It’s a busy time of year

The holiday season is bustling for most people. Besides hosting or attending holiday gatherings, many people also travel to visit friends and family or run holiday errands. One thing that most people don’t have around the holidays is extra time to train and settle a new dog.

Puppies in particular require a major time commitment. A new puppy needs near-constant attention and will need lots of help with potty training, too. They need to be taught how to behave properly, and if the new owners put this off, it could set them all up for issues later on.

There are extra hazards

Busy holiday households are also full of risks, especially for dogs who are not yet accustomed to their surroundings. With visitors coming and going, a new dog could become frightened and dart out the door and end up lost, or in traffic. They could find themself being stepped on in busy kitchens where the humans are not yet used to having a puppy. Shiny ornaments and holiday plants can look tempting for chewing, as can electric cables and children’s toys. And if a wagging tail or an excited pup knocks over a candle, that’s no good!

The recipient might not be up for the commitment

Dogs are a lot of work, and a big time and financial commitment! They are wonderful and fill your life with joy, but anyone bringing home a new pup at any time of year should be sure they are up for the lifetime commitment to their new furry family member. Making the decision for someone else can cause all sorts of issues if they were not yet ready to bring home a dog.

There are better options

If you have your heart set on giving a dog as a gift, why not give your recipient books on dog care, supplies such as a collar and leash, and a gift certificate for training sessions? You could pre-pay the adoption fee at your local shelter so your recipient can pick the perfect pup after the holidays, when life is calmer and everyone has more time to devote to the new dog. Then everyone can start out on the right paw.