How can I persuade my parents to get a puppy?

Question

I'm 13 (almost 14) and I really want a puppy. I have wanted one since I was 7. I have told my parents loads of gd things about having them and all the advantages but whatever I say they say NO!!! It's not coz they h8 them coz they've both had dogz in the past. It might be to do with the fact that we arn't in the house all the time and it could get a bit lonely but if we arn't in the house 4 - 5 hours is that alrite if I played with it loads in the morning and afternoon. anyway any ideas on how to make them change there mind are soooo totaly wanted.

Thanks so much x

Answer 1

Since a puppy has to be left all alone for 5 hours or so, your parents may be right not to have one because a puppy could damage a lot of furniture in the house and it would be cruel to have it tied up.

Answer 2

keep askin and askin and sayy whyy mum and dad or save up 4 one and get it secretly lool thats wat i did

Answer 3

Hey im 13 and i have only just managed to get my dog! My parents didnt want a puppy but when i suggested rescuing they were all for it - try this ask them how they feel - ask them if you could go down to a shelter or apply for voulenteer work there to gain experience but at the end of the day your parents need to be 100% for it or else the dog will be unhappy  

Answer 4

i've tried to do this for years, but parents can be stubborn! if i was you i'd collect the money together to buy a puppy (which is a lot!) and go buy one and when your parents look shocked say, "sorry, they said i couldn't take it back" :) i guess in a dream land that would work :)  

Answer 5

I had this problem to but I've now got a girl dog called Mandy. I asked this question (look at the best answer):  

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Do what the best anawer says to do. Worked for me!

Answer 6

If I were one of your parents, the answer would still be "no", whatever methods of persuasion you tried.

Answer 7

They are probably worried that you will get bored with it and they will be left looking after it. Prove to them you are responsible and that you will look after it.

Answer 8

you should sit down with them and ask them why they dont want you to get a puppy,it could be something like they dont think you are mature enough but then you could show them that you are mature enough to look after a puppy just sit down with your parents and have a mature talk,do not whine or whinge because then they will keep saying no,good luck

Answer 9

well the first thing you have to do is convince them that you will take responsibility for your dog, for example feed him, clean him, book him into a kennel or friend if your on holiday. if they dont feel happy with the amount of exercise he is getting there are loads of breeds that DONT need alot of exercise, or you could share your dog with a friend that way they could exercise him when your out so you have nothing to worry about! If all that fails cats are really cutee to!

Answer 10

It's the principle behind the old salesmanship trick, borrow one from a friend for a while on any pre-text you like.

Show your parents how you look after it.

Answer 11

if you are nearly 14 and you get a dog that (hopefully if all goes well) lives for 13+ years, who is going to look after it when you move away from home, go to uni etc?? your parents are just thinking long term

Answer 12

They honestly don't need a reason to say no - as the supporting adult, what they say goes. They work hard pay for the house and they support you. If they don't want a dog.....

Sit down and calmly ask them why they don't want a dog. If you want you can present them with a list of responsibilities that YOU will do, and stuff that you need help with. Be honest - at 14 you can't do everything on your own.

I would also consider waiting until next summer to get a dog. With school coming up you won't be home often enough - it will make potty training and other types of training more difficult. If you wait another two years you'll be old enough to get a job and hey, you can help pay for the dog!

You said it yourself, they used to have dogs. That means they know how much money and work it is to have one. Accept what they say and move on. When you support yourself and have your own place, nothing (short of your husband) can stop you from getting your own dog.

Answer 13

go to the animal shelter and maybe your parents might feel sorry and adopt one for you.

Answer 14

Disadvantages in having a puppy:

1.  They really are a baby animal, just like any human baby.  They need a lot of time and attention especially in their first months of life.

They make puddles and p**p until they learn to go outside.

Are you happy and willing to clean up (properly) after your puppy, not only inside the house but in the garden and out on walks?

Do you have the time and patience to teach it to go outside for its toilet?

2.  They are an ongoing expense - once you have bought your puppy, it will need its first course of injections, and booster injections every year to keep it in good health.  Have you checked with your local Vet how much this will cost?

3.  Are you thinking of a male or female puppy?  Will you have it "fixed" so that it cannot reproduce?  Check out with your Vet how much this will cost?

4.  If you are going on holiday, can the dog come with you, or are you planning to put it into Kennels?  Check out with the local boarding kennels how much this will cost per week.

5.  If it is a dog which sheds hairs, are you willing to run the cleaner around the house for some 15 years - the dog and its mess will be your responsibility.  If you are thinking of a dog which will need to be clipped, do you know how much this will cost on a regular basis?  Check out prices at the local dog parlour.

6.  What will happen to the dog when you leave home in possibly as little as 4-5 years?

7.  A puppy which is left alone for 4-5 hours can cause an awful lot of damage as it becomes bored and starts to chew furniture, clothes, furnishings, etc.  It may also start howling from loneliness - how not to make friends with the neighbours.

Work out the answers to all of these problems so that your parents know you have thought through the responsibilities of dog ownership.

If there is a local dog rescue shelter within a reasonable distance, become a volunteer there - help to walk, feed and clean up after the dogs; your parents will then see that you are adult enough to accept that having a dog isn't all play.

You could start up a neighbourhood "business" of becoming a dog-walker.  Mail drop your neighbours that you are available to walk and feed their dogs.  This way you could make some extra pocket money to finance your own puppy and show your parents that you are responsible.