RE: Help me convince!
 

Easy "kid". TE is giving you feedback he feels important enough to share regarding your situation. He didn't sugar coat it but you did post a question that opens up a lot of feelings for dog owners. TE wants what is best for you and any dog you may get I'm sure. He is right to tell you to study your a%% off. Get a solid foundation for your future income in college and you will find many things in life will come easier. That includes everything from the truck you drive to the hook you hang your hat on and the places you get to go to hunt.
I am sorry to hear about the situation with your father. My wife's family has a history of the same disease and her cousins shake already. Makes it hard for one of them when he is hunting. He has muffed up 4 gobblers in 4 years that I've called for him. Good luck with your endeavors in school and the pursuit of Ditch Parrots around Garden City.

RE: Help me convince!
 

It sounds as though you have realy put a lot of thought into this. perhaps the next step you should take is to talk to your grandparents and ask their imput. If you did atend college there would they be able to house your dog?

Next try writing out a 'dog budget' Fugure out the cost of food, and training supplies, then the cost of routine vet exams and vacinations. Then add in some emergency money. Detirmine if this is something that you can afford on your own. Also keep in mind if all yor moeny goes to a dog, what are you not going to be able to spend it one that you may presently buy. Perhaps note that as well.

Figure out how much time you would reasonably be able to spend training and working with a dog and put that down. Make a rough draft for a training schedule.

Do some breed research on the type of dog you want and the breeder you would like to buy from and how you will pay for it.

Also come up with a plan for where you are going to keep the dog when your away at school - like a kennel. Try to think of what you can do when the dog is a pup and not housebroke to minumize the impact on your mom.

Once you have all of this planned out and written down, ask your mom if she would be willing to listen as you present your data. Tell her you have spent weeks or however much time it took to gather all of the information and that you have tried to come up with a way to make it easy on her. If you can put all of it it in writing like a book report you will probably impress her. It is not a garantee but even if it doesn't happen I am sure she will be proud of the work you put in. Plus if you do 4H, you will have to do similar trackign of expenses and time anyway and it would be good practice. Remember it is ultimatly her decision. Plus you may want o quit bugging her about it for now. If you keep at it she will probably get annoyed and then you have no chance with presenting your facts.

If you need any help figureing how much a dog cost I am sure anyone here would be willing to help you.

Good Luck!

RE: Help me convince!
 

Thanks again for all the comments,

I'v only asked my mom about a dog a couple of times and maybe that was around a year ago and when she said no I didnt pursue it any further. I'v kept my wanting a dog of my own on the quiet side.

As for most the the ideas I'v already done.

I'v already made a budget and from what reasearch I'v done it would cost me around 600 dollars yearly to care for a dog. Thats paying for it on my own. Both of my uncles on both sides of the family are dog breeders and owners. They could help with training equipment and anything else involving a dog.

I'v already researched breeds. I'm looking for a German Shorthair Pointer
or a Lab. I'v researched what medical conditions each breed of dogs are prone to.

Since my mom is the County 4-H agent it would be a plus to mention the dog as part of a project.

RE: Help me convince!
 

433 food 25/bag/3 weeks
135 all first yr shots/exam fee DLHPP/Kennel Cough/rabies
20 wormer at home administration
100 flea treat (4 times at $25.00)
20 collars (you will need a few as pup grows
20 leashes (fit and show and obediance leashes)
25 grooming suplies (nail clippers, tooth brush, ear cleaner, miscl)
50 dummies/whistles
100 live birds for training
50 chew toys for teething
15 AKC registration fee
175 electronic collar (for feild training)
500 price of purebred pup if not from family
*****************************************
$1,643 for first year expenses

RE: Help me convince!
 

Yes very true except I have most of those products or can get them for no charge.

All ready have
Collars
leashes
grooming supplies
dummys and whistles
chew toys
electric collar
and I dont plan on spending $500 for a pup, at most $250

Deducting those items it comes out to $938, I plan on cutting costs as much as I can if I get a dog anyways

RE: Help me convince!
 

KID that was not personnel attack, its sound advice based on information you have given and life experience. The choices you make in life good or bad will have lasting affect on your future.

That’s awesome LB. My own calculations came to 1,760.00$ and I will add 200$ for unexpected vet bill for total 1,960.00$.

This is overly simplistic, and was the question posed to me before I was ready to own and train a dog.

Can you afford a child? Time and $$$.

Good luck




TE

RE: Help me convince!
 

Let us know how it goes!