i don't know if i should get a dog for my 10 yr old and i said i will only give money nothing Else?

Question

she s 10 yr old that wants a dog ever since se was 5 and she as all the hard stuff but she says she will do anything i said u have to do everthing for the dog not me

Answer 1

I'm sorry to tell you, but whenever kids say they will take complete care of the dog, they do a great job for the first month. After the first month, the novelty wears off, and everything becomes your job... It is up to you to decide if your daughter is responsible enough. Be prepared to be bossy and force her to walk the dog (if she doesn't walk the dog when you tell her to, there have to be consequences... like grounding).

Nosoop4u

Answer 2

As a child growing up I had always wanted a dog, it wasn't until I was in the eighth grade that my mom finally decided to let me have one. I aquired a shi-tzu from a person we knew, It didn't take but a couple months before I finally lost interest in taking care of the dog and my mom became soley responsible for it's well being.

I'm not saying don't get one...just know that kids say alot of things and the never come through. If I were you I'd be watching her like a hawke to make sure she is taking care of the dog and act as if it's just as important as her own school work. Dont be passive, make sure she does as she promised. If you have a hard time getting her to take care of it..Im sure at some point you'll grow fond of the dog and wont have problems caring for it yourself

Answer 3

Talk about what happens when she stops doing everything for the little dog. Children that age can be too young to care for a dog on their own. They do need guidance. Sure they will do for a year or two until their life gets busier with school and extra curricular programs. Mine did and I became the keeper of the dog. When they went off to college, guess who cared for the old dog? All the best:) If you are ready, get a dog for your kid.

Answer 4

If she wants a dog then I think that you all need to draw up a contract. I also think the goldfish idea is great. If she finds a fish just "too much work mom" then she is not ready for a dog.
I also think that you need to take her to the local shelter to see dogs there - not to adopt at this time- to show her what happens to animals when kids and people suddenly decide that they don't have time for them, that they were too much work, that they were (fill in the blank). She needs to know what the consequence is for saying "I'm too tired to walk the dog mom, I want to go camping with my friends for the weekend mom, I want to go to camp for hte entire summer mom, I want to do this that and the other".

And you need to be willing to help out. I am not saying that she never goes anywhere again, but you BOTH need to understand the responsibility. This is a lifelong committment - for the life of the dog, and not a passing phase.

If she were my daughter and wanted a dog, I would make her get up every morning, before it's hot, and take a 30 minute walk (with you or by herself) because she will need to do that if you have a dog. I would make her walk 30 minutes in the evening too. If that walking is just too much, then she is not ready for a dog. Also, how much is she going to be home, how much time will she be spending at friend's houses thus leaving YOU to care for the dog t hat she wants so much.

Here's the contract.

I _____________ understand that a dog is a living breathing animal that I am responsible for. It cannot take care of itself.

I understand that I need to do the following

1.) walk the dog every morning
2.) clean up the poo in the yard every X number of days
3.) feed the dog breakfast and dinner
4.) bathe the dog
5.) vaccum the house because my dog will shed a lot
6.) get up every X hour to take the dog outside (this will be harder if you get a puppy, so I do recommend an older (1 yr +) dog
7.) make arrangements with my parents if I want to go do other things which would take me away from MY pet and agree to do extra chores such as (x, y, and z) to make up for the fact that they will be taking care of MY dog for me

I think a dog is a great way to teach responsibility, to teach about life and care, and ultimately death, but it doesn't work if the child wants a dog and is "bored" with it in a month - then it becomes YOUR dog . . .

Answer 5

Although I think it is great for a child to learn the responsibilities of pet ownership, 99% of the time the parents end up doing at least some of the work, if not most or all. Kids are excited to get a puppy because they don't fully understand all of the responsibilities of owning a dog, which isn't unusual because most adults don't even fully understand the responsibilities of owning a dog until they actually have one. If you are willing to accept the responsibilities of the dog/puppy in the event that your children no longer want to do them, then I think it would be okay to get a dog, however, if you are definitely not interested in taking care of the puppy in any way other than financially, I would definitely suggest waiting until your children are older.

Puppies have very small stomachs and bladders when they ae young, therefore they need to be fed often, and taken out to potty about every two hours- this includes overnight potty breaks as well. Can your children handle this? If the puppy is still doing this when school is back in session do you want your daughter missing so much sleep on school days because of the puppy needing to be taken out? This is just one example of things that I believe are too hard for a young child to handle. But, ifyou don't mind doing it or helping out with it- that would actually be great/ideal

The financial aspect of owning a dog is the easiest, it's actually taking care of the dog that is the hardest, so as long as you are willing to guide your daughter, help her, or even possibly end up doing all of it if she looses interest, then I think it's okay to get a dog for your daughter. There are definitely alot of things she can do to help out- such as taking the dog for walks, accompanying you to the vet for check-ups and vaccinations, feeding the dog, playing with the dog, etc. But some things I think the parent just HAS to help with, such as the mid-night potty breaks I mentioned and training as well. (If I had left all the training as my son's responsibility the only things my dog would know how to do is sit, steal table scraps, and chase balloons/balls around the house- LOL)

Be open to having your daughter take some responsibilities but also be prepared for the possibility of her maybe losing interest after awhile when she finds that taking care of a puppy isn't all fun and games (for instance when it chews up a favorite toy or shoe she leaves out, or when it has massive diarrhea on the carpet)

Good luck- puppies are alot of work but they are soooo adorably cute and are also alot of fun too!

Answer 6

I think a dog for a ten year old is a good thing. But dont think she will be able to take care of the dog without your input. It's simply too much responsibility for a kid that age. She will do her best, but you need to be able to help her along as she learns what needs to be done.

Answer 7

Well I think it will be great for her to have a companion. I had my fist dog when I was 7 and was able to take care of it. Just make sure she takes good care of it.

Test it out. If one of your friends or family have a dog. See if you can borrow him/her for a week and see how your daughter reacts. If she does good then get her a dog.

Answer 8

i think you should wait a bit longer. of course when i was 10, i wanted a dog for a loooonnng time, but now that i look back, i probably wouldn't have taken good care of it.
wait until she's in highschool or something. they're much more responsible when they go through the middle school maturing and drama...etc etc.

Answer 9

i did the same thing with my ten year old daughter and now i take care of the litter and cat. she saved her allowance for 4 months to get this cat that she hardly pays any attention to now. i have to nag her to clean the litter box and make her pay attention to her cat. i guess i really need to put my foot down or tell her to find another home for her.
If i were you i would start with something smaller and easier to care for that does not require the attention a cat or dog does.
good luck.

Answer 10

yeah man bring her a dog, don't break her heart except in the case if she is so spoiled and wants everything to happen according to her wish. If she is a good girl and listens to her daddy then she will find it like heaven if you bring her the dog and appreciate you and love you so much.... if you don't bring it to her, the memory will stay with her all the time and she will one point of grudge against you, I am a live example.