The temptation to bring home a cuddly puppy dog to put under the tree on Christmas morning is strong and every year holiday shoppers give in to this want, but real animal lovers will resist the urge to bring a new dog into the family in the middle of one of the busiest days on the calender year.
Reasons Why Not to Give a Puppy as a Christmas Gift
There are many reasons why it is a bad idea to give your children a puppy for Christmas. Here are the top five:
- Puppies need to be in a quiet, stress-free environment while they get used to their new home.
- Puppies need a lot of attention in their first few weeks in their new home – something that cannot be given on a typical busy Christmas Day.
- Over handling new puppies can create unwanted stress in the animal. It's difficult for harried parents to control this when they are dealing with guests and cooking a big Christmas dinner.
- Puppies are sometimes weaned too early in order for them to be taken to their new home on Christmas morning.
- Every year unwanted puppies end up in shelters after Christmas.
An Early Christmas Present – Put Puppy First
If your mind is made up and you absolutely have to have a new puppy, consider adopting or buying your new pet either a few weeks before or a few weeks after Christmas. The advantages for both the puppy and your family are numerous and include:
- Puppy can be brought into a quiet, safe (puppy-proofed) home.
- Puppy will have time to adapt to his new surroundings without being handled by well-meaning visitors.
- By the time Christmas arrives, puppy will be familiar with her new surroundings. If you wait until after Christmas, puppy will experience the same advantages.
- Puppy will be the right age to be weaned (10-12 weeks for small dogs and 8-10 weeks for larger dogs).
- Puppy will begin his new life with structure and routine – early training is very important for pet owners who want well-mannered adult dogs.
A Puppy's First Day in a New Home is Stressful
Remember, new puppies do experience separation anxiety when weaned, no matter what age they might be. By bringing your puppy home during a less stressful time of the year you can help him to overcome his anxiety. Anxious puppies will exhibit one of more of the following symptoms:
- Oversleeping
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Crying
- Lack of interest in food
- Lack of interest in water
Keeping track of puppy's emotional well-being and health is very important in the first few days of bringing her home.
Give Your New Puppy the Best Start in Life Possible
It's important that new pet owners have dedicated time to observe their puppy to make sure she is coping well in her new home. Christmas Day is not conducive to this. Do your puppy a favour and give him or her a healthy, happy start in life.
Remember, the relationship between your new puppy and your family is long-term. You will have many years together and many Christmas Days. By all means, welcome your new puppy into your home in the weeks before or after Christmas, just don't do it on Christmas Day. Puppy will thank you in the end by growing into a happy and well-adjusted dog.
Read More About Pups and Dogs:
So Many Shelter Dogs
Christmas Puppies are a Bad Idea
Julie Burtinshaw - Julie is the Reading and Literature and Writing and Publishing Editor for Suite101.com. She is also the author of five books and is ...
