Why Is Christmas Such A Terrible Time To Get A Dog?

22 Responses to “Why Is Christmas Such A Terrible Time To Get A Dog?”

1. noonee33
   November 4, 2009 at 9:35 pm

   I knew this would happen. People love to lecture about dog ownership. When I said I wanted to breed my purebred Sheltie whose puppies would be very much wanted, you should’ve heard all the people making me out to be a monster for not spaying her. Unfortunately, I agree with them a bit. It’s ’cause the holiday season is busy and stressful for one and that can be hard on a new puppy. Mostly, it’s ’cause people buy puppies as on a “whim” for a gift without giving it much thought and alot of them end up at the shelter because their owners were never really prepared. You really have to research dog ownership! And breeders jack up their prices during the holidays so you will save $ by waiting. If you don’t do much for the holidays and you live alone and don’t plan on having alot of company or going out of town to visit family, Christmas time is okay but chances are that’s not the case. Also, dog lovers get annoyed when people say they don’t want a dog that sheds because it seems insensitive like wanting only a good looking baby or something. Just please make sure you give this alot of thought. No impulse buys, okay? And I don’t think you’re a bad person and people shouldn’t be so hard on you.
2. LiL MaMa
   November 4, 2009 at 9:36 pm

   If you are responsible and do want a dog, please adopt. Give a buddy a second chance.
3. SHELTIEL
   November 4, 2009 at 9:40 pm

   a lot of times people want to find that perfect present usually for their kids , and they think what better way than to buy a cute and adorable puppy, and they get so caught up in the emotional aspect of it that they forget to do their research. yes, puppies are adorable…but when the novelty of owning a pup is over you have to deal with the responsibility of ownership and a lot of people are unwilling to do it. leading to a dog with tons of issues and unhappy owners.
   I am not trying to convince you not to buy a pup…..just be knowledgeable of what you are committing to…it is an investment of not only money, but time…time for training, exercising, and everything else that goes along with it for the next 10+ years. if you have already considered this and know exactly what type of pup you want and have done the research on the breed to find the right one that will fit into your family’s lifestyle start looking into reputable breeders, breed rescues.
   Good Luck…and Happy Holidays!
4. julie's_
   November 4, 2009 at 10:02 pm

   I guess its to do with the old saying “a dog is for life not just for Christmas. This is more to-do with getting a dog and caring for it responsible rather than for a Christmas present that won’t be wanted shortly after. Anytime is a good time to get a pet providing that the owner is fully informed and prepared to take the responsibility seriously. Plus they make a terrible mess of Santa’s slay;)
5. FiddleWi
   November 4, 2009 at 10:03 pm

   If you are going to buy one at a pet shop, they might raise the prices knowing that people are buying them as gifts and will pay anything to get the “right” pet.
6. Carolina
   November 4, 2009 at 10:20 pm

   because most people who get dogs at christmas aren’t prepared for the responsiblity. not only christmas… for example, when the movie 101 Dalmations came out, people rushed out to buy a dalmation. next thing you know shelters and humane societies every where where overwhelmed by people getting rid of their dalmations because they thought they were buying ” a cute and cuddly toy” only to find out there is a ton of responsibility behind caring for a dog.
7. John D
   November 4, 2009 at 10:57 pm

   If you are buying a pup for yourself and this is something you have researched, planned and prepared for (food,training,vet and neutering costs) and your only desire is to commemorate it on Christmas…. GREAT!!!!!!!! If this is a gift for someone else……………WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang)
   November 4, 2009 at 11:09 pm

   Consider getting a cat. They’re self sufficent, you don’t have to let them out, they’re cheapier to care for, and they don’t jump on you when you walk in the door (unless you’re my kitty). They are easier to house train and you don’t have to go outside in 20 degree weather waiting for them to poo.
   If you’re convinced on a dog, think of where you live now and where you’ll live in the next few years. A dog and an apartment is out of the question unless it’s a small dog.
   But my suggestion, no matter what pet you get, is get one after Christmas. That’s when all the pets that people gave as gifts end up at the shelter and need adopted the most.
9. Rachel N
   November 4, 2009 at 11:40 pm

   usually people are soooo busy at Christmas time with parties, family get togethers, shopping, ect. that there is not enough time to take care of a new dog. plus, if you are having people over for christmas, the dog may become afraid of all the new people plus being in a new home. stress from a new home and then adding lots of new people around will sometimes make it harder for the dog to adjust. if you want a dog, wait until after the holidays and then you will have more time for the dog and will make it easier for him/her to adjust to a new home before bringing in new people.
10. kerrberr
    November 5, 2009 at 12:05 am

    Because the dog is usually a “present” and if the recipient is not prepared to take care of the dog, does not like the type of puppy they got, whatever else, then the puppy suffers because it gets neglected or taken to the pound or given away.
    If you get the puppy as a member of the family and you know the family is ready for it and can care for it there is nothing wrong with getting one at Christmas or any other time.
11. Jo
    November 5, 2009 at 12:17 am

    I’m not sure why either. Maybe giving someone a dog as a gift isn’t a good idea? After the newness and excitement of a Christmas present wear off the dog will not be wanted anymore?
    Or maybe because there’s a lot going on around the holidays and you wouldn’t be able to devote the time and energy needed for a new puppy?
    Those are my ideas. I read your other question and it made me curious also.
    Hope you find the answer!
12. KJ
    November 5, 2009 at 1:00 am

    Because a lot of people want to get a dog as a christmas present for someone, so a lot of people are just trying to get money by selling off bad tempered dogs, or faking that the dogs are pure bred. I would wait until a month or two after Christmas.
13. YourRoom
    November 5, 2009 at 1:05 am

    Usually it’s because your regular routine isn’t in place over the holidays. Relatives & friends coming and going, presents & trees, etc etc. There’s alot of stuff going on & it isn’t the best time to try to start training a new dog. Once the holidays are over and things return to normal then you can concentrate on a new pet. That’s why they say that holidays are a bad time to get a new pet. You should introduce your new pet to your home in a more relaxed manner and in the conditions he will be raised in.
14. Didi
    November 5, 2009 at 1:28 am

    Christmas isn’t a bad time to get a dog. It depends on if the person getting the dog wants a dog and wants all of the responsibility. The reason they say Christmas is a bad time is because idiots decide to “surprise” someone with an animal as a Christmas present. Whether it be a dog, cat, bird, etc the giver needs to know that the person wants an animal and the responsibility/ hastle.
15. Let_it_b
    November 5, 2009 at 2:12 am

    A dog is a living thing not a Xbox.
    Children are easily bored with their Christmas gifts. A dog is not something you can just ignore and put in the hallway closet like a game console You have to feed it, walk it, and bring to the vet’s once in awhile. There’s alot more resposibilty involved with this kind of gift.
16. hauntedt
    November 5, 2009 at 3:02 am

    i’m not sure. Maybe people think you’ll neglect the dog because Christmas is a busy time and people travel. If you are sure you can spend adequate time with the puppy it should be fine. I know we got our new puppy a month before we got married, now that’s bad timing. We brought him home and listed to him cry cause he missed his other family. Then he got used to us, and we left for our honeymoon for almost a week. Poor thing. We had to provide for a family member to keep him at their house because he had to be watched closely at that age. Our older dog stayed home alone (with someone checking and playing with him), just after he got used to having a baby brother. So Christmas is a much better time than before a wedding.
17. rdnkchic
    November 5, 2009 at 3:51 am

    Christmas is the wrong time to get a dog because during the holiday you have family over, are busy shopping and wrapping presents, have a tree with many tasty looking ornaments, and in general are going to be WAY too busy to devote full days to teaching puppy where to potty and what not to eat. <<
18. bladedog
    November 5, 2009 at 4:36 am

    Christmas puppies are like relatives and fish.
    After 3 days they stink.
    Seriously check the local animal shelter in the month of January and see how many full blooded pups are up for adoption because the cuteness wore off because “little Johnny doesn’t want to pick up poop” or “the puppy is teething on little Susie’s leg” or “I work all day and don’t have time…”
    Not a good choice to give pups as gifts.
19. woooh!
    November 5, 2009 at 5:18 am

    Another reason is that reputable breeders simply will not sell pups for Christmas. Even if the pup is for yourself, it’s just too hectic a time. Also, most people who buy a pup “for Christmas” are ONLY thinking of Christmas, and not thinking about the long-term 10+ year commitment that a puppy (and the dog it becomes) involves. So any pup you are able to buy “for Christmas” is coming from a breeder that cares more about making a sale than the welfare of their puppies. Wait until after Christmas when things have settled back to your normal routine.
20. Basset Puppies = land piranhas
    November 5, 2009 at 6:06 am

    Higher prices, and usually an impulse buy. Do not ever buy from a puppy mill, broker , backyard breeder or pet store.
21. MANDYLBH
    November 5, 2009 at 6:28 am

    Several Reasons:
    1. HouseBreaking. House-breaking a puppy in Winter can be very difficult. Particularly in cold/snowy climates. Puppy feet are sensitive and don’t like the cold, not to mention that the snow may be higher than he/she is. Then there’s the owner’s dedication to running outside in the cold every couple hours to let the puppy do his thing. My vet once said a puppy can hold his bladder roughly 1 hour for every 1 month of age. So the average new puppy needs to go out every 2-3 hours.
    2. Chewable Items: Christmas is a time when there’s lots of bright, shiny items that look like fun to chew, but are quite dangerous: lights on the tree, Poinsettias, ribbon on packages, chocolates laying out. Wait until those things are all away before you bring a set of walking teeth into the house.
    3. Attention. New dogs, particularly puppies, will need lots of attention and time with the new owner to adjust. Christmas is so busy. Then if you’re traveling, that complicates things. Wait until you’re more relaxed.
    4. Lastly – never give a pet as a gift. A huge number of these animals end up euthanized in pounds because they were never given a fair chance, or the owner didn’t really want the pet.
22. itsnotar
    November 5, 2009 at 6:37 am

    because they will rip open your presents?