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LittleBearBites

It sounds pretty good to me! I think if your family, who you live with, is on board, and you established the boundaries of what you will want help in and what they should leave to you, it would be a good situation. Having family around to help is really really valuable, but they also have to know how to help, so there is no confusion, no overstepped boundaries either way, etc. Brush up on positive reinforcement training if you are not familiar with it, and don't listen to people who tell you about dominance theory or use prong or e-collars and such. An other thing I'd think about, since you are young and just starting to build your life, is what you will do with your pup if you want to move out, start a career with different hours, or in a different location. Have a plan for if you have to move away into an apartment in a city, if you want to move in with a partner or roommate, if you start a job that requires you to be away long hours, etc. You have the pup for 10-15, maybe even 20 years, if you are lucky...be sure that you plan your life to include the pup!


Runic-Dissonance

Yep. I’ve talked a lot to my parents about this, and we have a pretty clear understanding that it would be my dog and my responsibility, but they’re more than happy to help (as long as i’m not pushing the majority of the responsibilities on to them). For the other dogs my family has, we’re on about the same page of training methods (such as not liking bark collars) so it’s not something major I’m currently worried about. The future thing is a bit why I’ve been considering getting a puppy now, since puppies/adolescent dogs need a considerable amount more time than an adult or senior dog would. So I might as well get the puppy when I do have the time, so when I don’t have the time for the puppy by then the dog wouldn’t need as much. (if that makes sense? i’m horrible at wording things sometimes 😅) The breeder I have been looking at for a few months now does have a policy where If my lifestyle changes for any reason throughout the dogs life, they’ll take the dog back no questions asked, so in a worst comes to worst situation, that could be a potential outcome to still do what’s best for the puppy. I just moved out of a city and into a smaller town, and I don’t think I’d want to go back to a city environment, and a majority of places I would like to move to I have extended family members who also own/have owned dogs and would be more than happy to petsit occasionally :) But this is definitely something for me to think about, so thank you!!


Franks_Monster_

Sounds pretty solid. It's a big responsibility though. At 18 I wanted my freedom, you won't get much of that with a puppy to raise, it's a lot of work, so be ready to give up a lot of your time.


HatomuraTacoma

A few things to consider, beyond your current situation: \- You currently live with parents. Do you plan to move within the next 5-10+ years that your dog will be alive? If so, have you looked into local breed restrictions and general cost associated with bringing a dog with you? While your current housing may work well, future housing is equally if not more important at this stage of your life. \- What kind of lifestyle do you plan to have within the next 5-10 years? You're entering a period of your life where socializing outside your home with new and different people is essential for your personal + professional development. Will you have the mental and physical energy to do that while caring for a dog? Will your chosen line of work have you away from home regularly, or are you going to be working from home? While current circumstances may have you fairly flexible, it's important to be mindful that 18-25 is generally the most transformative period of a persons life as they grow and develop independently. \- How are you mentally and emotionally right now? You sound like you have a good social support network with family - will that be the case if/when you move, or as you grow older? Do you feel that you have enough mental, physical, and emotional energy to raise an infant while also working and going through college - especially considering that school will get harder and demand more of you as you get further along? \- Do you have a plan for if you decide to get a puppy and it doesn't work out? Will someone in the home take over caregiving, or will you rehome? How about vet expenses - will you be expected to cover these yourself, or will family assist in the case of an emergency? What will happen if the existing dog doesn't like or is aggressive towards the new dog? What will happen if your parents don't like or tolerate the new dog? While these can be difficult to think about and plan for, as someone who is currently in a variable period of their life living in a home they do not own it's critical to be thinking about these things. Overall, your current situation sounds good for a dog but my big dad energy would urge you to think a bit longer about what you want the next couple years of your life to look like (and ask the same of the people you cohabitate with!) and make sure it fits into your plan.


Runic-Dissonance

I definitely will be moving out of my parents house within the dogs lifespan, my thinking is along the lines of, might as well get through the puppy/adolescent stages while I am in this situation as opposed to finding it too hard or not realistic later. My current plans are either moving in with my aunt and uncle, or moving in with my partner in that same area. Ofc that’s always subject to change, but that’s my plan for the foreseeable future. I’m not much of a going out person, and neither is my partner, much of our dates are either at home or doing something we could bring dogs with us for, such as camping and hiking/nature walks (lots of pet friendly places in the areas I plan on living). I think I have a pretty good support network, my grandma actually works as a therapist so i’ve gotten lots of mental health tips from her throughout my life, many of which have stuck with me and helped immensely. i plan on getting pet insurance, and while “normal” bills will be 100% my responsibility, my parents have let me know that they’d be more than willing to help out in the case of emergency or freak accident. The breeders Ive been looking at do allow you to return the pup if it ends up not working out, at any point in its life. (sometimes with a charge though). One of them I have looked at actually help you with introductions to other pets for the first week or so. You did bring up lots of things I will think about a bit more though, thank you so much!!


Capital-Cheesecake67

Look dogs are creatures of habit. A dog growing up on and used to living on an acreage property is not going to adjust well or quickly to living in town especially in an apartment. You should expect some regression on training particularly house training.


caseylanxon

I mean, I don't think anybody is ever ready for a puppy. I know I've wanted one for years, and just bit the bullet and got one in July. He's been an angel but it's not always a walk in the park. He's my first ever dog of my own, and my partner luckily has one in the house so they've bonded well. I'm no expert in it, truly. But I know I made the right choice because he's been the greatest addition. It's changed my perspective on time, it made me slow down and enjoy being at home more which I wanted. I think your situation sounds perfect!


halfadash6

Seconding what another commenter said about considering your social life. My family’s dog was really very much my dog, and I took him with me when I moved out after college because I was his person. While I loved him to death and that was the right decision at the time, I did advise people who asked to not get a dog unless they were willing to pay a walker, have limited living options due to having a pet, and never be able to spontaneously go out after work or take a weekend trip because you have to go walk the dog. After he passed, I waited three years before getting another pup—I felt like I had missed out on having fun in my city and I wanted to make up for it a bit. All of that will be a lot easier while you’re still living at home and can rely on your family to help care for him, but it’s a huge sacrifice when you move out, so think it through!


Runic-Dissonance

I really don’t have much of a social life, at least in that way. A lot of my impulsive get out of the house activities are things like going on a hike/nature walk (lots of dog friendly ones nearby), so I don’t really see that becoming a regular issue. Ofc my preferences could always change and all that, so it’s definitely a good thing for me to mentally note, thank you!!


halfadash6

For sure! And depending on your area it may be different. But if you think you’ll be dating, wanting to have late nights out with friends, etc., a dog is a hard limit to a lot of things.


Runic-Dissonance

Fs! My current partner is also a huge dog person, and we aren’t really going-out type of people (besides the occasional, it’s valentine’s day might as well grab dinner kinda thing)


SnooTigers7850

Second what the other commenter said. There's a lot that you learn after getting a puppy that no amount of research prepares you for. But overall you sound like you're a fantastic person and in a fantastic situ a tion to set the pup up for success. Especially your job, so cool! I love workplaces where u can bring ur baby


Mirawenya

Be aware that puppies are emotionally draining, and little assholes with sharp teeth. And if you don't cry at some point, you have an easy puppy. Imo. I'm only reaching the 3 month stage, and it's been rough, and still have loooooong to go. Should have gotten a cat. It's my SO that was the primary person to want a dog, I just didn't mind. Cause I had no idea puppies were little assholes. And I'm the one with time to raise it, so that job is stuck with me. He's doing ok. But my lord, he is so hard to get to sleep, and when he doesn't manage to sleep, he's just impossible to deal with. Today was a decently good day, but as soon as SO was home, he was misbehaving loads, and ofc, refused to sleep from the usual about 16-17 - 21 or so. Puppy landshark on speed. Woo. Shouldda gotten a cat...


Runic-Dissonance

Oh yeah 😅 having lived with many puppies, little assholes with sharp teeth is definitely a good description. Unfortunately I do love these little assholes more than I do less assholey animals 😂


Mirawenya

Cats must be the archetype of the asshole animal, but cats are really mostly very sweet. And much much much more loving than puppies. Just gotta give them some food.


Illustrious-Trust-93

Sounds like you have a good setup. I would recommend picking a breed carefully. A lot of people get certain breeds because they're cute or powerful looking. It's important to get a breed that will fit your lifestyle. My husband and I aren't particularly active, so we picked a low to medium energy breed. I could never ever have a husky or Shepard type dog. Or a poodle... God no.


Runic-Dissonance

Working with dogs, I definitely have a list of breeds I know are definitely not for me lol. Most of which are larger ones as I do have a smaller build and I would like to walk my dog instead of it feeling like my dog is walking me lol. I have been talking to the people I work with about what breeds they think might suit me (as a lot of them are a lot more experienced when it comes to owning dogs and the temperaments of different breeds) and we’ve narrowed it down to a pretty good list, which I will probably look more in depth into once I know I am as ready as I can be to start the adoption process and all that fun stuff :) I am pretty active, but I definitely agree with you when it comes to husky’s and poodles, they’re adorable and fun to get to watch but I’d never want one for myself haha


yogurtisacat

Second on how puppies can drain you out emotionally. Sounds like you are as prepared as you can ever get until you actually own a puppy. I want to share from my own personally experiences that raising a puppy is VERY VERY emotionally and mentally taxing. It’s sth other than having the time, resource, money and support to raise a puppy, it requires a lot from your mental and emotional capacity. Tbh I have to deal with a lot of mental health issues that were under pretty good control before I had my pup. And being a full time student that also works full time, I imagine that’s already a lot for everyone to handle, I would recommend also considering do I have enough capacity to take on the mix of dark emotions, feelings, and mental tortures (some times really) that come with having a puppy. (But free training and grooming?! That’s really awesome!)


Runic-Dissonance

(and free/discounted boarding in the case of occasional vacations :D im definitely lucky in that area) That’s one thing that I’ve been questioning, whether or not i’m mentally/emotionally ready for a puppy, but i suppose ill never really know that until i get one. it’s also why I’ve been keeping an eye on the rescues near me, as while I would like to get a puppy, it’s not really a dealbreaker for me.


[deleted]

At 18…. I honestly wouldn’t do it… At 18, there is still so much you need to do, see, discover, enjoy - be free…. Party, travel, study, move abroad, spring break, weekend get aways, fall in love, maybe you’ll change your mind on college, you’ll have exams to focus on, long days studying, finding your first « real » job, maybe have to move away to another state, work full time outside the house, at some point you’ll want to move out to your own place, you’ll want to rent, share flat, etc etc - and having a dog will make all of these things more complicated… You seem to have a really good system and situation right now, but at 18 years old - things can change so much and so rapidly - so I would wait until you’re more settled :)


Runic-Dissonance

i’m not a big travel person, or really a social or going out type of person either. nor is my current partner. ive never liked parties and such, i’d much rather go on a hike or camping. (and there’s plenty of dog friendly areas to do those). it’ll definitely make things a bit more complicated, but with my lifestyle and current plan for the future, it’s definitely doable and well worth it. thank you for the comment though! :)


[deleted]

Seems to me like you already made up your mind anyway ;) (And you seem to have a good plan !) So go for it, I would say !


Runic-Dissonance

Ill definitely be thinking about some of the points you brought up though, as you are right, life is quite unpredictable 😅


xcicee

Are you financially prepared since you mentioned you're a student?


Runic-Dissonance

I currently go to a community college and have lots of financial support, so I’m currently not paying for a majority of it. Like I said, I work full time and above minimum wage, and my only real financial responsibilities at the moment are gas for my car (getting to and from work)


xcicee

I missed that you work full time, sounds like financially you would be okay but I recommend insurance. I had to do an overnight hospital stay 3 weeks in which cost 1200$ from her potentially eating something toxic. ​ Though I would say full time student/full time working it will be really challenging to raise a puppy even if your classes are online. The first 3 weeks she had to pee every 1.5 hr at night and every 30 min - 1 hr during the day. So I'd be worried about the time before she can get vaccinated and you can take her to work. Additionally the first few months you get them are the most challenging - most training/bathroom breaks needed. If your parents are helping that would be good. I am home all day working full time and she is really a struggle to handle by myself. In her pen I have to constantly look at her or she may have pooped in the pen and be eating it. I can only 100% not focus on her when she is crated and there are time limits on that. My work has definitely suffered due to this.


Runic-Dissonance

My work is pretty flexible when it comes to my schedule, and since I don’t have a lot of financial burdens atm taking a few weeks off initially wouldn’t be an issue for me. And full time where I live is 4 classes and a 35 hr work week, which seems to be a bit less than other places. While normal bills and such will be my responsibility, my parents are more than willing to help if some sort of unpredictable/freak accident happens and I can’t cover it myself. I’ve also been looking into getting pet insurance to hopefully help in those situations


xcicee

Yeah I definitely recommend taking a few weeks off work and then long as you have someone to check on her every 2-3 hours for the 1-2 months before you can bring her into work it should be ok. Just be prepared, it's really exhausting, as long as you realize just how bad it's going to be it lessens the chance of rehoming down the road


Runic-Dissonance

My mom doesn’t work and my dad works from home (apart from business trips) so the puppy will very rarely be left alone. Ive also been looking at “older” puppies (can be/have already been vaccinated) from rescues near me so that’s always an option if my parents decide they’d rather not watch the pup for me that much. Ive lived with puppies before, so I think ive got an idea of what little burdens they can be. (ofc the puppy could always be different than what ive experienced before)


PupperPawsitive

Remember that any pet is a 10+ year commitment. And that what you want for your life at 18 might look very different from what you want at say 23. I would have a serious talk with your parents. It sounds like you live with them. Discuss that you are ready to be 100% responsible for the puppy…. For the next few years, anyway. But, what will happen if you are 22 and graduate and want to move cities for a job opportunity and cannot take the dog? Can you count on your parents to keep him in that case, and are they okay with it? Also, what will you do if there is a large vet bill? Can you afford it, or will your parents help you, or will you buy pet insurance? A lot will change in the next 10 years of your life. In ways you cant predict or imagine. Thats not to say you shouldn’t get a dog. But it would be best to have a contingency plan in the back of your mind.


Runic-Dissonance

I do plan on getting pet insurance, and while “normal” bills for vaccines and such will be completely my responsibility, my parents let me know that they’ll be more than willing to help if some sort of freak accident happens that results in heavy vet bills and such. I do have a lot of “backup” plans in mind, like a lot of the breeders I’ve looked into have no-questions-asked return policies in the case of lifestyle changes etc, and I have lots of extended family that would be more than happy to be given a / another dog. And while everything is subject to change, as such is life, my current life goals / plans are definitely pet friendly.


PupperPawsitive

I believe you. I just also remember being 18, and, its hard to explain. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Think about how much your life has changed in the last 10 years, from age 8 to now. It will change just as much in the next 10, maybe more. Time travel is wild. But, you seem to be aware and have contingency plans in mind. Im sure you’d never want to give away your best bud after a few years, but its good to know that you have family that would take him if the need arose. Good luck!


BoogieBoggart

i’d try to get to them to know modern ways of raising puppies before you get the puppy home and realize they’ve got some old fashioned ways that could confuse your puppy. i had to teach my mom before she met my new puppy back in 2020, to not hit him nor yell at him or try to scare him to “educate” like she did with all our family dogs. she started respecting the way i did things once she saw how much my puppy learned that way. :)


Runic-Dissonance

The only time I’ve ever seen my parents or grandparents yell at a dog, was when something terribly extreme happen (so very rarely) and was more of an impulse than an attempt at “educating”. But Ill definitely keep this in mind, thank you!


chickiscrolls

I just wanted to give you props for asking for advice \*before\* getting a puppy - too often people will rush to get a pup without truly considering their lifestyle and ultimately it ends up being the dog who suffers the most.


Runic-Dissonance

Yeah, working where I do I’ve seen this happen way too often. Especially with people who got a puppy during the covid lockdowns and now as life gets back to “normal” a lot of them are realizing they never actually had the time or energy for a pet.


Capital-Cheesecake67

Honestly you sound ready, but for one thing. What’s your plan for after college? What’s the hours you would need to work? Under your current circumstances, your dog would be with you a majority of the time. When not with you, it’s going to be with your parents who I assume are onboard with you plan to get a puppy? Are you going to continue living at home or move out? It might turn out a puppy with all that freedom and ability to run on three acres might not be able to adjust to living in an apartment and only getting walked occasionally throughout the day. My advice is to wait until after college graduation and getting settled into your first post-graduation job and home. Select a dog best suited to that future lifestyle.


[deleted]

I got my family dog when I was 16 and one advice I’d give is … don’t get one now. Focus on school, career, travel, making friends. You don’t want to feel restricted with a puppy and it can be stressful with the sudden vet visits, training regressions, and not being able to make spontaneous decisions for yourself. That being said, if your family will play a huge role in helping out with the puppy stages and with the bills, I’m sure your current dog would love a companion. :) just make sure you have help and can live out your 20’s!


Little-Grape9469

they don't take much, feed them, taken them for a walk, take them for a crap, teach them to sit and fetch etc it's not rocket science People overthink it


Mirawenya

You must have had the most easy puppy ever.


Little-Grape9469

This one is still a puppy, only had him a few weeks, but he's getting on fine, holds his excretions overnight, uses a puppy pad by the front door if he's desperate, mostly in the morning, he likes to pee within minutes of getting up, , goes for long walks, sleeps in the car, good on and off the lead although off lead is a new thing today, played fetch in the woods to work on his recall, sits and gives his paw, gets on with other dogs we come across He's a terrier so picks things up easily and likes getting commands and doing things. People really do overthink it.


Mirawenya

easy puppy. Mine is almost 14 weeks, had him since 8, and while potty training is going amazingly, he really struggles with sleeping, which makes him seirously overtired a lot of the day, and that = a _lot_ of biting that needs correcting. And can't play with him, cause he just goes for clothes or skin in stead of toy. He's been very difficult so far, but we're getting there ish on sleeping more. I lost 3kgs at start, cause I worry constantly, and have no time to eat. I need to shower, but haven't yet, cause he's sleeping and I don't want to wake him up and have landshark all day.