Should I get my first Schutzhund dog??!!! - Page 3

Enjoy you life you are young and sound mature. I am sure you dont want to bond with a dog then have the dog hurt in the end. A positive as others have said is that you have access to the sport with your dog. Take advantage and learn about the sport so once you get your 1st dog you will be leaps ahead as far as knowledge. Your in a great position with two things in your life. Good luck to you.
Reggie

There really is no right or wrong answer here, the OP has asked for people's opinions and that's what people have provided, along with the pros and cons supporting their positions.  It all depends on the individual, what his course load is, what he wants to do in the way of socializing, ultimately  what is right for him as an individual and what he feels he can handle.  Obviously there is a question in his mind or he wouldn't have asked on a message board.  I would love for him to decide he can handle a schH dog, his class load, and his social life, but think making an informed choice is a lot better than just hoping for the best. 

 

 Well Put Sueincc, Im sure he will find whats best for him!

I am sure someone has mentioned this above but, should you decide not to get a dog, there Is always helper work!  You could still be in the sport but not have the burden of a dog on top of school.  You dont have to take your sleeve to the vet and feed it every day!  I have found that as a helper you can learn a ton about the sport, reading the dogs, and still compete if you decide to start working trials and trying out for larger events.   JMO

It may only take a few minutes of your time per day to train a dog but you are still responsibly for him or her all day long.

If you have a serious interest in dogs, dog behavior, and/or training you might consider using your dog experience to find a career. A certified animal behaviorist is one in which your practical experience will be just as important as time in a classroom if not more. The field requires a PhD or MA/MS but there are plenty of specialties/subspecialties and employers - research, military, government, etc. I know people who started out with PhDs in psychology. Along with joining the military, they found their personal interest in dogs and people gives them plenty of career choices and room for advancement.

College isn't for everyone. I know a lot of people who pull in quite a generous salary working in the trades, including electric and HVAC.  

As for the dog, it will compete for your time. especially if you want to go out and do a lot of partying. So think about what kind of life the dog will have FIRST. Determine whether you have the time, money, and discipline to handle such a responsibility. 

Good luck!

First of all I'd like to thank all who gave me good advice. I really appreciate it. My decesion is to wait until after my first year of college so I can see how much free time I will have to spend with a dog. To UglyK9 I have done helper work before and although it's a ton of fun I much rather be a handler at this time.