{"id":1116,"date":"2011-12-21T16:17:47","date_gmt":"2011-12-21T20:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/central-texas\/?p=1116"},"modified":"2011-12-21T16:17:47","modified_gmt":"2011-12-21T20:17:47","slug":"how-much-did-that-christmas-puppy-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/central-texas\/how-much-did-that-christmas-puppy-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Did That Christmas Puppy Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many people seem to feel that nothing says \u201cChristmas\u201d better than a puppy bought as a present.\u00a0 The sad reality is that nothing could be further from the truth, most especially for the puppies themselves.<\/p>\n

The Element of Surprise is a No-No<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Surprises are fun, and many people love to be surprised, especially around the holidays.\u00a0 However, surprising someone with the gift of a living breathing being that needs attention, let alone food, shelter, and veterinary care can be less of a surprise, and much more of a burden.<\/p>\n

Surprise!\u00a0 You have approximately $800 worth of veterinary bills annually, $100 worth of food to feed every month, and poop to pick up daily!\u00a0 Merry Christmas!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Seriously, though.\u00a0 It should never come as a \u201csurprise\u201d to someone who will function as the primary caregiver to a puppy.\u00a0 It is unrealistic and unfair to that individual.<\/p>\n

Buying on a Whim<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Puppies bought on a whim are most often bought at flea markets or pet stores.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, anyone willing to give a puppy to someone they don\u2019t know well is probably someone who puts their wallet before the best interest of the pup.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been living with the illusion that all puppies are created equally, let me squash it for you.\u00a0 There is a tremendous amount of socialization and learning that happens even before you get your puppy at eight weeks old.<\/p>\n

If for nothing other than selfish reasons, know this: puppies raised in puppy mills and farms are already at a greater risk of having behavioral issues, due to the circumstances of their birth.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Not fair, you say?\u00a0 Correct.\u00a0 But until people wake up, and start taking the decision to own a dog with more responsibility than buying a pair of shoes, we\u00a0 will continue to have puppies that are given up to shelters just as easily as they are bought.<\/p>\n

Many rescues, and any good breeder isn\u2019t going to allow you make a dog buying decision on pure whim.\u00a0 This is because they know they will get that puppy back, and probably have a harder time placing him because he will be older and because of the unsettling experience of moving from place to place.<\/p>\n

Is it ever alright to buy a puppy for Christmas?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve given this some consideration, and tried to imagine a circumstance in which it would alright to give a puppy as a Christmas gift.\u00a0 Here a few reasonings, and my opinion on them.<\/p>\n