Accepting deposits now for Christmas puppies
While reading one of the local papers the other day I came across an ad in the classified section under dogs for sale that read “ accepting deposits now for Christmas Puppies.” Another ad read “Poms in time for Christmas day.” I was amazed that breeders were pushing their pups for Christmas gifts and then quickly realized these were not breeders of any worth but rather puppy mill breeders, backyard breeders, breeding for profit only without much concern for the dogs as very few reputable breeders would actually place their pups in a home right around Christmas time and NO reputable breeder would be advertising them as potential Christmas gifts! Christmas time is generally not the best time to bring a puppy home, and they certainly should not be given as a gift to an unsuspecting recipient or bought on a whim. Too much going on: too many parties to attend, too many family gatherings, too many other obligations not to mention a house full of holiday decorations that are potential health hazards to a young, inquisitive nose. Trying to housetrain a new pup is already tough; trying to do it with holiday chaos would be next to impossible for an already busy family.
When dogs are given up
I decided to find out how many dogs are surrendered to our local shelters after being given as Christmas gifts or at least purchased in the month of December. Since the local shelters do not specifically ask when a pup is being surrendered if it was a gift or not, it is hard know with any certainty if the dog that is being surrendered was a gift but we can tell month wise, when the pup was brought into the home that is now giving it away. According to Vancouver BCSPCA communications manager Corry Anderson, April, May and June have some of the highest numbers of dogs being surrendered, more so than other months of the year. Most pups are sold at the age of eight to 10 weeks. The average age of the dogs being surrendered are about six to seven months, which would therefore make them December puppies, and I would hasten to guess many of them were in fact Christmas gifts. At the six to seven month mark the cuteness is starting to wear off and all the puppy antics that seemed so cute the first few months are now starting to wear a bit thin, and reality is setting in that owning a dog is a lot of work and should not be entered into lightly. That impulse buy to see children’s faces light up Christmas morning is now turning into the gift that keeps on giving, and growing and needing attention.
Say not to Christmas puppies as gifts
Every year during the month of December local SPCAs worldwide make appeals to everyone to think before buying a puppy or any other animal as a Christmas present. The United States SPCA adopted a slogan a few years back saying “ A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” to try to stop dogs being given as Christmas gifts. Clearly this and our local SPCA’s advice of not giving a pet for Christmas has fallen on deaf ears. While it may seem like a great idea to buy your lonely relative a companion or to put a puppy under the tree Christmas morning for the kids, stats prove otherwise that this for many, will not be a lasting relationship for both pup and owner. There are many considerations that should be made before someone gets a dog not to mention that picking the actual puppy is a very personal decision. We must remember that that cute puppy in the mall or in the local paper is actually a 14-year commitment.
Rather than buying a puppy for Christmas, a better idea would be to buy a leash a collar, a dog training book, a crate and note that says once the holidays are over a puppy is coming. Before you buy that puppy in the window or from that backyard puppy mill breeder who is advertising Christmas puppies, ask your self this “Will this gift end up in a shelter or rescuer seven months from now so like so many ‘gifts’ before them?”
Shelley Smith is a Certified Master Dog Trainer with an educational background in psychology. She has been training dogs and their owners for over 12 years. Shelley's training combines counter conditioning and positive reinforcements. She currently lives with three dogs: two German Shepherds (one a rescue) and a mutt with weight issues. To contact Shelley, visit www.dogtrainershelley.ca or call 778-836-3647.
Drool-worthy events . . .
Know of a dog-friendly event happening in your area? Please e-mail info@doggyvibe.ca all the details as we’d love to help spread the word.
Christmas wine & fleas fundraiser
Drop by the Human-equivalent of the dog park and enjoy an apres-work glass of wine, mingling, and the warm and fuzzy feeling you'll get from donating pet food, old blankets, old towels, and/or toys to the flea-hamper, at the wine and fleas fundraising soiree, Monday, Dec. 14, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the dog &hydrant, 1146 Pacific Blvd., Yaletown. RSVP FleaGirl@shaw.ca
Christmas pawty
Get festive Wednesday, Dec. 16 and celebrate the holidays at the Christmas Pawty, barking babies, 1188 Homer St., Vancouver. Tasty treats andholiday cheer along with dog photos and more will be happening from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10/person and 100% of the proceeds will be going to the Senior Animals In Need Today Society. Please bring a donation of blankets, treats or toys for SAINTS, to be a Santa to an animal in need. Visit their website for a Wish List of food. Please RSVP to info@barkingbabies.com, or call 604-647-2275.
Social media . . .
facebook | twitter
Connect with other doggyvibe readers on our facebook and twitter sites.
Cool features - coming soon. . .
puppy gallery | daily drool blog
check out puppy profiles on our gallery, and keep up to date on the daily drool blog.
