Help me convince it's easy to own a dog!?

Question

I am a college student who recently found the most amazing mutt at the pound, part australian cattle dog, part who knows what (probably pit bull). He's 6 months old, and he's currently about 35 lbs. I've already got him house trained, he knows a couple good commands and in general he's just a really good dog. My mom thinks that he will be too time consuming and expensive for me to handle. I've already got all the big expenses out of the way (all those shots, neutered, kennel, leash, collar, etc) and he gets walked (1-3 miles) AT LEAST once, if not twice a day. In the coming school year, I will be living at a house with a big backyard. I know that owning a dog is a big responsibility, but my dog keeps me active and I'm guaranteed a kiss everytime I get home. How do I convince her that a dog is easy to keep in my life? How many hours a day do you spend with your dog? What's the hardest part about keeping him happy? thanks!

It's important I explain this to her because she threatens to stop paying for college if I keep him.

If something comes up and my day is crazy, he goes to my friend's house where they love him too, just not enough to pay the vet bills. My parents provide support, but I fund my life (rent, bills, food, dog).

Answer 1

honestly, the hardest part of keeping him happy, is really the easiest part. just show him love. it sounds already like you really care about him, and are taking good care of him. personally, it sounds like you got everything under control, and everything planned for the future. i think you should ask ur mom what ur doing wrong, or why she thinks what she does, and prove to her, that u can totally manage
-good luck!

Answer 2

Well first, don't tell her it will be easy. She knows better. Instead, list out the things you've already said here: you have the kennel, shots, neutered etc). Show her that he's learning obedience. Tell her it helps motivate you to get your exercise in, that the dog keeps you out of parties and in the park (or at home) when you aren't in class, and that he helps relieve stress so you can concentrate on your studies. Also, if it were me living on my own, I would feel safer with a dog in the house. The biggest thing about keeping a dog happy is daily attention. Good luck.

Where I work, microchipping is only $45, and a damn good idea. Sometimes you can get a deal on that with a humane society. It would be fine to keep him in when you are gone as long as he gets his exercise sometime during the day. Toys to keep him occupied while you are away is a most excellent idea, some have to be manipulated to get treats out, etc. There's even Kong dispensers that drop a new toy at a preset time to give your dog something to do. If outdoors, then fresh water, adequate shelter and a dog-proof yard are absolute musts. Plan on spending up to $200 a year on flea and heartworm preventatives alone on a dog this size, plus at least 75-100 for exams, shots, heartworm tests annually. Plus the cost of food of course.

Answer 3

This is a very broad question. I volunteer at my local Humane Society and I personally know that all dogs have different temperaments. Taking care of a dog is not easy nor is it cheap. To say it is would be a lie. It is also very time consuming. A dog, even one this young, might have health complications. True, it is unlikely, but I had a teacher in first grade who had her dog eat trash, had to have it surgically removed, and then had to stay with the dog constantly for the next three weeks. Make sure you can make accommodations for your dog. As for how much time I spend with my dog, I give him around three to four hours daily. But he is a very low maintenance guy. Different dogs require different levels of attention. You may think that this dog is the greatest, but can you match his energy level? All to often I see dogs returning to the kennel because they were perfectly sweet, but not active enough. Or they were a little to hyper for the family. You want to be 100% sure you can take care of the dog. I am assuming you live with your mom since you're bringing her into this? Tell her that she won't need to do a thing. Even show her. Does the kennel near you allow you to foster animals? If so, then bring him home for a day or two and show your mom how responsible you can be. If not, then begin to take REALLY good care or yourself and your studies. If you don't live with your mom, then ignore her and go ahead and get this dog. It's not her choice if it's not her house.

Answer 4

For me the hardest part, is that my dog loves to go on walks and play a lot, but I take him on an about .6 mile walk 2-3 times a day. Are you going to be living by yourself? Or do you have other people that can help you? Because I have my whole family which help me, so if i'm gone there are usually other poeple there to take care of him. will you be away from him alot?I wouldn't give him away because that would be a horrible thing to do to him, since he was probably already put in the pound before, and abandoned. Since you already have the big expenses out of the way, you will only have to spend the occasional $20-$30 for food and toys. My dog we also have to get groomes, which adds more expenses, but we love him, and he's totally worth our time. So just tell her, that you love your dog, and would never want to give him away, and that he is worth every second and penny you have to spend on him.

Answer 5

We try not to be gone more than 7 hours at a stretch, and our dogs can get outside anytime they like to relieve themselves. (We have an attached dog run behind our house).

Having two dogs means they are less lonely when we are gone. They are also essentially self-feeders, so they are never hungry. We have a large backyard as well, so exercise is no problem. We play with them outside every day as well.

All this makes dog keeping very easy for us.

You must consider the everyday expenses like GOOD food, tooth care and yearly (or more) vet visits. And then there's the potential restriction on your social life. You really need to be with your dog and not out partying every nite - unless you can take him with. Weekends away can be a challenge.

If this describes a lifestyle you can embrace, then go for it!

Answer 6

Why bother?Your a adult now and as long as you don't live with her,don't worry about what she has to say.As long as you have the money to care for the dog and a place to stay that will let you keep it, then it should be fine.But remember a lot of land lords DON"T want dogs as tenants let alone collage kids.So think about it.

If your parents are paying for school and you can't afford to be responsible for your self financially then I'd say return the dog.Because if your depending on some one else to pay for your stuff then you can not afford high vet bills that you may incur.

Answer 7

Dogs are a huge responsibility.They need your time , affection , and care. Owning a dog is also a great joy and stress reliever I work full time,am married and have two adult children living at home.Still I am the one who cares for my dog.He needs groomed bi-weekly.Bathed monthly.Fed twice a day.Walked at least once a day.He needs vet check ups at least once a year and booster shots.I brush his teeth daily.He is 15 now and I wouldn't have given up a minuet with him.I spend about 4 hours a day with him one on one.Walking, brushing,cuddling, petting etc.Good luck with convincing mom but she is right it is a huge responsibility and takes a lot of time.

Answer 8

Well, since you'll be going to school, you'll probably only have 4 or 5 hours to spend with him, which is perfectly okay. The only thing you have to do is put him OUTSIDE while you're gone, but make sure he is SECURE (no holes in the fence, no diggng) keep toys outside and a BIG bucket of water and a nice big bowl of food. Make sure there is a shaded area, not a house (in the summer it'll be too hot) but a lean to, or something of the sort. MAke sure his collar is always on, and when you get home, take him inside and let him rest before walking him.
A dog really is easy to take care of, as long as you DO take care of him. Just feeding, water, and taking him outside, walking him, and just giving him some constant TLC.
The hardest part? I think it's the fear of him running away while you're gone, but a metal fence (a tall one) that is buried partly underground should do the trick, and as long as he is collared, if on the off chance he DOES run away, you'll know that when someone finds him, they'll call you. (or you can have him microchipped, $200- well worth it)
Hope this helps!

Answer 9

well, a dog is a big responsibility. it sounds like you are doing a good job with keeping him/her happy and healthy.

you can always convince your mom by telling her that you have been doing a GREAT job taking care of your dog and that you love him.

I remember my first pet, it was a dog also and she was a mutt. I found her on the streets. and my parents wanted to get rid of her and I showed them that I was a great pet owner by keeping my room clean, doing all my homework, getting good grades, and doing everything needed to keep her happy and healthy.

I personaly think that the hardest thing about keeping my dogs happy is that I have to go to school and my parents have to go to work durring the day so my dog in left home alone from 7:30am-1:30pm. so they get lonely and sad.

good luck with your new dog.

Answer 10

It's not easy. It's also not cheap.

Do you think your dog ceases to exist just because you're in class? What's he going to do all day while you're in school, for his physical and emotional health, when the walks suddenly stop? Who's cleaning the poop up out of the yard every day? It smells awful to the neighbors, you know.

You need to budget hundreds of dollars every year for vet care. Those shots need to be continually updated, and he will get sick sometimes. When he gets old, it's going to get even more complicated.

You were wrong to get an animal when you have no permanent home. I know dozens of moms who have aquired dogs their kids got irresponsibly. At this point all you can do is make it a point never to ask your mother for any help with this dog. Make him ZERO impact on her, and maybe she will keep paying your tuition.
.