Getting a dog means you will have a best friend who will always be by your side and will love you no matter what.
But sometimes, parents just can’t be bothered to look past the responsibility of owning one, so you will have to figure out how to convince your parents to get a dog.
How To Convince Your Parents To Get A Dog: Dos
01Do: Research And Create A Schedule
Before you decide on what dog breed you wish to adopt, you need to do your research on the various dog breeds so that you know how to convince your parents to get a dog. Every dog breed is different, and they all have different needs and requirements.
Create a schedule for your dog which includes feeding times, walking times, grooming times, when you will give your dog a bath, when you will train it, and so on. This will show your parents that you are preparing for this new responsibility.
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02Do: Explain How The Expenses Will Be Covered
If you are adopting a dog, the fees will obviously be lower. However, if you want a pure bred from a dog breeder, your family will be looking at a pretty penny.
Explaining that the fees at dog rescue shelters go towards keeping the shelter running and helping to rescue other dogs is sure to convince them to fork out the fees. However, if you are old enough to get a part-time job, you can assure them that the fees will be covered by your earnings.
If you really want to know how to convince your parents to get a dog, you better pay close attention to this tip. These points are what will really sell the idea to your parents.
List the following benefits:
• Owing a dog teaches you responsibility
• Owning a dog makes you to spend more time outdoors instead of inside, playing video games or on the Internet
• Dogs help to secure your home and will ward off intruders. They will also attack them or warn you of their presence
• Dogs will bring joy and happiness into the household
Photo by James Kresser under Unsplash license
How To Convince Your Parents To Get A Dog : Don’ts
01Don’t: Be a Brat If They Say No
If your parents say no the first time you ask if you can get a dog, the worst thing you can do is throw a tantrum. This will completely ruin your chances when asking again in the future.
Instead, find out the reason for the answer they gave and work on addressing those issues.
For instance, if they say no because you are irresponsible, find ways to prove to them that you can be responsible like cleaning your room without your Mom having to complain, or do the dishes without being asked. You can also take the initiative to do tasks they would normally do for you, like making your own breakfast and even going as far as to make breakfast for the entire family.
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Sharon McCutcheon under unsplash license
02Don’t: Lie
When you bring up the question of getting a family dog, your parents will, of course, have some questions for you. They will want to know where the dog will come from, and other things such as who will take care of it and how much it will cost.
It is important that you are completely honest, as lying could turn their minds away from granting your request. If you genuinely do not have an answer for a question, instead of making something up, be truthful and explain that you do not know now, but you will do the appropriate research to find out.
Photo by Schwerdhoefer under Pixabay license
03Don’t: Get The Dog Even If They Say No
Even if you are old enough to adopt the dog by yourself or have an older family member who is willing to do so on your behalf, do not get the dog behind your parent’s back. You will not want to face the disappointment of having to bring the dog back and this may ruin your chances of ever getting a dog in the future.
Now that you know what you should and should not do when it comes to getting a dog, here are a few things you can say that will help to convince them.
01You won’t have to do anything, I’ll take care of everything
Most of the times parent say no because they do not want the additional responsibility, especially if they have a busy life. By doing this, you will take that potential burden off their minds.
Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi under Pexels License
02He can protect us
If you live in a dangerous neighborhood prone to break-ins, your family will need some sort of security. Getting a dog is much cheaper and is highly effective.
03It will make me really happy
Your parents love you and want you to be happy and will do whatever it takes to keep you happy. If having a dog does that, then they will say yes.
04Getting a dog will make me more responsible
One job of parents is to prepare their child for adulthood. If you indicate to them that caring for an animal is a way to do this, they won’t say no.
05It’s the only thing I want for my birthday
Having birthday parties can be very expensive. By telling them that it is the only thing you want, they will look at it as if you are doing them a favor.
Photo by nmiranda under pixabay license
06Rescuing a dog from a shelter is cheaper than buying one
Parents already have bills and other expenses and do not want anything else on their plate. By choosing to adopt from a shelter, you are saving them a lot of money while doing a good thing and getting exactly what you want.
If you are an only child, parents sometimes get worried because you don’t have any siblings to share memories with. By getting a dog, you will always have a companion.
08A house isn’t a home without a dog
The picture of the perfect family always includes a dog. Use this idea to convince them.
09A dog will make the family healthier
One of the perks of having a dog is you will have something to play with. But this playing is actually a form of exercise and everyone in the family could actually use some.
Photo by Kai-Chieh Chan under pexels license
10This dog won’t…
Different breeds have different character traits. Some are aggressive, while others are full of energy and are extremely active. Other dogs are calm and rarely bark. Appeal to their needs.
More Things You Can Say To Convince Them Even If They Say No
11I’ll do better in school
A lot of times, parents say no because you are not doing well in school and believe a dog will only be a distraction. By making a deal to do better, and actually doing better, you are guaranteed a furry friend.
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12I’ll take care of our neighbor’s dog to prove I can take care of my own dog
Other times parents say no because they don’t think you are able to manage the responsibility. By showing them you can take care of another person’s dog, it will prove to them that you are ready for your own.
13We can get a dog instead of a puppy
Puppies are cute but they are often a handful, especially when untrained. Adopting a dog means that they are trained and will be obedient (and not destroy the house).
14Every family in the neighborhood has one
No one likes to be left out. By bringing this up they are sure to reconsider their decision!
15He won’t stay in the house
It is no secret that dogs can create messes. Bring up the idea of getting a dog house in the backyard.
Image from Pixabay under CCO License
16We will be saving it from a life of loneliness and abuse
Dogs are put in shelters because they were abandoned or abused. Appeal to your parents’ emotions and have them sympathize with strays.
17I saved my own money
The cost of going to the vet, buying pet food, doggy toys and so on, can be pricey. If you have your own money to do so it just might convince them to let you get a dog.
Dog-sitting can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days or even a few weeks. During this time your parents will fall in love with the idea of getting a dog.
19Getting a dog isn’t as bad as you think
This will get them listening and will give you time to debunk any myths, reassure them and convince them that you deserve a dog!
Photo by Brett Sayles under pexels license
20Can we revisit this topic later?
By respecting their decision instead of lashing out, you will appear to be mature and your parents might even reconsider their decision on the spot.
Now that you know how to convince your parents to get a dog, your first time asking should be a breeze. Just remember, don’t be discouraged if they say no, you can always manage to convince them later once you follow these tips!
