Christmas puppies...some advice

I think banning Christmas puppies is more than a ltitle silly. for one thing- plenty of people don't celebrate christmas! I'll have a puppy thsi year (coming home tomorrow, I hope!) but she's been planned for MONTHS- this is just when the litter happened to happen due to her mum's seasons. And as a practical situation- with a litter that was all pre-reserved? (I had been on the waiting list since the summer; the other pepole had been waiting since September- having gotten on the list when the litter was actually due soon) Would it make more sense for the pups to be at the breeder's house for an additional month and a half- bringing her from three dogs to 7, with four of them pups- or for them to be in their well-prepared, totally planned and non-impulsive homes?

 It takes a LOT more planning, obviously- we'll be doing the baby-gate around the tree, and we don't do much in the way of entertaining, so that's not a big deal, but it will mean more juggling when it comes to making sure I"m home to let her out on a proper schedule while attending family events- but it's do-able.

The way I see it, the bad thing is the impulse part and the additional complications of the time of year- and only one of those is insurmountable. 

Umm, I don't think anyone suggested banning Xmas puppies....

Pwca

The way I see it, the bad thing is the impulse part and the additional complications of the time of year- and only one of those is insurmountable. 

Most people have expressed things along these lines.

I think if people are prepared and willing to give up some of the holiday hub bub, a puppy around Christmas time is fine. We live 13 hours from family and very seldom does anyone come to see us. ( good thing bad thing) But we go to one Christmas party and don't have a ton of guests. Our puppy will have her "own" space to relax in away from all the noise and commotion. I said it before and I will say it again, a Christmas puppy is not for everyone. But I have waited for almost a year for this puppy, and my family and I are willing to make the sacrifices it will take to make her comfy in her new home. I think if people are willing to make those sacrifices and stand by the choice they make then it can be a good thing. It just takes a lot of thought about what it will take, just like any other time of the year. A pet is a life long dedication, if it's July or December. To me that's something that needs to be thought through many times at any time of the year.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Arrrgh yet another holiday and a BIG commitment to hours a,d hours on the phone with folks who now want a RR puppy.   I try to never ignore people, cause I can assure you the puppy millers won't. So even without a litter I will spend on average 30 minutes with each person answering questions, encouragong them to rethink a holiday pup. Or at the very least to go with the delayed gift puppy idea.  Putting books and a debit card under the tree may not seem as cute but honestly they won't eat any of the other gifts, pee in front of the tree or eat so many treats they need to be rushed to the er vet!!

I have had 7 contacts this week alone and it is only Tuesday. Thankfully I am on several ethical lists for breeders and I have a family who tries to understand the importance of education for our breed. Yes, I have a lot of other things I should be doing, but I am becoming skilled at cleaning and workiing dogs with a phone tucked to my ear.  Ho Ho Ho tis the season...

Bonita of Bwana

 Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears

He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear

The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed

A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"

Of course it is not impossible for a dedicated person and/or family  to deal with a Christmas pup.  But it's a special situation and based on each and every individual home.  As a breeder, and placing fosters, I simply won't take that risk unless it is someone who I personally know very well and have intimate knowledge of their home and lifestyle.

I've seen many puppies given as gifts and only once did it work out. Usually, the pup was a suprise from parent to child and the parent expected the child to do all the work. When that didn't happen...off to the shelter. Another time, a friend of the parents gave the 5-year-old girl a puppy for her birthday without asking the parents. Parents were upset and said no, then the girl threw a fit and parents gave in. Puppy grew to be a BIG dog who is now kept in a tiny yard and is too big and unruly for the girl to play with. The family really can't afford the propper medical care of a dog and obedience and quality food are out of the question. It is still a source of contention between the parents and the gift giver.

The one and only time I've seen a gift-dog work was actually one of the pups I fostered for a rescue group. The girl was about 11 and desperately wanted a dog. Her parents gave her a bag of puppy food for her birthday and a note saying that girl would get to adopt a rescue puppy as her gift. The mom said she and her daughter had the best time researching dog breeds and settled on getting a male lab. Then they scoured pet finder and visited several adoption fairs before found the listing for the litter I was fostering. When they met little Mater, they both fell head over heels and the girl turned to her mom and said "He's the one!" It's been more than two years now and I still get pictures and emails from Mater and his family; they are doing great!

As far as I'm concerned, these parents did it the right way...with research, patience, and in cooperation with the recipient. They also went through a reputable rescue who will take the dog back if it ever becomes impossible for them to keep the dog.

I do think Christmas time people buy,get pups or kittens to give as Christmas presents because a cute cuddly pup or kitten make wonderful surprises for Children,I dont think alot of the times it is a thought out situation and when the Pup/Kitten gets older then trouble begins or if child looses intrest when the pup/kitten stages are leaving and hes now grown.Same as Easter time People buy there kids a cute bunny then 7 months later they dont want it any more and its free to good home.

Hey I just saw a UKC commercial on TV that said, "Puppies aren't presents, they're commitments." 

We have what we think was a Christmas puppy. She was found at 12 weeks of age, middle of January, running along the side of the road in the rain.

No one came to look for her. No one answered the ad about her. She lucked out and so did we, because we didn't know we wanted a puppy.

I don't necessarily think getting a pet in December is a bad idea. A lot of people have extra time off to help acclimate the puppy. I also don't think bringing home a live animal as a gift is a good idea. A person should be able to have a choice in the companion that will spend the next 15 or so years with them. I did bring home the second dog in December. It just worked out that he was "the one" and needed a home right then. We have low key holidays, without a tree, and just enough guests for socialization.

When we were growing up, my parents would let us get more pets if we'd saved enough money for their purchase price and vaccinations/spay and also contributed X amount of money per month for food. It wasn't hard to earn extra money, but hanging onto it was difficult, and it was a good lesson.

now that christmas is over.... our local shelter is currently over run with puppies and dogs. i got three email just today about several puppies and dogs who are scheduled to be PTS this week (most 1 y.o. or less).

http://community.dog.com/forums/t/69777.aspx 

 i have contact info for the shelter if anyone can help any of these dogs, just pm me.

I'm new as you can see by my post count but I wanted to comment about what has just happened to us.

On Christmas Eve we were approached by a friend of a friend , they had a 10 yr old chocolate Lab who was about to become homeless. The local shelter said if the dog was brought to them they were going to put it down based on its age.

My husband and I had to think fast can we take on this dog and give it the forever home it deserves. The answer was yes. We can provide for him , There is always someone home , we have a fenced in yard , we have a great vet and we have lots of love to share.

Zeus came to be with us Christmas morning the family ( 5 children 3 of which have a form of Autism ) and Zeus clicked instantly , my kids who are so hard to draw out of their shell are so into the dog , I wish I could film it is amazing.

 Zeus , had not had vet care or been registered in over two years as of today hes both. They were feeding him pizza and wondering why he was vomiting. We put him on Blue Seal Senior dry formula so far so good. They were only feeding him 1-2 cups a day .... Zeus is a very large dog , ( body structure wise we were told hes a English Blockhead Chocolate Lab ;)  he was not getting enough food and was trash hunting , eating pooh and cat food. We have upped his food and changed his feeding times. He hasn't touched pooh ,  the trash or the cat food in our home.

I feel very good about adding Zeus to our family it just happened to be on Christmas . I / we would do it again in a heart beat.

Zeus is a very, very lucky dog and I think he'll repay your family well. Often dogs are amazing ambassadors in bridging the communication gap for those with autism.

It just happened to be Christmas, but your kindness and sense of decency made it special.

I agree, Zeus is very lucky, but more so you are a kind and caring person. Not everyone would do the same thing. Good luck to you and your family with Zeus. I'm sure he will repay you well with laughter and protection! Have a great New Year!