I want a dog but my parents say no!?

Question

I'm 14 and I really want a small chihuahua. I would pay for it and I know about all the requirements it needs. Such as vaccinations, flea and worming, food etc. I have the money to pay for all of it as I do jobs for my mum. I have told my mum and step-dad how responsible i would be and that it wouldn't get in there way. They seem to think I will just leave it though and make them care for it. That wouldn't happen but they don't trust me. All its things would be in my room so it wouldn't get in the way. I barely do anything in the day cause i live in quite a boring place and if i got a dog it would be good when i go out and better for me instead of being on the computer all day. Whenever I bring the subject up- they both get annoyed. The family have a bichon frise but its so attached to my mum its not much fun. The only thing my mum would have to do is make sure it has enough food during the day when I'm at school. Then when i get back i would be able to look after it and take it out. I would make sure it was alwasy clean and could pay for puppy training classes. My parents thik it would be too much responsibility but i know it would be fine. please help me because i wanted to get one near my birthday in march.

Answer 1

How much have you saved up?? A chihuahua goes for about £1000, plus £70 Vaccinations, £100 on worming and flea treatments for a year. £10 a week on food..not to forget, bed, bowles, lead, collar. etcetc, + whos gonna look after it when you wanna go out in a couple of years and lose interest..

Answer 2

What your parent says goes.. Sorry, but that's the truth. Think of it like this. You can get as many as you want when you are older. You're parents may give in later.. but you need to show you're responsible to them. Do things for your current dog, like taking it for a walk, teaching it tricks and feeding it. If you can show them that you can care for a dog, they may warm up to the idea.

They may also be thinking that the dogs may not getting along, they may get into fights and that there would be a lot of tension. No one likes living in a hostile environment. Also think about when you go away to college (if you go), who would be left holding the leash. If you are planning on taking the dog with you, you may not be allowed to have the dog on campus.. if they allow them, what about giving it water during the day. Your parents may realize that you may not be able to take it with you. They are thinking about the future just like they are thinking about the present.

Answer 3

You are 14, where do you plan on getting the money to buy a dog, That will cost around $1,000.00 , then vet bills, food treats , license and also training

Remember this it is Mom and step Dads house or apartment and they pay all of the bills no you. so it  what they say that goes.   And by the way isn't dog enough?

Answer 4

Dog is not clean, you are not gonna like it

Answer 5

I'm sorry hon, but your parents are probably right. Very soon you'll be driving and hanging out with your friends more often. You cant take a dog to the mall or to the movies. What then? Eventually the dog will be on your parents.

But...you could try sowing them you're ready. Maybe get a hamster or somethhing less envasive.

Answer 6

haha i had the same problem, I did it behind my parents back and got a kitten and a 2 pups. a siamese and an american staffordshire terrier, and a rottweiler, sure they were mad, but now they have brought so much joy to our family!

Answer 7

Chihuahuas are great. I have had a female chihuahua since I was six, and I still have her. They are very playful and energetic and have wonderful unique personalities. However, they live for a long, LONG, time - like 19 years and they love attention. They can be left in the house alone or in the garden while everybody is at school or work, so long as they have shelter - if outside - and food and water. They also make great guard dogs. They get attatched to everybody in the house but will follow around the one that feeds it and plays with it, which is the person they like most and are completly devoted to. Tell your mum that a chihuahua would make great company for your bichon frise. But please dont dress it up, this is cruel. They are great dogs to have and I feel really bad for you.  

Answer 8

Im 14 too! i live in perth, australia and ive wanted a puppy for ages too!

but the thing is i already have a dog and cat and two bunnies.

anyway, i didnt have the bunnies till a few months ago and before that my family would force me to tears eveytime i brought it up.

the way i got my parents to say yes it to catch my dad a good time.

think when your mum and stepdad is at their best mood, in this case it was after my dad had a shower and lied in bed to read magazines. i hopped on the bed and gave him a hug and said in my sweetest voice, dad i need to talk to you about something...he new it was something serious and that i had my heart set on it, so i told him that would look after everything and pay for it etc as i have a job. he accepted and gave me a hug:)

it seems like you deserve a dog! and have the right life to take care of it.

give them time! but still bug them every now and then so they know your still interested!

and just believe that you WILL GET A DOG!

please send me photos of your little bundle of joy when you get him/her

my email is [e-mail]

hope this helped,

all the best!

Answer 9

Hey!

I had the same problem- but i managed to solve it! so listen up! ;D

You're in a better situation than me to start with- you already have a dog. no i don't mean so you're lucky to have it, but you can prove you'd care for a new one by caring for this one.

Take him for walks ALL the time, feed him and take really good care, even if it isn't much fun with a dog that you're not close to it will show your parents that you're willing to care for a dog.

You should consider advertising for dog walking, or volunteer at a rescue centre, this REALLY will show your devotion.

Sell stuff on ebay, and save up- even though you have enough money already showing that you're making extra effort helps.

Keep this money in a jar and work out a budget to spend on the dog itself/initial costs eg bedding toys/food weekly/vets bills etc.

With this it shows you're looking into the future and not planning on giving up after the first day.

Remember you can get things for him cheaper of ebay- so really hunt for bargains!!!

Make room in your bedroom, and make it dog-friendly with nothing he can detroy in sight, even make a space for his bed.

Set up a timeable for when you'll do your homework, walk play with and train him, and have some "me time". with this your parents can see you'll have the time to care for him.

Next just explain to them how much it means to you, and point out how well you've cared for the other dog, you may need to do this for about a month though.

Good luck and i hope it works!!

xxxxx

Answer 10

oh my god im 14 too and i hv a retriver and want a matepoo.

and my mum says no but dad will let me

um try borowing a dog or asking to look after it for like a week frm a friend or wat wud also work is if u go to rspca and ask them if u cud foster and they mite hv a chuhawa and normally they dnt let u give the dog back anyway so u wud end up keeping it:) show u can look after it the foster one:)

my frend di d it and ended up keeping it.

pls answer my question about mateepoos")

Answer 11

First of all you are dependent on the money received from your mother for upkeep on this dog.  Food and treats are expensive.  Unless she gives you a small fortune you won't be able to feed, vaccinate, take it to the doctor when it gets sick, training classes, etc.  A dog is like a child, it is totally dependent on you.  It is a life long commitment not to be taken lightly.  You and that pup will be together forever.  Like you stated you will need someone to help when you are in school.  So, it won't be just you taking care of it.  If you go places like most teens, who will take care of it?  You can't take it just anywhere.  I hate to say it but I understand mum's point.

Answer 12

A puppy sounds great for the first couple of weeks until the excitement wears off and she starts chewing your favourite pair of shoes, you want to go out shooping with your mates but you cant cuz you need the money to buy the dog food or she cant be left alone so you have to stay at home. In winter when its freezing and raining you have to get up early to take her for a walk before school, you have to clean up her p**p. Its not a pretty job, i think your better off spending the money on yourself, having a lie in and having all the time to yourself!

Answer 13

You can't force you parents to change their mind. However, you could go to a neighbour's house and take care of their dog or if a family member has a dog, go and help out with the dog. Once your parents see that you can be responsible with a dog, maybe they'll change their mind! Hope this helps!! :)