For 18 year old son to get a dog

[Sadless]

Aibu to think it's a stupid idea for my 18 year old son to get a dog off Facebook for free. He doesn't live at home he lives in a shared house that doesn't allow animals so his friend and girlfriend will have it staying at there houses. But he will be responsible for it he doesn't work so is living off less then £300 a month.

Poor dog

He is clearly not at the right stage in his life to take on a dog. Why does he want one and why would anyone pick this particular dog? Most dogs have some physical charm. This one hasn't.

There are 2 questions here:-

1. Is getting a dog from Facebook a stupid idea? Answer - yes (mostly) - unknown breeding lines, often irresponsibly bred (you alluded to already knowing this was likely), possible medical problems etc etc.

1. Is an 18 year old getting a dog a stupid idea? Answer - it depends. Is he responsible enough to walk it, consistent enough to train it, affluent enough to pay for food, worming tablets, flea tablets, collars, leads, hoovers for the inevitable hair, towels, shampoo, etc etc, or will the dog help him learn to become responsible enough etc. That one is tricky as we don't know him, but the fact you are asking the question is possibly an indicator.

I work at a vets. I am so bloody fed up of idiots who 'rescue' animals, when they do not have the appropriate housing for them, and cannot afford to feed and worm their animals, let alone pay for vet treatment when it is necessary. It's selfish.

YANBU. But since your son is an adult who does not live with you there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. I think you'll just have to sit back and watch him learn this one the hard way.

I guess he just wants something to look after. Could you buy him a goldfish?

I have to disagree looks just like my 2year old lab who comes from champions and definitely isn't a mutt. What he will be though (probably) is adorably? boisterous and needing lots of training and walks and not a great idea to leave him alone too much. Poor pup he deserves better.

Yep absolutely this. 🌹

Your son is an idiot. I loathe people that get animals with no ability to look after them!

Looks like it could be a cane corso mix

I recognise your username so this is just one thing in a long line of stuff that happens

Looks like a lab x Great Dane to me. This is a VERY BAD IDEA. Try and talk him out of it. Do any of these young people - DS / GF / friend - work? If they DO work dog will be left home alone, not exercised enough. If they DONT work they won’t be able to pay vets bills which are eye watering nowadays. Dog needs a spay and could have other health issues. Sounds like it has behavioural issues - doesn’t like own puppies. Just no.

Not only stupid but unkind to the dog and asking for it to develop behavioural issues on top of any it might already have. That looks part labrador, part Weimeraner to me. It must be pretty big.

My thought was Great Dane/Labrador mix.

How is he going to be responsible for a dog not living at his house. Is he going to be sofa surfing at friend’s house? Definitely

His friend stops at his dad's house what his dad inherited but its an abandoned house. I think it has electric but no gas there's not even a kitchen in it and it's got rats. The girlfriend his in supported housing but it's a flat. I have spoke to him and I am hoping he doesn't get the dog. He could look after a dog but it's alot more then that having a animal especially in his situation.

Looks like a cane corso, they grow quite big, my friends weighs 8 stone. They do require a fair bit of training.

there’s no way the dog is flat friendly. So he’s planning to house the dog in an abandoned house. Leave it there?
this gets worse

Realistically what input have you got into this decision? It sounds like you know its a terrible idea already.

Is your son an idiot as many others have said or vulnerable? It sounds like he is vulnerable to me, young, living in shared housing, low income, prime for people to take advantage unfortunately.

If he loves animals and wants his Own I wonder if he would be Interested in helping out at a rescue to walk dogs etc, get that "pet" fix in a constructive way.

I think he's not thinking it through properly but sometimes he's like you tell him not to put his hand in the fire then his does. But he's 18 now won't listen to advice off anyone he can be hard work.

Well, nobody is going to say it’s a good idea, are they?

But people make stupid decisions and there you go.

Tell him all the reasons why (in a list of: these are my concerns - including insurance - way, rather a list of all the reasons you’re a dick). Then refuse to help in any way - practical or financial. He’ll dump it on a shelter or other person soon enough 🤷🏻‍♀️

Don't forget to remind him he'll have to sort the dog's care before going on holiday / away for the weekend / any overnight stays. That might put him off?

Dogs cost thousands of pounds per year to keep properly and safely.

Facebook is not the place to get a dog.

Regardless of breed I would be surprised if a dog being given away on Facebook didn't have some health or behavioural issues.

If he wants a dog, he should go via a rescue.

My neighbours son got a dog and it was a five minute wonder, now his parents are doing all the care.
I would tell son better for the dog to find a more stable home, his living conditions or finances are not suitable and not fair on the dog. Dogs are an enormous commitment.

That looks like a cane corso to me.

Not a breed for a young, inexperienced owner, & that's before even considering his current housing situation.

Absolutely not, he shouldn’t do this. Dogs shouldn’t be given away on Facebook and he has no idea about this dogs history, temperament etc. Tell him to go to a rescue if he wants a dog, and I’d be telling him how much of a commitment they are