anyone got any ideas on how to persuade parents into getting a dog?!?

Question

i am a 15 year old girl. my parents have promised me a dog on two occasions but have 'never got round to it'. i really want a dog.

Answer 1

first, show that your adult enough to get one: Volunteer at the local animal shelter. FORCE your parents to see that your ready to have a dog! Them bringing you to the shelter for your volunteer work is a good way to get them to realise your readiness for this, plus it looks great on applications and resume-s in the future!

then, look up the different breeds (and think of mixes that are common in your area) and find one that fits your home life the most. Up here in MN, lab mixes and labs are the most common, while other places have other things more common such as pitbull mixes, german shepard mixes and the like. If you live in the city, little non-hyper dogs are good. there are many websites for helping pick out the perfect breed for your lifestyle.

next, start saving money. Babysitting, carwashes, side jobs... so far I've had my puppy 2 months, I'll give ya a breakdown of costs:
600 for him (purebred Akita- Not a breed for you though.. search local papers and pounds for breeds and free puppies)
150 to get him (8 hour car drive)
150 vet bills.
100 misc things-collar, food for 2 months, other stuff like toys


so, at the low end for a free puppy, your looking at 250 in pet bills. Higher end puppies can and do surpass 1000, easily

but the best way to get parental support is to show a LOT of interest

Answer 2

Raise the question again and get them to give you a date that you will go looking for a dog. They are probably not getting around to it at the moment because they might just be thinking that it is a phase you are going through and that soon enough you will get bored of the idea of wanting a dog. Therefore to prove how much you want a dog and that you will not get bored of it after a few weeks, do your research on how to care for a dog and tell them all that you know about caring for a dog, and explain that you will be responsible for walking the dog, feeding, cleaning its mess and training, etc! Furthermore explain the skills to your parents you would gain from owning a dog. E.g. responsibility, maturity. By proving how much you want a dog, and what you would gain from owning a pet will most likely influence them in finally getting around to getting you one. Remember though only get a dog if you feel absolutely sure that you will not tire of it once it is no longer a puppy!

Answer 3

I would make sure you are showing your parents that you are responsible enough to take care of the dog. That means that you will have to get up early before school and walk and feed the dog. Also it needs to potty after eating. You also need to find someone to look in on the dog during the day. You also need to come right home from school, no farting around with your friends. The dog will need to be fed and played with and trained in the evening. You will also need to secure a part-time job because vet care for your dog is EXPENSIVE. And it's even more if something goes wrong with the dog.

If you can prove you are ready, chances are they'll change their mind. But I know from my neices and nephews that having fun with friends at this age is more fun than coming home to take care of a dog. And if that's the case, do you think it's fair to your parents to make them take care of the dog YOU wanted, considering both of them may work OUT of the house?

Answer 4

The only way it will work, is if you can convince THEM that they want a puppy...Go to your library and get a book on the breed or breeds that you are most interested in.., and discuss all the things you learn about them, with your parents..Just bring up all the great things, in casual conversation..and bring up their needs and care as well..
You see, your parents know that you don't know where you will be in just a very few years..whether you go away to college, get married to a military perosn, get a job in a big city...or whether you will always have a home where you can have a dog..Puppies live to be 15 or more years old..So, the care of this dog, in its adulthood, and old age are likely to fall on your parents..

It is also the parents' home that gets pee stained, furniture chewed, yard dug up, flower beds ruined, etc...they are also responsible for all vet care, licenses, and quality dog food..(about $350 per year, if the dog stays healthy) So, THEY have to feel that they want a dog, before they can ever give you the OK to get one...
When you are 16 or more, volunteer at your local shelter..You will learn more and more about the responsibility of owning a dog, and may even convince your parents to allow you to foster a dog or two, while they are waiting to be adopted...
whether or not your parents give in, you will have a meaningful outlet to learn and share your love for dogs..by volunteering, where the dogs really need you..

Answer 5

Now you are not giving the whole picture to us! like what was the Deal to earn the pet??! You're old enough to know when your parents are not truthful with you, so give us the real deal,hm?? meanwhile, what breed of canine interests you? A metro home should have small dogs like a Laso Apso, or a Pekinese! Urban and suburbs get a medium size dog for outdoor walks such as the terrier, or boxer breeds! Rural areas need consider the large dog for pets while there are sporting canines for work! Large as in Collies, St.Bernard, Grey Hound,or Great Dane breeds. Sport or working dogs are usually Spingers, Labrador, Rotweillers,Hounds, or Shepherd breeds. Hope I helped narrow your choices!

Answer 6

I had my fist dog before I was13, And I believe every one should have a pet, depending on circumstances. Money plays a big part of having a dog, or any pet really to start with, the dog/ pup Will require distemper injection and boosters every year to start with, if anything goes wrong ,if it's in a fight ,or in some kind of accident it will cost a fortune.an other thing to think of who will take your dog out when it's pouring with rain or snowing etc . If you are committed to even thinking of these things and are prepared to walk your dog in all conditions, and not leave it to poor old dad, then I wish you well and hope your parents finally allow you to get the dog of your choice, because believe me the pup I got was the best ever present I have ever had . good luck

Answer 7

It might help if you could volunteer at your local Humane society or animal shelter. Maybe you could walk the dogs or help train one all the way through a local obedience class to help make him more adoptable. Perhaps your parents will see that you are serious and responsible. Your good deed will help out the homeless pets plus show that you are comitted to your future dog and will train him to be a good member of the household.

Also - make sure you do careful research on the type of dog to make sure it fits well in your household in case your parents get stuck with it after you go to college or move out.

Answer 8

If your parents have promised you a dog then they should follow through with it. The next time you mention a dog to your parents and they say yes, try setting a day and time to go get the dog. That way they will have no exuse to 'never get around to it'.

Answer 9

Hi they must like the idea of you having one, just keep bugging them for a dog and at weekends take your mum into a pet store and have a look on the boards at the type if dogs are for sale and go round a few. As soon as your mum sees them it probabley wont take much persuading.

Answer 10

Think of the things they don't like you to do, like watching too much tv, playing computer games or talking with your friends on the phone.

Tell them that if you have a dog you will have less time for those things and you will learn to take care of the dog.

Tell them a lot of the money you need for clothes will not be needed if you have a dog because you will not have so much time to worry about fashion.