pet problems!!!

[tinker22]

I'm trying to convince my parents,mom mostly, to get a dog. I don't get it!!!! They both had dog's when they where kid's!!!! I beg and plead, but it's always "I don't think your responsable enough" or "remember when you had Curtis" (my cat I had when I was five and didn't know how to take care of a pet) But my parents are thinking that they are going to take care of it!!!! I keep on telling them that it will be like it whont even be there but no no i still cant have a pet. Plus my dad HATES animals in the house, I mean hate hate hate hate!!!!! He grew up on a farm!!!!!! How coild he not whant a dog!?!?!?!? and so the dog would have to be a indoor animal... that wouldn't work because our neighbor hood dosn't allow fences wich wouldnt be a problem because we could get an electric fence!!!!im so confused please please please PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help!!!

 

[Sparx]

Your parents probably are going to take care of it. Dogs can live for years and years. You'll be going to college in a few years, and your dog will stay with them.

 

[AbsoluteAwesome1]

Begging and pleading doesn't work.
My best friend desperately wanted a dog, and after years of begging and pleading, she made a professional, sophisticated presentation to argue her point logically and collectedly.
If you argue childishly, your parents will be less likely to take your proposal seriously.
And if they don't ever take you seriously, well... you'll have time to have pets later.
If your parents are worried about having to take care of the dog when you go to college, you could adopt an elderly dog from an animal shelter... those dogs need homes the most anyway.

 

[Tinkerbell94]

I begged for a dog for 5 years. And trust me i said everything like "I'll take care of it!" and things like that. And i really did think that i would take care of it...my mom takes care of her now. as much as you might want to take care of it, most likely you wont have time. But a dog is a wonderful companion

 

[MickeyisBeast]

My brothers and I have always wanted a dog. When we begged, it got us no where. Two years ago, my dad decided he wanted a dog. We were more then excited, we promised to take care of him, walk him, feed him, watch over him, ect. We really thought we could do it all ourselves... but even the three of us couldn't take him on two walks a day, stay up late with him because he would cry in the middle of the nights, ect. Now, my parents do most of the work, with me helping the most of the kids.

But Jeter, our dog, is like a best friend to me. Dogs are really great 'friends' to have, they'll always be there for you

 

[tinker22]

But, College is years away from now!!!! I dont see why they would take care of it!!!! I toatlly would!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[~Serenity~]

Ask them what you have to do to prove you're mature enough to take care of a dog. Oh, and realize they are a lot of work.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

Dogs are a lot, lot, lot of work.

I had forgotten how much work they were when we got Cali last July. See, when we had our previous dog, I was 5, and I didn't remember the process.

Puppies, any dog really, will cry and whine for the first few nights home and I mean all. night. Cali did this for about two weeks, I slept on the floor beside her bed some nights. She sounded so pitiful and scared, that I stayed with her, and I didn't get any sleep. Eventually she started only crying in the early morning, and now she doesn't at all.

Potty training is really frustrating, too. You have to be around the dog 24/7 making sure you stop it immediately if they start to go somewhere in the house and take them outside. Dogs won't understand if you reprimand them after the fact.

Then there's the other training. Sit and stay are important, as well as trying to make sure it won't jump up on people, bite, etc.

My puppy chews through everything, she's got crazy sharp teeth, and even though she's a beagle, she needs toys meant for dogs much bigger than her. The first few days she: chewed through wires, dug into our leather sofa, and my other dog was obsessed with remote controls (taking the buttons out).

You have to research how much to feed your dog, and how much they need to be walked. And you must be diligent in both of these areas. We don't walk my dog much because of how much we play with her during the day (she constantly needs attention).

Not to mention the fact dogs are expensive. Food, toys, beds, carpet cleaners, trainers, bowls, tags, licenses, leashes, vaccinations, spay/neutering, and the actual price to adopt. Even if you rescue a dog (slightly cheaper than buying purebreds), the medical bills alone may add up.

In short, getting a dog is not a decision to be taken lightly. You'll be at school most of the day, don't kid yourself that you can take care of one to the attention it needs. Your parents need to love dogs too.

Remember: dogs are not accessories or fun playthings. They are living creatures who need plenty of care and if your whole family doesn't support the decision, it's not a good idea to get one.

 

[Savikins]

Try asking for a rat or a hamster first. They only live for a couple of years, and actually are more difficult to take care of then a dog (cleaning the cage and such). So if you can prove that you can take care of one of those I'm sure they'd let you have a dog.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

You have to prove your responsible enough first. I love animals, and I do know they're alot of work. That's probably why your dad doesn't like animals in the house, he'd be the one who had to do all the work.
I suggest baby sitting a dog for the weekend. If you have any friends with a dog, ask if you could have it over at your house and see if your parents are fine with it. Maybe they'll reconsider. If you're in high school though, I would just wait a couple years till you have your own place to take care of it.

 

[chisnpeke]

Unless there are allergies or something, I have a hard time understanding why parents don't let their kids get pets. I think every kid deserves a pet if they want one. However, if your parents TRULY do not want a dog then it's probably not the wisest idea to get one right now. If you don't take care of it like you promise (I think EVERY kid promises to take care of their pet but it doesn't happen that way , myself included) then your parents might come to resent the dog, which leads to animals just being taken to shelters and thrown out.

 

[dancer067]

I recently got a puppy (november) and they are A LOT of work.

You have to research what breed will work best for you and your family (ex. a lab isn't your best bet for a small appartment in the city) and find a breeder (or shelter) near by.

You have to get everything it needs, toys, food, potty bags, crate (if you want one), baby gates, playpen(if you want one), collar, leash, etc.

Puppies generaly need to go out every 1-2 hours. SLowly they go out less often, but still a few times a day. You'll need to house train your dog, depending on the breed, it can be hard or easy.

Most dogs need at least one daily walk. Other wise they'll bounce off the walls and eat your furniture and stuff like that.

You'll probably want/need to teach your dog basic commands (sit, stay, down, etc.) This can be tricky, but not always.

And your dog will need lots of love & affection. I'm NOT trying to convince you to not get a dog, I'm just informing you that it can be a lot of work. It is also EXTREMLY fun!!! I LOVE my dog!!! It is well worth it, but if you can't handle doing all of this work, Don't get a dog. Its not fair to you, your parents, or the dog if you get one and can't hamdle the responsibility. I hope all works out for you! (p.s. sorry this is pretty long!)