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Oh! How I love the Christmas movies and commercials that portray someone gifting a dog. Just the sight of an adorable puppy wearing a big red bow, waiting anxiously, melts my heart. Then, the recipient enters the scene, bursting into happy tears, giving me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
However, the movies and commercials only show part of the story! There is a right way to gifting a dog whether it’s at Christmas or another special occasion.
If gifting a dog is in your plans this Christmas, then you need to prepare. Most importantly, that cute little puppy with the red bow comes with a lot of responsibility. So, being a dog parent, no matter what age, needs to be taken seriously.
For instance, animal shelters all over the country deal with thousands of dogs given as gifts. Unfortunately, their recipients surrender them after the newness wears off and responsibility sets in.
Therefore, a giver needs to understand how to responsibly bring a dog into a recipient’s life.
Tips for Gifting a Dog at Christmas
Don’t get me wrong, gifting a dog can be a wonderful gift, but not always a wonderful surprise. Recipients should be ready for a living and breathing gift that requires a 10 to 15 year commitment. So, it takes some planning on the giver’s side and below you will find some tips to help.
1 – Christmas Dogs Should be Planned Gifts
I get it! The image of a puppy with a bow, sitting under the tree on Christmas morning is adorable. However, it’s not the best choice for the dog or the recipient. A family dog is a lifelong commitment to bonding and responsibility.
Therefore, gifting a dog should never be a surprise, but rather a planned gift. Although dogs bring joy to life, not everyone has the time, energy, money, or interest in one.
At one time, the ASPCA was against the practice of even gifting a dog under any circumstance. However, after a survey to learn more about people who acquire pets as gifts, they support the practice.
The ASPCA recommends “the giving of pets as gifts only to people who expressed a sustained interest in owning one, and the ability to care for it responsibly.”
Furthermore, they emphasize that pets should ideally come from responsible animal shelters, rescue organizations, or other trusted sources.
So, instead of surprising a family member with a dog, take the whole family to choose one together. With so many dogs waiting in shelters, you can bring holiday cheer to your family member while saving a dog’s life.
Plus, if your recipient wants a specific breed, an adoption counselor can let you know what’s available. I Heart Dogs found that it’s not at all uncommon to find purebred dogs in local shelters.
Furthermore, they used Petfinder’s self-reported data about the breeds more commonly available. Following are the 15 most common purebreds found in shelters, according to I Heart Dogs.
15 Most Common Purebreds in Shelters
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Labrador Retriever
- Chihuahua
- Boxer
- German Shepherd Dog
- Beagle
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Dachshund
- American Bulldog
- Border Collie
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Jack Russel Terrier
- Australian Shepherd
- Shih Tzu
- Rottweiler
If you don’t find what you’re looking for at a local shelter, try checking out breed specific shelters. In addition, when adopting, you save two lives. You save the dog you bring home and the dog you make space for at the shelter.
2 – Be Aware of the Time and Financial Commitment
After the excitement of Christmas morning wears off, the real work of being a dog parent begins. In other words, a new dog means a whole lot of responsibility. So, an unprepared recipient may not be up to the challenge.
Before gifting a dog, think about the time and financial commitment that will be placed on your recipient. For instance, consider the resources needed to care for a dog and what it will truly cost.
A few things to consider are:
- food and treats
- veterinary care
- toys, bedding, bath supplies
- walking, boarding, or dog sitting costs
- time and energy for house and obedience training
- maintaining a schedule that meets the dog’s needs
According to the ASPCA, 3.9 million dogs are relinquished to shelters in the U.S. every year. In addition, 20% of that is because their families don’t have enough time, or can’t handle behavior issues.
Therefore, you should be as sure as possible that your recipient is ready for your gift. You sure don’t want the dog you give to become part of the 20%.
3 – Questions to Ask Yourself Before Gifting a Dog
Ask yourself these questions to ensure your gift is what your recipient wants and can prepare for.
- Can the recipient commit to 10 to 15 years of caring for a dog?
- Is the recipient allergic to dog dander?
- Will the recipient have the financial resources to provide the dog with proper care, including veterinary visits?
- Does the recipient live in a rental, and if so, are dogs allowed?
- Has the recipient expressed an interest in wanting a dog?
- Does the recipient have time for exercise, interaction, and play with the dog?
- Does the recipient have other pets in the household? If so, will they get along with a new dog?
- Will a dog be a good match for the recipient’s lifestyle?
So, by answering these questions, you can determine if your recipient is ready for a dog. If they are, then you can plan your gift by opening a conversation about dogs with your recipient.
Are you set on the “element of surprise” Christmas morning? You can still achieve it by giving the gift of dog planning. Read on for some ideas on how your recipient can still have a surprise without the actual dog.
4 – Consider Giving a Dog Starter Kit Instead
It’s still possible to surprise your recipient on Christmas morning by giving a dog starter kit. For instance, it will be like a surprise promise! Your recipient will see a kit full of supplies that say, “You’re getting a dog, so get ready!”
Therefore, important family planning and discussions can take place. For example, everyone needs to agree on how to care for the new four-legged family member. Plus, it’s important for family members to decide on who does what “caring for” responsibilities.
Your dog starter kit for your recipient can be as big or small as you want it to be. In addition, you can place dog care items in a basket, a wrapped box, or a backpack.
Ideas for What to Put in a Dog Starter Kit
- dog food and water bowls
- fun assortment of dog toys and dog treats
- collar and leash
- i.d. tags to be engraved later
- stuffed dog as a stand-in for now
- pet first aid kit
- Children’s book: My Dog!: A Kids’ Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet (about responsible pet parenthood and very kid friendly)
- The Kid’s Dog Treat Cookbook (color, draw, write, and learn dog facts as you bond with your dog through baking treats)
- Pawesomely Fun Paw Print Art (a bonding experience as you turn your dog’s paw prints into treasured pieces of art)
- adoption certificate from your local animal shelter (this certificate covers the adoption fee, but allows your recipient to visit the shelter to choose their dog)
Above all, a dog starter kit allows your recipient to be involved in planning and preparations. Plus, they get to choose the pet they want and you encourage responsible dog parenthood.
5- Help Prepare the Recipient for Your Gift
Are you set on having a planned gift of a dog under the tree on Christmas morning? If so, then you will want to make sure the recipient is prepared with supplies. For example, have food, bowls, bedding, toys, a collar and leash, ready to go.
In addition, plan for the dog to have adjustment time while accustoming to the new environment. For instance, a safe space needs to be set up for the dog to rest and feel comfortable.
Furthermore, the recipient’s family needs to dog proof their home before the furry arrival. Lastly, have a surrender plan in place. Although you hope it won’t come to that, you should plan for the possibility.
In Conclusion
With consideration, gifting a dog to a child or a lonely older relative can be a thoughtful gift. However, remember the recipient should feel prepared to assume the responsibilities of dog ownership.
If you go ahead with a surprise gift, prepare yourself for the possibility of it not working out. I speak from experience since I gave my in-laws a dog they weren’t ready for. Furthermore, that’s why I’ve done the research now to help others prepare appropriately.
Have you ever received a dog as a surprise gift? We would love to read in the comments below about how the experience went for you.
What about receiving a dog as a planned gift? Let us know in the comments.
Additionally, if you’ve given a dog as a gift, we’d love to read about it in the comments.
You might find these posts on our dog blog of interest:
- Puppy Socialization – Plan in the First 3 Months
- Your Older Dog Can Adjust to a Puppy
- Dogs and Candy Canes – What You Need to Know
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