A new puppy for the Holidays? Think twice! While another cuddly dog may seem like a wonderful addition to your family, remember that the Holidays can be a stressful and chaotic time. All the distractions can keep the new dog from getting the time and attention he needs – you’ll certainly be spending less time at home, not to mention you might even be taking a vacation. And it’s always best to separate such a major decision from the emotion of the Holidays.
Make sure to do your homework first, just as you would at any other time of year. Many people can think of no better gift than a puppy, especially if it’s a surprise – however, this can simply lead to another dog put up for adoption and looking for a home. Find out if the person who is to receive this gift has the knowledge, resources, time, lifestyle and most importantly, with the average life span of a dog being about 15 years -- the desire, to make the kind of commitment that years of dog ownership require. The late nights, housebreaking mistakes, energy required, dog hair on clothes and furniture, guilt experienced when there’s not enough time to train or exercise them properly or enough money to hire a trainer, dog walker or send them to doggy day-care – all can become reasons that a new puppy ends up in a shelter looking for a new home. Does their work schedule support having a puppy at this time? Does their landlord allow dogs? Just because someone has talked about wanting a dog, doesn’t mean they’re ready for one.
Don’t forget the cost. A small or medium dog costs an average of $500 per year, with larger dogs costing even more. And in this day and age, you’d be crazy not to have pet insurance in case the dog gets seriously ill. Of course, this doesn’t cover everything and the cost of emergencies can also add up.
A dog is a very personal choice. The recipient may already have an idea of what kind of dog they’d like. If you surprise them with a breed of puppy that they don’t really want, the bond and connection between dog and owner may never fully develop and can become just one more reason for the dog to end up back in the shelter. If children are involved, keep in mind the best age for kids to get a dog is between ten and twelve. Kids younger than this really don’t understand the responsibility of having a dog and older kids are focused on their school and social lives. It’s generally a mistake to get a dog just for the children – mom and dad will ultimately be responsible for it and end up doing most of the work. There’s really no good or bad breed, either. You can see wonderful and difficult dogs in any breed -- it’s really about the individual dog. Rather than go by breed, it’s better to consider size.
Consider creative alternatives to the actual presentation of a puppy as a gift. Give a homemade gift certificate or stuffed toy representing the real thing, which will be chosen and adopted at a later date after all the preparations have been made. Or give a dog book, sparking discussions about adopting a dog. Don’t tell your loved one (or better yet, the entire family!) where you’re going and in the spirit of the Holidays, surprise them with a visit to your local animal shelter or rescue organization to have fun taking the dogs for a walk. Dogs and shelter volunteers will really appreciate your good deed and it will give them a chance to see what kind of dog they might like and, more importantly, experience firsthand what taking care of a dog is really about.
Consider adopting an older dog, rather than a puppy. If you get a dog three years or older, they’re out of the puppy stage and generally less work. Of course, they’ll still need lots of attention and time, but they can already be housebroken and done with the nipping and chewing stages. They’re able to focus faster so it’s actually easier to train them.
If you’re still set on getting a puppy, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue organization. There are fantastic organizations all over the country with great puppies just waiting for a wonderful home. If you’re set on adopting a purebred puppy, remember that every breed has their own rescue organization.
Make sure to bring the dog home with the basics. You’ll need a crate to match the size of the dog, a collar and leash, pyrex dishes for food and water, neutralizing cleaner, poop bags, chew and play toys, food and yummy treats for training.
When you carefully consider and plan for the addition of a puppy or dog, the risk of it ending up in a shelter is minimized, and a meaningful, long-lasting relationship develops. Adopting a dog is a serious commitment that extends well beyond the fun and excitement of the Holidays.