Help! My Teenager wants a puppy.

[janette]

Check www.petfinder.com , you can find dogs in your area available from local shelters and rescue groups. I'd echo what some of the others have said, an older dog (about 2 or 3yo) might be best for your family. They will often be in foster homes and many of them are already trained and also the foster family will be able to let you know if they are good with kids. Puppies are wonderful but lots of work.

I'd make sure your DS is very involved in the selection and has the ownership of the dog. I know having a pet can be great for kids, my girls wouldnt' be without their fur babies.

 

[DarkSideMoon]

A puppy takes a good 1-2 months of VERY difficult training before it even starts to stop pooping and urinating all over your floors. I am definately not saying that you shouldn't get one, but I would consider getting a dog from a shelter first and maybe a puppy later.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Maybe you could house sit Brutus for a week or so?

LOL, Taylor. Brutus can come visit me anytime, he looks like a sweetheart!

 

[DisnyMama]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. I really love the idea of the Greyhound adoption. I have already been checking out the websites and other adoption sites. I'm glad that you all feel that my DS would benefit from adding a dog to our family. I bet I would too.

 

[minkydog]

I would strongly consider adopting an older dog. Not only are they grateful, they often are already housebroken and partially(if not fully) trained. Having a new puppy is a lot like having a new baby. They need a lot of attention, day and night. A depressed teen may not have enough energy or motivation to deal with the demands. But an older dog doesn't make so many demands. They just want to be loved and they accept you wherever you are. The perfect Rx for depression,in my book

 

[Moonmom]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. I really love the idea of the Greyhound adoption. I have already been checking out the websites and other adoption sites. I'm glad that you all feel that my DS would benefit from adding a dog to our family. I bet I would too.

My first thought when I saw ours just before he became our first grey, was, "but he's BIG, and look at that TAIL,,, he's gonna knock the house apart!"... Yup, he was tall, and long, lean.. and wonderful. Yeah, we had to "train" him to do stairs,, he was easy to train..learned some sign language, got his "canine good citizen", then we started taking him to "work"; to visit the residents at the nursing home each week. They loved hm.
I've read/heard that greys aren't known for their "protective" abilities..but he did protect us...blocking the door with his body so only he got out first when he heard a noise outside at night..
Most of though, he was my buddy, my pal.. for eight years. We adopted him at age 4.5.. he died two weeks ago today. He made me laugh, (stealing my "stuffies" off my bed and leaving his their place),, made me cry, (yup, that big old tail hit the door and locked ME in the basement while just he and I were home alone).. but he made our lives richer. Moondoggy may be gone in body..but he's never going to be gone in our hearts and in what he taught us.
If you find a local rescue group, they often have local gettogether with their greys which might be something your son may enjoy. It's alot of fun for the greys!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm sorry you lost your baby, Moonmom. Sounds like he had a wonderful life with you.