My parents don't want me to have a dog?

Question

I REALLY want a chihuahua for christmas. I'm 13 and I think I could handle it. I have a lizard which i take mediocre care of.. but to my credit it just sits there all day. I wrote a letter to my parents, I begged, and I don't know how to convince them. Does anyone own a chihuahua or have any ideas?

Answer 1

Well if you only take mediocre care of your lizard, why would they be convinced that you're going to take care of a puppy? Puppies take a lot more work and responsibility than a lizard. They have tons of energy, they need to be walked, they need to be fed multiple times a day (when they're young), they need to be trained, they need to go outside every two hours to go potty (again, while they're young), they need to be socialized with other dogs, with kids, with lots of different people so that they're well balenced dogs, and they need constant supervision.

You say your lizard just sits there all day...well...hate to break it to you but a puppy will not do that. And while it is a good thing to crate train your puppy, it is NOT a good thing to leave your dog alone for long periods of time during the day (which is what you are currently able to do with the lizard.)

You're only 13, meaning you must have to go to school for a good chunk of the day, and then you have to do homework when you get home (probably). Are you going to have time to care for the dog? Do both of your parents work full time? If so, the puppy will be alone for too much of the day! Puppies need constant love and attention.

Also, are you financially capable of paying for a dog? Puppies can cost anywhere from a $100 adoption fee from a shelter to $5000 for a show quality pup. Then, you need to buy a bed, food, toys, treats, collar, leash, and id tags. You will also need to pay for many vet bills over the course of the dog's life. If an emergency would occur, would you have the money to pay for surgery on the dog?

If you do get a dog...
Whatever you do, don't buy a puppy from a pet store. These puppies often have many health complications and are poorly bred. They come from horrible places that don't care about their dogs. Also, don't buy from a breeder that sells multiple breeds of dogs. A good breeder specializes in one breed. Consider adopting a chi from a humane society. Shelter dogs ARE great dogs, and they are just waiting for a loving home!

Answer 2

I have a teacup chi and i lover her very much she is sweet and very good with other people. But she can be a handful. A dog is alot more responsibilty then somthing that sits in a cage all day like a lizard. They need exercise even if they are small and petite. They need training and an alphafigure to follow. Getting a dog is just one thing. Then there is the vet care that goes into it. They need shots every year. Just about anytime somthing can go wrong and it will need medical care. They need heartworm preventative each month. They need flea control so they will not have tapeworms. They require a small amount of grooming each week. You have to take them to the bathroom even in the rain, Cold, snow, Storms, Blizzard ect... there is alot to owning a dog alot more then just getting a dog. So think about it real hard before you put your parents in to this. I know how that works they will be the ones caring for it.

Answer 3

I own a chihuahua and I have a 13 year old. If she showed me she can't even take care of something as ssimple as a lizard then why would I go for a dog. They need a great deal more care than a lizard which you probalby wanted and got boredd with. Nope try taking care of what you have and do it right and then maybe in a couple years it might be a diferent story.

Answer 4

Last winter I found a chihuahua. I had stopped to buy gas and he was standing in a freezing muddy puddle shivering violently. It was terribly cold out. I picked him up and took him home while I tried to find the owner. There were no "lost dog" signs posted. So, I put up "dog found" signs everywhere. No answer. I left a message with the SPCA. Finally, after a week the owner called me, or rather, the mother of a 14 y.o. girl who was the official owner of the dog. The 14 y.o. girl got busy with her boyfriends, school activities, gossiping on the phone, etc. and ignored this precious little creature named "peanut". She didn't deserve to have this dog. She was excited about him in the beginning and even paid for him with her own money. But within months, she neglected the dog. He was hungry when I found him.
Dogs need ongoing care for 14 + years. You are too young to be responsible for such a helpless creature. Volunteer at an animal shelter and see how many dogs are abused, neglected and abandoned. Walk them and brush them and learn their language. Maybe you will then understand what a big responsibility it is - and a privilege - to own a dog.

Answer 5

I think your answer is "I have a lizard and take mediocre care of it." Sounds like you wanted a lizard and then got bored of it. Your parents are probably just assuming that is what will happen with a dog, especially since dogs are alot more responsibility. My suggestion is either start taking better care of your lizard or give it a good home to someone that will take great care of it. Ask your parents what you can do to show that you are ready for a dog. Do whatever they say.

Answer 6

i think of in some circumstances, the mothers and fathers who're condemned are people who've owned what are seen 'scuffling with canines' i.e. pit bull terriers etc and who've a temperamental nature. despite the fact that, 'familiar' canines can turn at any given time and that's merely a tragedy while a baby gets maimed or killed by utilising their puppy. i think of that's the mothers and fathers' duty to choose on a canines that's bred for that's quiet nature and that the puppies have come from respected breeders with canines that are used to being around infants. you prefer eyes interior the back of your head the place infants are worried and can't flow away them for a minute unattended at youthful a while, some seconds can mean tragedy if left on my own. All we can do as mothers and fathers is our terrific and stay in wish that our little ones never come to harm.

Answer 7

A pet is harder than you think and they are also EXPENSIVE! You are only 13. How are you going to get the money to take this dog to the vet if anything happens:gets shot with a bebe gun, get in a fight with another animal, gets an infection. These are all random things that have happened to my pets and cost a lot of money. Maybe you are rich, but that doesn't mean your parents should pay for something that would be your responsibility. You should think about another gift and wait for a dog when you can FULLY100% take care of it on your own.

Answer 8

They are probably afraid that they are going to be the caregivers, that you will probably loose interest. A dog lives for a long time, could be 12, 13 years or more. It is, or at least should be a commitment. Also, a live animal should not be given at Christmas time. Should be a very thought out plan with the whole family involved.

Answer 9

I know you are sick of hearing this but, you are 13yr today you want a dog tomorrow you'll want to hang out with your friends all day. I know your lizard just sits there.Spend some time with it you maybe shocked with what he can do. Talk to some people who have lizards. I know for a fact you can train them to do all kinds of things. There are books, and web sites to look at that they have lots of lizard stuff too. I believe if you spend time with and learning about your lizard you will be too busy to worry about a dog. Believe me dogs sit around a lot too, plus they poop , pee, eat, chew,and live a very long time. Chihuahuas are very hard to potty train, and can be very moody. Listen to your parents they've been 13yr too.

Answer 10

Hiya, I wanted a dog for so long and I was always asking my mum and dad, trying to persuade them and stuff like that, and like you when I was 12 I wrote my mum and dad a letter explaing how much I wanted a dog, saying that I would walk her, clean up after her, feed her and all stuff like that, and in the letter they saw that I actualy really wanted one and finally at the begining of november that year I got one, and she is now 4 years old and they cant live without her, so explain to your parents what you are willing to do and stuff, and I dont no if you do but if you have a job/paperround or your own way of earning money, say that you will contribute to the food costs and vet bills as they will then see how dedicated you are and how much you really want one
My dog is a collie x lab in case you are interested
hope this helps
samanta x