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emilytheperson · 09-12-2014, 02:09 PM

Hey, I'm new to this site and I'm on the edge of making a big decision and was looking for some advice from fellow Yorkie-owners!

I'm 22 and a senior at university; I'll be graduating in May. I've been wanting a dog for a while now, but the time has not yet been right. My family has a 4-and-a-half-year-old Yorkie, who is an amazing dog, so I've been looking for the same breed for myself. I know an excellent breeder in my hometown who has a beautiful Yorkie puppy available. He is 13 weeks old, already house-trained (what?!), and ready to go to his new home. If I adopt him, my parents will be bringing him to my town next Wednesday.

A lot of the usual concerns for student/just out of college owners don't necessarily apply to me.
- I already have an established job for when I graduate, so while it is a transitional time of my life, there is a stability and security there that many other people in my position do not have.
- There are two different apartment complexes (for a year from now, after I graduate) that I've been considering that are both pet-friendly.
- My parents are willing to help pay for the initial needs of the puppy (they'll actually pay for the puppy himself) until I am financially independent.
- I have been around dogs all my life, so I am well-aware of the commitment and responsibility it takes to raise a puppy. It's actually why I've wanted to get a puppy now instead of after I graduate, because I have more time for initial training now than I will when I'm working 40 hours a week in the future.
- I have 3 roommates, but they are all on board.
- (Also, I'm a college student, but I don't drink or party, so I'm home more often than some.)

My mom is very happy for me to adopt a puppy; my dad is a little apprehensive because he doesn't want me to bite off more than I can chew, and he's worried that when I start working 8 hours a day (I will have an hour lunch break), it might be cruel for the dog.

So, if you've stayed with me through that entire explanation, I would like to get some opinions.
- Is it cruel to have a dog while working 40 hours a week?
- (This is totally an opinion question, but) as a college student, with these measures set up, am I still simply too young to take the long-term responsibility of a dog?
Are there any other concerns that I've completely missed?

I would love some opinions! I'm doing as much research/asking around as I know before I make the final commitment next week.

09-12-2014, 02:09 PM	#1
emilytheperson YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 1	Puppy Advice Hey, I'm new to this site and I'm on the edge of making a big decision and was looking for some advice from fellow Yorkie-owners! I'm 22 and a senior at university; I'll be graduating in May. I've been wanting a dog for a while now, but the time has not yet been right. My family has a 4-and-a-half-year-old Yorkie, who is an amazing dog, so I've been looking for the same breed for myself. I know an excellent breeder in my hometown who has a beautiful Yorkie puppy available. He is 13 weeks old, already house-trained (what?!), and ready to go to his new home. If I adopt him, my parents will be bringing him to my town next Wednesday. A lot of the usual concerns for student/just out of college owners don't necessarily apply to me. - I already have an established job for when I graduate, so while it is a transitional time of my life, there is a stability and security there that many other people in my position do not have. - There are two different apartment complexes (for a year from now, after I graduate) that I've been considering that are both pet-friendly. - My parents are willing to help pay for the initial needs of the puppy (they'll actually pay for the puppy himself) until I am financially independent. - I have been around dogs all my life, so I am well-aware of the commitment and responsibility it takes to raise a puppy. It's actually why I've wanted to get a puppy now instead of after I graduate, because I have more time for initial training now than I will when I'm working 40 hours a week in the future. - I have 3 roommates, but they are all on board. - (Also, I'm a college student, but I don't drink or party, so I'm home more often than some.) My mom is very happy for me to adopt a puppy; my dad is a little apprehensive because he doesn't want me to bite off more than I can chew, and he's worried that when I start working 8 hours a day (I will have an hour lunch break), it might be cruel for the dog. So, if you've stayed with me through that entire explanation, I would like to get some opinions. - Is it cruel to have a dog while working 40 hours a week? - (This is totally an opinion question, but) as a college student, with these measures set up, am I still simply too young to take the long-term responsibility of a dog? Are there any other concerns that I've completely missed? I would love some opinions! I'm doing as much research/asking around as I know before I make the final commitment next week.