Ask them to picture how nice it will be to have a family dinner with the dog by your side, or to have a family movie night with the dog sitting at your feet.
Tell them that having a dog will help you to unplug and have a simpler mindset outside with your dog.
Homes that have dogs visible inside are much less likely to be robbed. Show your parents that a dog, once trained, will not only be your lifelong companion, but will also be your protector. If you’re old enough for your parents to go on vacation without you, tell them how much more secure you’d feel if there was a dog by your side.
Having a dog will teach you to follow a routine. You’ll have to feed, walk, and play with the dog at certain times. Having a dog will make you go to bed earlier and wake up earlier so you can walk it. No more staying up until three in the morning staring at your computer or TV screen. Tell them that having a dog will teach you the value of being responsible for another being.
Tell them about the strong suits and features of a particular breed of dog. Is it known for being easy to train, fiercely loyal, or just really cute? Explain what works best for training this breed of dog. Show them that you already know what to do to house train and teach the dog basic commands like “sit” and “stay. " Show them a picture of the dog or dog breed. Showing a picture of the dog to your parents may help to make them much more sympathetic. Who can resist a picture of a cute dog?
You can offer to do odd jobs around the neighborhood, deliver newspapers, or use your savings or birthday money to help with the cost of buying the dog.
Allow your parents to see you doing these chores, particularly the extra ones, without being asked or reminded to do them. This shows that you’re responsible, and that you can remember to do things like taking the dog for a walk.
If you decide to make a verbal promise to your parents, be as specific as you can. You might say, “I will keep my grades in math at an A. ” Or, “I will score an A on all of my science tests. ”
Tell them that you’ll get the dog plenty of chew toys to make sure the dog doesn’t chew the furniture. As for any loose cords or wires, tell them that you’ll tape or cover them up, which will make your house look more orderly anyway. Explain how you’ll prevent the dog from tracking dirt into the house. You can explain that you’ll clean the dog’s paws in the garage or the back porch before the dog sets foot into the house again. Discuss how you will prevent the dog from shedding too much. Dogs shed, but you can explain to your parents that you’ll make a cleaning schedule to clean up the fur. Let them know that you plan to give the dog a weekly bath, or bathe it however often is necessary for the breed.
