How do I convince my parents that I am responsible enough t o take care of a dog of my own?

Question

Throughout my life, I have been critisized, put-down, and made fun of because I don't have a dog. I am in middle school, so when someone says something mean to you, you don't forgive and forget easily. No one in my family beleives that I can take care of and support a dog of my own, not even my friends. Its hard to know that the only person you can count on to beleive in you is yourself. Not having a dog has had a major impact on my middle school life. I can't participate in school activities having to do with animals. I can't take feild trips to humain societies without bursting out into tears. I see people who have dogs and don't take care of them and I get mad. I am very elegable to do things around the house, but when I try I am never agnolaged. I don't think my parents understand how I feel, or what it's like to be in my shoes. They both had five dogs when they were growing up. How could I convince my parents that I am responsible enough to take care of a dog?

Answer 1

You could volunteer at your local animal shelter a few hours a week or maybe try dog walking on weekends. See what is all involved in taking care of a pet. Stick to it, Maybe your parents will see how committed you are. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Dont play the emotional card with your parents, it just proves to them that you arent responsible enough if you end up crying and screaming at them over a dog, thats a tantrum and only small kids throw tantrums. Do your parents maybe have a reason why they havent got a dog, eg not enough space, money or time. When i was growing up we always had dogs but my parents instilled in me a sense of responsibility. I moved out at 16 and tho i wanted one, i waited until i had my own house and i wasnt going any where, the money situation was good and my life was generally stable enough to have a dog in it. I was 23 years old when i got my dog, i waited 7 years. May be your parents are thinking that they dont have the time or money to care for the dog if you cant. If you go somewhere overnight, its your parents that have to feed and walk the dog. Can you pay for vet bills and food and leash and collar and a kennel and a bed and registration and shampoo and flea treatment and worming. You are looking at a few hundred dollars first up even for a pound puppy. Training takes up a bit of time each day and exercise does too. If you want to go on camps or stay at friends, are your parents able to care for the dog for you, or do they both work full time and not want to walk a dog when they get home? Try volunteering at a local shelter for a while so you know the full impact of what a dog means. If you do that, you may prove to your parents how serious you are about having a dog. Plus it will give you the best info on the best way to care for a dog.

Answer 3

Criticized for not having a dog? I don’t think so. There are more people who don’t have dogs than people who do have them, so I’m quite sure you are not the only one in your class without one. There was never once a time, throughout my entire school life, that I needed to have a dog to participate in anything. And how many field trips to humane societies do you go on, really? I think you’re exaggerating just a little bit here.

As for being responsible, that may not matter. It may be a money issue. Your parents may not have $1000 on hand to take care of the dog’s needs for the first year, and they might not be crazy about the idea of hundreds if not thousands of dollars in future vet bills and food costs. Who pays for the damage the dog does? There will be accidents during training, and it will chew things. It’s unavoidable. Plus, You can’t do anything or go anywhere for any extended amount of time without making arrangements for the dog. This means you’ll have to either impose on family or friends, or pay for a pet-sitter or a kennel. Can you cover all of these costs yourself? Unless you can, it doesn’t matter how “responsible” you are.

Not only that, but who do you expect to be “responsible” for the dog while you are at school? One of your parents who doesn’t even want the dog? Or maybe you’ll just throw it in a crate and hope for the best? I know you mean well, and I can understand wanting a dog, but it doesn't sound like you have the slightest idea of what it really means to have one. It's more than just making sure the bowl is full and the lawn free of mess. It's a major commitment of money and time, and a big sacrifice of personal freedom.

Answer 4

I dont think your parents can be convinced to get another dog.. its not likely that you will really be able to afford the care.. I spend at least $100-200 a month on my small dog. So your parents will have to pay for at least some of the care. Also you're not home 24/7, so they will have to assume some of the responsabilities of training the dog.. 3 dogs is a LOT of work, even when the entire family is working with them. I cant blame your parents for not wanting another dog if they are rennovating. Puppies can be very destructive.. and your parents are putting a LOT of money into home improovements. Besides, you sound like a teen.. what happens to the dog when you move out and go to college? Your parents dont want to be stuck with the dog. You wont be able to take it to a dorm.. and I can tell you that its hard to find affordable housing when you start out.. its nearly impossible to find affordable housing that allows even a small dog.... and next to impossible to find housing (even unaffordable) that allows a breed like a doberman!

Answer 5

You have to understand that you are living in your parent's house and if they do not want a dog in their house, you need to accept that. They pay the bills, and they look after the house. It's up to your parents what comes into the house. When you turn 18 you will be able to move out and get your own house or apartment, and you will be able to have as many animals as you want.

Why would people make fun of you because you don't have a dog? There are lot's of people that don't have dogs. Dogs are not items that you use to help your social status. Do you have a friend or a relative who has a dog? Maybe you could ask them if you could spend some time with their dog, and maybe take them for walks.

Answer 6

I am answering this question the way I raised my children.
It is important that you know I am a pet lover, as an adult I have always had at least one dog or one cat. But again I am an adult. I pay for the pet, pay the vet, buy the food, medications, treats and toys.

My children were required to do all the following for a three months before getting their own pet:
1. Keep their room clean, picked up, vacuumed, laundry in correct locations. Without a single reminder.
2. Come directly home from school, or previously arrange for their nonexistent pet to we watered, feed and walked.
3. Save the price of the initial vet bill, and purchase medications. I assumed the cost after the first visit.
4. Work twenty hours of volunteer service: mow lawns of senior, clean garage handicapped neighbor etc.

All these thing proved to themselves and me that the were ready for the responsibility. You should also know that two of my children hand to end up finding other homes for their pets, because they lost interest. Both are now in their twenties and still have no pets. The other children did great and have continued to have pets of their own.

Answer 7

Try volunteering at a local shelter or humane society and see if you truly want to be responsible for a dog. There are lots of things there that will help with caring for a dog at home. Besides, your parents may see that you are truly ready! Good luck.

Answer 8

Make a deal with your parents. If you can take care of a smaller animal like a hampster, completely by your self for a month, you can get a dog.

Answer 9

well i am in middle school and i have two dogs...i think you should do extra things to prove that your responsible like clean the house or pick up after yourself and always let them know when you find a dog that is cheap and make it noticeable that you want one and always do what they say and also if they do get you one then keep it up...trust me it worked on my mom for two dogs(even if one is my sisters)and she is allergic to them... just don't beg and don't whine and all it should work

Answer 10

In order to do that try doing more chores around the house like sweeping, mopping, cleaning, etc. Try being more responsible. If something needed to be fix or cleaned be the first one to do it. You get what I'm saying? I'm so sorry to hear what you have to go through in life. I truly am. It makes me want to cry. I wouldn't mine taking you into my family. Even though it's just me and my mother my mother is sweet and loving. I'm so sorry you have such a terrible family like that.