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A dog might be at the top of your child’s Christmas list, or even your own Christmas list but is it really a good idea to bring a puppy home during the holidays? There are some things that you should ask yourself first before deciding to bring that cute ball of fur home for Christmas. Getting a dog for Christmas takes a lot of work and preparation, it should never be an impulse buy.
Nothing could be cuter than your kids waking up Christmas morning and finding an adorable puppy under the tree with a big red bow around his neck. While this sounds like an ideal Christmas gift, Christmas is actually the worst time of the year to introduce a puppy to your home for several reasons.
Things To Consider Before Bringing Home A Puppy
Where will you get a Christmas puppy?
The first thing to consider is where will you get a puppy for Christmas? Reputable breeders and rescues will not let people adopt puppies during the holidays. No matter if you shop or adopt you need to make sure that your puppy comes from a reputable place and that he has had the best care possible before he comes to live with you. Stay away from breeders and rescues who actually advertise that their puppies are available as Christmas presents. These breeders are rescues are not reputable and are usually poorly run rescues, backyard breeders, commercial breeders or puppy mills! Any breeder or rescue that cares about their puppies wants to make sure that each puppy is successful in their new home and this means going to the new home when the family can concentrate on caring for and training him.
Will You Be Too Busy To Properly Care For A Puppy?
For most families, Christmas is a very busy and exciting time of the year. There are people coming and going constantly and just so many things to do. The kids are over the top excited about Santa coming. Everything is off it’s normal schedule. Throw in a new puppy and you now have utter chaos! Moving to a new home is a big change for a puppy and they need a calm environment to start off their life in a new home. They are already under enough stress from the transition, they don’t need extra excitement and activity thrown into the mix.
Of course, there are exceptions to this. Some people don’t celebrate Christmas. If you and your family don’t celebrate Christmas then getting a puppy during the holidays wouldn’t be any different than the rest of the year for you.
Are You Able To Set Up A Routine For Your Puppy?
For a puppy to be successful in his new home, he needs a routine. He will need to go outside for potty breaks, have naps, and a feeding and exercise schedule. When your schedule is already off it’s normal routine because of the excitement of a holiday like Christmas it is very hard to fit in a regular schedule for a puppy! Puppies should never go to their new home when things are not on their regular schedule, wheter it’s Christmas or any other time of the year when things are crazy busy in your life. Puppies are a lot of work and need to be brought home when the family has the time to devote to their new family member.
For a puppy to have success in his new home, he needs lots of time and attention, and even more so in the first week or two while he adjusts. If you aren’t able to establish a routine for your puppy from day 1 of bringing him home, wait until you can.
Are You Willing To Commit 13+ Years?
Puppies are a lifetime commitment. You will have your puppy for the next 13+ years depending on the breed. A puppy should not be a surprise, no matter how fun that sounds. Everyone in the family should be aware of and approve of adding a puppy to the family. This puppy will be your new family member and everyone in the house should have some sort of responsibility towards the care of the puppy. It’s a big decision, one that takes a great deal of decision, research and planning.
It takes months to research breeds to find a breed that suits your lifestyle. Then once you have it narrowed down to one breed, it takes months to find a responsible breeder that you can work with. And most responsible breeders have long wait lists. So, if you do things properly, it can take several months to a year to get a well bred puppy from a responsible breeder.
Alternatives To Getting A Dog At Christmas
Give A Picture Of A Future Puppy
Instead of getting a dog at Christmas, why not surprise the family with a picture of a dog with an announcement that a dog will be joining the family. This way you can make it a family decision to choose a breed and a breeder. This is a great way to make sure that the whole family is on board with the decision. The kids will be excited that they get to help pick out their new pet and it will help get them ready for the responsibility of being a pet owner.
Buy A Toy Puppy
If your kids are determined to get a puppy but you don’t think that your family is ready for one, try a toy dog. There are many toy dogs on the market that are motorized that the kids can play with and take for a walk.
Click on the images below to check out our favorite battery operated dogs. These dogs can walk and bark just like a real puppy. They are a great alternative for a family that isn’t ready for a real puppy.
Puppies are live creatures with needs, just like human babies. They need special care and attention, especially when you first bring them home. Do your research and make sure that you are ready for a puppy before adding one to your family at Christmas or any other time of the year. They are a lifelong commitment. Make sure you are ready to commit before adding a dog to your family.
