Before You Give That Puppy As A Christmas Gift…

Before You Give That Puppy As A Christmas Gift…

Who can resist an adorable little puppy? It really doesn’t matter what time of year it is, puppies just seem to have a way of melting your heart and making you love them. It’s not surprising that they are often thought of as the perfect gift. But before you decide to give a puppy as a Christmas gift there are some things you should consider. Actually, there are lots of things to consider – keep reading…

Puppies are irresistible - but it's important that every puppy goes to a forever home!

Does the Recipient Share Your Love?

For those of us that are dog lovers it can be difficult to imagine living without our furry friends. And when we see a friend or loved one that doesn’t have a dog we naturally want to help out – we want them to enjoy life with a dog. But as surprising as it may be, not everyone wants dogs. In fact, some people don’t even like them!

So one of the most important considerations is finding out how the intended dog-owner feels about having a dog. And not just dogs in general, but you should ask about types of dogs. For instance, some people only want small lap dogs and others prefer larger dogs and some may only want a breed that can be trained to do certain tasks or that doesn’t shed.

Is Christmas the Best Time?

Another huge consideration is timing. Christmas is already a busy time of year. A new pet needs a lot of attention. When you give a pet during the holiday season, in many cases you are taking a risk. Most people have holiday events to attend and friends and family members are stopping by. Chances are that the recipient will not have as much time as he/she would like to spend with the new pet – time that will make the dog feel at home and welcome.

In many ways this is unfair to both the dog and the new owner.

Stressful Time of Year

The holiday season is a stressful time of year. This is largely due to the many things that we try to accomplish in such a short amount of time. If we add a new pet into the mix that stress load can be multiplied. In addition, a new pet will be stressed when she first arrives at her new home. This can result in problematic behaviors that must be dealt with, which again, adds to the chaos of the moment.

The Best Gift of All

But even after reading all these considerations and cautions – although there is truth in them – if you are a dog lover, I’m sure you will agree that a new dog or puppy can be the best gift of all. Taking the time from the craziness of the holiday rush to spend some quiet time relaxing and getting to know a new pet can be soothing and it can create a sense of serenity. As our nerves are calmed and we feel less stressed we can more easily deal with the other issues related to the holiday season. So the thing is, for the right person, a dog or puppy can be an awesome gift – just do your homework before you decide to give a pet as a gift. The goal is that the pet will end up in a forever home!

Debbie Allen is a professional writer and editor that enjoys sharing content related to the holiday season. She often writes about Christmas traditions like holiday decorating, letters from Santa, and gift-giving.

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