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NWMR: Dog as a gift

fitmom82fitmom82 member
in Working Moms
We lost our dog last night.  I thought I was going to welcome the break, but it doesn't feel right not having a dog around.  I always thought it would be a really special "magical" surprise to get a puppy from Santa.  Has anyone ever done that?  How does the 1st day work?  I'm thinking my parents could watch the dog while we go to my in laws for Christmas Eve, we'd pick up the puppy on the way home while the kids are sleeping so they can be surprised Christmas morning.  How does Christmas work though?  We usually go to my inlaws early in the day, then to my parents.  Do you bring an untrained puppy out all day or leave the puppy alone all day in a crate?
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Re: NWMR: Dog as a gift

  • jf198400jf198400 member
    I don't want to be a Debbie downer, but my mom told me to never get a puppy in the winter b/c house training is hell. Personally I'd get a puppy before summer ends, it will make your life much easier. You can already realize how logistically difficult it will be to bring a puppy home on Christmas.
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  • MommyAttyMommyAtty member
    My brother did it, and he wished he hadn't. There is so much around at Christmas that can hurt a puppy, namely wrapping paper and chocolate. Also, the puppy cried because the noise and chaos were too much. My brother ended up sitting in his bathroom petting the puppy until the festivities ended. And the kids were upset bc they wanted the puppy to run around and be rambunctious with them. (Btw, I'm sorry about your dog. And sorry TB can't read paragraphs on an iPad.)
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  • krose0713krose0713 member
    I adopted a 2 year old dog instead of a puppy bc I knew I couldn't deal with house training (I was in my early 20s, lived alone). So I'm no help!

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  • skibunny59skibunny59 member
    I'm so sorry for your loss.  :-(   I've always gotten puppies at the beginning of the summer because I'm a teacher so I'm off and have time to potty train them.  I know my situation is different than most but I have heard from other people that it is easier to potty train a puppy when the weather is nice because in the winter it is cold so it's hard to get them to go out.

    I would not bring an untrained puppy to your inlaws and/or parent's house on Christmas day nor would I leave him in a crate all day by himself.  Also, Christmas is pretty hectic as it is so I don't know if that's the right time to get a puppy.  

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  • dglvrk2dglvrk2 member
    First, I am really sorry for you loss. Take some time to grieve and decompress. You lost a much loved family member. As for getting a new dog, I would not do it on Christmas morning because of all of the chaos that usually goes with this day. I like the idea of a note from Santa saying your kids can pick out a puppy or dog. I'm all about looking at shelters first. I volunteered at my local Humane Society for years before having kids and met some wonderful, trained older dogs. However, you must be careful as older dogs who are put up for adoption are sometimes completely untrained and having one in your homeis like having a giant puppy around. With puppies from a (reputable!) breeder, you are more likely to get a pooch with a clean slate.
    Again, I'm so sorry. Big hugs.
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  • skibunny59skibunny59 member
    dglvrk2 said:
    First, I am really sorry for you loss. Take some time to grieve and decompress. You lost a much loved family member. As for getting a new dog, I would not do it on Christmas morning because of all of the chaos that usually goes with this day. I like the idea of a note from Santa saying your kids can pick out a puppy or dog. I'm all about looking at shelters first. I volunteered at my local Humane Society for years before having kids and met some wonderful, trained older dogs. However, you must be careful as older dogs who are put up for adoption are sometimes completely untrained and having one in your homeis like having a giant puppy around. With puppies from a (reputable!) breeder, you are more likely to get a pooch with a clean slate. Again, I'm so sorry. Big hugs.
    I agree with the bolded but I also wanted to add that you can get puppies from a rescue organization.  Much cheaper than a breeder.  We got our dog from a rescue organization who picks up puppies from a high kill shelter in North Carolina.  They pick up the puppies, bring them here and put them in foster homes and then put them up for adoption.  Our pup was 3 months old when we got him and he is the best dog I've ever had hands down.  We have no idea what he is.  He's just a good old fashioned mutt but he is really so sweet and lovable.  Check out petfinder.com and look for adoptable puppies in your area.  Also, most rescue organizations really want to do a meet and great with the entire family when you adopt so I don't think you'd be able to do a surprise for your kids on Christmas if you go this route.
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  • BabyHope2013BabyHope2013 member
    House training a dog in the winter can be very complicated. It is especially confusing if you live where it snows. My dog is almost five and the first real snow fall that we get every year still throws him off for a day or two. 

    I know people who have gotten puppies for christmas, but will not pick them up until a few days later. The holidays are a very hectic time and there is a lot going on. They are often already super hyper and afraid---you might want to introduce them to a calm environment. 

    Also keep in mind that if you get the puppy for christmas---chances are somewhere may not want you to pick it up on christmas eve, so where do you "hide" the puppy till christmas morning. Then what do you do with the puppy when you have to go to your in-laws if you do have it at your house? They need to be let out about every 3-4 hours if not more frequently. 

    My daycare got their kids a puppy for christmas, but they told them a few days before hand that they were getting one and didn't pick it up until a few days after the holiday. 

    Good luck! My dog is my best friend and is becoming one of the same to DS. The bond they have with each other is really awesome to watch. 
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  • catahoulattecatahoulatte member
    So I'm kind of split- we got our Golden as kids on Christmas Eve (Santa came early and "dropped him off"/aka my aunt snuck him in with a key right before we got home from wherever we went). It was magical.

    BUT...I can see the negative sides to this. It would be a tough day for the puppy, it's cold as all get out in the winter (we got our current lab in January and had to PT him in the snow. Horrible idea). I think it would be more practical to discuss it as a family and go pick out a dog together, preferably from a shelter when you all feel like you're emotionally ready. I'm so sorry that you lost your pup.
                                       
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