How to get parents to get me a puppy?

Hi! It's a week until my birthday and I want a new German shepherd puppy so bad. We already have a shep and a mini schnauzer, but the schnauzer is old and about to pass and the shep is my moms, who never trained him so he's wild and can't go on walks and such, and sleeps in her room. I want a puppy of my own, that I will actually train and take everywhere with me... She keeps saying "We already have a dog!" And I'm like "No...you have a dog that no one can do anything with..." So I need some help here. How do I get them to agree? Thanks!!!

Ok, so being a parent and a pet owner I have to point out a few things. This is not to be rude, but to help you think from a parents point of view, which if you can do that may help you get a dog or see your parents point.

1. Pure breed dogs cost a ton! They also have more problems. Like joint and hip problems you might want to research (could help you if you already have researched when your parents bring it up)

2. Dogs live a long time. Like 16 years. Not knowing how old you are I can only guess, high school maybe? That means when you go to collage who will be taking care of your dog? Renting with pets is hard and if makes finding a place harder and more expensive. How will you afford that?

3. Vet bills! Flea meds! As I said pure breeds often have more issues and it's expensive! My dog has a flea allergy, she always has to be on flea meds. If not she will bite herself raw. She's also allergic to bees. She almost died once when stung.... that was a vet bill!

4. Dog food! We get are animals good food and it costs a lot! But better food means healthier pets.

5. Walks and training. German sheaperds need lots of excersize! Look up what is recommended or the bread and really think about if you can do that every day! Also, they can be very aggressive! We had one growing up. He was great, but even after training and walks and everything he was extremely aggressive if he persived someone new as a threat. We had to talk to the breader and trainers. Some are just more aggressive and it can be very hard to brake that. As a young child I was bit by a German sheaperd who had irresponsible owners and still have scares from it, that can be a huge law suit. Just something to think about.

These are some of the things your parents will very likely bring up. I suggest you do lots of research, figure out what to do and how to pay for everything. Write down a plan. Think of it as an essay homework assignment. Make your argument and have all the questions answered before they can be asked. But remember this isn't something you can just stop playing with when your done, it's a living creature that will be around a long time, so think carefully about it. If you show you have seriously thought about it, you have a better shot.

I convinced my parents to let me have a dog by telling them I'd buy it myself (I did. She's PB as well). However, I was homeschooled so I had time to train her and spend all the time I had with her. My best advice, is show you're responsible enough for a dog, do your research (Lots of it), as well as remembering what Alice said. Dogs are expensive, especially a large dog like a german shepherd; You need toys, lots of food, not to mention a lot of time, so that's probably why your parents are against it. After doing a lot of research, locate a GS breeder. Search their background, check the price of their puppies, make sure they're within driving distance. Don't get your hopes too high, but it can help show them you are really serious in wanting a dog.

Puppies are a handful, so I suggest asking for an adult dog. And puppies from pet stores are expensive, and it supports puppy mills, which is an awful industry. A local shelter may have a puppy if you really want a puppy, or they may have a trained adult.
Good luck!

roostersandhens said:

Puppies are a handful, so I suggest asking for an adult dog. And puppies from pet stores are expensive, and it supports puppy mills, which is an awful industry. A local shelter may have a puppy if you really want a puppy, or they may have a trained adult.
Good luck!

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So very true!

b.hromada said:

   So very true!

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X2! it's illegal in my state to sell puppies at pet stores because of puppy mills. Also when I met my husband his dog (a pound puppy) was two years old. She is so wonderful and I love her so much. I think she likes me more them him now! Lol! Nothing wrong with getting a dog a little older. Also way cheaper to get a dog from a pound, they come fixed and with all shots and most people want a puppy, so you get lots of options of dogs if you are willing to go with one around one or two years (or older).

From a parent's point of view......

You could try compromising by choosing a smaller breed. One that is known to be not quite as active as a GSD.

Or a second option.......check out the local pound. I have seen some very promising dogs at our local shelter.

Perhaps your Mom just doesn't want to struggle through the stages in a puppy's life/training. Puppies can chew through a lot of stuff before growing up..... And don't forget the house training nightmares.

Good luck and happy birthday!

what research have you done on GSDs? health problems, the different lines, health guarantees, how to choose a good breeder, price range in your area.
How old are you?
What plans to do have to cover the training that the dog will need.
The time required for housebreeaking a new puppy, teaching basic manners, and daily life.
Are you involved in lots of activities that require that you be gone a lot?
How close are you to graduating high school?
Do you plan to go to college or straight to work?
Will you live at home or move out?
Do you want to get involved in dog sports or just have a loving pet?

Most important, sit down and ask your parents what their issues are with having another dog. Is it the amount of money involved in purchasing? the vet bills? the training expense?

There are lots of purebred GSDs in shelters if purchase price is a concern (a well-bred GSD is going to run around $1200-$1500 for a working line dog and $2000-$2500 for a showline dog). Don't skimp and buy a cheaper dog that you see advertised in the paper or on Craigslist. Do lots of research on how to find a good breeder and if that isn't an option for you, then only go through rescue or the shelter.

A well-bred dog from a responsible breeder isn't going to have more health problems; it will have less. Poorly bred purebreds are all the experience that most people have with purebred dogs. Careful breeding stacks the odds in your favor of having a healthy dog