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blackberry · Jul 30, 2003, 01:31 PM

Hello,

I'm a college student and I'm moving out to stay in a dorm next month. But I'm scared to live alone and I was thinking of getting a puppy. I'm a dog lover and I always wanted a dog of my own. My boyfriend promised to buy me a Chihuahua puppy for Christmas. But I'm worried that when I won't have time for the puppy she would be left alone. Is it okay if I leave a puppy alone sometimes? Or should I just not get one and buy small pets instead like hamsters?

labman · Jul 30, 2003, 05:19 PM

The first issue is will you be allowed to have any pet in the dorm. I occasionally take my dog guide to be puppies on college campuses. Usually we are besieged by dog deprived students who can;' t have their dog at school. Even much of you off campus housing forbids dogs.

If you can find housing that allows dogs, maybe it will work. Dogs do fine with couples that both work. It is not how much time they are left alone, but how much time you spend without. Students need to spend a great deal of time studying, which can be in your room with your dog. Five minutes playing with it, and then back to work, will be good for both of you.

I am glad you are planing ahead. Dogs are a 24/7 thing for 10 - 20 years. A big commitment for a young person. See http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/. It might be better to start with an older dog. Your shelters slaughter them every day for lack of a good home. Little puppies need frequent, fast trips outside, and meals at 3 regular times each day. An older dog can be fed once a day in the morning or evening.

If you do decide to get a dog, come back for help with it. I have lots of experience with little puppies. I can help you make it work. Steer your boyfriend away from pet store puppies, they are often puppy mill puppies with both physical and emotional defects.

dutchwolf · Oct 2, 2003, 06:14 PM

Hi,
You can quit easily train a puppy to be alone for longer time, when you spend enough attention to him when you're there. I think the first important thing you shloud consider is what kind of dog you want to purchase. Chi hua hua's is not known for the fast potty-training...
It are also dogs that bark easily. So the first thing to do is to get yourself informed about the kind of dog you want and what your expectation with the dog are.
I can give you advise on all kinds of breeds, I am not a breeder myself.
Succes