Artists, advertisers and media have long used images of puppies to complete the “perfect Christmas morning”.  Holiday cards show a cute fuzzy puppy under the tree peeking out of a colorful box or with a big red ribbon around their neck. TV commercials often use puppies of popular breeds in their holiday commercials, advertising anything from toys to clothes.  The image is always similar, a family with children and a cute, new puppy on Christmas morning. And who can forget the famous Disney Christmas puppy Lady from Lady and the Tramp? Often dog lovers can think of no gift better then a puppy but it’s not that easy.

Why Puppies Aren’t Great Gifts

Every holiday season,dog clubs, shelters and professional writers alike do their best to discourage people from buying puppies as gifts. For many people the holiday season brings chaos, guests and long hours spent shopping and preparing. Puppies require a set schedule for house training and lots of time for basic training.  It’s obvious why experts feel this is not the ideal time to get a puppy.

Of course some people have much more relaxed holidays. The high stress of the holidays however is not the only reason that you should pass on a puppy under the tree. Often when given as a gift to a child, parents have unrealistic expectations that the child will care for the puppy and learn responsibility. While children can help with puppy raising and older children can even take an active role in training, it is not reasonable to expect them to be solely responsible for a dog.  If the parents don’t want a dog or don’t want to care for a dog, then a puppy is a poor choice for a child’s gift. It is also the parents who need to realize the financial responsibility of having a dog because that will also fall on their shoulders. Also, realize that while the child may want a puppy more then anything right now, they may change their mind tomorrow, next week or next month. If the puppy can’t be guaranteed a home regardless if the child remains interested or not, then a puppy is a very poor gift idea.

Buying a puppy as a surprise gift for an adult is also a practice that is cautioned against. Just because you feel the person needs a dog (or an additional dog) or would be a great owner doesn’t mean the person has the same idea.

...But I’m Sure They Want a Puppy!

So you have someone on your list who really wants a puppy. They would love a puppy as a gift and have said so. You know the person is responsible and ready to care for a dog. A puppy as a gift seems like a can’t go wrong gift. Except that it’s still a bad idea to give them a surprise puppy that you picked out for them. The owner to be should be the person to choose their new companion. Choosing a breed and an individual dog is a very personal decision. My idea of a great dog may drive someone else crazy and another’s perfect dog may not even be on my list to consider.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t give the person a puppy as a gift if you really want to. I have received two gift puppies (many years apart) which worked out perfectly. The difference is that I was able to choose the puppies myself. The gift was the purchase of the puppy and some puppy supplies. Generally speaking, reputable breeders and shelters wouldn’t allow a dog of theirs to be acquired as a “gift” anyway which is another reason to allow the owner to be to choose their own dog.

What To Put Under the Tree

Of course you will still want something to wrap and put under the tree. This is where it becomes apparent a real puppy is not a good gift - they’ll never hold still long enough to wrap! For your soon-to-bepuppy owning friend or relative the potential gifts are nearly endless. Get together with a few other people and the owner to be may get close to receiving everything they need for the new puppy which makes a great gift! Here are some great must haves, as well as a few useful items and some fun ones to get a new owner started off right:

• Puppy Certificate for the purchase of a puppy of their choice or an amount towards the purchase. If the person will be adopting a dog some shelters allow you to prepay for adoption and give you a certificate. Include a note stating it is good for whenever they feel ready for their new addition.
• Basic supplies such as collar, leash, crate and grooming supplies are always  appreciated when a puppy is on the way
• Breed books either on choosing a breed or the breed(s) the person has expressed interest in.
• Training books such as Ian Dunbar’s Before and After Your Get Your Puppy make great reading for anyone considering adding a puppy to the home.
• Magazine subscriptions.  I suggest Whole Dog Journal for great holistic care advice along with positive training articles or Dog World for a good variety of information on all things dog.
• Training supplies such as clickers, treats, bait bag, targets and Kongs make a great gift basket when combined with a training book or WDJ subscription.
• Gift certificates for puppy class, food, supplies, doggy daycare, pet stores, grooming or vet care are practical gifts. A Place for Paws offers gift certificates in any amount which are good towards all of our products and classes!
• Fun gifts  such as a puppy/dog themed scrapbook/photo album/ “baby book” with a few disposable cameras, a book of pet names, a wide variety of toys or even just for fun agility obstacles will be sure to bring a smile!