[SumAznGuy]

First and foremost, pets require as much dedication to as a child would.

A responsible pet owner will need to make a lot of changes to their lifestyles.
Dogs are social animals, and really do not like to be left home alone. Different dogs have different personalities and some breeds are better than others, but in general it is not recommended to leave dogs home alone.

If you are dead set on it, there is nothing wrong with adopting an older dog. Older dogs will show their true personalities better than puppies, and most older dogs should be house trained which will be much better than a puppy that is constantly having accidents inside your place.

Another option is looking for an older do. I hate to say it, but older dogs are usually less desirable as people want puppies.
And older dog is usually less energetic, requires less walks.

Or, you can try dog sitting for a while and see if it really will work with your current lifestyle.