Why You Should Never Give Someone a Puppy for Christmas

Christmas is a joyful season, and you probably can’t wait to shower your loved ones with presents. However, a puppy or any live pet is not an appropriate gift for Christmas, unless the recipient is truly ready for a dog. The problem with giving pets as a gift is that the recipient often doesn’t expect them. While they may be excited initially, they are not prepared for the commitment required to care for the new pet. Giving someone a puppy who’s not expecting one can backfire quickly.

Puppies Require Commitment

Puppies are adorable. But even the people who purposefully adopt a puppy for themselves can be surprised with how much work they are. They can be troublesome, because they’re still teething when they’re young. They’re also very playful and have a lot to learn. This includes things like toilet training and teaching them not to chew on shoes.

Taking care of a puppy properly requires a lot of time. If the recipient has a full-time job, there must be someone to let the dog out during the day. The owner also needs to spend some time during the day to encourage the dog to engage in physical activity. That includes throwing balls or frisbees or taking them for a long walk.

Having a puppy also costs money. Puppies usually need to be spayed or neutered when they’re old enough. They may destroy some items of value, which can get costly. The owner may also need to pay for dog training classes to teach the dog how to walk on a leash, sit, come when they’re called, and perform other tricks.

Children Need Help

Many people end up buying a puppy for a child, because that child loves dogs so much. However, you have to understand that raising a dog is a job for an adult. Children can help, but an adult must bear the responsibility and the costs of keeping the dog. And what happens when the child tires of the pet?

Grandparents may be more likely to purchase a puppy or kitten for their grandchild. After all, these furry creatures are probably the best Christmas present a child may ever get. And while the puppy will eventually make a great pet for the child if trained right, a puppy is rarely a good companion for a young child.

Giving a puppy to a small child requires constant supervision. For example, a puppy may nip the child when it’s being playful. A child may pull the dog’s tail and risk getting bitten in turn. You should never leave a puppy alone with young children, because harm could come to either or both. Neither the puppy nor the child knows how to interact properly with each other without causing harm. Additionally, the child can’t read the puppy’s subtle cues that it’s feeling overwhelmed.

You Won’t Pick the Right Pet

Even if the new dog owners are delighted to have this new dog and willing to care for them, you may have made a mistake in getting them a puppy for Christmas. It could be the wrong breed. For example, a family in the suburbs may enjoy taking a little dog for a walk each day, but they’re not prepared to ride their bikes for miles to meet the physical activity requirements of a hunting dog. The puppy may also not have the disposition. Maybe the dog doesn’t like cats or is bred to chase them, but the new dog owner already has several cats in their home.

Shelters Are Full of Adoptable Dogs

Christmas is a happy time for humans, but a few weeks afterwards, the shelters will be full of unwanted pets that were given as presents. The problem is that these dogs are not off to a great start in living together with humans peacefully. When you give someone a puppy, they probably have no idea how to care for it. By the time that dog ends up in the shelter, because it wouldn’t stop chewing up everything or urinating inside the house, it will be difficult to un-train these bad habits. On top of that, it’s emotionally difficult for the puppy, who doesn’t understand why it’s being rehomed.

If you really want to give someone a dog, you can help them adopt one, which allows the new dog owner to pick the characteristics they’re looking for in a pet. You may even have them do it after the holiday stress is over, because that’s easier on the new dog.

Special Needs Dog Finds Forever Home

There are times I feel overwhelmed by happiness and this is definitely the best thing that happened in 2017. Murdock came to us blind in both eyes from an eye infection that caused both eyeballs to rupture. We got him to an excellent surgeon in Orlando who fixed him right up. He was with amazing fosters who took good care of him and endured the first night of misery poor Murdock endured but we knew better times were ahead for our boy. He is now officially with his new family and he will live out his life being loved and taken care of the way every dog deserves. This is a huge triumph for Murdock. I always say we have the best adopters and this proves my point once again. What wonderful people they are to open their hearts and homes to a special needs dog. All our love to you Murdock. You are now officially safe and sound.

 

How to Adopt a Dog When You Have Children

Children love dogs, and many dogs reciprocate the feeling. Generally, it’s a great idea to get a dog when you have kids, because it teaches them a lot about caring for someone else. They can be involved in feeding and walking the dog, and of course, they can enjoy snuggling up with the new puppy. But should you adopt a new dog when you have kids? And when you do, how can you make sure the dog becomes a loved member of the family?

Do You Have the Time?
New babies require a lot of your time, and even younger children demand your attention. How much time do you really have to devote to a new pet? There isn’t really a set number of hours you should have to spare to take care of a dog. You just need to think about what it takes to care for one.

For example, you need to spend a few minutes in the morning and evening to feed the dog and provide them with fresh water. More importantly, you need to have time to take the dog for a walk, play with them, and pet them. During the week when you’re busy with work and other obligations, you may only take them around the block, so they can do their business. It’s important to make sure that you have enough time to encourage physical activity.

Some dogs require more of that than others, but without the opportunity to run around, dogs have a tendency to get into things they shouldn’t (much like children). The good thing is that taking the dog for a walk is also a great way to get your kids to go outdoors and get some energy out, whether they’re little and sitting in the stroller or riding their bike next to you when they get older.

Pick the Right Dog
It’s vital to pick out the right type of dog when you have children. Obviously, the dog should like children and not mind being around them. It’s best if they’ve been around young children before. Additionally, you want a dog who meets certain characteristics, such as the following:

• The dog should calm down easily and not get overly excited or hyped up by squeaky toys or high-pitched noises.
• The dog should be able to control impulses when it’s excited by food, toys, other dogs, etc.
• The dog should seek attention from people and want to work with you.

A hyperactive dog who gets nervous around new things could be a problem with young children, because they may knock over a child in their excitement or fear. A dog who jumps when they’re excited is also not helpful, especially if the dog is much bigger than your child. On the other hand, if your child is already used to big or eager dogs, then it may not be such a concern, and you can take the time to teach the dog better habits.

Teach Your Kids
It’s important to train your new dog to do what you want and stop doing things you don’t want. At the same time, you also need to teach your child how to behave around the dog. For example, pulling tails is never appropriate, and the older your child is, the quicker they will learn that. That shouldn’t stop you from teaching your baby to be gentle with the dog, either, but it may take more time for them to understand it and remember it.

You should also teach your kids how dogs communicate. For example, when their tail is wagging, they’re in a happy mood, excited to be petted. If they have their tail between their legs, then they’re scared. A scared dog may lash out to defend itself from a real or perceived danger, and this could be dangerous for your child. Fortunately, in time, your child will get to know your dog and read their signals quite well on their own.

Create a Safe Zone
Young children can be taught not to pull the dog’s tail, but you should still supervise pets and children when they’re together. This is true for a new dog that your family is still getting to know, but it’s always necessary if your children are still young. It can be helpful to create a safe zone where the dog can retreat when they’ve had enough of your children’s attention. Similarly, you might want to create an area where your kids can play alone without the dog bothering them.

Sophie's Circle Marketplace for your early Holiday Shopping!

Sophie's Market Place is located in beautiful New Smyrna Beach at 310 Julia Street, just one block North of Canal St.. Sophie's Market Place exists to help raise much needed funds for Sophie's Circle Dog Rescue, a Non-Profit 503c Animal Rescue. Every purchase goes directly to dogs & cats in   desperate need of help! We are selling handmade soaps, dog collars, t-shirts, beautiful jewelry, wreaths and home decor. 

We are open: 

Thursday (11am-3pm) 

Friday (11am-3pm)

Saturday (10am-3pm) 

at 310 Julia St NSB 32168.

For more information, follow Sophie's Market Place on Facebook or visit or Online Store to download the Vendor Application. We offer vendor space in a market like atmosphere at a reasonable price. Vendor spaces are available NOW!!

No animals are kept on this property. All of our rescues are in private foster homes. If you are interested in an animal to adopt, please contact www.sophiescircle.com...Thank You!