long time) and nothing will ever change that. We have a bond that can't be broken. I know a lot of people in college get a dog and then forget about it once their lives get too busy or have kids, etc. I have a few friends who could NEVER own a dog, LOL. They are totally not responsible enough. It's like having a kid... if I'm out with friends, I've gotta be sure to get home in time to let Jackson out, and I feel bad if I've been gone all day and then have to leave again, so I'd prefer to stay home with him, things like that!

Sounds just like me and Cody! Nice to know it can be done

[kdhawks]

I just finished undergrad in May, and I start grad school in August, so I am pretty familiar with what you are asking about. I think it's fine to have pets while in college, as most people have pretty flexible class schedules and can be home to take care of and play with the pet most of the day. However, a pet freshman year probably isn't the best idea for a couple of reasons as others have already mentioned - freshman year of a 4-year college is pretty overwhelming anyway and almost every dorm has a no pet policy. However, having your yorkie later on (when you move off campus to an apartment maybe) would be fine, and he will be a good little companion

[livingdustmops]

I sure would like to see the statistic's of how many college students still have their dogs after college...I doubt very few from my experience with rescue and a University town. While it can happen I am guessing many of the dogs are given to the parents or turned into shelters or worse..left to run loose. It happens. Many of the dogs also end up pregnant. The other piece is after college and starting a new job...and finding apartments who will take the dog.

I hope the ones responsible don't encourage ones who are not...call any shelter in a college town and they will tell you what is really going on.

[CJxDanielle]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

I sure would like to see the statistic's of how many college students still have their dogs after college...I doubt very few from my experience with rescue and a University town. While it can happen I am guessing many of the dogs are given to the parents or turned into shelters or worse..left to run loose. It happens. Many of the dogs also end up pregnant. The other piece is after college and starting a new job...and finding apartments who will take the dog.

I hope the ones responsible don't encourage ones who are not...call any shelter in a college town and they will tell you what is really going on.

Yeah, your right about that one, i'd actually like to know myself. I plan for Cody to still be with me even after college (even if I can't be with him then) I know of plenty of people who would be willing to care for him until i finish.

I honestly wish I had thought harder about it, but I got him my Sophomore year of HS, they are really starting to hammer down on us now about college so it has me thinking.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

I sure would like to see the statistic's of how many college students still have their dogs after college...I doubt very few from my experience with rescue and a University town. While it can happen I am guessing many of the dogs are given to the parents or turned into shelters or worse..left to run loose. It happens. Many of the dogs also end up pregnant. The other piece is after college and starting a new job...and finding apartments who will take the dog.

I hope the ones responsible don't encourage ones who are not...call any shelter in a college town and they will tell you what is really going on.

This IS very true; it's a good point to make. I've seen a few old friends on Facebook who get dogs with their boyfriends, etc and I just cringe. Because I know they are the kind of people who, if the dogs were tying them down or they break up with their spouse, would just drop them off at a shelter. It's definitely a big problem. I see so many dogs given up because people have kids, etc. It's totally unfair to a dog.

As a college student, you've really got to write out the pros/cons of owning a dog. For me, the pros FAR outweigh the cons, and I will never ever give Jackson up in a million years EVER. I would not move into a place that did not allow him, and neither would my family. My entire family (parents, stepparents, uncles, aunts) all look at Jackson as a part of the family so even IF I wanted to (which I never would) they wouldn't even allow it to happen. In our family, dogs are family and would never be given up to a shelter. That's just not what we do. We've had some bad behaved dog (all because our lack of training knowledge) and not once has any dog in this fam been brought to a shelter, we just dealt with it. My aunt has a Pit bull, Max who she has had for 8 years now and just had a baby with her husband. Max is JUST as much her baby as her real child is, nothing changed. When she takes the baby for stroller walks, Max comes along too, she takes both baby and dog to the beach and pays MORE attention to Max (baby is too young to even know-6 months old) because that was his beach first and that's his fun time... that's how it always should be, IMO! A baby is a huge change in your life obviously and needs to be catered too but the dog should never be pushed aside and should be included in everything.

There is too many college students who think a dog will be a cute accessory and it's SO wrong. On the flip side, college students dogs often times have a better 'DOG' life than a dog that just lives inside all the time with a family with young children who are busy with school, after school sports and activites, work, etc because college students often have more free time (some only work part time or only go to school etc) and get taken to beaches, roadtrips, dog parks alot more than an average dog would be. I often see a family who loves their dog dearly but they spend all the time in their house and let out in a backyard to potty and that's it. And it's mostly because people have busy schedules these days and there's just not enough time in a day for extra activities for the dogs.

I would definitely say that 90% of college students probably shouldn't own a dog but it all depends on the person. I just wish people would think the decision through a little better before owning a breathing, living thing that needs exercise, attention, food, love, disipline, etc.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by CJxDanielle

Anyone here a college student and also the full-time caregiver/parents to their yorkie babies? I will be a junior in HS this year (so I will graduate class of 2012) so college is coming soon! I've considered most of my options (seeing as I will be 16 when I graduate).

I'm thinking I might be going to a college instate which would mean my Cody would be near by, although I am considering going to Tom Rose (dog training academy) to take those classes and become a dog trainer and get a side job in that

To become what I would like to do it would take 8 years of schooling and another 3 working residency.

But my consern is only the first 4, what did you do when you were in college with your furbabies (non-yorkies too)? was it easier or harder on you? did you enjoy it? where did you live? how did you support yourself and your furbabies?

If this is in the wrong section please forgive, i'll have an admin move it.

Thank-you so much and look to hearing back from you!
- Cj x Danielle!

Great you're giving this some in depth thought. While a pet would be a great stress reliever, my concern would be how much stress the pup would be under.

What really caught my eye from your post was taking classes in dog training. I recently placed a pup with a trainer, one that works for Boone's Animals for Hollywood. Yep! my pup is filming a Disney Movie. But, that aside what a fantastic life this trainer leads. Hard work, but she is doing something she loves, working with animals.

[CJxDanielle]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Great you're giving this some in depth thought. While a pet would be a great stress reliever, my concern would be how much stress the pup would be under.

What really caught my eye from your post was taking classes in dog training. I recently placed a pup with a trainer, one that works for Boone's Animals for Hollywood. Yep! my pup is filming a Disney Movie. But, that aside what a fantastic life this trainer leads. Hard work, but she is doing something she loves, working with animals.

I am I am, if I can get the asistance and depending on when registration comes up!

Thats amazing!