Persuading parents to get a dog?

Question

I really want a pet. im 15 and finish school early this year as it is my final year. I FULLY understand why they do not want to get a dog - they do cost money and are a tie (ie going on holiday, walking it etc) but my argument is that when I finish school I will be spending a lot of time at home to help look after it and even when I start college I may only have lessons in the morning so i can get home and take it out. I live in a medium-built up area with parks within 5 mins walking distance. I would like a dog that could come inside and i only have to convince my dad - everybody else is on board - i now know he likes border collies...how can I use this to my advantage?

Answer 1

im with your dad on this/if he doesnt want a dog thats good enough

wait until your old enough to have your own house then get a 101 dalmations if you like

Answer 2

I hate to say it, but right before college is a bad time to get a young dog that will need lots of attention from you. True, if you take five college classes, you'll probably only be in class for 15 hours per week. But you'll have 3-4 times that in studying you'll have to do to make good grades. The dog won't understand that you HAVE to concentrate on calculus or to write that history term paper. When he wants your attention he wants it NOW.

And what about a job? How long will that keep you away.

Will you ever go away to school? They won't let you take the dog on campus.

And what about spending time with friends. A lot of college is about building relationships with your peers. That takes away a lot of your time with your dog.

I know it's hard, and not what you want to hear, but you really should try to wait until you finish college and find your own place. You'll have so much more time then.

Two other things to consider:

Please do not get a border collie unless you understand how they are. They do not make good pets for the average person. They require more time and effort to keep them entrtained than any other dog there is. It is a special person that can raise a healthy and happy border collie. If you're that kind of person, then great, but be very very careful before you choose that breed.

If you can't (and I think you should not) get a dog right now, consider volunteering at an animal shelter. Especially you can consider fostering a dog that needs a temporary place before it is adopted out to a permanent home. Many shelters and rescues need this kind of home situation, and you would benefit by getting to love and work with a dog that needs help, but when you go off to college you give the dog back and have no further ties. Also usually the rescue group pays the medical bills, so you don't even have that expense. However, you do have to plan on giving the dog up when it is time to adopt it into a permanent home. Sometimes that can be difficult. But good foster homes are very hard to find, and this may be the perfect solution for you. Kind of a trial run.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Well whether he likes border collies or not may not persuade him. When i was younger i wanted a dog so bad and fit all of the qualifications of a responsible person. I did well in school, did my chores and even worked for a veterinarian. But now that i am 19 going on 20, I am so happy that i waited. first of all dogs are pack animals. You have to make sure that you choose wisely or your will have such worry about him while your at school. Sometimes it is best to adopt a second dog somewhere down the line and believe me it isnt easy. second of all when you do return back to school you have to ensure that he can stand being from you for most of the day because he will be so use to you being home.
I made that mistake when i returned to school and didnt put him on a schedule. every day when i return home there is always something shredded it because he has seperation anxiety. Just get a fish hon.

Answer 4

If you're Dad's really against it nothing you can say will persuade him other wise.

Reading what you've said I have to wonder if you've thought about the long term effects. Sure you'll have two years when you may or maynot be able to spend a lot of time with your new dog but what about when you go off to Uni? You won't be able to take him with you. Even if you don't go to Uni and you get a job instead would you still be able to spend as much time with him as you did previously? The answer is obviously no. If you think you can cope with this, then all power to you.

To answer your question, I'd ask your Dad why he's refusing. Try not to get angry when he says something you don't like, and listen to what he's saying- he may have some valid points- and then once he's finished I'd argue your points, why you think a particular argument of his is wrong. It may not get you the dog, but at least you'd have a better understanding of where to go from there if you still want to get the dog now.

Answer 5

Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment. It seems you have put in alot of thought as to making the time for a dog. Just be sure to consider that you would have to plan for the next 8-15 years, depending on the size/breed of the dog. Will you be going to college? Will you eventually get an apartment? Are you prepared for the finances for the lifetime of the dog- vaccinations, boarding, grooming, spay/neutering, food, etc?. If you can honestly say to yourself that you supply the time and money for the lifetime of a dog, then approach your dad with the facts and your plan. Then you can remind dad of the benefits of having a dog : the love and companionship of a dog can not be duplicated in any other form. You and your family will have a friend for life, willing to provide laughs, affection, loyalty and in some regards, protection. Your lives will benefit from having the love of a dog. GOOD Luck!

Answer 6

I'm sure your dad will love the dog once you get one, they are a mans best friend after all, and you are old enough to look after it so i think you just need to show him just how much you want one. take a trip to the pound, research various types of dog on the internet because their personalities depend on the breed. Apparently border collies can be quite scatty and sometimes snap at people which could be a problem if you live in a built up area. my parents have always had golden retreivers and they are great, really gentle, really fun and they look good too.

now get persuading!

Answer 7

You will be VERY busy in college. It isn't like high school & the demands are high. To add another responsiblity is foolish at this time. Also, Border Collies take an enormous amount of time to care for. They are very high maintenance- lots of exercise several times each day, grooming, lots of training & they can get out of almost any enclosure (they're smart & sneaky). Also, college costs a small fortune and dogs are an added expense your Dad doesn't want to have to pay. I can see that. You need to focus on your studies. When you DO have a free vacation, you may want to do some traveling with your friends & can't do that with a dog.

Answer 8

Perhaps you could convince your father by offering to get a part time job to offset the cost of vet bills, food expenses and other things for the dog.
Is it possible that you are not aware of all of the reasons your father does not want you to have a dog? All of the pratical ones about time, effort and money, I am sure have been laid out for you. But what about emotional reasons? When I was little, I was not allowed to have a dog. Eventually my Dad did change his mind, and I had nine years with the greatest dog I had ever met- but I did not know until I was older that when my father was a young boy he saw his dog get run over by a car. The dog died. My dad did not want me to get a dog becuase he did not want me to go through something like that. You should ask your dad if all of his reasons are the pratical ones he has already given you.

Answer 9

I persuaded my parents by taking them to see the puppy that I wanted. But when you are in college you have classes all day sometimes. And if your dad likes Border Collies great, but if its your dog make sure that you get a breed that is right for you.

Answer 10

As You Said They Cost Alot Of Money You Could Get A Rescue Dog .... Just Promise Your Dad That You'll Take Care Of It ... Or You Could Get Your Mum To Have A Word With Him ... Good Luck !!

Answer 11

Border Collies require a lot of exercise and play to keep their minds occupied so i wouldn't suggest you get one of those just yet.

Dogs are a big commitment and puppies are just as hard to look after as babies. If you KNOW you will look after this dog for the rest of his/her life and provide all the care, love and attention he/she needs then go for it. But most of the time pets who are cared for buy the children of the family usually prove a struggle and then the parents get rid of the pet.

Believe me, its happened to me before...
My mum rehomed a dog (Jules) a few years back, she said it would be her dog and that she would care for her. But after a few weeks she asked if me and my sister would take over. We did, but soon my sister lost interest and started going out with her friends a lot. I was left with all the responsibility of the dog, she was my world and i absolutely adored her. We became like soul mates. I was blessed with her for 3 years.
But at this point I was still in school, and as i got older, school work got harder and more demanding, then i too started going out with my friends. I didn't realise it at the time but Jules was really feeling it. She wasn't getting walked as much and she was starting to look depressed. My mum decided it would be best to find her a new home, where she would get the attention she deserved. It broke my heart to let her go. I regret it everyday and i wish i would of gave her more exercise and care.

Please don't make the same mistake as me. If you do get a dog, remember that dog needs you, he/she will rely on you for the rest of their lives.