I'm usually of the if you get it, you are stuck with it. Heck one of my friends currently has custody arrangements with her ex for the dog that rival anything people do with their kids.

But I do think the if the family really is committed to them being the dog carers they have to understand Mom isn't the back up if Mom does not want to be the back up. And I'm not big on making threats you aren't going to follow through on. Should there be another family member or friend who would be the home the dog would go to on a permanent basis then it could be viable.

Either that or make sure the kids know that their allowance money (and all future allowance money for as long as it will take to pay it off, as well as having their wages garnished if need be once they are old enough to work) is going to pay for the doggie daycare center, the doggie walker, the doggie clean up person, etc.

If there is no real consequence to the kids (with husband there are usually special not PG-13 threats that can be followed through on) they will care for the dog for a day or a week and then be on to the next thing they want to beg for.