Puppies are so cute. They have soft, snuggly fur, and big brown eyes. They can often be picked up for free, or for a very small fee, if they have no papers, or long, impressive lineage. Many children beg and plead, “Please can I have a puppy? Please!” They promise they’ll take care of them, and never forget to feed them, or give them water, or take them outside for a walk. They fantasize about how wonderful life will be when they have that adorable little puppy to snuggle, hug, sleep with, and play with. Yes, kids love puppies. But is all of that really enough to make them good choices for Christmas presents? Learn more about puppies for Christmas.
High Abandon Rate at Christmastime
More puppies are abandoned after Christmas than at any other time of the year. Why? Puppies make cute, adorable Christmas presents, but in the days and weeks that follow reality usually sets in. Overcome with the responsibility that it takes to own a puppy and have it become a part of the family will force many people to give up their puppies to a shelter, or in some cases just turn it out on the streets.
Puppies chew things. They chew up furniture and children’s toys. They eat Mom’s good shoes, and shred Dad’s newspapers. Many families find that they don’t have the patience for this kind of behavior. After the holiday has past, they begin to wonder what they were thinking, when they got a puppy.
Puppies bark a lot. They may get on your nerves, if you’re the type who likes peace and quiet. Many puppies will even whine and cry all night long, during the first few weeks after being separated from the mother, and the rest of the litter. Working parents who have to get up early find they are angry, stressed, and frustrated shortly after the puppies arrival. Kids who have to get up early for school suddenly realize the reality of a puppy is not quite like the fantasy they once envisioned.
Puppies have potty training issues. This is one thing many people aren’t prepared to deal with. They will ruin carpets, furniture, even bedspreads and mattresses. Anyone who thinks that they will potty train a puppy “in a hurry” would do best to think again. Potty training takes time and effort. It needs to happen when you are stressed out, when you are tired, and when you have other things to do.
Free Puppies Are Not "Free"
You may find a “free puppy,” but don’t be fooled. Even “free puppies” are very expensive. They need puppy shots and dog licenses. They will need to be either spade or neutered. Sick puppies may need medicine. Puppies get fleas, ticks, mites and lots of other little nuisances that are both difficult and expensive to get rid of. Puppies often need medication for sicknesses, or special diets for health problems. They need food, collars, leashes, shampoos for bathing, creams, salves and ointments for skin problems, and, of course, all puppies have to have toys, so they don’t chew on other things.
They Grow Up
Puppies become dogs. Most dogs are not as cute as puppies. They get big. They shed. They jump on people, including children. They might bite, or claw at someone if they haven’t been properly trained. Big dogs can even be dangerous, if not raised properly.
Having a puppy means eventually having a dog. It means making a commitment that will affect your life for many years to come. It means taking responsibility for the animal, and not choosing to “give it away” or “get rid of it” within the first few weeks after Christmas, because you’ve now realized it’s not what you thought it was going to be.
Adopting a puppy should be done, not on the spur of the moment, but only after a great deal of thought, and reflection. You have to make sure that it is the right choice for your family because a dog needs love and attention. They deserve a family that has the time and energy to give them that love.
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