Should I get a puppy right before I start law school in 2 months?

Go for it. I got a dog during my second year of law school and found him to be great stress relief and a good excuse for a study break. You have to remember while you are in law school to have a life too. Some people will let law school completely consume their life and they are miserable. Having a dog helps. Sometimes when I am frustrated I load him up and take him to the dog park for an hour, sure it takes a little time out of the day but when I come back I feel better about sitting down and doing another 5 hours of homework.

If you think you can handle it go for it.

WOW... I am certainly sorry that you are in this situation!!! I whole heartily agree that you should have been consulted before a new member of the family was added! So about your situation...are you 100% certain that taking the dog back isn't an option? If it's really not working out, I think it is something to think about! But, if you think that you are willing to try to change the way you view this new furry friend, then I might have some advice that may help. As a stay at home mom, I have 2 dogs and one child which is basically like saying three kids! Now that the dogs are older, they do require less care and attention. But puppies do need their fair share of attention. About the smell... how bad is it? Is it something that needs addressed by a Vet.? I do know they make these cloths that you can wipe over the dog in between baths... I have no idea how good they work though. I know they have sprays you can use as well. About the potty training... how old is she? Could there be a reason she is having accidents like an upset stomach or UTI? Is she able to tell you when she needs to go. Do you know how she is trying to tell you? One thing you can do is to teach her to ring a bell that is attached to your door (like a jingle bell attached to a string). That way, no matter where you are in the house, she can ring the bell to tell you and you can hear it and know she needs out. About bonding with the dog... do you do anything with her during down time that isn't caring for her? Play with her? Just lay with her and pet her? Take her for a walk? Play with her and your kids together, enjoy hearing their laughter that she is bringing them. They are all ways to spend time together doing things that are not just "an added chore" to your list. Trust me when I say I understand you need no other added chores! As for the barking, nipping, chewing and fleas.. YIKES. A lot of that is puppy stuff. They make great chew toys though! Just make sure to give her appropriate toys for chewing and let her know your "antique table" is not okay! Put her on a flea medication as soon as she can though or get one of those puppy flea collars. It will all get easier...But ONLY if you don't change your way of thinking, it never will be easier if you resent her. You need to try to be open to all the great things she has to offer. Dogs can be great friends! It's hard work having a puppy, especially one you didn't "plan" on having in the family. Try to think of her as an unplanned pregnancy, LOL... you may not have expected it, you may not have wanted more work but, in the end she is a part of the family, no matter how she became part of it! Good Luck!

I wouldn't recommend it. Law school is going to take up most of your time with all the studying you'll need to be doing. A puppy will take a long time to train and get accustomed to the new home environment. Puppies also need a lot of attention are like to play a lot, just keep that in mind. If you let him pee on the pads without trying to potty train him to wait until he's outside, he may just get used to peeing inside and it may end up being a problem trying to break him into outdoor cleanliness.

Your friend is right, having a puppy is like having a baby. I wouldn't get used to the pee pee pads, they're only for training him to move out side, not for a permanent fix. He'll get used to peeing in the house that way.

Going to law school is basically a full time job, I wouldn't recommend getting a dog at this time. The big thing with training dogs is that you need to be consistent, and being in school you won't be. The dog needs TONS of attention, something you can't afford at this point.

Wait until after you graduate.

I would not recomend it. My best friend just finished her first year in law school and had no free time. She thought she would but ended up spending many nights at study groups and at the library. She was almost never home and that's not fair to a dog espesially a puppy. If you really want a dog I suggest waiting until your first year is done. If you feel you can devote the proper timme then get one your second year. But trust me you will have less time next year than you think.

I would wait until after the first semester and see how you feel then. It would be unfair to get a pup and then not have time for it and it is unsanitary and germy to use puppy pads. You may also consider adopting an older dog that would not need to go out as often and could be crated while you're at class or studying. Either way, get one semester under your belt and then see how it goes.

Please DO NOT get a puppy. I have a friend in law school. And he never had much time for anything else between studying and sleeping. You will be far to busy to have time for this baby. You can plan all you like, but puppies need constant attention and if left to their own devices. They can be destructive.

Why not get a shelter dog they are past the puppy stage and will not need training. Puppies are time consumming whatever you do dotn buy from places that support this

http://stoppuppymills.org/inside_a_puppy_mill.html

You're going to a top 20 law school and you can't decide whether to get a dog without asking strangers? Okay...

Don't get the dog.

I'm starting law school in the fall and I have two dogs, one of them is three months old! I think it will be great to have a companion with you through all the hours of studying! Good luck with school!