I am a teenager and have been wanting a dog for four years. My parents are against the idea. Has anyone got any tips (apart from 'wait until you get a job')

An au pair is home most of the time and the dog can be walked to school and back (80 minutes in total) and given 30 min playtime/free run in the local park every day.
It can also be groomed every day if required. In the weekend, it can have longer free runs, playtime and walks etc. Please help me (and give me an idea on what breed [I know that's a bit optimistic])

PsPlease reply, because someone in my class is getting a puppy and is telling everyone, which makes me VERY jealous. This, coupled with the fact I don't like the person and have been wantng a dog for much longer, is getting me down. I don't like feeling 'down'. :'(

Hi Teenage Guest

You seem to have looked into most things quite thorougly. Hopefully someone will be along soon, with more advice.

good luck :)

liberty

Hi
what are your parents reasons for not wanting a dog??
Have you sat down with them in a mature,reasonable manner and asked if you can discuss the situation.Maybe if you know why they don't want a dog you can try to solve the problem.However if its not something which can be sorted out then maybe you could walk some neighbours dogs and you never know if you stuck at it your parents may see how dedicated you are and re-think.
At the end of the day though it is your parents house and it is their decision...your day will come and then you can fill your home with 4 legged friends like the rest of us head cases.!!!
Archer.

Hiya
As you probably know, having a dog is HUGE commitment and takes a lot of thought. For example, what happens when you go on holiday? what happens about vet bills? Which breed would be most suitable?
Dogs are expensive and are like children in the fact that they require a lot of human contact.
Have you costed up what it would cost per week? that means food, medical expenses etc.
You say you are a teenager but not specified what age. I hope you dont take this the wrong way, but maybe you havent gone into this with enough thought. I dont doubt you desperatly want one, I felt the same way when i was much younger, but I luckily managed to wear my dad away to allowing me to get one. But before I did this, I costed out what we would be paying, which breed would be best (and which I would like), what would happen about holidays, where to find a good breeder, etc etc etc. I spent years working this out.
A dog can be seen as a huge hinderance and can put a stop to a lot of things in life.
I can understand what you say about feeling jealous about someone in your class having a puppy, but I cannot emphasise enough to you that your time WILL come. I know at the moment it seems really unfair and Im sure you have had many arguments over it with your parents, but they arent saying "no" to spite you. You, like me, will get your time, and when you do, you will REALLY appreciate it!!
In the mean time. Hire books from the library, look into breeds ( or rescue centres). Decide which size would be best, decide how much excersise you could give it ( if it is minimal, then dont go for a border collie etc), cost up what everything would cost (vets fees can be VERY expensive, spaying, vaccinating, checkups alnoe cost the earth, then add onto that any unforseen circumstances which you WILL get, every dog owner does)
Saying wait till you get a job would be silly and I dont think anyone on here would say that. Have a read of some of the other posts. It takes a lot to make a full time job and a dog work, some people are very lucky and can make it work well, but are you one of those?
Why not try dog walking for people? Help out in kennels/rescue centres?
Join up as a member here and you can keep in touch with us. We can offer you any help you might need.
Good luck
steph
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