Sometimes I step outside the beauty arena to talk about subjects that are close to my heart, one of them – you guessed it – is dogs! Dogs Trust will be starting their Christmas campaign soon encouraging people not to buy puppies for Christmas, #adogisforlife. Obviously, I’m 100% behind this – Christmas is literally the worst time to take puppy ownership on board, so if it’s a thought that’s starting to creep into your head, put it away!
There are several practical reasons for not buying puppies in December – one of which, as a November puppy owner (back in the day) is that when it comes to house training, nobody wants to be standing in the snow or sleet trying to teach a shivering puppy to pee outside. Believe me, it is a million times easier to house train a dog in the summer.
Next up, Christmas is super stressful – let’s put away the John Lewis heart warming ads and remember that if you have children this is the day that starts in the middle of the night and gradually grinds down to a cry heaping by 4pm (if not the children, then you). It’s not an environment to place a bewildered puppy into, no matter how happy you think it’s going to make the day.
Puppies don’t react well to noise and excitement – Christmas means absolutely nothing to them and if the puppy is the main event, that’s an awful lot of pressure on a little dog that has literally no clue that the joy of the day is entirely dependent upon them. Chances are your newbie will want to find a quiet spot and be no ‘fun’ at all.
Dogs Trust – and literally all the other animal charities – inevitably end up with hundreds of unwanted dogs and puppies after Christmas because for all the reasons above and more, and when people finally work out they’re not a toy, it’s all too much to cope with. Puppies are very demanding; they want to explore, they need to be fed, toileted, taught what’s okay and what’s not okay and take up a lot of time. If you don’t have the time, don’t take the puppy, simple as.
I guess what I’m getting around to saying is that the time you spend with your puppy or rescue dog at the very beginning is crucial; it’s where the bonding begins and also the training and if you want a dog that fits beautifully and seamlessly into your family then you have to focus hard on these things from day 1. It’s unlikely that Christmas, for most of us, would be that time. I’m pretty sure I don’t need to tug on your heartstrings with this message, but if you can take a moment to see beyond the fantasy and look to the reality which invariably is a tiny thing, with no idea how to fit into your family, no concept of expectations and no idea how to please you, it’s a no-brainer that there are other times of the year that would better suit you all.
So, if you see, as you undoubtedly will, the #adogisforlife hashtag, please do give it a retweet, create a picture on Instagram (who doesn’t love a puppy pic?!) or pop a message on your Facebook to remind everyone that a Furbie is probably better at this time of year. Although, I do remember that being a bit of a pain as well……
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
10 comments
The furbie was definitely more annoying! haha.
Totally agree though, we love the idea of a puppy, as everyone does. But it is a huge commitment I think people dont appreciate until they have one. We are waiting until summer as you said, and we have a house and a garden, im home every day so will be ideal for the type we want as it needs walked 3-4 times a day.
A dog is a huge commitment, just as much as a child, think about it people 🙂
http://www.makeerinover.co.uk
We lost ours now almost 2 years ago and still miss him hugely as he was such a character but quite rightly when we do get another one (and ours was a D.T. doggy ) it will be at the right time for us and them. Thank you for standing up for the obvious
Great article. Dogs require so much love and attention. Happily settled dogs get stressed at Christmas because of all the changes in their routine. Imagine how much worse it is for a tiny puppy!
While I agree that a dog *is* for life, we got our doggy at Christmas and it turned out to be an ideal time to welcome her. We both had a big chunk of time off for once to settle her in and there were lots of people coming and going to help socialise her. If you want a dog enough, you don’t mind standing in the snow in the middle of the night when they want a wee!
The issue is commitment, not the timing.
Yes, I agree.. I think I had a paragraph in the original post saying that Christmas can be the ideal time if it’s a quiet period for you when you are at home – you can give full focus to your new arrival. But, the message that Dogs Trust want to get across is that ‘generally’ it’s not a great time for many people so I took it out. I did mind standing outside shivering – but I still did it! xx
Love this campaign. It always baffles me how people can just give something up cause its too hard. My wee pup has just been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and after chatting with friends about it one told me their uncles dog was diagnosed so he left it at a shelter so he didn’t have to deal and another said how his work mate’s dog had it and he didn’t bother getting insurance so had the dog put down when the pain got too much for the dog instead of taking one of the many payment plans the vet offered to get the dog much needed surgery because ‘it wasn’t worth £3000’. I should also point out that we got her in May and even then a puppy isnt easy – most people do not realise that actual work might be involved and expect this cute little bundle that licks your face, knows where to pee and never needs any attention – worst part is alot of these people have kids! Did they not learn the first time round 🙂
I would never consider anything other than a rescue dog whatever time of the year. I’ve had five…and they’ve all been adorable. I’ve had to take a break from dogs after my last one died because with four grandchildren under five, it wouldn’t have been fair (out a lot !), but as soon as my Grandslave duties lesson, I’ll be adopting a couple more. There are rescue associations for just about every breed, so even if you’re partial or loyal to one in particular, you’ll be sure to find one. Even the older ones make lovely pets…there’s even an association for the older dog…they tend to need just TLC and less exercise in their twilight years. Don’t buy a puppy. Adopt a dog.
….and that would be ‘lessen’ of course, not ‘lesson’. Oh dear.
I am so up for homing an older dog in the future!
Wel said, I love dogs and wouldn’t be without one but trying to deal with the chaos of Christmas and a new addition (in pup or adult dog form) just seems like a horrendous idea. Let’s face it any new pet needs time to settle in adding extended family, tempting sweet treats and all of the breakable ornaments (especially the Christmas tree) is just asking for trouble. We adopted a rescue a couple of years ago and though we’d had him in July we still ended up with an emergency vet trip as he got so completely overwhelmed by all of the changes at Christmas that he couldn’t cope. Thankfully last Christmas was much easier but it goes to show any dog needs time to settle in before being thrown into such a stressful time.