PUPPIES AS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

"Accepting deposits now for Christmas puppies," classified advertisements read at this time of year. Are you considering getting a dog for Christmas or thinking about giving someone else a puppy as a present? Do pets make good Christmas gifts?

"Puppies just don't make good presents because they need so much attention and care," said Candy Roberts, Humane Officer at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.

Puppies require constant attention and supervision when you first bring them home. They must be fed three to four times daily. Housetraining must start immediately and is a time-consuming process. Puppies usually need to go out every time they eat, drink, play or wake up from a nap, including the sleepiest hours of these cold, winter nights.

During the holiday season people are so busy that they don't have the time it takes to fulfill a new pup's 'round the clock demands. It's unfair to bring a young dog into the chaos of holiday celebrations and ignore their needs.

"Christmas is not a good time to introduce a new animal into a household. It is best done later, when things are calmer and there's more time to help the puppy adjust to their new surroundings," said Daneen Pacifico, board member of the Humane Society of Parkersburg, West Virginia.

With all the activity during this season, it's possible that the puppy may be frightened or distressed. A new pet may also be upset by the stressful emotions of the humans around them. A stressed pet, particularly an energetic and playful pup who is left unsupervised, is more likely to get into trouble.

The rich fare served during the holidays can irresistibly tempt a constantly-hungry pup to steal and devour these goodies from the table or garbage. Another temptation is to hand feed a new puppy tidbits as a special meal. Having access to spicy, fatty or excessively-sweet Christmas foods is a recipe for having a sick puppy.

Other Christmas dangers for new pets include their investigations of shiny decorations with wonderfully strange odors. Most puppies explore by mouthing objects that interest them. If a pup chews on decorative lights, extension cords, glass ornaments, tinsel or leaves from seasonal plants, they could become injured, seriously ill or even die. A dead puppy is not a good Christmas present.

What about additional health considerations of Christmas puppies? Were the sire and dam healthy? How about further back in the pedigree -- are there any genetic illnesses -- did the breeder spend the time and money to check?

Puppies advertised as Christmas presents have most often been bred to bring their owner extra cash for the holidays. Since breeding a healthy litter costs more than can be recovered in sales, these so-called breeders may have cut corners by withholding important veterinary and nutritional care to the pups.

Also, was the litter an accident? Most reputable breeders do not have litters available during the holidays because puppies that are given as presents seldom remain in their first home. Some of these puppies end up at animal shelters, where parents may bring their children in at the last minute to pick a pet as a Christmas present.

"They don't need or really want a dog when it gets that close. It's a last minute thing then. Getting a pet isn't a spur of the moment decision," said Roberts.

Prospective owners need time to prepare for the family's new addition. The purchase of a puppy should be part of a well-researched, thorough and forward-looking plan.

"A puppy is not something that looks cute and is taken on a whim, then after a short time is returned to the shelter. We close the shelter to the public the day before Christmas to try and prevent adoptions made on a whim. These are living creatures that deserve a huge commitment. To do that someone must be ready to take on this big responsibility." said Pacifico.

Roberts said, "After the excitement is over, many kids get tired of taking care of a puppy and the parents won't do it because they're too busy. So, about half of our puppies that are adopted during the holiday season end up being brought back to the shelter. Pets aren't like toys. When you get bored with them you can't throw them away and get a different 'toy.' If you do that with a dog, it hurts them."

There are more reasons for never giving an animal as a present. Selecting a pet is a personal choice, not something one individual can do for another. What if the receiver doesn't want the puppy? Do the kids and the new dog get along? This should be determined in advance of permanently acquiring a pet.

"We advocate that if a person wants a puppy, they should choose the pet themselves so that it is compatible with their lifestyle. They must want it, agree to accept responsibility for it and be willing to provide care for the animal," said Pacifico.

If the decision to get or give a puppy as a present has definitely been made - hopefully with much forethought - breeders and humane officers make the following recommendations. Give a gift certificate, a stuffed animal or pet-care items at Christmas. Wait to bring the new pup home until after the holidays are finished and people's homes and schedules are less hectic. The right puppy will be worth the wait.

More people buy puppies as presents than other types of pets, but animals such as kittens, ferrets, birds and reptiles should also not be given during the holidays for the same reasons.

The commitment to a newly acquired pet must last the lifetime of that animal, not just on Christmas Day. So before deciding to give a puppy - or any other animal - as a gift remember: Pets Are Forever.

by Lexiann Grant
Email: lexiann@frognet.net
Copyright© 1999