[elkiebean]

Hi, i am new to this forum and i love dogs :-)

I am 17 and have been asking my dad to get a dog for over 5 years, he still says no. I have looked after many dogs in the past including a King Charles Spaniel, Airedale and a Husky so i know what to do and all of the basics of caring for a dog. A friend also lets me help care for her dog and she has taught me a lot about training.

i live near a common so plenty of space to walk and i have a good sized garden.

i have found a rescue dog that is perfect, he is a 4 year old male airedale and my dad likes airedales but he is just ignoring it all.

I have an active lifestlye and when im older am planning to get a job with horses so having a dog in the future shouldnt be a problem.

i need help, does anyone have any advice, thanks :-)

[Lara's mom]

Unfortunately, as long as you live under your father's roof, his rules apply. Also, you mentioned that you're seventeen years old which means you will more than likely be off to university in the not so distant future. What happens to the dog then?

Having a dog is a huge responsibility, emotionally, financially and time-wise. Deciding to take a dog into your life is not a decision to be taken lightly. Honestly, I think you should wait until your life is a great deal more stable before even thinking of getting a dog.

[elkiebean]

i understand what you are saying but i have no interest in going to university and so there is no problem there.
i know they are a huge responsibility, i have a horse which has a lot of responibility with it and so i rreally do understand.

it is just sooo frustrating when it is really all you want anad you watch all these people who have dogs and i just feel like i am missing sooo much.

i know i would be a good owner as i love going on walks so it would always get plenty of exercise.

i get where my dad is coming from but it is the most frustrating thing ever :-(

[Lara's mom]

Lets just say for the sake of argument that your father said you could have the dog. How would you pay for the cost of the animal, the medical treatment, the spay/neuter, toys, high quality food, any emergencies that could come up (and, trust me, they will!)? Where would the dog be while you're at work?

Are you already paying for the upkeep of your horse? That has to be expensive. Add onto that the cost of raising and maintaining a dog and you're talking about big bucks. Do you have the financial stability at seventeen to take on those responsibilities?

I know it seems as if I'm trying to "rain on your parade" but, I'm not. I've just seen too many people take on the responsibility of animals before they had the means to do so and, it ended up in heartbreak all around. They found that for various reasons, they were unable to keep the dog and were absolutely devastated when they had to give it up. The dog, who had no idea why he/she was being sent away also suffered terribly. When the time is right and you're financially secure and living in your own space, you'll have your dog and I have no doubt that you'll be a wonderful parent. It's just that right now, the time isn't right.

[Lunareclipse]

Get a job and get your own place before getting a dog.

[lil mutt]

I hope you are ready now for the responsibilities of owning a dog. From feeding it, giving baths, making sure that it's getting a proper nutrion and the like...

[elkiebean]

thanks for the replies, my dad has nothing to do with the horse she is my mums, i help her by riding etc...

i have a good paid job and i know if he said yes he would help out with the costs as he knows i dont have enough money by myself.

i know that if we got a dog my dad would enjoy it, he liked the dogs we looked after and going on walks etc.

its just very frustrating! :-(

[Lunareclipse]

If you do not have the patience to wait until you get your own place, what makes you think you have the patience to train and take care of a dog?

[elkiebean]

ok dont talk to me about patience, my horse was off work for 3 months, in her stable, i couldnt even take her out, the 7 months after that i was bringing her back into work, that was for the first 3 months just walking working up from 10 mins to an hour.

i have the patience to train and care for a dog, i am just frustrated that i cant have one, its hard to see it from my point of view when you have a dog of your own to care for, take for walks and train, i dont have any of that.

[Lara's mom]

I don't doubt for a moment that you'd be a good dog parent. However, your father doesn't want a dog and you still live under his roof. Therefore, until you are independent, his rules apply. It sucks but, that's the reality of the situation.

The day will come (sooner than you imagine) when you'll have your own place. At that time, you're free to make your own decisions. However, as long as you're living under your fathers roof, he has the last word.