Should i buy a dog for my son?

Question

My son in standard 10 is pestering me to get him a dog soon after his exams get over. I have not been with dogs, so i don't know much about their + and -. However i don't like dogs and my husband is a doctor. He needs things to be hygenic and my son wants the dog to be indore. I said no to my son. He is keeping on ..... for a BOKER. What shal i do?

Answer 1

Is your son going to take the responsibility to care for the dog since you do not like dogs? If the answer is you are not sure or probably not then i would reconsider. Dogs need alot of care and love, they also need care for the rest of their lives. When the newness wears offf after getting the dog, is your child going to still take care of it. MY opinion i would wait because kids do not want responsibility at this age and you would probably be the one taking care of it.

Answer 2

I would recommend not getting a dog...for several reasons you've already mentioned. First, you have no experience with dogs and you cannot expect a 10 year old to take care of this dog alone. Secondly, you do not like dogs. That's the biggest point. Dogs know when someone is uncomfortable with or afraid of them. Thirdly, a "hygenic" home and dogs do not go hand in hand.

You are the parent - you have every right to say no to your son.

It's better to be a little unpopular for a few days than to take in a dog you will not keep.

Try an alternate pet...a hamster, gerbil or guinea pig are small and fuzzy but are kept in cages and are nothing to be frightened of.

Answer 3

Just keep on saying "NO".

Introducing a dog into your home and your family life can be a wonderful thing, because dogs are such splendid, loving companions.

But in the situation that you describe, I think that you will make a big mistake if you give in to your son's pleading.

[1] You say that, although you have very little experience of dogs, you really don't like them. So, personally, you are likely to remain uncomfortable with this new pet in your life.

[2] Your husband requires a high level of hygiene in his life. Dogs are not at all hygienic. Puppies especially will take months to learn that they must not defecate and urinate in your home. Even older, house-trained dogs, can present the same problems when they have a stomach disorder. And, even without these problems, dogs shed their hair and carry dirt into the home on their paws.

I am sorry to say, I do not know what you mean by "standard 10". Maybe that is the same as 10th Grade in America. If so, your son is old enough to be required to look after the dog himself, taking it for walks, grooming, etc. But you may soon find that your son becomes lazy about these duties. Then no-one is happy.

Answer 4

Normally, I'd say heck yes, get the dog. But frankly, you are the adult, your son is just a kid. You clean the house, you pay the mortgage and the rest of the bills. You have the right and the authority to say no.

Dogs can be alot of work and responsibility. If your son is not mature enough to handle most of it, then those duties fall to you.

If your son makes an allowance, I would say let him save up the money for a dog, remind him that his allowance will fund the dog's feeding, vet bills and any cleaning expenses incurred. The explain to him that purebred dogs can cost anywhere from $400 to $3000.00. Feeding, well-dog care, toys and such can run him roughly $700 to $2000 a year.

Sometime, putting things in their proper perspective can be enlightening.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I think you should look at it this way, can you really depend on him to care for the dog fully??

If you wonder, then no. Unless you are ready to care for the dog yourself. Dogs mean poop somewhere, sometimes shedding, shots and vet bills, food.

I have learned one thing as a parent of a 10 and 6 year old. If I won't take full responsibility for caring for the animal, I won't get it. Like a lizard or a snake will never live here because I don't care for them. When my kids get tired of them, or at least for caring for them daily, I will have to do it.

Now, you can allow your son to talk you into it. You can allow him to give you the typical speech about how he will do everything. But you know him, will he really? Does he pick up after himself now? Does he whine and put you through a tough time when you ask him to do chores he doesn't like?

The newness of a dog will wear off, are you ready for that?

Also, everyone should own a dog. Thats my opinion. I have four. Love them. I don't know if boxers are allergy free, but many dogs are. Many dogs shed, many don't. Things to consider.

Answer 6

Yes!!! Are ALL moms like that? I mean my mom won't buy me a dog and I'm dying to have one. No matter how I ask she says no. Thirteen long years have passed since I wanted a dog and she says the same thing all over again. no. no. no. no. By the way, my dad is a doctor, too. But I guess it's fine with him - there was even a time when he asked me if I would like a monitor lizard as a pet... we all agreed but mom said noooooo. If I had a dog I would proably keep it indoors, too.
But it really depends on your son. If he is really determined to keep a dog then why not? I have a pigeon, 4 ducklings, 1 chick and a falcon and me and my sisters and my dad take care of it. My mom still thinks that bird poop is smelly though (yeah, right).
But I think that it would be better if you let him take care of small animals before you buy him a DOG.
Better get him one fast if you don't want him to end up like me- sad and dogless....

Answer 7

It's nice that you're concerned for you son's happiness, but you're the parent! If you don't want a dog then don't get one.

I have an older sister and two younger brothers we ALL wanted pets, cats dogs etc - i didn't matter as long as it had fur. My mother (no dad) said NO. And that was final. We would be sneaky thinking we'd get around it and bring animals home.

We'd go to school and come home they would have mysteriously disappeared! No is no... don't give in.

If you dont' want a dog and you're going to be the one taking care of it (regardless of what your son says youll be taking care of it) and you're hubby wants the house clean then it's just not a good idea.

He'll get one when he graduates and is on his own. That's what we did, I have 2 dogs, my brother has a dog and my sister (sorry for her) is married to a man who doesn't want animals. And guess what - he sticks to his guns!

Good Luck

Answer 8

depends on your son. if he's really good about doing his chores without being told and without a fuss, CHANCES are he'd take care of his dog. but, if your husband needs things to be hygenic, you should research some of the non shed breeds. boxer isn't 1 of them, but they're not as bad as a long haired dog. poodles are considered the ideal pet for people with allergies because of their coats. but they have to go to the groomers. however, if you don't like dogs, i suggest you consider getting a hamster or something he can keep in his room. a dog can feel if someone doesn't want them around and it can cause behavior problems. dogs want nothing more than to please their human pack, and they take it very hard if they feel they've failed.

Answer 9

Dogs are wonderful pets and make great companions and it shouldn't be a problem with your hubby doctor. Dogs are easily taught what they are and are not allowed to do. I suggest, since you don't know much about them, either go to your local library or near by bookstore and get some books to read up on before you make and final decisions.

I had 2 small children with severe allergies to dogs. I wanted a dog anyway. I taught her (the dog) to stay out of all bedrooms but mine. She was also not allowed in the bathrooms. My kids were happy and so was I!

But make sure that all family members agree. If you all can't agree, then I would have to say don't get one.

Answer 10

Having a dog myself, I would say no. I am normally a clean person. It was not until my husband brought home our Pug that I realized I was a neat freak. He sheds all the time. We have hardwood floors in the whole house, so I am a slave to them. Pet hair is a major peeve of mine. You could look into one of the dogs that do not shed so much. Once a year we have to take our daughter out of state to have surgery, then we do monthly visits to the doctor out of state, so we also have to get someone to come take care of the dog while we are gone. I just suggest if you buy him one, you really research the breeds first. Not to mention taking care of it.