Expectations with College Pets

This is a tad of a rant, but more of a plead to students getting pets while they are in college or university…

My niece is in college for Nursing and just moved in with a student, who is also in the Nursing program at the same school.

They got along wonderfully beforehand and my niece took her time to get to know the girl, stay at her place and evaluate whether she’d be happy living there before she moved in.

Well, she’s been there for just over 1 month now, and is looking to move out to get her very own bachelorette apartment.

Why?
Her roommate’s boyfriend gave her a Boston terrier puppy for Christmas, and it was originally agreed upon that this puppy would live at the boyfriend’s home the majority of the time.

The puppy is now staying at the girls’ apartment full-time.

So?
Being a student in college, especially in a rigorous Nursing program, you are gone most of the day. Also, it’s the nature of the game that you are probably going to have to work as a student in college. Correct?

What Does This Mean?
It means that the puppy is left the entire day with no one to teach it, or care for it. In fact, she is not even crate training the pup.

The Roommate’s Expectation:
That my niece, her roommate, should take on full responsibility for training, walking and caring for the pup when she is not there.

This is not a realistic expectation. It was never agreed upon and shouldn’t be the responsibility of the roommate. It is unfair and ignorant, in my books.

The Result?
There are puppy pads everywhere, but without puppy mess. The Boston terrier doesn’t really know it’s supposed to go on there. It urinates and leaves it’s messes all over the apartment.

This is an unfair expectation of a roommate to put up with. The moment you walk into the apartment it wreaks to high heaven.

Plus, the puppy is learning bad behavior and is repeating it day in and day out.

Most importantly, this puppy is left by itself…that is unfair and unreasonable for any baby! It is not being taken care of. I don’t understand why you’d want a puppy, then not spend time with it.

Prevention of this Problem:
Every student in college is “just trying to make it” as it is. They’re all doing homework, running to classes and most work, not to mention family or other social activities that they’d like to participate in.

Unless you have the time to invest into training and caring for a puppy, do not get one, especially in college.

You cannot pawn off your mommy or daddy duties on your roommates.

This isn’t a principal just for college students, it goes for everyone out there. Do not get a pet that you are unable to care for, or don’t foresee yourself having time for.

Babies are a full-time job, and puppies are no exception to that rule!

Solution:
Adopt an a pet that has less caring for to do, such as fish, hermit crabs, gerbils or hedgehogs. This will relieve you of some stress, they’re easier to clean up after, and quieter than a barking puppy in an apartment building.

For more great apartment pets, check out this article on my other site, ExoticAnimalLover.com:

Great Apartment Pets

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I hope you found these Terrier Tips helpful on Terrier Lover! Until next time…

Love Your Terrier,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Please be sure to Subscribe to this Blog.

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