My Situation - any advice, info, etc.

[mikemyersfan]

Hello everyone!

I've been a long time lurker, but decided to introduce myself and ask everyone here for some help.
First of all, HI! My name is Krista, and I'm 18.

I was hoping you lovely people out there could help me out.
I have been wanting a puppy for a very long time, since I had to give up my old multi-poo when I moved four years ago. My old house didn't allow pets, but my family and I have recently moved into a townhouse that does allow pets. The thing is, my parents don't really want a dog due to costs, and everything. I have been too scared to bring the subject up YET about my desire to get a puppy, but that's because I would like to present them with a proposal first that I am planning on making with all the costs involved (WHICH I'll be paying for). The other problem is that myself, and my dad have allergies/asthma, and the reason I'm looking into a yorkie is because I've heard they are okay for people with allergies due to the fact that they have hair. ANYWAYS I am dying for a loyal companion. I will be starting college in september and feel that I can truly handle the responsibilities involved, and have been thinking about this for over a year now.
Sorry if these sound really specific and all about financing.. but as a student with a huge tuition to pay for I have to make a budget for everything nowadays

I would like to ask anyone that can help me:

1) how much money you spend a month on food
2) what kind/brand of food is best to purchase
3) what kind of health costs should I expect
4) I've never trained a dog before, so what kind of advice can you give me? which is the best method, etc.

Sorry for the seriously long post haha hopefully you guys can help me out

thanks in advance!

- Krista

[luzangela428]

I spent about $30.00 for a 16lb. bag of Innova..lasts about 3 months, I would purchase Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Natural Balance or Blue Buffalo food, The first year I have spent porbably about 700.00 on vet costs so far...vaccinations cost 40.00 each, flea medicine 90.00 for 6 months, heartworm pill 30 for 12 month supply...I also had to go the the emergency vet which was a huge bill alas 700.00....Crate tarinign is probably the best although I just gated my puppy and he is almost completely potty trained...BUT not everyone is as lucky and yorkies are and/or can be VERY hard to train. They are people animals so you or someone should e there to spend time with the puppy and I would suggest that they are not left alone for more then 9 hours a day..I no longer have a social life as many will tell you because we spend time with our pups..lol..and I am only 24. OH!!! and make sure if/when you get a puppy you get one from a very responsible breeder....NOT a pet store or broker!!!

[browniesmom622]

i buy the biggest bag of food for my 2 i buy nutro little bites thats only like 20 every month or so
health costs expect to pay equal to more than you pay for the puppy after shots neutering/spaying it all costs alot
you also have to think about go forbid lets say a accident happens to you rpuppy do you have money saved or a way to get up the money if you dog needs costly procedures ??
i always think of that before me or some else gets a pet

for training.......... be consistent good luck i hope i helped

[whispersmom2]

Krista, welcome!! My grand daughter is going away to college and has to leave her Whisper at home. So, she is getting a fish. BUMMER!!!! Not even turtles allowed in the dorm..
Anyhow, I am telling you this to say, I understand what you are saying but I find it hard to agree with you. Your first year of college will be tough (maybe) your time for training and bonding will be limited; Yorkies are high maintainence both monetarily and time-wise. They are difficult to train most often; their vet bills are high-Yorkies have tooth and gum diseases and can have all of the other things Yorkies are prone to-liver shunt, luxatting patellas, LCP disease in the hip. Of curse, not all Yorkies have all of these things but they can and do happen
If you and your dad are allergic to the protein in the sputum, a dog that has hair might not work either. If you are sensitive to fur you might be okay. Yorkies eat small amounts but because of that, need premium foods. What I feed costs $13.00 for one bag and $12.00 for the other. We go thru one of each a month..
If you have a social life in college and I hope you do, the Yorkie will be a drag if your parents do not want to care for it. I feel terrible about pointing these things out, but the topic is so fresh in my mind. My gr-dgtr and I went to lunch today to discuss this very thing.
Great good luck in school and think a little more about your Yorkie.. You will have one when the time is right..

[sylvan]

Welcome and sheesh that's a lot of questions. The best place to find a budget priced yorkie is through rescue. I can't really tell you a price on food because I am feeding a houseful. There are a lot of good threads on best foods (dry) try the search. Vet expenses can vary, I believe AKC.org has a specific amount /yr/dog on it's website. I can send you the training info I give to all my new pup parents (sylvanyorkies@entermail.net)and there are a lot of good books out there.
Here's some questions for you..When you say you gave up your multi-poo...gave it to where? When you leave for college, who takes care of this dog?

[mikemyersfan]

wow thanks for all the fast replies!
To answer your questions sylvan, I will be living at home, as my college is right in town, and I was moving across the country (in Canada) and my dog was 14 years old, and we gave him to my grandparents who remained in the province and live in the countryside. He unfortunetly passed away a couple years ago at the age of 16.
Whispersmom2 I am seriously considering what you have said, as these thoughts have crossed my mind. I do know that my first year is very low key, and I would be home a lot.

[dianne]

Hi krista Now I hope you wont take this too personally but this post is coming from my heart and remember this is only my opinion.I take owning dogs very seriously and I treat them like my children (much to the disgust of some people).You already had to give up one dog and what is to say you wont get in that situation again.To me they are like your children and I couldnt bear to part with one of them.I see advertisments in my local paper all the time about rehoming animals because people are going over seas or other reasons and frankly it really hacks me off I know there are genuine cases where people cannot look after them anymore and lets face it a lot of them will be better off for it but when you take on an animal in my opinion its for life. anyway I really do wish you the best and yorkie talk really is supportive no matter what your decision dianne

[mikemyersfan]

Originally Posted by dianne

Hi krista Now I hope you wont take this too personally but this post is coming from my heart and remember this is only my opinion.I take owning dogs very seriously and I treat them like my children (much to the disgust of some people).You already had to give up one dog and what is to say you wont get in that situation again.To me they are like your children and I couldnt bear to part with one of them.I see advertisments in my local paper all the time about rehoming animals because people are going over seas or other reasons and frankly it really hacks me off I know there are genuine cases where people cannot look after them anymore and lets face it a lot of them will be better off for it but when you take on an animal in my opinion its for life. anyway I really do wish you the best and yorkie talk really is supportive no matter what your decision dianne

The decision was not mine at all, and believe me I was furious. Our new landlords would not allow dogs, and my parents would not let us stay living in our province because of our dog. He was given to people we trust obviously, so it's not like we just gave him up because we couldn't deal with it, there was no other option to the situation but I do understand what you're saying, and I completely agree

[minniemn]

First I would find out what you and your dad are allergic to... the dander or saliva (something in the saliva, but I can't remember the correct term). Yorkies don't shed, but if you are allergic to the dog saliva, then no dog will be allergy free for you both.

I then would consider how much time you will have to spend with your puppy- they are social animals ect.

I did not keep track of the vet expenses, and the dog food costs me more because I have a rotty on the same food (Innova) so I have no idea there either.

Good luck with your search

[StewiesMom]

Hey Krista. Welcome to Yorkie Talk. I'm 21 and I'm finishing up my last year of college this year. I got Stewie in February and I am glad I waited as long as I did.

If I were you, I would wait until you have a place of your own and a plan for what would happen to your dog (who would watch him/her) if you wanted to go on vacation.

Yorkies are great companions, but they eat up a ton of time. I often have to pass on really fun invites to go out because I have no one to watch Stewie and I would never leave him alone all day and night.

If your parents were 100% accepting of getting a dog and were willing to take 50% if not more responsibility of it, I would say YES! Go for it! but since you are not exactly sure of them and how it would be with a dog in their house, I think you should wait at least a year until you have a feel for what college is really about and how your studies will be going. Then, tell your parents how well you have done in school and you would love to get a Yorkie as a family pet.

Anyway, I hope I helped.

P.S. to answer your questions about spending - I spent about $500 on Stewie alone (which is very inexpensive for a pet yorkie, as other people on this forum will tell you), plus supplies,Veterinary care and other fun stuff - the cost is through the roof. I don't buy anything for myself anymore At least 40% of my income I spend on Stewie.

[princess_sara]

Hey,
I had the same situation! Im 18 as well and always wanted a puppy, but i was too scared to bring it up, so i slowly did and did the whole "ill pay for everything" part. my dad is also alergic and has asthma. but i came up with a whole list of points and it worked! i went to visit the breeder the next day and now i have my baby! just make sure when u are talking to them that u have all of your information and can answer their questions! good luck with it!

[browniesmom622]

one thing i just wanted to add this is my opinion since i am 18 also you shouldnt have to convince your parents to let you get a dog i told my mother im getting a yorkie puppy and she said ok ..not because im spoiled...but because she knew i was very responsible and i could care for him and i was 16 as now im getting a puppy and i dont have to ask or beg cause she knows i spend 2million % of my time and money on brownie as i will with my new one good luck this is my own opinion

[Kelz]

hmm lets see...i'm 19 and got bentley at the end of my first year of college..i bought a bag of dog food in mid april and it's still not empty! and i believe the bag was like $10.. and his vet bill after all his shots was $ 190...that included the deworming and he had 2 parasites when we got him... But of course i spend ALOT of money on clothes,toys, etc.. but it really hasnt been that hard on us!!

[iloveYorkiesFL]

I just graduted and also waited until my last semester to purchase a Yorkie! ..and let me tell you, I'm glad I did. My last semester I stayed in a lot more (rather than going out every night), I was less involved with my sorority, and money management was key ~ No more Shopping spurges at the mall every weekend!! I recommend that you wait until you are in an enviorment you can control. I moved into an apartment where small dogs were aloud and my roomates didn't mind!

...as far as vet costs.... if you contact your local SPCA, most have small animal clincs availble to the public at very minimal costs. Remember this doesn't include food, toys, treats, emergency care, etc. Here's a sample of the Services list for my local SPCA:


Sample Price List
http://www.ohs-spca.org/sample_prices.htm

The SPCA of Central Florida is committed to helping you provide the best care possible for your pets. Seven staff veterinarians, skilled veterinary technicians and medical receptionists are here to help you with this quality care at affordable prices. Here is a sample of some of these costs:


Product or Service (Member price, Non-member price)
Office Exam: 1 pet $20, $25
Office Exam: 2nd pet $8, $10
Anal Glands Expressed $15, $20
Bordetella Vaccination $12, $15
Canine DHLPP-C Vaccination $15, $20
Canine Heartworm Test $16, $20
Canine Heartworm Preventative:
Heartguard, 6 months $15-26 $23-34
Ear Cleaning $15, $20
Ear Flush w/Sedation $40, $45
Feline FVRCP-C Vaccination $15, $20
Feline Leukemia/Aids Test $20, $25
Feline Leukemia Vaccination $20, $25
Flea Control, Feline: Advantage, 6 months $42-47, $53-57
Nail Trim, Routine $8, $10
Nail Trim, Difficult $15, $20
Parvo Test $30, $35
Rabies Vaccination $9, $12
Skin Scraping $10, $15
Urinalysis $15, $20
Worming: Droncit, Panacur, or Strongid $8-18, $10-20

Sample fees are updated in a timely manner and may not reflect current fees.

[Mystify79]

I know a lot of people will say that college isn't the time to get a dog, but I have to respectfully disagree. If you can handle the monetary responsibility I think it's a great time to have a dog because you have a lot more free time as a student than you will as a full time working person. I got my Maltese while I was finishing up my undergrad work and my Yorkie as a grad student. I find that I have a LOT of time to devote to training and loving on them. That said, it has not been cheap at all to take care of them. In the last year and a half I have spent near $1700 on both of them and that does NOT include their purchase prices. My Maltese has had some health issues and I have spent about $400 in the last few months in vet bills. You also need to factor in the price of spaying and neutering and you always need to be prepared should an emergency occur. My sister's Maltese hurt his knee and had to be taken to the emergency vet clinic and then we found out there that he had luxating patella which resulted in a $600 surgery for him. Dogs are a pretty long term financial responsibility and they only get more expensive as they age. Anyways, this is all just my opinion and my personal experiences. Good luck on whatever you decide.