A Puppy for Christmas

So you want to buy the kids a puppy forPuppies first day in his new home needs to be a
Christmas. Sounds like a great idea, may evenpeaceful occasion. You will need to introduce the
teach the kids responsibility by caring for thepuppy to his new environment and start the
puppy.housetraining routine. While you may have bought
We could put it in a box and put a large bowthe puppy for the children to learn responsibility,
around it, pop in a few air holes - what a greatthere will be very few children that are capable of
surprise for the kids, Christmas morning.carrying out this task. Are you prepared to see
Hold on a minute - what is wrong with this?to the puppies needs if the children are not
Sounds like a very bad idea! Think about thingscapable of carrying out these chores?
from the puppy's point of view. It is a livingA puppy that is loved and cared for make great
creature with needs. Young puppies are onlycompanions. Those that are bought on a whim
babies afterall. This could be its first night awayoften end up in the pound as their new owners
from its mother and littermates - and you wanthave no idea how to raise them.
to shove it in a box for over 12 hours. You will bePlease don't purchase a puppy as a Christmas
opening a very soggy package in the morning.present. Get your new puppy before or after the
Maybe you won't wrap the puppy in a box, but isholiday period. A reputable breeder will not allow
it still a good idea to have the puppies' first day atyou to take a puppy home for Xmas day.
home, on Christmas day? Will you have time toA puppy is for life. A week or two either side of
care for the puppy while rushing around? Are youChristmas day will make the world of difference
going out to the relatives or are they coming toto the puppy's start in life without the safety and
your place? All the commotion of Xmas Day couldsecurity of its mother and littermates, and you will
be quite upsetting to a baby puppy.be able to spend important time with him.