Want to help my niece but.......?

Question

I have a 15 yr.old niece and she is asking me to help her find a chihuahua pup, I have 2 chi's myself!! My dilema is in the past her record w/having pets is not so great, so I am concearned for the puppy she may get, She wants a chi because all her friends have one so once the fad is over what happens to the dog? I feel bad because she is coming to me for help, but on the other hand I almost don't want to be responsible for putting a pup in her enviroment. Any suggestions are welcome. I know first hand owning a chi is like having a child, there small and pretty helpless, I am torn on what to do....thanks

Answer 1

there's no question. you're going to feel bad because you love her, but she's 15. it's high time she learned to take responsobility. tell her your concerns, let her defend them and answer them. then let her prove to you, however you choose for her to do it, that she is ready to take on the responsobility of owning a pet. maybe have her help you take care of your dogs so she can get to know the breed and responsobilities associated with owning them, with your supervision. then tell her if she can do that you will help her. it not only will protect an innoncent dog from becoming an accessory but it just might bring the two of you close together. good luck, and stand your ground. plus and most important how do her parent's feel. with her only being 15 they have to take some of the responsobility for past problems with pets.

Answer 2

Can she "dog sit" one of your dogs?

She might like the fact she has the current fad pup without the potty issues and you can see if she really wants to care for a dog.

Let her try owning a dog for a week or two and have her folks keep tabs on the situation and set rules about how to care for the dog including where it can go.

Maybe after a couple of weeks she'll decide she doesn't want one, or maybe she will decide she can't live without a dog and will become a great pet owner.

I guess it all depends on what you mean by her past record isn't great.

Answer 3

Be the responsible one and do not get this girl a pup. Be honest and let her know how you feel. I have four Chihuahuas and they demand much attention (as do any other dog), and teenagers seem to want to spend more time with their friends, where does this leave time for the pup. It's almost like a teen having a baby, who's going to wind up taking care of it, the parents? Good luck

Answer 4

Having a dog at any breed is like having a child, let her keep yours for a VERY little while see if she is capable of doing all that is required with having a dog. Try to do that thing they do at schools these days with babies but with a dog. She has to know that the dog needs to be let out and taken to the vet and has to have shots that cost money, has to eat at a certain time not any time she wants to feed it and or let it out to do it's nature call. Dogs are worth a lot of time money. You try some of those things I listed above and you can tell her that she has to pay for it shots the dog and everything but you will be more than happy to help her find a good breeder and take her to get it . Good luck

Answer 5

Since she has shown irresponsibility in the past, and only wants a puppy because "everyone else has one," my answer would be a very simple, "No."

You don't have to give reasons, as the adult, but you can point out what happened in the past, and point out that dogs are not throw aways. She will be responsible for the care of this dog for more than 10-15 years and needs to understand that she is simply not ready.

Answer 6

Presumably this 15 year old niece is going to be going off to college, or at least moving away from home. It's not always easy being able to rent a place that takes pets. Has she considered that? Who is going to look after this dog when she's out dating or partying? or studying for exams? spending all her free time with her friends? working?

At her age, I wouldn't be willing to help her find a dog - especially since she wants a chi because they're "trendy"!

Answer 7

Give her some homework to do before you help her. Have her look up and tell you how to properly care for a dog. Including vet care.

Then help her find a dog.

Ask her what is she going to do when the dog is 1-2 years old? Make sure she knows the lifespan of the dog.

Answer 8

Make her sign a contract with you on behalf of the dog. It would spell out proper care ,training and exercise/play.Explain to her **It is a binding contract for the FULL LIFE of the dog** . Teach her some responsibility and she'll get her pup. Obviously you know her better than I do, if you feel she is unfit to properly care for a dog** Tell her**. You will be doing her a favor. If no one points her lack of responsibility out, how will she ever learn?

Answer 9

Explain to her that getting a dog isn't a part time thing or something you can just give up when you get sick of it. Dogs are a huge commitment for 10-15 years or longer and if she can't commit to that, then she should wait to get a dog until she is older and can better handle the responsibilities.

Answer 10

Since she is your niece tell her that you're not the one she needs to going to for a dog, it's up to her parents, and also explain to her that since she hasn't really shown that she is responsible in the past, that it is her folk's decision and not yours. Or you could go directly to her parents and tell them what is going on, and ask them what they want you to do because it's not your place to get her a dog.

Good luck.