Lawstudents.ca

Does anyone have a dog? Do you advise against it? I really want a yorkie poo toy but I'm worried it would be too distracting / time consuming.

A. Dogs are adorable
B. That which is adorable is good
C. The good is desirable

Dogs are desirable, A-C chain argument.

QED.

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(But seriously, it's a two year old. If you can handle a two year old right now, go for it.)

You are not "Legally Blonde" so forget the puppy and focus on law school. Unless you can dedicate time each morning and evening for at least 30 minutes to walk the dog you cannot handle a dog. After 1L decide whether having a dog fits your lifestyle. My lifestyle is all about my dog and everything else has to fit around that priority.

Don't do it, unless you are a real homebody. If you like to study at the library, or go out partying a lot, you will feel guilty everytime you leave your dog alone, especially if you are also away at school all day. I agree with the poster who advised that you wait until after 1L, then you will see how a dog would (or would not) fit into your schedule. When I started working and first lived on my own, I got a dog and it was really difficult. Now that I have kids I see that it wasn't so hard in comparison - but for a single person with lots of demands on your time, I wouldn't recommend it.

I'll be starting 1L this fall and I bought a puppy a month ago...I'm sure it will be a bit of a drain on my time, but this will be my first time living alone (i.e. not with roommates) so I wanted to have someone/something around in my apt with me.

The puppy is small - a yorkie - so he doesn't need super super long walks (15-20 minutes twice a day - that's not a huge deal or drain on time!).

But...I'd think about these things before you go ahead and get a dog:

1. Do you study at home or at the library? I am very much an at home studier - I like to be comfy when I do readings and get stressed at the library! In my undergrad career...I would go to the library for actual study sessions a few times a semester...more to hang out in a group of studying friends than to get actual studying done. My puppy doesn't like being alone...most don't, but doesn't mind sitting there, chewing a bone or napping when I'm reading.

2. Do you have the extra money??? I don't really...but it's in my budget, and I know I won't have shortfalls because of the dog. The thing costs money, toys cost money, vet bills are crazy...

3. How long would you leave the dog alone during the day? An adult dog could be left alone probably...but a puppy will pee everywhere and destroy your stuff, plus they need a midday meal, too. I'm living right on campus, so I can always come home during breaks and take him out/feed him.

4. If you find that there is a time you can't take care of the dog (exam week, perhaps?) is there somewhere you can leave it? My parents live an hour away from the school I will be at and love the dog - they don't mind puppysitting for a few days if need be.

I love my little guy, and I really don't care if it's too Legally Blonde. I think I'll be getting up early anyway (8:30 and 9:30 classes) and won't be going out a ton...so the dog will fit better into my LS lifestyle than my undergrad one.

In the end, it's all time management.

Here's my take:

A beginning caveat: I live where I'm going to school, and my dogs are not puppies.

I have two Belgian Malinois (don't know? Google it), and although our female is 15 months and the male is 5 yrs, we've only had him for 3 months. I competitively show them in dog shows (i.e. Westminster type shows), as well as obedience and a working dog sports called "French Ring" and "Schutzhund" (don't know those? Google it.).

Although I still plan on showing my dogs in all areas, the training and time I put into this will definitely be reduced. This however, will not reduce the amount of exercise they will receive. You want a dog? Get up earlier.

With a puppy, you should be prepared for a rough couple months, especially with a small/toy dog. They're harder to train and they take longer to potty train (can be up to a full year).

I had the time with my female and had her as trained as most people's dogs within 4 weeks. But I had a heck of a lot of time to spend with her while I was doing this.

Crate training and basic training can take time and very frustrating, especially if you have a yappy dog.

Take everything into consideration: training (basic commands, crate, potty), cost (food, vet, toys, kennel, price of the dog- is it CKC registered or are you getting a unregistered dog), living (are you allowed to have a dog where you're living), and time. You MUST be consistent with a puppy in order to show them that you're boss and to provide consistent guidelines.

I will tell you flat out, that in the time before school starts, you cannot have that dog fully trained. I will still be having accidents in the house until AT LEAST October... remember, small the dog, the worse the bladder control.

I can suggest trainers for you if you're GTA or London.

Any other questions, PM me.

I know this was a typo but I still laughed.

I feel like the hardest part about having a dog as a student is finding dog-friendly places to live, now and in the future (since getting a dog means, you know, HAVING a dog for several years). Not sure where you are located, but most apartment listings I've seen here in Vancouver say "no pets" or "only cats allowed".

My biggest reason for not getting a dog is because I wouldn't like to leave it home alone all the time. I understand that you don't have THAT much class during LS, but I doubt I'll be home all the time (yes I am a "home studier", but we'll see what LS will be like). Also, like someone said, you'll have a dog for a while, so what happens when you're articling or working as a lawyer 50+ hours a week? :(

Just my .02

One practical thing you find out in 1L is that no pets clauses in and of themselves are not enforcable. As long as you tell your landlord you don't have a dog when you're signing the lease, you're good. My lease has a no pets clause and 3 of the neighbours in my 8 apartment building have large dogs. Feel free to read up on it yourself. [flash=] http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:035 ... clnk&gl=ca [/flash]

lol, yep a definite typo.

This may seem like a catty response, but I think it is iffy to hinge too many life choices on what will happen when you are articling, how many hours you may or may not work in the future, etc. Should a painter quit painting as a hobby in undergrad because they may not have the spare time, or may not while they are a lawyer? I realize that a dog is a significant commitment, and is a life, but they can also be a passionate distraction just like painting, playing guitar, or whatever you choose to dedicate your spare time to. In a similar vein, I feel this is like saying "don't date! You will be too busy, and what about if you have to move for articling!? or have to work a lot of hours!?". Are these things worth considering, yes, but law school and the related career track are not always going to dictate your lifestyle, and are not going to be "enough" to keep you a well rounded, happy individual. Afterall, who do you think those doggie daycare businesses cater to? Busy professional dog lovers.

I think part of what to consider is -- will you need/want a distraction from time to time? I think it could be beneficial after 7 hours in the library to say "well, I NEED to go home to walk Rex", to have other commitments/priorities to remind you that you are human and to force you to spend time outside of the law bubble. This could be, as I said, a hobby or what ever -- but if you really do want a pet have a location you are comfortable keeping it, money, etc, I think this could comfortably be a dog.

Wow I am on the soapbox today.

I agree with the above post, and by no means do I think that a law student cannot or should not have a dog, I simply stated my personal concern and issue with getting one.

As far as a dog being like a hobbie (ie: guitar or painting) or even a relationship (ie: dating), I don't believe it is even remotely comparable. Dogs are more comparable to having a child than a hobbie or a gf/bf. Hobbies can be practiced whenever you want or when you have the free time to do so, dropped on a whim and taken up again just as easily. Dating, the other person is a self-sufficient human being. While as they may enjoy your company, they can very well fend for themselves, and I personally believe that a significant other should and would be understanding of your goals and priorities as well as to encourage you with your endevours. Dogs on the other hand (especially puppies) are more like children or babies. You cannot simply use them as a "distraction" and they cannot be tended to whenever you feel like it. Also, they do not take care of themselves (to a certain extent) and are not self-suficient as a gf/bf may be. They are quite the commitment and a serious responsibility both in time and money. My personal concern, as I mentioned before, would be leaving them alone all day for 5 days a week. Not that the dog wouldn't survive or would destroy your house or anything, but most dogs are quite sad when their owners are not around for 8-9 hours on end. This is my personal opinion and I by no means am looking at frowning on people who work long hours and have dogs. Some of the best dog owners I know do this.

When you say that you shouldn't base a decision such as having a dog by thinking "what happens in the next 5 years" because you wouldn't do so for painting, I would completely have to disagree with you. Getting a dog takes some very similar decisions as having a baby. There are big responsibilities that come with it, and I do believe that you would be thinking down the road if you were planning on having a child... or at least I hope so. Granted you don't have to plan AS MUCH, but you still get the point. Dogs are not something that you "dedicate your spare time to", dogs are something that you need to make spare time for. I think there's a big difference.

Again, these are simply the way I see things and by no means do I think that anyone else has to.
My .02

I think that depends on how you see your hobbies, too. For example, my sister is serious about singing -- she HAS to dedicate a certain ammount of time to lessons, practicing, training if she wants to remain serious about it. Can she choose the time of day, make some days longer than others, etc? Sure. But you can also choose when it will be best for you to take your dog to the park, I didn't mean that a casual hobby, like reading novels on the side, would be similar. I think if you have anything you are serious about/dedicated to, you do MAKE spare time for it -- I certainly make spare time for my spouse.

I wasn't trying to infer that a dog is a casual thing -- I am a dog lover with pets of my own, and I value a dog's quality of life. I just hate to see people making their entire life revolve around law school and potential inconveniences like "MAYBE I will work 50 hours a week". You could get hit by a bus tomorrow, and all of that cliche crap -- and that is the angle I was trying to work. Hopefully that makes sense. If you care about something you will find a way to do it, and if a dog is something you feel will enhance your quality of life and you can give it a fair and consistent home -- do it.

I have a dog who I am not taking with me due to concerns that I can't properly take care of him. I am personally hoping things will settle after first year and I can take him then.

That being said, Rye hit all the points I wanted to say.

Another practical thing? Jurisdiction. ;)

Terms respecting pets and pet damage deposits
18 (1) A tenancy agreement may include terms or conditions doing either or both of the following:
(a) prohibiting pets, or restricting the size, kind or number of pets a tenant may keep on the residential property;

(B.C. RTA)

Good thing it wasn't an exam because I totally didn't even read the "in Vancouver" part until I read your reply. I must've went directly from "trouble finding dog-friendly places to live" to "no pets" and omitted everything in between. I usually post in my school forum and I took it as a given that we're talking about Ontario.

Maybe you can volunteer at the local humane society or animal shelter as a dog walker to gauge whether having your own dog during 1L is realistic.

If you are simply looking for a companion at home, adopt an adult cat from the local animal shelter because they are more self-sufficient provided you give them a litter box and a bowl of fresh food (hard / dry not canned except as a treat) and a bowl of water. Cats are social critters and will usually want attention when you are home.

You think that's bad, try missing "accidentally" on an arson case in a crim exam :D

Happens to the best of us sometimes. And to the rest of us more frequently :)

I've also been debating getting a dog. I've always had dogs growing up, and my family has 2 now. So it will be really weird not to have a dog this year...
I've decided to see how 1L goes before making the commitment. A dog is forever (well for it's entire life)... you can't/shouldn't throw it away at the shelter when you find it got too tough to take care of a dog and go to school... Plus I have no clue how I am going to handle the weather in Calgary... Will i even be able to walk a dog during the winter??? So i need survive a winter in Calgary, before i make any decisions.

If you're really set on getting a dog now, I would also suggest adopting an older dog from the shelter. Older dogs are usually house broken and have graduated from the "destroying and chewing your personal possessions" phase. They are not as needy and high maintenance as puppy's, so you will be able to leave them at home for longer periods of time, comparatively. Especially since if you're getting a dog now, you'll only have a few weeks to train it and bond with it, a puppy is not ideal. And if you're really set on getting a yorkie you'd be surprised how many pure-bred dogs are out there in your local shelters or animal rescue societies! I'm a huge advocate of adopting pets from shelters.

I would like to say to all the males out there, even at the expense of being laughed at by your male conterparts, that if you get a little chihuahua or yorkie you will instantly become a real chick magnet.

I know this because I made the mistake of pressuring my b/f to became man enough to walk down the street alone with my little chihuahua... now he knows all the chicks in the area... bad idea.

I know this thread is really old but I couldn't help but comment. I realize that my advice is kind of useless during this point in time but I'm new here so forgive me. There has already been excellent advice given so I just wanted to share my personal experience. I am hoping to start law school in Fall 2011 so this experience is more about having a dog during undergrad/grad work.

I don't want to repeat what others have said (Pros or Cons) except to say I agree that adopting an older pet would be a wiser choice than a puppy. That being said, I adopted a beagle during my undergrad degree. For those of you who are familiar with this breed, they can be a lot like puppies in that they can be difficult to train, require constant supervision, and can be very FRUSTRATING at times...not that I speak from personal experience or anything.

That being said, since I got "Ally McBeagle" I have to say she has helped me with my education in some ways. I used to LOVE sleeping in on days off from school or work. I'd sleep much of the day away but then regretted my hedonist ways. Since I have gotten Ally, I HAVE to get up to walk her. Do I miss those extra Zzz's? Initially yes, but by the time we get back home from the walk I am ready to start my day and wouldn't of dream of climbing back into bed. In this sense, the time taken to walk her bought me more time.

I don't want to ramble too much but I would like to add that walking her has really helped me balance my health with the demands of studying/cramming/eating bad food. I get to go outdoors, go to parks, and meet other dog owners. If you're new to the area you have a pal to go on adventures with you. Yes it's an extra expense. I have put her in "Doggie Daycare" during days when I absolutely needed to spend long days on campus or whatever. The other bills you can guess or read from earlier posts. I justify the cost (time/$) of having Ally because I am single and a bit introverted so for me, the expense of having her company is well worth it.

Did you post that just so you could show off how awesome your dog's name is? Very likely the best name ever.

I had a giggle over Ally's name. I'm a fan : )

Stop whatever you are doing and Google: Panda Dog

Why? Law students are treated no better than dogs.

I had a dog all throughout law school. In my experienced I'm glad I did. However individual results may vary.

Pros:
- Law school was really crappy and probably the worst experiences in my life, some times the only thing keeping me going was seeing my dog greet me when i got home
- helped me organize my time because I knew I had extra duties to attend to (doody duties)
- Made me happier, which in turn may have helped my schoolwork
- Chicks like dogs, which made me popular when I brought him out or to school
- helped me realize that dogs are smarter and less annoying than most of my colleagues in law school, yes - they dont ask stupid questions in class

Cons:
- If your dog is not trained before you start law school, you are unlikely to have time to train it during (or after)
- Time, time, time. Feeding, walking, washing, playing etc... it's almost the same burden as a small child.
- Money money money monnneeeehhhhhh...... Moneh
- Finding a landlord that lets you have pets is a [Rick James voice] Biaaaaaaaaaatttchhhh (and I dont mean a female dog!)
- If your dog barks he might keep you up at night
- If your dog likes to chew things, he might actually eat your homework and that is not a legitimate excuse in law school



3 years wasted

The dog could be useful in "shepardizing" american cases!

Drop it off in the park on the way to class, then pick it up on your way home. Give it kibble and water, repeat.

boooo

what do you guys think about getting a cat? ive heard that you can leave a cat alone for the weekend, which is my ain concern since i would like to go home some weekends without worrying. Im going to be living on my own as well in september, and would love a pet to keep me company..

It depends on your cat. Some cats are fine because you can give them their full weekend supply of food and they will only eat when they are hungry, like my cat. Other cats, like my parents' cat, will eat all of it's food for the entire weekend in one day if you let it.

That being said, I am sure you would be able to find a friend willing to pop into your place once or twice a day to feed your cat and scoop the litterbox, or you could just bring the cat home with you (when I lived in Victoria my cat came home on the plane for the Christmas break. He didn't like it much, but he was fine).

A cat wouldn't be too much trouble. You have to feed it usually about twice a day, give it fresh water, scoop the litterbox, and let it set in your lap/sleep with you when it wants to. It will probably try to lay on any book you are reading or your laptop keyboard, and it might wake you up earlier some mornings to be petted, but I think the companionship benefits are worth it.

Kittens tend to be more active and high maintenance, so you might consider adopting an adult cat. That way you will know what their personality will be like (playful, cuddly, standoffish etc), because it is already established. Plenty of adult cats need good homes and make great pets!

As someone who grew up with both cats and dogs, I think pets are great but really think about every possible scenario here before committing to getting a dog or a cat. Cats are generally a lot less work than dogs but you are still looking at a 15-20 year commitment. Be sure you're ready to do that before you get one. Other things to consider are the availability of money for vet bills and the supplies you'll need, the ease with which you can transport the cat to and from home/school. Some cats are fine being left for a weekend, some aren't. What happens at Christmas and reading week breaks? Is your family fine with you bringing a cat home for breaks and for the summer? What happens if you end up with a summer position in another city and have to take the cat with you?

I've seen too many people rush into getting that cute kitten or puppy and then realizing that it's too much work and/or too expensive. Not saying that anyone here fits that description but think long and hard about the responsibility of pet ownership and not just the aspect of companionship.

+1.
Don't get a pet if you're not ready to care for it and be responsible for it for its entire life.

Whoah. I hear you.

I’m considering making a serious commitment to a hamster this year. I worry, though, that the 30 seconds I daily waste, dropping food pellets into such hamster’s cage, may gravely impact my studies and career prospects.

Every single minute not spent on every-single-case-briefing, on correct suit-buying, on LS curve-fretting, is a minute I concede to my briefing/suited/fretting competition. Minutes of academic billable hours - if you will, chortle - lost.

I also fear that my emotional and practical commitment to my hamster may also seriously prejudice my OCI chances. Won’t the Seven Sisters sense my dual allegiance, my distracting hamster-love?

A life squandered, and for a goddam hamster. I say NO.

*That this is actually a serious topic of messageboard discussion should indicate the level of anxiety, wiener-ness, and near-psychotic devotion to being boring that you 1L’s are about to encounter.*

Another option is to speak to local shelters and charities and sign up to "foster" pets. The commitment is less permanent and can generally be negotiated around tricky times of year (i.e. around exams). It will also give you some idea about what you can handle and what will fit in your lifestyle. That said, you often won't have a lot of control over the temperament of the pets you get; although I think most shelters would be willing to work with you if you suggested that you weren't up to certain challenges yet.