How can persuade my mam and dad to get me a puppy?

Question

Hayloo!.. Okai I luff dogs so much and I have since I was a baby, I 12 and I would like a dog for my 13th birthday. My nana has a dog and I am always looking after her, but I want my own. My mum and dad know that I am responsable enough and they both love dogs too, but they just keep saying no. One of the reasons is that all of us are out all day, they say it is mean on the dog, but I know loads of poeple who have dogs and are out all day, and we have a big livingroom. Please can anyone give me any tips for me to say to my mum and dad.. I would realy realy REALY like a puppy for my 13th Birthday in September.

Answer 1

You have to think about how the puppy will feel, not how you will feel. I understand that you really want a puppy, but your parents are correct in that it is cruel to leave a dog alone for most of the day. Even if other people do it, that doesn't make it right. Think about the poor puppy crying and frantically running around the house in fear and panic looking for someone to comfort him and finding no one there.

One option is getting a cat instead. They don't care if they are left alone all day. I know that this isn't what you wanted to hear, but part of growing up is putting other peoples (or puppies) needs ahead of your own.

Answer 2

Unfortunately your parents are right. You can't have a puppy alone in a house all day long. It is mean and unfair to the animal, plus they will never learn proper house training because they will not have anyone there to correct them when they make mistakes or have accidents in the house. You need to wait until there is someone home for parts of the day so that they puppy can have some kind of training. Also if you leave a puppy alone all day they're very likely to become destructive and will destroy things while you and your family are out of the house. My friend had a dog that would poop on his pillows in his bed when he left the house.

You're parents are only saying no for now because a dog just wouldn't fit in your family structure right now. Maybe your parents want to wait till your a bit older and can come home from school for lunch or something and then you can let the dog out and take it for a quick walk while your home. That is a bit more fair to the animal, cause at least they would have a chance to get out during the day and would only be expected to hold it for a few hours while your at school.

For now be patient and keep showing your parents that you are going to be a responsible pet owner. You'll get a dog eventually, but if you push it too much now and get one and its the wrong time for your family to have one then you'll just end up having to get rid of it, or worse put it down and that hurts alot more then not having a pet at all!

Answer 3

Explain to your folks that it is not "mean" to leave a dog home alone all day. For shelter dogs, it could mean the difference between being euphanized or a comfortable life with a new family. The breed makes a difference too: some breeds really shouldn't be left idle or alone all day; they need company and/or activity, or they'll get into mischief. If you research this area on the Internet or in the library and show your parents, the argument may carry more weight.

Also consider crate training. It sounds mean to people who've never tried it, but it's not. The dog comes to see the crate as "his space," and he feels safe in the crate. It's also enormous peace of mind for you, rather than wondering if the dog has done damage or gotten out of his enclosure while home alone. Crate training also helps with house training, since the dog will not do his business in the crate if it's the right size (the crate shouldn't be big enough for him to poop on one side and sleep on the other).

Bringing a new dog home at the start of the summer when you're not in school will certainly help with the training. You'll have all summer to accomplish things like house training, breaking him of chewing, etc.

If you're not absolutely set on a puppy, you could suggest a 2 or 3 year old rescue dog. He'll be just out of puppyhood, very possibly house trained, and much easier to adapt to your home. That was the compromise we made in this house. I love dogs too, but I would not have had one in an apartment. The deal was, if we got a dog, it couldn't be a puppy. We got a 2 year old rescue who adapted immediately. We had little-to-no trouble at all, rigth from the first day.

Good luck!

Answer 4

See if being out is their only issue. They may have others that they aren't telling you. Then, don't beg or whine. Put a "case" together that's solid and responsible. Do some research on dogs that can be left for long periods without separation anxiety (Pekes are good but they shed a lot). Figure out where in the house the dog would be safe and happy being shut in all day. Develop a care schedule including when you'll walk, bath, feed, etc. the dog. Look into the costs of doggie daycare or someone that comes by during the day to walk the dog (not that you have to use these services but as another option). You might want to put down care costs (vet, food, toys, etc.) so you can show the expenses because that might also be a concern your parents have.

Put all this information together and sit down with your parents. Tell them your findings and ask them to reconsider. Tell them that it would mean a lot to you and tell them not to make a decision right away but to read over the information you've gathered and think about it. Then, ask them for a good time to sit down for another conversation about it.

Good luck.

Here are some websites that might help you:
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/dogbreeds/index.html
http://www.petparents.com/
http://www.akc.org/

Answer 5

It is mean keeping a dog in the house all day. So say you'll walk it b4 you go 2 school! So that way the dog will be tired and sleep most of the day while your out. You are probably best waiting till the school holidays so you have enough time to toliet train the dog, and for the dog to get used to yous! But remeber dogs can live longer than 15years so youve got some big responibilty. Also be cute and bring up the subject lightly so they dont think ure pestering! Always go for the weaker parent ( iknow evil). Also start saving ure money, dogs are expensive.
Good luck hope you have your new friend soon.

Answer 6

I have to say I agree with your parents. If you are out all day you would not have the proper time to devote to a puppy. Puppy's require frequent potty breaks, plenty of exercise and socialization, training, and lots of supervision in the early stages of life. Perhaps right now is not the best time for you to get a puppy. One thing I would recomend is that you volunteer at a local animal shelter. This way you can play with all the puppys you want, help out, and learn about mistakes others have made when getting dogs so that in the future when you do get a dog you don't make those same mistakes. Plus, your parents will see that you are taking initiative to be responsible and learn as much as possible about the care and training of a dog. I know right now it seems like your parents are not being fair but try to see things from their point of view. They are just thinking of what would be best for the puppy.

Answer 7

That just might be part of the problem. 'How can I persuade my mom and dad to GET . . .'

To be truly responsible for a dog, you need to have some way to pay for expenses. To be truly responsible and have a dog of your OWN, you need to pay for it. That's the only reason I currently have a dog of MY own. I bought her via a loan I paid off, I have paid for all medical expenses, and pay my parents the difference in price between her dog food and the food their dogs eat.

If you can't do that, she/he won't be your dog anyway and it's unfair to foist the expense on them when they don't want the dog.

Also, there's major responsiblity. You NEED to research different breeds, and different places to get a dog. For a first time pup, a pound would be great. But you NEED to have some idea of what to expect from that dog, which is why I'm telling you to research. You can generally tell which breeds went into the dog.

In addition, before you head of to school, you have major responsibility. My mornings revolve around tiring our dogs out so they'll be content and tired when I leave. You need to make sure they potty, that they're tired, and that if it IS a pup you get that they're confined to a kennel.

Then there's training the dog, grooming the dog, cleaning up messes or PAYING for messes they make.


If you can't handle those things, you parents are in the right to not allow you to get a dog. Sorry, I mean no offense, but this is the truth.

Answer 8

Having a dog is a big commitment and very high maintenance animal. I agree with you mom and dad, they see in a few years you will be driving and you won't be home much. I think they see them taking care of a dog that you wanted so bad, but because you have friends and want to hang with them, that the dog will get pushed aside and be left unattended to. Understand dog are social animal and need to engage with people or other dogs. They need exercise and play time to get rid of all that pent up energy they have be storing all day while your where at school, so you will have to walk them everyday and have some play time at night before bed, otherwise you will have a dog that will destroy things while you sleep.

Answer 9

This is a tough one. You may never be able to do this.

One of the many reasons parents do not want to get a pet for their children is that the kids lose interest in them and the parents end up taking on all the chores associated with the pet: feeding, walking, grooming it, picking up after it, etc... Too often the child will only interact with "their" pet on occasion, and pets are not an occasional responsibility, they are an every day responsibility. Think of a pet as a baby brother or sister that never grows up. There is also the cost factor. The cost of good care for a dog is a minimum of about $100.00 PER MONTH. This is barring emergencies. That is $1,200.00 per year. At least.

One way to show that you are dedicated to the idea of being a responsible dog owner is to educate yourself about dogs, their care, and what it takes to be a good dog mom or dad. If you get an allowance, start a bank account and save your money towards the cost of a dog and its upkeep. If you are old enough, get a job after school and save that money as well. A good job that will get you aquainted with in part of what it takes to care for a dog is to be a dog walker. This will also give you your doggy fix. Be sure not to take on a dog that is too big/strong for you. You do NOT want to lose your client's pet (eek!) or for either of you to get hurt. Another way to educate yourself is to volunteer at your local Humane Society Animal Shelter. I do not know of a single shelter that cannot use another animal lover to help out with the care of these poor discarded creatures. The H.S. also offers classes on pet care and training. You can also look up your local rescue orginizations and help them out.

By showing your parents that you are aware of all that it takes to be a good dog owner, you may be able to win them over. If nothing else, you can find many ways to interact with dogs until such time as you are on your own and can get one for yourself. Just remember, a pet is for life, not just "for now".

Go to your local Humane Society Animal Shelter or one of the rescue orginizations online in your area. You will be amazed how many purebreds there are in shelters and rescues. Plus, they are about the only way to get an inexpensive dog that has been:
temperament tested
brought up to date on shots and vaccinations
spayed or neutered
microchipped
and in the case of shelter dogs, licensed. At our local shelter they do all this for $69. Now THAT is an inexpensive dog! Consider one that is about a 1 -2 year old rather than a puppy. The dog will still be puppy-ish, but will most likely be house-broken and to some extent trained, good things for a first time dog owner. When the time comes and you can have a dog, be a hero, save a life, and adopt a shelter dog.

Answer 10

Just because your friends have dogs and they are gone all day does not mean that the dogs don't feel sad.

Your mom and dad are in the right here. If the dog is by himself more than he/she is with you then a dog should not be considered.

They also need a LOT of care. Training, discipline, medical visits.