How do I persuade my parents to get a dog?

Question

I really want a labrador but my parents don't want pets they had a dog about 20 years ago and wasn't the best experience. I would look after it fully with my siblings but there not budging.

They only like toy pets.

Answer 1

hmm... labs are big dogs and require lots of attention, maintenance, time and money...

your chances are better with a small dog...

chances are best if you bring it home as a puppy and let the cuteness melt in your parents heart... worked for me...

Answer 2

Dogs are a huge responsibility. I work in a pet shop and you would not believe how many people take owning a dog for granted. They just have no commen sense. It can also be an expensive ordeal. Your parents obviously don't want to go through the same experience as before which is a shame because they could really learn to love a pet. Labradors are a very easy going breed. They are easy to train and make fantastic family pets. One problem with labradors is they are prone to hyperactivity which can be easily controlled with particular brands of food. Don't be put off by the price i can personally garuntee that a dried diet of Burns Pet food would be a much better choice than any Pedigree product on the market. This is all down to the protein content.

You didn't mention your age, i'm thinking that if you were under 18 your parents would have other financial concerns. Even if you took responsibility for the pet who would pay the vet bills. Annual vaccinations cost around £70 and it is recommended to take out pet insurance which can be pricey. Not to mention the cost of buying a dog from a breeder, some breeders may ask for £400 for a labrador excluding a deposit!

If you have any questions feel free to ask

Answer 3

It does depend on the experience your parents had in the past with the dog they had. Start showing responsibility around the house now. It might work if you keep it up for a long time. It might show your parents that you will be responsible for a dog. Pets can be very expensive, food, collars, vet bills, flea drops, in some states you have to have a pet license, rabies shots. If you get a dog that requires a lot of attention that can cause a problem too. Being a parent myself I would take into consideration your age as well as the age of your siblings, my 16 year old has had a dog for about 2 years now and she does all the work involved. I pay for everything that goes along with having a pet, but she does ALL the work. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I dont think you will like my opinion much but recently I was in a similar position and I just went out and got a little dog (she is so sweet and lovely) however I now find that I do need help from my family as I cant be there for her all the time and she gets really upset when left on her own. Whilst my partner loves her too he is now annoyed that we will have to spend a lot of money on kennels when we go on holiday or have a weekend away. There are a lot of things to consider when getting a dog why dont you test the water a bit and offer to do some dog sitting for friends, family or neighbours and see if you really do want the responsibilty of being a good dog owner. Also puppies can be really embarrasing until well trained which can take a few years for them to settle, look at some other peoples comments on their nightmare pups on here!! Im not trying to put you off but I rescued my little one from a lady and at 15 months she had already had 5 homes, it doesn't do them any favours and you need to be absolutely sure that you have everyones support otherwise you may end up resenting the poor little critter!! Good Luck.

Answer 5

look up all the info on the breed of dog you want then show them all the good qualities, etc. I dont know what thier real reasons for not wanting one are, but I know my parents dont want anymore pets because dogs live a long time, and when they get old, and pass away it hurts just as much as loosing a family member. If they see you being responsible, and that you can handle taking care of a dog/training it, etc they will eventually give in.. I suggest even considering getting a part time job so you can pay for the dogs food, and other expenses like getting its shots, and visits to the vet when its needed. If they see that they wont have to do all of that, and you are really planning ahead they will look at it in a more positive way. Its a big responsibility taking care of them so you have to make sure your parents know that you are going to stick to it, and not get tired of it a week, or two later when you see how hard it can be. I got my parents to give in to a couple animals, the only pet they wouldnt let me own was a turantula(my dads allergic to spiders) so I must have done something right.

Answer 6

Go with a small dog. Keep asking and even save up for it. Make a budget of how much the dog will cost, along with shots, toys, food, supplies, etc. It will show your parents that you are serious and are putting in an effort to get one. If they see you trying hard to save up or looking for ways to get one, then they may break down and buy it for you (even if you've saved up money to but it).
The best way to show your parents you are ready to take the responsibilities of owning a dog, is to be responsible about everything. Don't lie, steal, or slack. If something needs to be done around the house, do it without being asked. This really means a lot to parents and shows that you can be trusted with the responsibility. Also, pet sitting neighbors dogs can be good for you and for them.
But the last thing you want to do is to clean the whole house and then run up to them saying "Well, I cleaned up everything. Can I have a dog now?" Let there be time in between, so that they know it's not just a one time thing.

Answer 7

You can't. It's their home and their decision to make. When you have your own place, then you can bring into it whomever you want - if you can afford it.

How old are you? You don't give your age: youngster, teenager, responsible working adult living in your parents home?

Labradors are BIG, boisterous dogs (100 lbs.) that take up a lot of space and have lots and lots of energy. Are you ready to run, and throw the ball over and over at a park for an hour every day? Do you have a fenced yard on at least 1/4 acre? (NOT an apartment or condo, I hope!) What about chewing on shoes or furniture? Dogs like to chew things, especially puppies. Can you afford to pay your parents for any furniture or doors that get scratched?

What is your lifestyle? Are you an active person, or somewhat sedentary? Are you gone for hours during the day? When you come home, do you plop in front of the TV or do homework for a couple of hours? What about on the weekends? If you are a young person, do you "go to the mall" with friends, or are you willing to spend time with your dog? Will the dog be allowed in the home with the other family members? Dogs are social animals and keeping one outside and ostracizing it from the family is not only pointless (as far as having a dog and participating with it) but also cruel and inhumane. Will your parents allow one in the house? What if your dog becomes sick and vomits? Can you clean it up with compassion and no frustration or anger? After all, it's not his fault he got sick. If you get a female dog, will you take the responsibility and have her spayed so that she does not bring more unwanted puppies into the world? Labs can have large litters, as many as 12 pups at a time, and rescue organizations and humane societies are swamped with animals coming in all because thoughtless people allowed litters of pups to be born - then didn't want to deal with them. The humane society in my area alone receives approximately 33 dogs EACH DAY. Most have to be euthanized otherwise they would be hip-deep in them, and they don't have enough cages and food for them all.

Are you prepared financially to take care of a big dog and not dump the cost on your parents? Not only do they eat more, but the vet bills can be large. Labs require teeth cleanings just like any other dog. Pick up the phone, call a vet, and find out how much it costs not only for an office visit, but for a complete teeth cleaning, and for immunizations. This is not a one-time deal; these requirements continue for the life of your dog. What if your dog gets hit by a car? Or what if your dog comes down with cancer or kidney failure? It's possible you know. The recent pet food recall illustrates how even young dogs can suddenly have a medical crisis. Do you have the money to deal with constant visits to the vet if your dog has a chronic problem that is not going to go away? Don't get a dog and then ask people on Yahoo for the latest home remedies simply because you don't want to take the dog to the vet and didn't plan and think out in advance what the costs would be. This is a responsibility, not a toy!

This will be a lifetime commitment. This is not a fashion fad that you toss away when it is an inconvenience for you, or you become bored.

Will you be going away to college within a few years? Getting married? Having a baby? What about then? Will you decide that a large boisterous dog is a problem then and dump your bewildered friend at the nearest dog jail (humane society) where he will sit and wonder what he ever did wrong to deserve such punishment? Loyalty works both ways you know.

And finally, when the day comes that no more medical skill can stave off the incurable, will you have the guts to be at the side of your loyal friend when the vet has to perform the final act of kindness?

These are all questions you have to ask yourself before you 'hound' your parents further for a large dog. They may be working hard and not able to take on a dog at this time. Everyone should welcome the new family member; not just you or your siblings. Dogs have feelings and know when they are not wanted. This needs to be a good 'fit' for all concerned - and most especially for the dog! - since he, or she, is helpless and has no way to 'voice' any problem.

Answer 8

Hrrrrrrrrm, tricky one this. Id try for the indirect approach... stop nagging/pestering right now! then follow the steps:

1. Find and print out web pages on good dog ownership/care etc etc... put em in a file and study it .. when you know it all go to phase2.

2. Go to libary or book shop and find a good dog guide...read it then leave it on the coffee table , dinning table , bathroom floor... anywhere that your folks may see it and pick it up and read it.

3. get a part time job and keep it! prove to your folks that your responcible with money!
Then perhaps they might start to think you responcible enough to own a dog.

4.go to libary/book shop and get a new book on dogs (remember to keep up the "not nagging" as this is the key part of the plan) and read it...leave it around the house once your sure you know it all in case parents test you!

5. when out with your folks at the shops or in the car make a point to look very sad when ever you see a dog and make a little sigh, and say "one day" just loud enough to be heard... use this about once a week and try to keep up the sad act for a couple of hours afterward.

please note, if you truely want a dog you ought to be doing part 5 anyway!

6. finaly, tell your parents that you understand their worries about getting a dog and that you want to do some part time volenteering at an animal shelter... do this for a month or ten... get your mum or dad to come into the shelter from time to time just to "have a look around".

Note. This will take about two years from phase one to the final phase:

7.... asking your parents if you can bring one of the shelter dogs home for training purposes.

IN SHORT PROVE TO THEM YOUR COMMITED TO A DOG FOR MORE THEN A WEEK OR SO!!!!!!! A DOG CAN LIVE FOR 15yrs ... WILL YOU WANT TO TAKE IT TO UNIVERSITY WITH YOU? WILL YOU STILL WANT IT WHEN YOU LEAVE HOME AND FIND NO ONE WILL RENT YOU A FLAT/APPARTMENT IF YOU HAVE A PET?

Good luck, think hard about those last words above tho.

Answer 9

Tell them that people with dogs live a lot longer due to the affection and feeling of wellbeing that dogs give to their owners. A Labrador is an excellent choice, but see if you can re home one, there is a dog rescue that specialises in Labradors which are looking for a new home through no fault of their own. Sorry I don't have their website.

Answer 10

You don't. They understand what you don't - that having a dog is a lifelong commitment and a huge responsibility and if they don't want one they are clearly not ready for that responsibility. Sure you promise now to look after it but all parents know that when the novelty wears off for the kids it is the parents who are left holding the baby (or the dog).
When you are old enough to have a home and family of your own you can make your own decision whether or not to have a dog.

Answer 11

I know how your feel. Every time I suggest my parents buy me a puppy my dad jokes "Get me the argos catalogue then..", dry I know!

I don't know how to persuade them, they just have to see past the fact that all dogs aren't the same! Once they've done that and had a few positive experiences with dogs your on your way!

Maybe you could ask a friend if you can look after their dog for a couple of days, maybe somebody you know is off on holiday?
Let them fall in love with the dog and see how good you are with him/her

BEST OF LUCK..TRULY..X