ok, i've always wanted a dog, but lately it seems that i've been wanting one more and more! my parents both love dogs(they used to have TWO before my sister&i were born) but they won't let me have one now. my dad says that i'm not responsible enough, even though i try hard to prove to him that i am. he thinks i won't comb it, wash it, feed it, pick up its poo, or walk it!! i LOVE animals, and he just doesn't believe me. my mom doesn't like dogs as much, but she won't let me have one because she doesn't really want it running all over the house and getting into trouble while i'm at school. she's also afraid about training it. but we could get a pre-house broken dog, right? please help me find a way to convince them that i can handle a dog!
2007-10-30 07:06:53 · 13 answers · asked by A.Belle 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, you can get a dog that is already trained. I would recommend that you adopt one from a shelter or local rescue rather than getting a puppy. Pups are cute but hard work, and can try the patience of people not committed to having a dog with their chewing and pottying in the house. If you get an older dog (1+), he will have finished teething so won't be as bad about chewing everything in sight, and will possibly also be house-trained (in any case, you can verify that with the individual dog before bringing it home). This will certainly make things easier on your parents to begin with. Next, if you decide on a dog with shorter hair, there won't be much need for grooming so again, that is something your parents won't have to be concerned with. Try coming up with a plan for who will take care of the dog when you are on vacation, to show that you are responsible enough to think ahead. Show them a business plan that indicates how you will pay his veterinary bills so they don't have to be concerned with that. You can also volunteer in a shelter for awhile so that they can see your dedication to the animals, and also so that you can have the exposure to dogs that you crave right now, even if you can't take them home at the end of the day. Hang in there, and hopefully you can convince them you can take care of the dog. If not, you have a whole life ahead of you when you are an adult and there will be plenty of lovable dogs then too.
2007-10-30 07:19:51 · answer #1 · answered by auskan2002 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I really, really wanted a rifle when I was a kid, but my parents said no too. How sad. Seriously, if they're saying telling you that you're not responsible enough to own a dog, then they're probably right.
Dogs aren't just fun things to have around. They're a big responsibility, even the teeny ones. You always have to remember that owning a dog mean that *you* are responsible for that animal's life! Are you able to provide the basics that it needs, like food, water, shelter, and vet visits? Possibly, those are the easy things. A dog can survive on that, but it doesn't mean it will be happy. Can you commit to giving it enough *proper* excercise? Do you know anything about training a dog and dealing with behavioral issues? Will you have the time to spend with it? What about when you want to go out and stay at a friends, or go on a trip or something where you can't take your dog? Then what will you do with it? There's a *lot* of things to consider when it comes to being responsible for an animal. Its more then just feeding and poop-scoopin.
2007-10-30 08:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A dog is a member of the family, which means all of the family members have to be willing to allow it into their home. It's not as simple as being responsible for it.
Having a dog is part of a lifestyle. It costs money for food and vet bills (more than you might realize). It becomes a concern when you go away for a weekend or on a vacation. I love horses, but I have to admit I don't want the lifestyle of a horse owner. There is a LOT of constant care and attention involved.
It is possible to get a dog that's already house broken, but with that comes a host of other behavioral problems. There's a reason why the original owner got rid of the dog. If you're not prepared to deal with those issues, you shouldn't bring a dog like that into your home.
I can't stress enough that a dog is not just about what you can handle. You affect a dogs life as much as they affect yours, so any person living in that house is subject to the dog lifestyle. As past pet owners, your parents should know exactly what goes into owning and caring for a dog. It's not about convincing them about what YOU can handle, it's about whether or not THEY want a dog.
2007-10-30 07:22:41 · answer #3 · answered by SurrepTRIXus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you'd say something like "we could get a pre-house broken dog" shows what little knowledge you have about having pets and it's fairly obvious you aren't ready for a dog. A dog is a living creature that requires not only excercise and discipline but mental and physical stimulation...the kind that a young kid (still in school) simply won't be able to provide. Pets don't come "pre-packaged" and ready to go. A dog is not a car or a happy meal from McDonald's. They require time and patience that you probably don't have right now. Perhaps convince your parents to get you a lower maintanance pet...like a bird, turtle or even a cat. If you can prove your worth with one animal, perhaps they'll be inclined to get you the dog you want.
2007-10-30 07:24:43 · answer #4 · answered by Kos E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may love animals...but how do you feel about responsibility??? Maybe you should try taking on some more chores around the house so you can prove to your parents that you can handle responsibility. I am assuming that they don't think you are responsible enough for a good reason. I would wait and really think about what you would be giving up to have a dog. You would have to be right home after school to take the dog out....and if you live anywhere it gets cold/snowy...think about early mornings before school in the rain and snow walking the dog. Doesn't sound like as much fun!!
2007-10-30 07:14:25 · answer #5 · answered by babyangelsmom06 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
this is the second question like this i have answered today. there is a reason we as parents, (i have 3 kids) do not get animals for our children: because we always, always end up cleaning up after it, feeding it, careing for it, walking it, etc. i have been through this already with my kids only it was a cat they wanted. and i ended up doing everything for the cat after two weeks. i know exactly why your parents are saying no. most children are not responsible enough or mature enough to care for a dog. maybe your parents don't want to have to pay vet bills. you'll have shots, exams, license, ect. what if there is an emergency? have you thought about that? my dog got a broken leg at 6 months old, complete accident, but it cost over a thousand ($1000.00 plus) for surgery, meds, check up after surgery, ect. these are the things that kids don't take into consideration when getting a dog. your parents probably are. why don't you just volunteer at a shelter, or take in a rescue dog as a foster dog for a few weeks. having a dog is a huge responsibility. you may not think so, but your parents do. listen to them and just take the no.
2007-10-30 08:33:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry kid, but you should probably forget it. Chances are when the dog is 12 you won't like it anymore and your parents will have to put it down while your at college. Make friends and enjoy their dogs, then you enjoy the play without the work. That's the best plan. If you still want a dog when your older, buy one then.
2007-10-30 07:11:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Everyone feels like this when they don't have a pet, but they DO steadily get more dull....I have two dogs who I love and take care of but the novelty of them wore off long ago...
They can seem a bit annoying at time...pee everywhere if someone dosnt let them out, hairs everywhere, they get things out of the trash, eat food you leave near them,chew things,bark if they hear a noise or a strange person....are you prepared for all that?
If you do get a dog start out small,not nessisarily chihuahua but about knee height is a good size...
2007-10-30 07:16:32 · answer #8 · answered by doomkitty 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will have to find a way to show them that you are responsible enough. I would suggest do alot of reasearch on the kind of dog you would like and talk to them about all the things you are learning including research of what a responsible owner would do.
2007-10-30 07:12:50 · answer #9 · answered by meanmrv 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Volunteer at a shelter for a little while to teach him that you don't mind the dirty work that goes along with caring for an animal. Wait for the perfect dog to come along, and adopt that one. (And no, the perfect dog and the cutest dog aren't the same.) You may see 100 dogs before finding the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
2007-10-30 07:11:19 · answer #10 · answered by Jen 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋