How can I convince my parents to get a dog? They have no excuse: they were successful pet owners when they were teens, they have enough money to support it, and I'll take care of it. My mom's a stay-at-home mother, so she could keep it company at least. I NEED HELP! I already went on howtoloveyourdog.com and did the How Much Dogs Cost project. I made presentations and everything. I'm responsible. I get all A's, I'm in 7th grade, and I do all my chores. HELP!!!
2007-01-08 12:52:31 · 16 answers · asked by nerdychick828 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
"Studies have shown children with dogs maintain better relationships with peers, score higher on tests of popularity, social skills, and compassion for others, and have higher self-esteem. And leading experts say pets in general help teach children about responsibility, social behavior and caring."
Show your parents the article, and maybe they'll see the error of their ways. Good luck. ;-) lol
2007-01-08 13:42:23 · answer #1 · answered by Butterscotch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you really want a dog, but first you need to see your parents side of the story. I really wanted a dog for awhile, but I had to weigh your side and your parents side for myself.
First of all, a dog is a lot more of a responsibility then you think. One person in a family CANNOT raise a dog. It take everyone. One person can not soley train a dog, walk a dog, feed a dog, play with the dog, etc etc on a daily basis.
Secondly, although your parents have the money to raise the dog, maybe they are trying to save up for something else... like a trip, a new roof, a different house, retirement, your education, etc. You cannot expect to know their finances.
Thirdly, although your mom is home all day during the day, the only responsibilities she has is to take care of the house, do chores, laundry, etc. Maybe your mom is enjoying having the time to herself! Also, I am sure that she enjoys going out with friends, or to the store, etc without a single care about what she has to leave at home. Although you say you will raise it, your mother probably doesn't want to commit 13 years to raising a dog.
Fourth, your dog cannot go with you to most apartments, dorms, etc. This means that when you are 18, and your dog is 5, your parents will be COMPLETELY responsible for taking care of the dog for another 7-10 years. They get rid of the kids and still have a... kid!
Think about this, your parents understand why you want a dog. Any previous dog owner would want to have a dog at all times, and I am sure they miss thier pets, but I'm sure they have their reasons for not having pet. All I can suggest is doing what I did: I waited until I turned 19, had enough money and was able to handle the responsibility and rescued a dog.
Good luck in the future.... and give some credit to your parents!
2007-01-08 21:05:01 · answer #2 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ohhh, I agree with Elle. Try doing the dog-walking routine for people who are not going to be home, especially. Neighbors and family friends are a good place to start. If anyone is going out of town, make the offer to take care of their dog at home, (or any pet) and they won't have to pay costly kennel fees. That would surely convince your mom and dad that you are responsible. You don't even have to take money for it, or even ask, but I'll bet you anything that if you don't ask, they will ask you how much you would charge. There's nothing like having someone responsible taking care of their pet for them in the safe and comfort of their own home. Make certain you use that as your 'it's a better idea the dog be comfortable in it's own surroundings' as your suggestion.
Hope that helped...and good luck. I think the only reason why your mom and dad are saying no right now, is that there isn't anyone home during the day to care for a pet? Maybe your grandparent doesn't like being interrupted by pets or is unable to take care of it properly.
2007-01-08 21:05:19 · answer #3 · answered by chole_24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like a responsible young person but it is not a good idea to bring an animal into a house where it is not entirely wanted. As you know owning a dog is a big responsibility for the LIFE of the dog. Will you feed him and provide fresh water daily? Will you take him to the vet when he's sick even when you can't really afford it? Will you be patient with him if he's a puppy or not when he makes a mistake and he will make mistakes? Will you walk him daily so he gets enough exercise? Will you play with him everyday? Will you love him unconditionally as he will love you? If you can honestly say yes to all those questions then you may be ready for that responsibility. Remember it's not always fun and dogs have the same feelings that you have, love, hate, fear, loneliness etc. so you must be patient and always consider their feelings. Good luck.
janet
2007-01-08 21:05:08 · answer #4 · answered by Janet lw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, depends why they WON'T do it.
Maybe they decided they don't want fur around the house.
Maybe they think you won't take care of it...
or maybe they think you will, but you'll lose interest...
or maybe they don't want to take care of it after you go to college.
It sounds like you are doing your best to convince them of your responsibility, so you'll just have to find out what their reason is. In the meantime, see if your local shelter will take you as a dog volunteer. (This may also help because you can bring your parents into the shelter and hope they fall in love with one of the dogs.)
You might also try scrapping the puppy idea and going with an adult dog. It's less hassle for everyone - housebreaking is faster and the medical costs are lower - and you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!
2007-01-08 20:59:56 · answer #5 · answered by corgi_tryst 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im with you. iv tried for months to try and convince my dad to get me a puppy. All i can say is to keep bugging the hell out of them, keep telling them that you will be responsible and say stuff like "if i dont do what i say you can take the dog right back"
and crud like that. Also it would also be good if you told them that you would pay for all the supplies and the puppy. See if you could do some baby sitting or do some work around the house and try to get enough money to buy it yourself. that will prove to them that u r responsible.
2007-01-08 21:05:33 · answer #6 · answered by ♫♪music dreamer♪♫ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok so im 13 to and 3 years ago i had no pets what so ever but now i have 2cats and 1 dog how i got the dog you ask my mom and i went to the petstore to buy some fish but there were some dogs there that were for sale and she fell in love 2 months later i nudged her enogh to get a pekeapoo a type of dog. so bring them to a shelter or pet shop that sells dog and she may melt.
2007-01-08 21:15:31 · answer #7 · answered by Nikkie .C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that it is a safety help. When I was a girl, if I walked to the corner mailbox to mail a letter after dark, I took my dog for a walk. This gave my dog a walk, and helped my mother feel better about my walking alone in the evening. It also saves gas, if you walk somewhere.
Also, tell them lots of great stories about dogs helping to save lives.
Tell your parents that they could always help choose what kind of dog you get, so that he or she is a breed that they can tolerate.
If you can wait till summer, ofer to "potty-train" the puppy, even if you have to forego an activity.
Finally, set aside part of your earnings for a "grooming" fund to help keep your dog looking and smelling great.
Hope that helps!
2007-01-08 21:13:00 · answer #8 · answered by Asking&Receiving 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compermise is what my shrink siad I wanted A puppy too
but my mother did'nt want the mess in the end I got an older
Dog Named Wolfie from the vet
2007-01-08 21:08:54 · answer #9 · answered by zebaroth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
show them that you are responsible that you can have a pet.show them that you are desperate like i once wanted a dog and well i got it because i did the same thing and well it didnt turn out well, i showed that i wasnt responsible i just wasnt doing my job.so make sure youre ready to have a dog its really hard work and lots of money
2007-01-08 21:32:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋