Teen's Desire For A Dog Turns Into Responsibility Nightmare As Mom Sets Rules
Maintaining a dog pet requires a significant amount of time, effort and resources. Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy, which can include walks, runs and playtime in the yard.
A minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended, but high-energy breeds like Australian Shepherds may require more. In addition to exercise, dogs need regular grooming to stay clean and prevent matting.
This can include brushing their coat, cleaning their ears and trimming their nails. Dogs also require regular veterinary care, including vaccinations and check-ups, to stay healthy.
Feeding a dog is a significant responsibility, and owners need to provide a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. Furthermore, dogs need training and socialization to become well-behaved and well-adjusted pets.
OP's daughter has been begging for a puppy, specifically an Australian Shepherd, but OP is determined to teach her the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. She lays out clear expectations, including taking the dog outside, playing with it, and contributing to its care through a reduced allowance.
OP's daughter is taken aback by the rules and feels overwhelmed, and OP's boyfriend seems to side with her, suggesting they'd rather OP handle most of the responsibilities. With OP already caring for her boyfriend's 3-year-old son and being home, the situation is complicated.
As tensions rise, it's unclear how this situation will play out.
Before agreeing to get the dog, OP wants to ensure her daughter understands the commitment involved
OP's daughter will be responsible for taking the dog outside when she is not at school
She told the OP that she wasn’t expecting all these rules when she asked to get a dog
OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the AH:
I told my daughter she will have to do some of the work if she wants a puppy and I may be the AH because while I am capable of doing all the work myself, I want to teach her.
We've gathered some of the most upvoted comments from other Redditors for you to read through below
Australian Shepherd are highly intelligent working dogs
The OP is being incredibly generous in this situation
The OP should simply answer no
The OP left this somewhere in the comments...
I said “I will train it as I feel like it will workout better”. I think I’m going to see if she would either be willing to get a different breed, or wait a few years and do her research then think about the Australian shepherd.
A dog is a lot of work and commitment
It should be a no until she's more grown up
She needs to see what an aussie really is
That type of dog breed is very high maintenance
OP's decision to set clear expectations for her daughter's responsibilities with the new puppy is a great way to teach her about pet ownership. However, her daughter's reaction shows her lack of knowledge to own a pet dog and the responsibilities that come with it.
OP already manages the household and caring for a 3-year-old, yet the boyfriend is being inconsiderate as he sidelined with OP’s daughter. As OP manages this situation, she'll likely learn more about her daughter's commitment if she truly wants the dog.
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