How can I convince my dad that.......?

Question

We (me and mum) were looking on the RSPCA website for another dog and we found a lurcher x with only 3 legs. Now my dad said the next dog we get he would like to be brindle (not compulsory) and this one we found happens to be Brindle. We showed her to my gran and grandad because well we at their house and grandad said seen as mum cannot go on holiday with them because of her working hours that he will pay for the dog if we decide to have her. 

However my sister and dad keep saying no. We asked them why and my sister came out a number of excuses such as:
Our greyhound is too rough (yer right)
I don't want it because she looks to much like a greyhound and I don't like greyhounds,
I said lurchers are not greyhound and that this is a Lurcher x any way she said
Don't care it will be boring just like Lily any way ( Our greyhound is not boring)

Dad said he doesn't want her because she's only got 3 legs and there will be too many problems.
I know when that my sister wats a dog that she thinks she will be able to play rough with  but I also know that once she gets to know the dog she will get over it.

My real question is how can I convince my dad that dogs can live quiet happily with just 3 legs?

philospher77 · Accepted Answer

First off, let me say that I own a three-legged greyhound.  So yes, they can be perfectly happy with three legs.  But it's not the same as having a four-legged dog, and may not be the right match for your family.  She can't go on walks any where near as long as she used to do, she doesn't go running around like mad like she used to do, it puts more stress on the remaining legs, etc.  She's a fairly recent tripod... just a bit over a month now, so this may change as she gets used to it and builds up some strength in the other muscles.

It sounds to me like your dad and sister may be looking for a dog that is slightly more playful and energetic than a greyhound/lurcher.  That's not "wrong", it's just what they want.  I love my greyhounds, but I do know that there are people who would probably find their mellow disposition "boing" instead of "relaxing".  You have one greyhound, it might be better for the family to get a slightly more energetic breed so that your sister can have the kind of dog that she can rough house with.  Put yourself in her shoes:  what if you had border collies already, and you wanted a greyhound, and your sister kept insisting that you should want a border collie?  It's not going to make you want one, right, and may make you even more insistent that you get a greyhound, right?  That's what you are doing in this case.

If you went up to your dad and sister and said that you see their point, and maybe a different dog would be a better fit, you are much more likely to get a second dog.  It probably won't be the lurcher you are looking at, but you haven't actually said anything about why you want one, just why the others don't, so it may all work out in the end.

Fail · Answer

Maybe you could try telling him that because the dog has 3 legs it doesnt mean it will be trouble.  It just means that it needs a little extra TLC.  Plus, if that kind of stuff works on your dad, try to guilt him, by saying stuff like if every dad were like you, this dog would never gets a home....  Hope this helped.

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How can I convince my dad that.......?

2 Answers