My only dog has been a yellow lab we got from a family friend that lived to be 13 years old and was put down just this year. When you have a dog from birth, it's easy to connect with it and feel attached to it, because essentially you are its parent.

However, now that I'm in college I don't want to raise a puppy because I simply don't have the time. I still want to find a dog I can be good friends with well after college, but I know getting a puppy now would be a disaster.

What I'm wanting are some experiences you've had with adopting an adult dog. A more mature dog would be more laid back and chill I think for a college house and require less maintenance. Is the transition hard? Should I adopt one in the summer when I know I'll have time to take care of it and make the transition to a new home easier? Or do dogs just sort of get it by default? Would I have to acclimate the dog to my schedule which changes every day due to classes?

Any answers are much appreciated. I'm still a long way from getting a dog and I'm just trying to gather some information right now. Thanks!