my dad grew up w/o dogs , but my older brother and my mom and i love dogs. we want one so bad - preferably a labrador retriever - but my dad wont cave. any suggestions???
2007-07-16 05:15:26 · 10 answers · asked by softballchick26 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Start being super responsible around your house, help out with the dishes, dusting, laundry, etc. and keep your room clean all without your dad having to ask. If he sees you step up your responsibilities & do it consistently for a few months, maybe he will consider letting you care for a pet.
2007-07-16 05:18:23 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
okay, you love dogs, great start. what do you know about them, especially labs? how much research have you done, on line, or talking to people who own them? labs are, for the most part, pretty good dogs (I don't like them myself, but I'll be fair) once you get them trained. are you thinking about starting with a puppy, or rescuing/adopting an older one? in your case, that may be a better choice, because a lab is considered a "puppy" for 2 years. they are a high energy dog, and need a great deal of training and exercise to keep them in good condition, and well-behaved.
so, there's a time investment. if you get a puppy, be prepared to just about live, eat and sleep puppy. labs are fairly smart and teachable, but they can be very rambunctious. and all of you, including your father, even though he doesn't want one, if he "caves", will be responsible for ensuring the dogs safety and well-being.
there's a cost involved. I'm not talking about the initial purchase price, no matter what that is, it's almost nothing compared to some of the other things you will have to deal with. you will need supplies, food bowls, crate, toys, leashes, collars, food, treats, the list goes on. your dog will need to get his shots every year. since no one in the family has any dog experience, you will all, including your father need to take part in training. if you start with a puppy, there will be a few classes, on different levels.
there could be dental work (count on that), which is very expensive. you have to pay to spay or neuter the dog. and those are the "routine" medical things. it's almost certain that at some point in its life it may require emergency medical attention. I had a 4 1/2 month old poodle puppy, and he stumbled one day. he shattered his elbow and broke his leg. it cost me $4000.00. yep, FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. hardly peanuts, is it?
there's a lot to think about. where do you live? an apartment, even though labs may be allowed, is a terrible place to keep one. I have several neighbours in my building who own labs, and the dog is always in a crate as long as its inside. that's no way for a dog to live. do you have a fenced in back yard? I'm not suggesting just tossing the dog out there and just leave him alone out there, but it's a safe place for you to spend some playtime with him.
I know what it is to desperately want a dog. I wanted one all my life, but had to wait until I was living on my own before I could do it. now I have 3. you didn't say how old you and your brother are, but, how responsible are the two of you around the house? do you get all your chores done without nagging or being reminded? maybe, if your dad can see that you know what you're getting into, are prepared for it, and responsible enough, maybe he'll agree.
I can also understand where your father is coming from. the 3 of you want a dog. he knows that he's probably going to end up paying for everything, and he may be afraid that, once the novelty has worn off, the dog will just become "part of the furniture", and someone, probably him, will have to pick up the responsibilty for walking it and everything else.
so, it's great that you want a dog. but please do a lot of research, and when you talk to your father, be calm and rational about it. you can explain that you have an idea about what will be involved, and are prepared to take responsibility for it. don't "hassle" or tease your father about this, it will just set him up firmly against the whole idea. you need to come up with reasons why a dog would be a good addition to your family. it's called a "win-win" situation.
best of luck.
2007-07-16 12:44:21 · answer #2 · answered by freespirit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really wanted a chihuahua but my mom kepyt saying no .So what I did with my mom is I got her to take me to the Animal shelter and we went and looked at all the pets.She still didn't want a dog so I got her to take me to this house that had a littler of chihuahuas and she caved!!!!Now I have the greatest dog in the world and i love him soooo much. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but hope it does!!!!
2007-07-16 12:25:00 · answer #3 · answered by Love.live.laugh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dog notwithstanding, I think there's more to this family dilemma than just getting a dog. One more like Dad is controlling everything and every one in the family. Especially since Mom wants a dog - and Dad still says "no."
I mean, she's supposed to have an equal say in family decisions isn't she? At least by today's US standards, she is.
I urge the whole family to get into counseling to hammer out why Dad feels the need to control everything and every one.
2007-07-16 12:21:39 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If there is anyway you could have your dad around a dog for awhile, he will find out they are great. Labs are really good family dogs!! Your dad is just being stubborn!! You also have to prove that you are responsible enough to take care of a dog, they need alot of attention!!
2007-07-16 12:19:47 · answer #5 · answered by Lori F 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When you are out, you see a pet store, just take off running to it, pick up a puppy, and wait for your dad. Make him hold it, he will give in.
2007-07-16 12:23:45 · answer #6 · answered by Bigman99 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dogs are a huge, expensive, smelly, shedding, barking burden. When you get your own place, then you can have all that mess all you want. Be sure to get a shovel too..
2007-07-16 12:21:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
please do not ever try to convenice anyone to get a dog, its not fair to the dog, ,take your dog over more often, leave your dog with your dad, let him take it for walks and take it to the vetts for checkups, let him do the takeing not your self!! and if you are still liveing home with your dad and mom, remember, your dads still the head rooster incharge,,.
2007-07-16 12:22:47 · answer #8 · answered by Sonny H 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do more stuff around the house. show your dad how responsible you are and show that you'll be able to take care of it.
2007-07-16 12:35:28 · answer #9 · answered by gilmore girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make a deal with him
2007-07-16 13:26:51 · answer #10 · answered by Zaid H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋