Should I get my first Schutzhund dog??!!! - Page 2

Hey....your only young once. 
Foret the dog and enjoy college.  If you are that into dogs and SchH then just go and join a club and help out.

Have fun in college and enjoy yourself because once its gone....its gone.

Plus there is a sport better than SchH....it's called chasing women!!  :
The reward is much better than any SchH title.

Suincc brings up a good point. I was a junior in college when I got my first SchH dog. I spent the first two years partying my butt off (fitting school in there as well), haha. This gave me plenty of time to figure out college, and see how I could fit a dog into my schedule.

When I got my dog, I got her the summer right before my junior year. The summer time allowed me to do the "hard" puppy stuff without having to worry about classes. As far as classes were concerned, I had to make sure I scheduled them accordingly --couldn't have days that were too long, and had to make sure if I had plans, that I at least went home to let the dog out.

Of course, still being in college, I still wanted to hang out with friends, and drink, etc. I feel like I made the best of both my interests. I "partied" when I had the time. And no matter how much school work I had, or how badly I wanted to hang out with friends, I always made sure my girl had her time. And I even made "dog friends".  When I wanted to hang out, we would take our dogs hiking or something. If i had to study, I did it at home instead of going to the library: anything to spend more time with my dog. Having my dog in college was a lot of fun, but you have to be willing to make some sacrifices. I did, but they were sacrifices I enjoyed, because I enjoyed being with my dog.

I learned how to incorporate my dog into every free minute so that I had time for college stuff. When I walked to the store, she came with me, if I had to drop a paper off to a professor, she came with me. Even when I started dating someone, who is now my fiance, I could not do the whole sleep over thing because I had a dog- but I started taking her with me. The only reason I even started talking to my fiance was because I asked him for a ride home to let my dog out after work before going out to have a drink.

A dog in college can be your best friend- just try to figure things out first...Just my opinion

Sorry this was so long, but I felt I had to elaborate because I have experienced this

Amanda

Since you, yourself are questioning this, you should just focus on being a student right now.

P

I agree with GSDPack:     Get the first year college behind you...then:

HERE IS A SUGGESTION:

Since you have a parent in dog training, continue to help out at the club, etc, and see if there is a working dog kennel somewhere near you, and get a job doing anything they have and work yourself into a responsible helper, kennel person and get some experience around all kinds of dogs of working kinds and working with people...and getting paid for it..

Find a vetiniarian that has a practice of LARGE animals , and other services and go to work with that in mind also....Learning animal husbandry , and being around dogs and get paid for it...That will take some of that   desire to be with animals, especially German shepherds.,,,,but earn a small amount of spending money ,,,,then you may find the oportunity to be better able to know how much time and effort you can spend with a dog to train in the SPORT>

Being a JR HElPER is a wonderful site in our sport or any dog related  ACTIVITY.

i LOVE LOOKING AT THE PICTURES AND STORIES IN THE    USA Magazine , about the YOUTH

YR  

First - I dont agree at all with the Gentelman who gave the advice "Bach degree same as High School Diploma?" "Be a nerd and have no fun in college?", .... Have fun man, If dogs are your thing then DO IT.....If you have the resources such as funds to care for the animal, schutzhund equipment, and a proper place for the dog. I am 25 and Trained in college, It wasnt always easy but it was a blast! didnt have any problems till I decided to go into the military, Then I had to sell my dog:) I had the right people around me in my club and Loved Living the college life at the same time. Guys like you are what this sport needs, Young, and excited about the dogs. Dont let anyone tell you you are to young..... Also learn helper work if you want! Good helpers are another must for this sport! OR.......Join the military and become a dog handler! P.S. Your roomate running through your back yard screeming, "No! please no!" with a sleeve on is always a fun party trick.....Im gonna get blasted for that one:)

UglyK9 said:
"P.S. Your roomate running through your back yard screeming, "No! please no!" with a sleeve on is always a fun party trick.....Im gonna get blasted for that one:)"

Oh get blasted for your idea of a "fun party trick" what - no way!!!  Be sure you also let him know what a laugh riot it is  to be forced to have the dog euthanized by court order and have your parents lose everything they worked hard for  thanks to that "fun party trick".   Oh wait, I bet you are one of those who thinks as long as you have insurance to cover crap like this it's all hunky dory, in the name of good fun right?  Besides it's all about being the life of the party, right?   Real bastion of maturity, aren't you?

Blast one! Loosen up sueincc....... Either way my friend if you have the means and its what you want to do go for it! Have an escape plan though should problems arise, I.e. the breeder will take the dog back if it does not work out. Sounds like you have a good support system with your parents and all. Have fun!

And you REALLY need to grow up. 

By the way, I didn't "blast" you, but I did point out the logical conclusion when your little "parlor trick" goes horribly wrong, which happens in the blink of an eye.  It's called being responsible for your actions, something I guess you have yet to learn.  Good luck with that. 

Chillmaster, also I think "schutzhund with your dad" is awesome. I have a friend that has a son still to young to train but I can see his excitement when his is watching us train and his little one yells "platz!" I know ill be itching to get a lead in the hands of my son/daughter when that time comes. I'm sure your ol'man would appreciate the quality time you spend with him on the field after you leave for college. Just my third cent........