I want a puppy for Christmas!

It’s the phrase most parents and possibly spouses dread to hear, “Can I have a puppy for Christmas?”

 

And who wouldn’t LOVE to find a cute, fuzzy, soft, adorable puppy under the Christmas tree? If you’re a dog person, I think we all had a puppy on our Christmas wish list at some point in time. After all, 44% of all households have a dog. 

 

But as exciting and wonderful as bringing a new puppy into the family is, it is also A LOT of time, money, and energy. These are a few KEY elements that may get overlooked in the excitement and novelty of gifting your child or loved one the gift they have been BEGGING for! 

 

So if “ I want a puppy for Christmas.” is the phrase you’ve heard the last few months, stick around for tips and cautions to consider before deciding to make good on the wish. 

 

The novelty and excitement wear off.

 

After the initial fun and excitement of finding that little furball under the tree wears off, the act of becoming responsible puppy parents starts. Are you or your kids ready for that responsibility? (generally, the answer is, No.) 

 

In the months following the holiday, shelters report an increase in pet surrenders greater than any other time of the year. Most of these surrenders are due to owners being unprepared to welcome a new addition to the family and not having the time to train the puppy to ward off any destructive behaviors such as chewing, jumping, or having accidents in the house. 

 

According to the ASPCA, 6.5 million pets enter shelters each year. Of these, 3.3 million are dogs. Reports also cite that there are 1.5 million animals euthanized in shelters each year. 

 

You don’t want your Christmas puppy to fall into one of these statistics, so it’s best to be prepared and knowledgeable about the commitment you are making. 

 

According to the Humane Society, it takes 3 days for a new puppy to become acquainted with its new home. 3 weeks to figure out that they live there with you, and 3 MONTHS until they realize they are part of the family. 

 

Are you willing to make this commitment? 

 

If you are, great! After all, a dog makes a house a home. 

 

Here are some things to consider BEFORE bringing that ball of fluff home.

 

Do Your Homework! 

 

And no, I don’t mean make that a condition for your kids to get a puppy. 

 

I mean you, the parent. 

 

Research different dog breeds and what goes along with those breeds. After all, humans bred dogs for specific purposes in history. Terriers were bred to hunt and chase down rodents, so they like to dig. Retrievers were bred to be a good partner on a hunting expedition and help hunters retrieve their game, so while loyal, they may be a bit mouthy at times.

 

Be aware that mixed breeds can present a few challenges to this research as they can have any combo of traits from the breeds in its background. While mixed breeds generally tend to have fewer genetic health problems, they are less consistent in behavioral traits. These traits are essential to know to figure out if the dog breed you think is so adorable will fit into your family and lifestyle. 

 

Here is a list of items to consider about a dog before purchasing or adopting: 

1. Breed
2. Temperament
3. Grooming needs
4. Energy level
5. The size they will grow to
6. How much food do they need
7. Any genetic or common health issues with the breed

 

This research will also help determine if there will be costly vet bills down the line if they are prone to genetic disorders like hip dysplasia or need grooming services every 6-8 weeks. Owners might not always consider these points before purchasing a new friend, which could contribute to the surrender statistics above. 

 

From where are you going to get your dog or puppy? 

 

This is another vital homework item.

 

Are you going to adopt from a shelter? 

Will you go the breeder route? 

 

Be sure to research the shelter’s policies and application procedures for animal adoption. Some rescues like to do a home visit to make sure your home set up is adequate for the dog you wish to adopt. Also, be sure to obtain any medical records the shelter may have for your new potential friend. 

 

If going with a breeder, make sure they are reputable. A good breeder will also help you pick a litter member that will fit into your preferred characteristics. A few key things to look for to make sure you aren’t entering into a puppy mill situation: 

 

1. Will they let you visit the breeding area?
2. Will they let you meet the parents?
3. They won’t let the puppy go until AT LEAST 8 weeks of age.
4. They are very knowledgeable about the breed.
5. They ask you questions about your home life. 

 

Be cautious of puppy mill situations as they tend to ramp up production this time of year to prepare these wish list items. If something doesn’t seem right, or they won’t answer questions or let you come to the home to visit the parent dogs, take extreme caution. Dogs from puppy mills have a whole host of training and behavioral issues.

 

What else should you consider before purchasing or adopting a furry new friend? 

 

1. How old are your kids? Can they handle the responsibility they SAY they can? Remember, Fluffy will need to be walked, brushed, fed, trained, and loved every day up to 2x per day. Will they hold to their commitment? If they don’t, are you willing to follow through for them? 
2. Does the breed you want fit your lifestyle based on the above research points? If you’re a couch potato, a high energy breed won’t mesh well with your lifestyle. 
3. Are there other pets at home? This question is especially crucial if adopting from a shelter. Making sure that Fluffy will get along well with the family cat is a good idea unless you want endless battles on your hands. 
4. The upfront cost of owning a dog. Sure there are breeder costs and adoption costs, but what about the purchase of essentials like food, bowls, leashes, bed, crate, toys, etc.? Are you ready for that added cost? Not to mention the preventive vet checks and any future costs as the dog gets older. 
5. Training. This point is probably the most important on the list after making sure the breed fits your lifestyle and you’re committed to the hard work ahead. Training starts the day your new puppy comes home. Having a trainer picked out ahead of time, and a plan in place to start training immediately is a key element to having a happy family friend. 

 

Here at Sit Means Sit Pittsburgh, we offer puppy classes for pups aged 8-14 weeks to focus on socialization and becoming accustomed to being around other dogs and new and strange objects without becoming fearful. Once we establish socialization, we then offer puppy obedience classes for Fluffy to learn the basics. But follow-through and repetition are critical on your end. 

 

So what’s the takeaway? 

 

If you do your homework and consider the breed and the commitment, then a puppy for Christmas can be a WONDERFUL gift and lesson in responsibility. But don’t let your emotions get the better of you and your kids by finding Fluffy under the tree Christmas morning. 

 

Here are a few ways to deliver on this wish, WITHOUT having to hide your new friend and keep him from eating the gift wrap. 

 

Give a picture of a dog in a card. 

Give a stuffed animal with a tag around its neck.

Gift Pet supplies such as a leash, bowls, toys.

 

Then as a family and with your child or spouse involved, you can pick out Fluffy together.