At what age are people mature enough to get a puppy?

Question

Well, many youngsters or teenagers on yahoo answers are beggging their parents to get them a puppy when their parents can't get one.

I am just wondering, what is the age that people are mature enought to get a puppy?

I am 16 years old and I am going to get a shiba inu, i know their temperment, genetic disorders, diseases and everything. When I go to college, my parents and grandparents are going to looks after it. If its a nearby college, i will live at home.

Do you think at 16, its a bad age to get a dog? At what age are people mature enough to get a puppy?

true maturity doesn't deal with age sometimes. My dad and mom loves dogs because they have had dogs in their lives. My dad and I watch many videos of shiba inus on youtube. My grandma does like dogs too but my grandpa seems to be afraid of dogs. lol

opps sorry, by true, i mean i realized that it is true maturity doesn't deal with age. forgot the comma!

Answer 1

I got a dog of my own when I was about 6 yrs. old. I was responsible to feed/water and train the puppy. I had pestered my single parent mother have to death until she finally gave in. I bought a training book and learned from other family members to teach him to sit, stay, roll over and several other tricks as the puppy taught me responsibility dedication and self confidence. Seldom since, have I been without a dog. Now, I have 13 dogs.

Answer 2

I do not think anyone under 18 should be solely responsible for an animal. Mostly because it's not legal. If you buy this dog, your parents are still legally responsible for it until you turn 18. It's the law. Which is unfair to them, because they didn't buy the dog, you did.

Maturity and age are not related, so there's no 'right' age to get a dog, it depends on a lot of things.

-Do you have the money to pay for not just the dog, but it's feeding, vet care (do you have a few thousand dollars in savings in case your dog gets hit by a car, breaks a leg, swallows a rock, or has some other unfortunate accident? If not, you are not ready for a dog), spay/neuter surgery, training, grooming, boarding, etc. Dogs are EXPENSIVE, and I don't think most teenagers have the income required to properly care for one. Nor should their parents have to, again, if it's supposed to be YOUR dog, you should be 100% responsible for it.
-Will the person be home to potty train the puppy? Small puppies have to use the bathroom at least once per hour. Who's going to take it outside every hour, day and night? Not you, because at 16, you're in school 8 hours a day. Who's going to care for it? How can you think you're ready for a dog when you won't see it all day, and you'll be asleep all night? An hour or two in the morning and evening makes you a responsible dog owner? A puppy needs constant attention and supervision, and if you're pawning that off on your parents too, all the worse.
-Have you considered what going to college will do to the dog? Sure, it's easy for you to say your parents will take care of it, but to the dog, it's just been abandoned. You've psychologically traumatized it just so YOU could have a dog you don't have the lifestyle to support properly.

I do not think you should get a dog, and especially not a puppy. You can't possibly take good care of an animal with your school shedule. I can't see how you personally can pay for all that if you're in school and going to college when you graduate, where are you getting all this money to support your dog? I don't think dogs are appropriate for children of any age unless the parents want to buy a family dog that THEY will be responsible for. You should be done with full-day school, have a steady job, have your own residence, and THEN have done the research you've done, before you should even consider getting a dog. I think you getting a dog would be horribly unfair to the animal, and I think you should look at the situation a little more selflessly and realize that in your quest to get what YOU want, you're putting aside the well-being of your would be pet.

Answer 3

Maturity really has very little to do with age. It is a matter of experience, personality, temperament and choices. Some children younger than 10 can be very mature, while some adults in their 40's still act totally irresponsibly.

I don't see any reason why a 16 year old should not get a puppy, as long as that person really knows what to expect from having a dog, and is capable and ready to handle the responsibilities. Just remember that animals are dependents that are going to be around for many years - easily 10 years, often as many as 20 years. They're like toddlers, they require attention, love, food, shelter, and forgiveness. They are constant maintenance, and can often require medical expenses. If you are ready to keep all of that up for the next decade or two - or know someone who is willing to take that over for you in your absence, then you'll be fine.

Pets are great to have. Just take care of them! Hope you have fun with your new dog.

Answer 4

Depends on the person, the circumstance, and how much their parents have taught them. I had my first dog all my own when I was 6. I did the food and water and 'outsies' all by myself and never had to be told other than my mom would tell me to wash the water bowl sometimes. But look at that Vick guy, he was a full grown man and obviously too immature to have a dog. So it varies. Certainly, if you are prepared to take care of it, then you are more than old enough. However, the issue of college is really something to think about. When you are gone, which will be most of the time, that is their dog. If you want to have an adult attitude about it, then you need to choose a dog not only compatible with you, but that will be a good fit for the lifestyle of your parents and grandparents. And you have to ask them if they would like to have a dog. What if a dog doesn't fit in with their plans? Do you have a right to impose that on them? If they say they are not interested in having a dog, you really need to ask yourself if it is fair to force them to take care of it. If they don't want one, then you should wait until you are out of college to get one. Has nothing to do with maturity, and everything to do with growing up and realizing that your parents and grandparents are people with their own lives, and should not be required to make any life changes on your behalf at this point.

Answer 5

Bring a dog into a household has to take into consideration the implications that the decision will have on each individual in the household.
Therefore minors should not be begging their parents to get a dog when the adults do not feel it is appropriate.
If your parents concur with you getting a dog and are willing to take on the additional responsibility that they will have to assume then 16 is more than old enough to be the person primarily responsible for the care and training of a dog.

Answer 6

I believe that there is no magic age when a person would make a good owner for a puppy. Some people NEVER are. Personally, I was only 7 when I had my first one, but you see, I have been an animal "caretaker" since I can remember. My parents told me I just always was. I think that if you truly love animals, and are willing to make some concessions in your life for them, and remember that it is a committment of at least 7-10 years, then you are ready.

Answer 7

It varies widely, but the first limit is when they are responsible enough to handle their chores without having to be nagged.

Dogs need to be feed, walked and cleaned up after. Many children want a dog and don't realize that they have to handle those chores for the rest of the dog’s life. In the case of families with parents they can pick up the slack, but taking care of your pet should be your responsibility. If your mother has to keep nagging you to take out the trash and handle your other chores around the house then you are not mature enough to handle a pet.

A dog is a living creature, that soon becomes a member of the family and the are totally dependent on that family not just to live, but they need to belong to the family pack to remain sane. A dog by him or herself is a very unhappy animal. They are pack animals and need families, they also need to know their place in the pack. If the dog is in charge then his owners aren't going to be too happy with him. If the dog is at the bottom of the pack then he will be happy because that is the natural order and the way things work for dogs. It is how they want to live. When they get unruly is when they don't know their position or think they are higher ranked than someone else in the family.

At 16 I bet you are not paying for the dog’s vet bills or for his food. The only reason you can have your dog is because you have a family to support you and him. You are not mature enough to have the dog, unless you have the family to help you; it is that clear.

Families have dogs and newborn babies that grow up in the pack. At some point those children will be able to take over the responsibility of caring for the pet, or at least handling part of the responsibility. A 7 year could be responsible enough to care for a dog and a 25 year old could be not mature enough to handle a dog. It depends on what they do and how they handle other responsibilities and the support that they have.

What is going to happen to your dog when you go to college? What if you joined the military or went to technical school? Your dog will probably stay with your parents until you are finished with what you need to do to build a life where you can support yourself and your dog. So you are mature enough to handle a dog, but when you are away at college, you won’t be. You may have the proper mental state, but you won’t be in the proper position in life. Furthermore, I don’t think you have thought about having to pay for the dog’s meals or vet bills. In that case YOU are not mature enough to handle a dog. I think that you can handle the dog, I trust your parents to make that decision. When a kid screams for a dog on Yahoo Answers I ignore them. The best person to make the decision is the one who they are fighting against. The best way to prove that they can handle a dog is to handle their other responsibilities, but if they don’t realize that then they may not be mature enough to handle a dog.

If you are old enough to do your chores, without having to be nagged, and you have family support then you are old enough to have a dog. Whatever age that might be depends on the individual and their family. The parents are in the best position to judge and if the child has to ask WHY they can’t have a dog then they may not be mature enough to handle the dog, at least not their chores. I think a 7 year old could handle a dog, but each situation is different.

Answer 8

Maturity has nothing to do with it. It is how you are with the dog. A dog needs to be lead by a leader. Alpha dog. It is not an animal that can be past to one person to another person for its care as it has to look up to the Alpha dog for leadership. They are not toys to spoil and to look good with and that is why there are so many dogs with problems. They also need alot of exercise to keep them mentally and physically fit. Can you realistically do all this and go to College. I am not trying to put you off but just trying to make you see that its a Dog and they can not be humanised no more then you can a lizard.

Answer 9

You certainly sound mature enough for a new dog in the family. But of course, Mon and Dad have to be "on board" since some of that responsibility will fall to them. And dogs look for a pack leader and that needs to be you.
Check out a web site www.cesarmillaninc.com. He is great with dog and their owners. He says he trains the owners not the dogs.
Enjoy your new friend.

Answer 10

My 4 year old has wanted and talked about getting a puppy since she could ask for one. My husband and I got her one about 8 months ago and she's been fantastic. She feeds him everyday, and (with help) takes him for walks. She is learning from him and has gained a companion. She even taught him how to sit and shake.

However, at 20, I don't think I would have made a responsible pet owner. I think it really depends on the person. Keep in mind how time consuming a pet can be. Dogs don't want to be part of the family for a week and then tied outside and forgotton. They are a lot of work...even if the work is fun.