So I am living with my girlfriend in an apartment building. She has been begging for a dog for some time now. We have yet to see if the specific apartment we are in allows dogs. Anyway, I have insisted that she does not have enough time to take care of any dog (even low maintenance ones).

Currently she is a full-time student and also has a full-time job. Most days she is up and gone by 9AM. She is then usually able to stop back in the afternoon around 12:30PM for about two hours. Then she is off to work and not back until 9-10PM. I cannot imagine a dog that would not require me to step in and take care of it when she is out.

I am pretty much available every day. At the latest I get home at 4-5PM. And have Mondays and Wednesdays I am home at 11AM.

The issue I can see with this is that I would become the primary care taker for the pet (add to it that I am also more experienced with dogs and more dominant with dogs), eventually I would be the dog's master and not her. I have no problem taking care of the dog. I am just not sure that she would be okay with "her" dog becoming "mine." Haha.

My questions are these: Should we get a dog (provided the landlord allows small animals)? Am I right to be concerned about the time, or if I am helping to take care of the animal is it okay? And less animal related and more girlfriend related, am I right to be concerned about her reaction to the dog taking to me more than her?

EDIT: Oh! What kind of dog would you recommend for an apartment (it's not tiny, two bedrooms and pretty open).

I would say no. If she doesn't have time for the dog, then why get it? Dogs are pack animals, they don't do very well by themselves. It should also be based on your decision on whether you would like to take on that type of responsibility since you have already stated that it would be more your dog than hers. Getting a dog in your situation would be more like a practice run with a child. Schedules would have to change and time would have to be set aside to make sure this dog is getting the attention it deserves.

Since you claim you'll be the primary caretaker of this dog,ask yourself... Do YOU even want a dog? Don't get suckered into a situation that could risk your relationship. If I were in your shoes... I would say no. I would explain to her that she doesn't have any time for a dog. I wouldn't go into any type of commitment knowing that I would be the primary caregiver in the situation...

If you do decide to get a dog.. A small dog, like a yorkie, pug, etc would be a good apartment dwelling dog. Try not to look for anything with lots of energy,such as Jack Russel Terriers. There are small breeds that do very good in apartments. I also wouldn't get a puppy. Puppies are a lot of work and need A LOT of attention and time. Adoption is best... A lot of adult dogs up for adoption already come house trained and socialized very well... Dogs that are given a second chance in life are extremely loyal and grateful and make wonderful companions.

But, any reputable rescue/shelter wouldn't even consider your adoption due to the boyfriend/girlfriend living together in an apartment. To an adoption agency, that doesn't sound like a "forever" home.

Please make the right choice... for your sake and the future dogs sake!

I appreciate the advise. Thus far I have said no. I have explained that she does not have the time and that the dog would end up becoming mine. There's no question in my mind that I would adopt over buying a new puppy (there's plenty of dogs for adoption).

I've been talking to her about getting a different kind of animal (one that requires less maintenance).

I agree with you FM, keep saying no.
It's not very fair on the dog being left alone for such a long time, and even worse being left alone in an apartment.
Even with her coming home at lunch time it's just too long.

If she gets a puppy (or even an adult) it would take forever and a day to train it.
Wheever we get a new puppy we are pretty much with it all the time for the first few weeks laying down the ground rules and doing some solid training work.


Does she like cats?
They are very independent and much more capable of handling being left alone.

Does she like cats?
They are very independent and much more capable of handling being left alone.

Cats are a pretty good idea. They like to sleep/rest a lot and most I have known like being active at night. What would be prime hunting time in the wild.

Does she like cats?
They are very independent and much more capable of handling being left alone.

I'm allergic to cats. So that's a definite no. Haha.

I'm allergic to cats. So that's a definite no. Haha.

I was afraid that was going to be the answer on that one. :)

What about lizards or fish?

When I was first married, we couldn't have animals (we would have had cats), so we bought a big aquarium, added soil, rocks, and plants, and put several chameleons inside. Boring, you think? Think again! No, they aren't cuddly and friendly, but they are fun to watch and need minimal maintenance. Before we got them, we studied up on what they would need in the terrarium, what they liked to eat, how to give them water, and how many to put in what amount of space. We got books from the library and bought chameleon booklets at pet stores. We also talked with pet shop owners. Once we knew what we were doing, we became chameleon owners. I loved how they chomped on meal worms (like eating a banana), and how hard it was to find them sometimes (since they blend in with what they are sitting on). Several years later, we did the same thing and became fresh-water tropical fish parents. We had a human baby, bought into a house, and adopted cats. All I want now is a pony.

I had a chameleon once. Died very shortly after purchase, and we (my parents and I) took very close care of it. Not sure what happened. Just came home one day to find it's hollowed out body with the crickets living inside.

But yeah, we're looking at possibly some kind of lizard or snake. That's what we're discussing as a low maintenance alternative.

You could try and get a crested gecko. They're not as fragile as chameleons.