Will I have enough time for a dog if I'm going to be commissioned as a LT in the US Army?

Question

I want to get a German Shepherd at some time. Once I get done with all my training will I have the time to train it and spend enough time with it? I'll be a LT in the US Army and I know I'm probably going to be spending a lot of time working.

Answer 1

I think you have answered your question yourself!

No you won't have enough time to dedicate to a dog especially a german shepherd who are known as been a one person dog.

Answer 2

Most army installations don't allow dogs, so if you will be living in Military housing, you will want to check that out first.  I would recommend that once you are done with your training, wait 6 months or so before making a decision like this.  See how much time you will have to devote to having a dog and how regular your schedule is.  Since I would imagine there is a high likelihood of being deployed to Iraq or another country, do think this over very very carefully.  Really, it will depend on your specific duties and the location you are stationed at.  

Answer 3

Then wait until you have more time.

It is very unfair to expect a dog to be alone so much, wait until you can devote enough time to a dog.

Answer 4

I have 2 German Shepherds, they are lovely dogs. I work 12 hours 5 days a week. i give them breakfast let them out for a wee and go to work. in the evening they have dinner and a walk around the block, twice a week i take them to a nature reserve where they can burn off some energy but because they are quite big dogs that is all they need because they are prone to joint problems in latre life 20 mins a day at most is sufficient exercise for a big dog likie a german shepherd.

German Shepherda are easy to train and both of mine love to learn, my boy is 2 years old and i have taught him to crawl, speak, lay down, sit, up (to sit on his back legs) stay, wait, leave, he even has a command to catch!!

so i think a German Shepherd will be ideal for you and as long as you do spend time with him everyday he wont mind being on his own.

Answer 5

To be honest I think it's a terrible idea and my opinion comes from living with the military for 25 years.  Your military career will not allow adequate time for a pet, especially if you're a single and unaccompanied.  In the military you don't have normal work hours and you can get called up any time, any day.  What about when you get deployed for 4-6 months time and only get a 2 weeks notice beforehand?  What are you going to do with the dog then?  It might be easier if you had a family, but then do you really want them to have the resposibility of a dog when they already have to worry about taking care of themselves while you're deployed?  Also, most people only stay in their duty stations for a year or two,  sometimes 3-4 years if you have a family, but every time you move you have to consider whether you can take the dog with you.  If moving overseas can you afford to have the dog quarantined for 1-3 months? Can the dog handle the rigors of travel and being in the kennel for so long?  There's so much you have to worry about when you're a dog owner and are in the military.  If you're really set on a dog, only get one if you're a family man who has a wife and kids who can take care of it while you're away.  Also, only get one if you plan on doing anything possible (waiting forever, spending a lot of money) to ensure that your dog stays with you and doesn't end up abandoned or in the pound like so many dogs previously owned by military members.

Answer 6

Your question proves the inability of the American Forces to grasp even the most basic facts. How do you expect to have time to keep a dog when your commander in chief sends you to Iran to kill thousands of innocent people just to get the oil that lies under Iran.

Answer 7

Then wait til things settle where you have enough time to spend with it.Have 2 GS and they are great dogs obedience trained in dutch and english they will amaze you with good training . Good Luck