There is a truly special bond between dogs and kids, but not every kid gets to have her own dog. Sometimes you wonder how to convince your parents to get a dog. Yes, dogs can be messy, loud, expensive and lots of work — but that shouldn’t matter at all when it comes to those priceless, sloppy, wet kisses and warm greetings that only the family dog can bring! When your parents say “no dog” (and what do they know?), the discussion does not have to be over.
Here are some stories and tips on how to convince your parents to get a dog (from parents who eventually caved).
- Convince Them With Cuteness
Sometimes you have to go all out when it comes to convincing your parents to get you a dog, and that only means one thing — puppies. “My dad loves to tell the story of how I convinced him to get my own dog when I created my own 50-page PowerPoint presentation filled with pictures of cute puppies and reasons why we needed a new dog. What can I say? I wore him down intellectually,” says Erin Sonser of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqMvYopTVgw
- Jump Through Hoops
“A home just isn’t a home without a dog,” says Angie Hehn-King, dog rescuer and mom of six (three kids and three dogs) from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. She knows that some parents don’t want the responsibility of having a dog, but her kids were always great when it came to taking care of their fur buddies.She says, “I made my daughter jump through hoops to get her own dog. She had to come up with the money for the adoption, help me with chores around the house, and keep her room clean for months. I had a long list of requirements that I thought she’d never accomplish, but guess what? She did. So, she got her own dog, and took great care of her, too.”
- Be Proactive and Have a Plan of Attack
When Sabrina and Matt Wiewel’s daughter, Peyton, wanted a dog, they almost said no, but Peyton’s “Operation: Get a Puppy” finally wore them down to get her puppy, Parker. Watch this video and pay attention to her tactics, which include putting the dishes away, buying her parents thoughtful presents and making sure they’re in a good mood when she asks for a puppy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw7AbWjE9Hg
- Give Them No Other Choice
“I didn’t realize how much my daughter wanted a dog,” says Roz of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, “until I found my American Express card statement. She had paid for the adoption fees and supplies using my card, and hid her new dog in her room. When I went to confront her, she had me hold the little guy. What can I say? When she came back to return him to the shelter, I didn’t want to let him go. Those dog cuddles and kisses won me over.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE_Ikxt86yI
- Do Your Own Research
“My daughter, who was eight at the time, was obsessed with getting her own dog. For over a year, she read countless books on dog breeds, would talk ad nauseam about dogs and pretended her stuffed dogs were real. So one day, I decided to surprise her and her brother with a new dog.The surprise didn’t go as planned because the dog chewed his way off of the rope he was tied to, but I knew my kids would be great owners when they ran through the countryside for hours to find their new dog,” declares Bruce Steinacker of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
If your parents somehow still aren’t convinced that you need to get a dog, try having them read 10 Signs Your Family Is Ready for a Pet.
Amy Aitman is a freelance writer who writes lifestyle and parenting articles, including some for pet parents. She has her own little Westie, and 4-year-old that are best buds.
