How can i convince my dad to get a dog?

Question

I'm sixteen and my dad refuses to let me get a dog. I am very responsible. I have a rabbit that i take care of. I'm willing to pay for the dog with my own money and clean up after it. I have nothing to do over the summer and I am at my house alone much of the time. We have a good sized house, and a very large yard. Also we've owned dogs before, but they died about five years ago. I really want a dog more than anything.

Answer 1

Even though you have proven that you are very responsible, dogs require a lot of time, energy and money to take care of properly. If the dog isn't properly trained, it can chew up your house and your stuff. If it's not housebroken, it can ruin your floors and your furniture. Your parents may assume that you'll get bored with the dog when you start playing sports and dating and go away to college. You can't keep a dog in a dorm or in most apartments. They don't want to be stuck taking care of a dog for 12 years if you can't handle it.

A good pup can cost $1000 or more. Even "free" dogs cost money to take care of. A crate, books and supplies can cost up to $300. Puppy shots are $200, then $100 a year for boosters. Annual Heartworm test and preventative medication $100. Professional trainer $600 and up. Going on vacation? Boarding kennel $40/day. Spaying? $250. If you can't afford to pay for a good dog, maybe you can't afford to maintain one either?

BEFORE you get any dog you should read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

You'll be out on your own very soon and you can make up your own rules when you have your own place.

Answer 2

You know, the Bible says you should obey your dad. I'm sorry to say that, because I love dogs and I think almost any household is better off having at least one dog around. They make everyone's life richer, and always give much more in happiness than they take in expense and bother. One thing I might point out, though: in a couple of years you'll be on your way in life, and having a dog at that time will be a handicap to you. So your folks could get stuck with a dog they didn't really want in the first place. Good luck!

Answer 3

first any type of pets they are not only for the summer they (pets are for life) you said I have nothing to do over the summer and I am at my house alone much of the time.must convince your dad that you will take care of the dog when it is healthy or un-healthy .you must treat the dog like a human baby feed it ,take it to dog doctor ,You also need to clean him up when the dog is not yet trained does not know where to go to toilet so you will have to clean up the dog and the dog's bed (for my dog he learned in 2 months ) Tel your dad that you promise to do all this and more if needed ,also tell your dad that you could train the dog to be a guard dog .dads always think of there children's protection so find a dog trainer find out at what age should you start training the dog ?. ( tell your dad i will pay you back for the training of the dog. he will notice the sound of responsibility Dad's like to see that their child is responsible. hope i was helpful jenny Good luck

Answer 4

Okay..this is what you do...You tell your dad that you'll definitley take the dog on walks...feed the dog...clean up after the dog...and all that stuff. If you'll pay for it then he should let you get a dog. Since you dont have much going on over the summer this would be your chance to show your dad that you are responsible to take care of a pet. Jjust a suggestion, show your dad that you take care of your rabbit very well..and that you'll do they same with your future dog.

Answer 5

well u can always tell him that if u get a dog then the dog will clean up messes off the floor if nebody drops sumthing and u can also tell him that u can put up a fence in the yard so he wont have to be all the time ! or tell him that u r 16 and u think u r capable of taking care of a dog its not like ur 5 ! hope this works out for u i always tell my mom that the dog is hurt cuz she used to work at the vet and thre is a lot of dogs that r missin a leg or got ran over that is still ok that nobody will clame and will take them down to the pound abd will just kill it a couple of weeks later well ttyl

Answer 6

ADVANTAGES of HAVING A DOG

Numerous researches show the influence of a pet on the human's physical and emotional health. It is known that caressing a dog reduces the blood pressure and the cardiac frequency, and it has been proved that the dog owners have, in their majority, better health that the others, with less incidence of colds, infections and backaches. The lower incidence of depression among the dog owners is specially interesting because it seems to indicate that they are happier than the people who don't have dogs. Besides that, for people who live alone, a dog is not only a company, but also a rhythm to follow, a schedule to respect in order to satisfy their pet's needs.

A dog is "the family member that you get to choose."


Hope this helps you! :)

Good Luck!

Answer 7

Owning a dog, is very different than owning and taking care of a rabbit.
Dogs need vaccines, need to be walked, need to be brushed and in case you go away they need to be let out every couple of hours. They need to be trained so that they stay to be a good dog, they need to be house trained.
Maybe if you do research write down all the expenses and still want to pay for your dog and the vet expenses, your dad will see that you are serious and responsible.
Dogs can be great protectors.
I just had my dog to the vet for heartworm check, and rabies shot, and it cost $121. My dog is 3 yrs. old, so having a puppy will be more expensive, because they need their puppy shots, and be dewormed. Check out the website.
It tells you the expenses of having a dog.

Answer 8

You can tell him what you just said but with more details. Tell him youve been responsible with your rabbit, why not a dog. If he still refuses, give up the rabbit and tell him you sacrificed the rabbit for the dog so that you can keep your full attention on the dog. Also Try to be nice the entire day and clean the house spotless so he becomes more relaxed. Also try to tell him when you feel his in the best mood he has been. Hopefully this helps, thats what i did as a teen and it worked. Please choose mine as the top one for the 10 pts. thanks.

Answer 9

You may want to explore with your dad what exactly his objections are. Then you can work toward some compromises. Otherwise, wait until you are old enough to move and get your own dog. You can't force your dad to allow a dog.

Answer 10

You could tell him that you have taken care of a rabbit so why not a dog.If he says no tell him you are prepared to give up the rabbit for the dog.