You asked for advice. I gave you the reality that comes from owning a dog some where when the lease denies it. I've been in the real estate business for four years. I have managed two large apartment complexes and I have been a leasing agent in 3 others. I've worked in four different states and know the cycle of eviction in each. While I realize you may like to think you live in a microcosm and its different... they all run the same. They all rely on that contract you sign and will hold you to it if a complaint is made. You aren't going to know if its going to happen until it does. Its simply something you need to realize and think about - and know what you're going to do if it does.

Forgive me for trying to get you to realize the mistake that a lot of younger people who are starting out in getting their own place make - that word of mouth and "situation" matter as much as the piece of paper they sign. I've seen more animals go into shelters for this reason then I'd like - I would hate to see that happen to you or anyone else because they didn't understand the risks.

Well gee how many times are people going to bring up the same issue? I am well aware about the leasing issue and like I said, I'll talk to the leasing office again. I understand the issues. I want to move on to something else other than what was already discussed on the first page. It's not immaturity, it's annoyance with having to respond to the same points over and over and already understanding the message. It's like someone coming to you, telling you something, you getting the point, then 10 more people telling you the same thing and arguing about it when you have already talked about it.

Do you have any pictures of one like that?

I was saying I was confused why some people offer them for free, 200, and 1000+. Money really isn't an issue.

I went back and looked at the lease and it never actually said anything about pets. I have a copy of it right here. What they told me verbally was that dogs aren't allowed, but they don't care unless it's causing trouble or something. They then reiterated that they don't care if I have a dog a second time.

Sorry if you think I'm not listening to your guys' advice, but I am. I'm reading every post and every word, which is why I may seem like I'm "not listening" since I already heard the points a lot of you later posters are making that people already said on the first page. If I can't get a Yorkie, then I can't get a Yorkie. I'm not going to disillusion myself into thinking I can have one if the circumstances don't allow it, since that will just lead to unnecessary trouble.

Now please, enough about the leasing thing!! I only want to know about the breed itself at this point.

Personally I've never seen a shihtzu with long hair, the reason I say them is because they are really cute and I always see men around here walking them. They shave their bodies and have a bit longer on the head and tail :) I just thought I'd suggest one because they too stay small and don't shed.

You want to know more about a yorkie? Well, once you get one, you will be addicted!! You will want another one, you won't want to put your baby down or leave it at home. You'll rush home after school or any other outing just to check on your baby. You will get TONS of loving from your new baby as well. Mine will sit and lick my face for hours if I let her, she is the most loving creature I have ever seen. She is a little shadow, following me from room to room. She can be super Stubborn but like I had mention mine came from a very bad situation and well she is just alot more calmer and "aware" of her surroundings. I don't know if you've thought about a rescue? I feel those ones, are very grateful for a loving home and will love you unconditionally in return.
I'd also suggest if your going to geto ne, don't fall for false advertisting of "teacups" theres no such thing and it's alot easier to care for one who is on the higher end of the standard. I think 5 lbs is perfect. Mine is about 4.8-5lbs. She is still very small but it's so much easier and less worrying about her hurting herself. These aren't dogs that should be jumping off a couch or bed, they can hurt themselves very easily, they think they are a big dog in a little body!

Hi, good luck on your decision to get a dog or not to get a dog.

Side Note: We are water park fans too, Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels is one of our favorite.

Male dogs cost less than females, you may already know that.... to help their teeth fall out, i.e. cut the cost of vet bill.... merricks flossies are tendons that they can chew on, they do a great job at helping teeth fall out, or other safe chewing toys. Look into clinics for administering vaccines, prices seem lower even a petco. When you are ready to put clothes on him/her, check out my low prices :D

It is wise to name the potty deed and give treat & praise immediately following the act. When the pup is doing something he shouldn't remember to say no, and redirect.... a time out is not a bad thing when needed. I read the book Yorkies for dummies, very informative.

Take care.

^ Typical forum spam bot.

Okay, I am going to bring up the lease thing again, from a slightly different angle. I've lived in apartments in New York and San Francisco. In New York, I lived in buildings that didn't allow pets, but in at least one of them, more than half of the tenants had pets. So I am not going to say, you get a yorkie, it lets out one yelp, and you will be out on the street.

If you happened to know someone personally who was having a litter of puppies, that would be one thing. I can envision someone owning a dog in a wink-wink, pet-free building. In fact, the woman who owned my dog before me said that she snuck him in and out of some pet-free apartments.

HOWEVER, I also volunteer at a shelter in San Fran, and I know for a fact that shelters in this city REQUIRE a letter from your landlord stating that pets are allowed. You telling them that it's fine because the landlord will turn a blind eye will not cut it. And I can't imagine your landlord writing a letter that says, "We don't allow pets officially, but secretly we do, so please feel free to give our tenant a dog."

Fair or not, I think you will have trouble getting a dog from a good breeder simply because you are a college student and they will probably assume some of the things that people have already mentioned. You will already have some strikes against you being young, in school, and a relaxed attitude towards rules.

Actually, as I'm typing this, I'm thinking that maybe your parents should just get the dog, and then give it to you. They are probably much more attractive candidates for dog ownership. Obviously this is dishonest, so you'll have to consider if you are comfortable with that.

I also wouldn't discount what everyone else is saying. It's unlikely that the second you get your puppy that it will have massive health problems, be untrainable, and get you blacklisted from all apartments in your area. But you need to take some reasonable precautions to assume that it's not going to go perfectly.

Again, I suggest going to a shelter and volunteering to get more experience with dogs. If this is something that you really want to do, taking another six months to prepare won't hurt you. You can also use that time to research a breeder, maybe get on a waiting list with her, and figure out how to deal with the living situation.

You could also simply ask your neighbors if they would mind having dog living under them. Maybe they wouldn't care at all. Consider though, what if they move out and you don't get along with the next tenants? I think other posters are right that while the landlord may be "cool", they are legally obligated to deal with complaints regarding lease violations. I don't think they would have any trouble demanding you give up the dog. You will need to stay on very good terms with everyone who knows about your secret dog.

If you really want this dog, why not just find some housing where small dogs are allowed? That would certainly demonstrate some commitment.

I am not saying you shouldn't get a dog, please just think about these things seriously and if/how you could handle them. Don't just brush these warnings off as excessively cautious.

Again, good luck to you.

I really don't think I can say anything that hasn't already been said so I just want to say good luck in whatever decision you make.

A lot happened today!

Yesterday I called the leasing office and left a message saying that I wanted to ask them about pets again. The leasing manager called me back this morning and said basically what they had already been saying, "officially can't, unofficially can." I asked him what would happen if a neighbor complained, and he said they would have to ask for the dog to be taken back home. He also said that that has never happened and that I am worrying about nothing.

He told me I had to sign a few more things and that they wanted to show me a model room so we went down to the office (my dad and I). I asked him in person if there was an official way to keep a dog there and he said I could if I gave them a doctor or psychiatrist note stating that I need one for whatever reason. Luckily my dad goes to a psychiatrist, so the manager said I could get the note from her. The reason I need one is, "Jon doesn't like kids his age because most of them smoke, drink, do drugs, etc., and so he isolates himself in his own room and wants a friend!" He said that excuse would be fine. It'll add an extra 50 bucks to the lease each month to officially acknowledge I have a dog, though.

We went by my room and the guy said, "You're at a prime location! There's no room to your left or right, only one above." I joked with him that I could make a deal with the neighbors above me saying that if they ignore my dog, I'll ignore the noise they make when they walk. He said that those are a good chunk of their complaints in addition to people playing loud music. Pretty much all of the above is what I expected.

Later in the day we drove to a puppy store that has Yorkshire Terriers (Puppy Shop Boys). I wanted to see a Yorkie in person and it was so awesome! They let out the two puppies they had and they wouldn't stop licking me. I sat on the floor and one crawled up my knees and practically tried to climb up my shirt. Someone bought an older Yorkie as I was playing with them and then they left me to play with it. The people there were extremely nice too basically explaining everything to me about the breed that I have already heard and know (which made me feel confident that I know a good chunk about them). The puppies only barked once, and it was very high-pitched, but after being in the model room and taking into consideration I will only have someone above me, I couldn't imagine the sound disturbing anyone (especially since the students will be gone during the day just like me). Their puppies were also for the most part potty trained, and the guy said that it's always pretty easy to get them into the routine of going in a specific location, especially if they are in their own rooms (crate training I think). Their puppies were... I think he said CKC certified or something.

Anyway, I guess the challenge now is finding a good breeder, convincing my mom to let me have one (my dad fell for the dogs), and learning more about the breed.

Well I hope you don't fall for the pet store guy, they all are "nice" they are trying to make a sale! They will say what they have too to sell a pup, I wouldn't believe a word they say. Definitely look for a breeder, don't even go into a pet store again because you will feel tempted, but thats the worst mistake you can make is get one from there.

I only went to see one IRL, not to buy one.

Sounds like you are making every effort to think this through and do your research. I know many adults (no offense, but you seem like a bright guy, I'm sure you know what I mean) that don't put this much thought into whether or not to get a pet.

I remember being a college student and keeping a bunny in my dorm since I couldn't have dogs and missed mine so much.

Also, my nephew loves animals and was never allowed to have any at home. When he went off to college he got an apartment with another student and promptly added two dogs to the arrangement. He is now graduated with job, and apartment and both dogs still happily living with him. I have had several conversations with him about quality pet food, grooming, choosing a vet. This guy took an interest and it would have been wrong to tell him to wait.

So, there are certainly those with the mentality to make having a dog while in college work.

As far as yorkies being too girly? Don't tell my husband that...:)You need to check out some of Alaskayorkie's threads for pics/videos of yorkies being anything but.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Haha, when I was first researching the breed I saw all those show dog pictures where they have long shiny hair touching the floor. I was hoping mine wouldn't ever look like that. And then I saw some pics where people were putting them in dresses or something.

The ones at the store were so cool... they were just regular dogs, but smaller. As long as I don't let their hair grow out they shouldn't look too girly. :p

Just be careful where you get it from , it would be a shame to do all this research and have all this advice for then to end up with a poorly puppy.:rolleyes:

No pet stores!!!!!

Now, I think I know what direction your going in. You said the leasing office told you that you could have a dog "if you could get a letter from a doctor" Then you mentioned that your father sees a psychatrist. That you are going to have your father's psychatrist , write YOU a letter stating that YOU need a dog for "psychological" purposes.
The problem: this is your fathers doctor . Your not being treated by the doctor, and your thinking the Dr. is going to write you a letter:confused: Is your father going to be living with you? Is the dog going to be yours or your fathers??
Because if it is going to be yours, and you are not being treated by a professional, there is little chance a professional is going to write a letter for you, stating that you need accomadations for a "service Dog. AND it is against the LAW to be deceptive . A service dog is not considered a pet. However, you do need docuementation for yourself, from a PROFESIONAL. + you need to be in treatment, in therapy, and have ongoing treatment, proff that YOU need a service animal.
I highly doubt any professional is going to write a letter for someone who they are not treating. :eek: