Why you shouldn’t get a Christmas Puppy — but Holiday pups are awesome!
We know the draw of coming down Christmas morning to see a puppy with a bow. There are a lot of factors to consider in addition to that, however, that can really make a difference for your experience with your new puppy.
For the love of the moment, responsibility for a life
You picture the moment of your kids coming to the tree Christmas morning and seeing a brand new puppy. It’s exciting! There’s such joy in that moment. I get it, its alluring. Its something that I would love to do for my girls, however, its something that I don’t plan to do. That moment is awesome but think of all of the other chaos that comes when you bring home a puppy. Double that because Christmas is a notoriously hectic time of year. Last year my husband and I decided to get a puppy a week before Christmas. It wasn’t necessarily the timing planned but I saw a photo of our girl Brie and fell in love. Look at that sweet face, can you blame me?
Then the breeder mentioned that they had a boy who had been passed over time and time again because he was so scared and shy. I said we would meet him but two giant puppies? Then we saw this huge beast cowering behind the puppy I wanted and the rest is history. This is how we ended up with brand new puppies a week before Christmas. It was chaos. It is something I’m not against but I will not be getting two puppies at the same time again until my girls are old enough to help out.
Do you know about the new year shelter boom?
Before I jump into how to get the magic but better, I want to check — do you know about the new year shelter boom? See a lot of people — not just parents — are suckered into the joy of a puppy for Christmas. All ages want to experience that joy. The impulse for a snuggle buddy for the holiday can be a lot to overcome. That same impulse leads many to get a puppy that they are not prepared for. It may be the breed, the size, the time investment, the mess — that list can go on and on. What it leads to is a lot of dogs getting surrendered in the first few months of the new year when the novelty of a new puppy has worn off. These poor babies are often stuck in shelters for quite a while if they make it into a home.
Now — how to do the thing right!
So you want a puppy for the holidays — I’m not against it. Honestly its a great time to do it because kids are off of school, many take time off of work and you can spend the time with a new addition to the family. Here is how to do it right in 5 easy steps. First you need to plan for the new addition. What kind of beastie do you want to be bringing home? Then plan the timing — what is the best time to bring a new pet home so that they will get the attention they need to make a smooth transition? Now to find the precious baby! That’s right, this is step 3 — not step 1! You need to know what to look for and when before finding the perfect pup. Trust me! Step 4 is the prep for a real life transition. Who is taking core responsibility? Where will the pup be? Do you have all the stuff? Answer all of the questions! Step 5 is the practical — bring your baby home and FOLLOW THE PLAN YOU MADE!
It’s so easy to get over excited and forget everything you’d planned. This can be such an issue that leads to long term headaches and potentially behavior problems!
Step 1: What dog is best for my family?
This is honestly the most important question. And it leads to a lot of questions — brace yourself. How much time do you have to devote? Is a puppy the best choice or should you get an older dog? Have you ever had a dog before? Does anyone in the family have allergies or fears you need to prepare for? Are you going to train yourself or do you want to get a trainer? Where will the dog potty? Who will take them for regular potty breaks? How much exercise are you willing to get them? Is someone home during the day or will you need to look into a dog walker or doggie daycare? How much space do you have? Where will you put their crate? Is your house ready? Do you need to dog proof?
I know that is a lot of questions and it is not even all of them. Here is the thing, if you want a dog who is going to have a successful transition — it is important to consider them all. Does that mean you need a book of answers? No! It just means this needs to be a topic of consideration and conversation with adults in the household before the decision is made. Notice I say adults! Now that doesn’t mean 18+ unless you want it to. If this dog is something your child wants but they are not old enough to take on the responsibility (in my experience they need to be at least 15/16 for this to be feasible), then you cannot count on them. How many families do you know that “got a dog the kids wanted” but mom or dad are the ones stuck with the burden. Don’t get stuck! If mom and dad don’t want a dog — then wait until your kids are older or out of the house.
Step 2: Plan the timing!
Whether you are bringing home a dog or a puppy, there is going to be a transition period. The best advice I ever heard was when I was in high school working at a vet clinic. The vet always told people for a new pet visit: This is a puppy. They need to potty every 30 minutes and need to remain tethered or with you if they’re not secured in a crate or small space until they’ve been home at least a month and have a proven track record.
Transitioning to a new home can be a challenge even for dogs who have been in a home before. Its a new environment with a new routine and new sights, sounds, and smells. For success and less accidents — keep a routine of meals, potty and breaks. Older dogs may adjust sooner but be prepared for the setbacks if you jump in too soon. Do you have the time to commit to this?
Many kids are off for around 2–3 weeks for the winter break. This can be a great time to get the foundation built for a new pet as long as you’re not travelling. And please don’t do that to your new puppy. Please don’t get a new pet and take them on tour. It can be traumatizing for them. Whatever timing you plan on — you need a few weeks of frequent potty breaks and routine for your new baby.
Step 3: Find your perfect Match!
Now that the main planning is out of the way — get excited and find your baby! The biggest tip that I have here is don’t forget the type of dog you identified as the one for you as you look. Puppies are super cute but if you planned for a sweet little 20 pound dog for daily 30 minute walks and fall in love with a German Shepherd puppy who needs several hours of exercise and strict training…it will not be awesome. Keep your filters refined and love the picture of the cute babies but make sure you end up with a dog who fits your life. Do you want a purebred or a shelter pup? A puppy or an older dog? We have both, I don’t judge, but if you’re getting a dog from a breeder please do your research so you get a healthy dog from a reputable source.
Even with small children, we planned for giants. My husband and I are experienced dog owners and were prepared to make sure our 3 and 4 year old would have a positive experience with our Great Danes. The girls are now begging for a little dog their size with our smallest dog being 55 pounds. Are you prepared for all life stages of the dog you have fallen in love with?
Step 4: Plan to bring them home!
There are 5 things you HAVE to have to bring your dog home:
- Collar with tags (At least your phone number if you haven’t chosen a name — don’t lose your baby!)
- Leash (not retractable! These are dangerous especially for a new dog/puppy)
- Vet (choose a vet you want to stick with, it can be tempting to go with the one you get a free visit with but that one may not be the best one for you)
- Safe Small Space (Crate, pen, small dog proofed room)
- Food (match the food they’re on for at least a week with a slow transition to the one you’ve chosen to avoid upset stomachs)
Notice some of the things I left off of that list like toys, treats, and dog beds? Those are awesome but not necessary to bring your baby home. More important is to be prepared with a routine and the tools you need. Make sire you have a vet and get them in for an appointment shortly after bringing them home EVEN if they come from a breeder or rescue that says they were just seen. You want to make sure they’re healthy for a good transition.
Step 5: Welcome the baby home WITH ROUTINE
This is sometimes the hardest step. You’re so excited for your new baby and don’t want to put them away for naps or have them sleep in the crate because you want to snuggle. I have fallen prey to this. I took naps with the new puppies and it delayed crate training. Trust me, the routine is good!
You can help your new dog transition faster and happier if you follow the routine that you planned! Make sure you use the leash even if just in the house or in your front yard to get them used to it. Put the collars on them with tags, they can be scary for a new puppy but that’s a safety need! Set timers to take them outside or put them away for naps and quiet time.
Remember the advice my high school boss gave? No matter the age, your new dog is a puppy with puppy timing. New homes are overwhelming, you want to give them ample time to play, recover, and rest.
I welcome all questions and comments! Follow me on Instagram or TikTok — @thearbaughpack!
And above all — enjoy your new addition!
