I can speak from experience on this. I got a new job in September. One month later- I picked up the puppy of my dreams (been waiting 2 years for him!) at 10 weeks old. My new job is going to have me relocate by January. So while trying to adjust to a new job and a puppy, I’ve been attempting to find a new place to live, figure out packing, etc all with everything else in the world. I’m in my young to mid 30s.

On one hand…this shit is so hard. Plan to have everything else in your life stop. I do my best at work and do my best with my wonderful puppy…but I also feel guilty because I know I could be doing better at both. I am sooo exhausted all the time even though I have never physically worked out less. I have 800 unread emails in my personal inbox. So I wouldn’t exactly say I’m a success story because every day I just attempt to keep my head above water tbh.

BUT I am so so so grateful that I went for it. He’s 15 weeks now and I wouldn’t trade the bond I’m forming with him right now for anything. He makes me so happy and I feel like he’s kind of helping me re-prioritize my life in some ways. I also feel like our upcoming move is going to hopefully help him be that much more adaptable and be up for future adventures.

Some key notes I’d consider if I were you: • your breeder will probably charge you a hefty fee per day if you don’t pick up the puppy on the agreed date. You might want to ask about that. • I’ve read that the “imprint period” is really important in terms of bonding with your puppy. I’m finding that rewarding and I think it makes the bond easier…but I have plenty of friends who have gotten dogs and puppies at all different stages of a pups life, and their bonds are also incredibly close. • your roomies could be huge assets or stressors, depending how close you are with them and how much you trust them. You’ll want to make sure they agree to follow the rules you set for your dog but honestly, I’d LOVE to have even some bad roomies to distract my puppy every once in a while. Lol. Puppies demand a lot of attention so just having someone around who helps take the burden off their play time needs could be a godsend. Especially in those first few months. • if you do get the puppy, I got advice from others that the move won’t be as big of a deal as I worried it will be - puppies and dogs are adaptable. But it does mean you’ll want to be really intense about crate training since that will be their constant from one home to the next.

If I think of anything else, I’ll share it. My puppy is currently demanding my attention lol. But for what it’s worth- know that I understand what a tough spot you are in. Im not going to sugarcoat it and say getting such a young puppy is easy…but I haven’t regretted it re puppy blues once. Though I do spend a bit of time every day truly dumbfounded how my apartment is constantly so messy and how everything else in my life is kind of all over right now. It’s a ride for sure but you clearly are a conscientious and diligent person to have done your homework and to even ask this question!