Leaving your dog(s) to go to university?

I'm going into grade twelve in the fall, so in a little over a year, I'll be heading to university. I'm not worried about university itself, I'm worried about leaving Cali when I go.

I know that lots of people leave their dogs to go off to university, but I'm just worried since I know she won't get as much attention/exercise and will likely get zero training. She loves my mom but it just wouldn't be the same standard of care, even though I'm making sure that my mom continues with her chews/food/supplement.

If it wasn't for leaving Cali at home, I'd be considering going straight to Ontario for university... but instead, I'm likely going to stay within the province since I still want to see her somewhat regularly. I'm not too sure though.

So, I guess I'm just wondering how everyone else's dog(s) adjusted when you went off for school and they were stuck at home? I'm hoping maybe by the time I do go to Ontario, it'll be easier to bring Cali with me.

Can't you take her?

Well, Nikki was old when I left so there wasn't much that changed. She had health problems and wasn't very active. Very set in her ways so there was no uprooting her. It would have been very different if I'd been leaving a young Mia with family or something. It was hard on me though leaving her behind. We were attached at the hip plus adding in her less than great health, I worried about her a lot.

If I had a young dog going to school, I'd be figuring out a way to get them where they could live with me at least after the first year. But then again I have a dog that the rest of the family doesn't really like so it'd just be miserable for the family and the dog to live together permanently.

Well 99% of Canadian universities wont allow a dog in dorms. I cant think of any actually. Plus in a major city were most universities are you would be spending at least $700/month on a apartment (if not double it depending on the city), plus food and some utilities. Going to school full time you are not going to be able to make enough money to support yourself. Now you could rent a big house with a bunch of people to allow for the dog and cheaper rent but then can you trust them near the dog?

I actually had to do this.

Trent stayed/stays an hour and a half away with my parents while I'm here at the university. It was not planned - for my first year I suddenly had to apply to this university last minute due to a health issue in the family and me needing to stay close. I applied for the university two months before the term began, and had to find housing last minute (the house was not dog friendly). Second year (this year), the people who were going to room with me flaked out last minute (due to financial issues on their end) and I was stuck renting the first available house I could find (again, not dog friendly).

Now I bring Trent in here with me occasionally, but the house I'm in is officially not dog friendly and I am trying to work something out with my landlord. If not I will be moving in to a new house in a few months, even if it is 5 miles from campus. Not ideal without a car, but leaving my dog back home for even two years is pushing it.

In my case my family actually likes my dog a great deal and would keep him forever if they could. But, I do NOT trust them with him long term and leave very strict instructions on how he's supposed to be handled. They don't always follow the directions, but as a short term solution for this situation, it works okay. He gets the same amount of exercise, but none of the training, which is the worst part.

If I hadn't been stuck frantically looking for housing last minute *both years*, I definitely would not have wanted my parents taking care of my dog. But all my concerns revolve around training and his behavior rather than health and exercise. That, and I miss him like crazy when he's not here or when I'm not home. My mother and sister do an adequate job caring for him and I am very grateful that I have them show the same love and dedication to my dog that I do.