By Heidi Clayton
Every year at about this time, social media gets flooded with the warning: “A dog isn’t a Christmas gift…IT’S A LIFELONG COMMITMENT!”
I believe they can be both a gift and, of course, a lifelong commitment. It is perfectly acceptable to get that puppy your kids have been asking for or adopt a dog at Christmastime if you follow a few rules.
First of all, if you are getting a puppy, I always recommend that you do so from a reputable breeder who health tests their breeding stock. These health tests include getting color echocardiograms on hearts and ensuring that parents are free from genetic hip, elbow, or knee dysplasia issues. This is particularly true for anyone considering getting a “doodle” or “poo” mixed breed dog. The amount of bad hips and knees I see in these mixes is scary. So if you are looking to purchase a puppy, I absolve you of any guilt. Just do it the right way, and make sure you are getting a healthy and happy puppy.
Remember that the lifelong commitment starts the minute you bring a dog or puppy home, not after New Year’s Day. So before you commit, think about how hectic your holiday season is. Consider if you can reasonably manage holiday activities and the neediness of a puppy. If rescuing a dog, remember that they need quiet decompression time post-adoption. If you have a houseful, it might not be the best time to bring a dog home. A good breeder will hold onto a baby puppy for you so that the transition goes smoothly. If someone is saying you must come get the puppy or else, they are probably not worth dealing with.
I currently have an 8-month-old terrorist living in my home. She is watched like a hawk. She has plenty of mental and physical exercise, yet she never slows down. Quite frankly, she’s rather demanding of my time and energy. So again, consider what you and your family have going on around the holidays and whether you can manage a puppy on top of all of your social obligations.
Speaking of my 8-month-old puppy, I have decided that this year there will be no Christmas tree or decorations inside the yard or house. She is a wrecking ball, and I am making my life easy by limiting Christmas decorations to the areas that she absolutely does not have access to. So, when bringing a puppy home around Christmas, remember that, as far as a puppy is concerned, decorations are fair game. You will need to save these dogs from themselves and maybe from tearing up all of the gifts under the tree. I won’t call a client’s dog out by name, but their older rescue decided to open everyone’s gifts a few days before Christmas. He pooped ribbons and colorful paper out for days. I was heartbroken for the destroyed Ugg boots (more than one pair!) that he ate.
I don’t think that everyone who gets a puppy for Christmas is a bad person, as long as you and your family are committed to getting to work right away. If you are truly committed to bringing a puppy or dog into your home, the time of year that happens should not be an issue. So, I am fine with a puppy or dog as a gift if you are ready to start the lifelong commitment to the dog from the very second they enter your life and remain committed beyond the excitement of Christmas morning.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
