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June, 2025

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Getting A Puppy

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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Disclaimer: My age does not have anything to do with my ability to get a dog.

I am thinking about adopting a puppy mid-summer or in the fall. I've been talking to a lot of people and doing a lot of research concerning what I would need to buy, the overall cost of puppy supplies, the time commitment, among other things. I personally think I'm ready to have the responsibility of taking care of a dog. I'm in my third year of college, and my schedule doesn't have me away from home for more than 3 hours at a time. I will be living with two friends and two dogs, a golden doodle and a yellow lab, so the puppy would be very much socialized to other humans and dogs.

As a 20 year old, I'm very active, so the dog would get plenty of exercise while going on hikes, going to the many dog parks in my town, and we will have a large backyard for the dogs to run around in and play.

If you have a dog, how old were you when you got it? How much do you typically spend a month on your dog? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much joy has your dog brought you?

We just put down my childhood dog last week, so my parents no longer have a dog. I will be talking to my dad this weekend when I go back this weekend about what it all takes, and any advice, and he mentioned that they would be able to babysit if I need them to.
9 years ago
38 3
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,196
I rescued a German shepherd mix last year in July. Very cute puppy, his name is Hoji.
9 years ago
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Lonely
Posts: 7180 - Karma: 70,137
Name that mofo ronin
9 years ago
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3459 - Karma: 11,912
why do you need a dog if you're already living with 2?
not saying it's a bad idea but dogs are expensive. if that thing gets a simple rash and you take it to the vet that could be like $500 right there. vets are outrageous.

if you're living with friends that have dogs you get all the perks and none of the chores/cost/commitment.
9 years ago
2 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,196
GORILLAWALLACEwhy do you need a dog if you're already living with 2?
not saying it's a bad idea but dogs are expensive. if that thing gets a simple rash and you take it to the vet that could be like $500 right there. vets are outrageous.

if you're living with friends that have dogs you get all the perks and none of the chores/cost/commitment.


Puppies get bitches
9 years ago
7 0
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dylgoz23
Posts: 178 - Karma: 77
i got a puppy last summer with my girlfriend and it was the best choice ive ever made honestly. He's a year old and including food, kennel, toys.. ive maybe spent $100 (which is $200 really because me and her split everything) I have a tiny maltipoo tho so im not sure how costly a bigger dog would be
9 years ago
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,149
dylgoz23I have a tiny maltipoo







To the OP, don't do it. It's not a matter of time/expense. A dog (which your puppy will shortly turn into) is a major commitment. Consider it a leash that cannot (or at least should not) be let go of. Spontaneous road trip with friends? Nope. New job that requires 60 hours a week? Nope. Going away for the weekend? Nope.

It's not worth it. It's tremendously mean to a dog to leave it sitting at home for long periods. You don't know what your future will entail in two years, five years, or ten years. You will already be living with dogs. Having your own can be nice, but this is NOT the time in your life to get one.
9 years ago
9 0
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McNoche
Posts: 1736 - Karma: 3,620
dylgoz23i got a puppy last summer with my girlfriend and it was the best choice ive ever made honestly. He's a year old and including food, kennel, toys.. ive maybe spent $100 (which is $200 really because me and her split everything) I have a tiny maltipoo tho so im not sure how costly a bigger dog would be


Wait till you break up. You'll look back at your "best choice you've ever made" and think how dumb it was
9 years ago
3 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,196
iFlip





To the OP, don't do it. It's not a matter of time/expense. A dog (which your puppy will shortly turn into) is a major commitment. Consider it a leash that cannot (or at least should not) be let go of. Spontaneous road trip with friends? Nope. New job that requires 60 hours a week? Nope. Going away for the weekend? Nope.

It's not worth it. It's tremendously mean to a dog to leave it sitting at home for long periods. You don't know what your future will entail in two years, five years, or ten years. You will already be living with dogs. Having your own can be nice, but this is NOT the time in your life to get one.


Okay maybe a long job with a puppy wouldn't work but with my dog I kenneled him for a week when we went to Mexico and he's like 8 months old. You can find someone to take care of your dog and once your dog is trained it's fine. Yes it is a big commitment but it's not awful. I took a last minute road trip to sun valley when my pupp was like a month old and my girlfriend just watched him. It's really not too bad.
9 years ago
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
.lenconOkay maybe a long job with a puppy wouldn't work but with my dog I kenneled him for a week when we went to Mexico and he's like 8 months old. You can find someone to take care of your dog and once your dog is trained it's fine. Yes it is a big commitment but it's not awful. I took a last minute road trip to sun valley when my pupp was like a month old and my girlfriend just watched him. It's really not too bad.


Yeah seriously, I already watch my friends dogs, so they've told me they'd be more than happy to watch him or her if I'm gone for a little bit. My parents are just over an hour away and have also already said they would love to babysit.
9 years ago
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,018
Wheaty214Yeah seriously, I already watch my friends dogs, so they've told me they'd be more than happy to watch him or her if I'm gone for a little bit. My parents are just over an hour away and have also already said they would love to babysit.


why bother making the thread then if youre so sure about it
9 years ago
2 0
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ascent_studios
Posts: 2157 - Karma: 4,581
If you do it good luck OP!

I've always wanted a dog that will do this stuff with me:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/743793/The-Shadow-Campaign----Sun-Dog


But then this happens:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/773277/Denali
9 years ago
4 0
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Rennis_Deynolds
Posts: 2739 - Karma: 19,061
I have a rescue dog that I named after my Grandfather, but it ran away
9 years ago
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proZach
Posts: 7163 - Karma: 919
just got a pup with the lady. she's 9 weeks old and Jesus hell she's a lot of work
9 years ago
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
I got a dog when I was your age. 9 years of having an amazing friend, many more to come. Calculating expense is irrelevant. Unconditional love. You'll know if you're ready. Sounds to me like you are bud!
9 years ago
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7583 - Karma: 12,749
If you have the time, the cash (don't skimp on any Vet bills), and the living conditions, then go for it. Make sure you train him/her properly because it will make it that much easier to get friends to babysit if he/she is well behaved.
9 years ago
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McNoche
Posts: 1736 - Karma: 3,620
.MASSHOLE.If you have the time, the cash (don't skimp on any Vet bills), and the living conditions, then go for it. Make sure you train him/her properly because it will make it that much easier to get friends to babysit if he/she is well behaved.


What are you doing outside of the political non gab
9 years ago
0 0
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LukasSchroeder
Posts: 1461 - Karma: 2,683
ben_collinsBut then this happens:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/773277/Denali


sitting in my library at school and got 1:45 and realized if i continued i would probably start tearing up..
my dog is 9, im dreading the day when he goes.
dogs are amazing, they bring so much joy into your life and are always down to listen. my dog is small (mini schnauzer) so we buy a big bag of food every month or two and i think its like $50.
9 years ago
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ascent_studios
Posts: 2157 - Karma: 4,581
LukasSchroedersitting in my library at school and got 1:45 and realized if i continued i would probably start tearing up..
my dog is 9, im dreading the day when he goes.
dogs are amazing, they bring so much joy into your life and are always down to listen. my dog is small (mini schnauzer) so we buy a big bag of food every month or two and i think its like $50.


I cried the first time I watched it
9 years ago
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aiden516
Posts: 146 - Karma: 859
get puppies= Gus Kenworthy
9 years ago
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7583 - Karma: 12,749
McNocheWhat are you doing outside of the political non gab


Making sure I don't make you look like an idiot.
9 years ago
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
just get a chamelion instead
9 years ago
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.CJ.
Posts: 1509 - Karma: 3,672
If you decide to get a dog, please train him/her right. I hate it when I'm in public and I see people yanking on the dog's leash like there's no tomorrow. Be firm, but not too firm. Train him/her as if they were a service dog.
9 years ago
1 0
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LukasSchroeder
Posts: 1461 - Karma: 2,683
.CJ.If you decide to get a dog, please train him/her right. I hate it when I'm in public and I see people yanking on the dog's leash like there's no tomorrow. Be firm, but not too firm. Train him/her as if they were a service dog.


its also super annoying at the dog park when someones dog keeps following you and they stand 200 meters away calling their dogs name. clearly it isnt listening so come grab your dog and take it home to be trained..
9 years ago
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