Golden Retriever Christmas puppies are often impulse purchases, in a spirit of love and giving that goes with the season.
Maybe it's one of those "Dad meant well" times, or Mom finally gave in to the year-long pleadings of the kids.
It might even work out well for everyone concerned. But probably not. Here's why.
Is It a Surprise For Someone Else?
A surprise gift is fine if it's a sweater, a game, or a music CD.
If the recipient doesn't like it, he can just return it for something else.
Golden Retriever PuppyBut this is a real live puppy we're talking about here.
How would you like to be uprooted from your family and sent to live with a bunch of strangers?
On top of that, what if you're discarded because you aren't "their type"? Not too cool.
And puppies don't like it much, either.
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In fact, each time a pet is adopted and returned, he becomes more confused and frightened.
That often makes him more difficult to place in a permanent home (which is every dog's dream).
Besides, picking a pet is a personal choice. It's not something you can do for somebody else.
What if your boyfriend doesn't even want a puppy? It probably won't do much for your relationship.
Is It a Surprise For Your Family?
You grew up with dogs, and it only seems right that your kids should have a dog, too, right? Maybe.
But do they really want a dog? Every child doesn't, you know.
Have you all discussed who's going to be in charge of feeding, walking, dog training, and cleaning up after the new puppy?
It's a huge responsibility, and not a decision to be made lightly.
Are your kids so busy with school and extra-curricular activities that a dog would be just another chore?
If that's the case, you might want to take Golden Retriever Christmas puppies off your Christmas list.
Let's Talk About This
The decision to add a dog to the family needs to be a carefully considered one, not an "impulse purchase."
A dog is a long-term commitment, not just a Christmas morning puppy thrill.
If you and your family really want a dog, that's great! Just make sure you take your time when it comes to choosing a Golden Retriever puppy. After all, he's going to be a family member for a long time.
We usually don't get to choose our family. Here's an exception!
Yes, We Want a Puppy
OK, so the whole family is in agreement: It's time to get a puppy.
Golden Retriever at ChristmasYou've been talking about it for months.
The kids even drew up a chore chart so everybody knows when it's their turn to feed the puppy or take him for a walk.
If everybody thinks it's a great idea to buy a puppy, isn't Christmas the perfect time to make their dreams come true? No!
Sure, it would be memorable to have fluffy Golden Retriever Christmas puppies come bounding out of a box under the Christmas tree.
But it's actually the worst possible time for both puppies and families. Here's why.
Christmas Chaos
I don't know about you, but our house gets pretty crazy at Christmas time. I got elected Chief Cook, and that keeps me firmly planted in the kitchen on Christmas Day.
One year, I even lost track of my toddler daughter and her little cousin for a few minutes in all the commotion. (I guess everybody else was distracted, too.)
No harm was done, but it made for a hilarious gift exchange, with all the tags torn off by playful toddlers. We took turns unwrapping presents and holding them up so the givers could announce who the receivers were supposed to be!
Now throw a puppy into the mix, and see what happens. Talk about major chaos!
It's either going to ruin your Christmas, as you put everybody on Puppy Patrol, or ruin your puppy's day as he's confined to a quiet bedroom somewhere. (Is there such a place at your house on Christmas Day?)
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Danger Zone For
Golden Retriever Christmas Puppies
Let's say you get really adventurous (or crazy?) and decide to let your new puppy roam free, to delight your guests with his antics. What do you think will happen?
Well, it's certain there will be lots of accidents, as Puppy Pete hasn't passed Housebreaking 101 yet, and nobody can be bothered to take him outside when he needs to go.
If your puppy was an impulse purchase, you probably haven't given much thought to puppy-proofing your home. Here's some of the dangerous stuff that Golden Retriever Christmas puppies can get into:Golden Retriever Puppy
•Chocolate -- Dogs love it, but it can be toxic and even deadly if consumed in large quantities. Who left that box of chocolates under the tree?
•Pine needles -- Yes, a few people still use real Christmas trees. And if the needles from those trees are eaten by a curious puppy, they can puncture his intestines. More holiday excitement--an emergency trip to the animal hospital.
•Holiday plants -- Holly and mistletoe are poisonous to dogs.
•Preservatives used in the water at the base of a (real) tree -- The water is toxic if swallowed. Artificial trees are lookin' better all the time!
•Ornaments -- Tinsel, yarn, ribbon, string, broken glass and angel hair cause gastrointestinal problems if swallowed. Like babies, puppies put everything into their mouths.
•Electrical cords on holiday lights -- If your puppy chews through the insulation on cords, the result can be severe burns or electrocution.
•Tasty tidbits -- It's a huge temptation to hand feed a new puppy tidbits as a special meal. That's a recipe for a sick puppy.
Traumatized For Life
If you actually manage to keep your precious pup from getting into anything dangerous, how well do you think he'll handle the loud noises and chaotic, stressful conditions that fill most homes on Christmas Day?
Puppies, like children, go through developmental stages. The first fear period in a puppy's life occurs roughly between seven and twelve weeks of age.
Traumatic experiences during this vulnerable time can actually have a permanent impact on your puppy's personality as an adult dog.
Although this breed is among the most easygoing of all dogs, these newly-weaned Golden Retriever Christmas puppies need to be introduced to their new homes and families during a relaxed and quiet, gentle time.
That pretty much rules out Christmas.
Holiday Activities
What's your usual holiday schedule like? Is your calendar so marked-up you can hardly read it?
Where do Golden Retriever Christmas puppies stay while you're out running around? Let's look at your options:Golden Retriever Puppy
•Bring him with you shopping. And leave him in a crate in the car, howling with loneliness and fear, freezing his little buns off? (It gets cold here in Ohio!)
•Take him to Aunt Susie's house for the party. Yeah, that'll go over great. You can either let him run free and clean up the inevitable messes, or keep him in a cage and crank up the music to drown out his crying.
•Kennel him for a few days. That works great for older dogs, but will be terrifying for Puppy Pete, who's still wondering why Mom abandoned him.
•Hire a puppy sitter. Again, that's great with older dogs. But why saddle the sitter with a housebreaking schedule you haven't even started yet?
How Much Work Could a Puppy Be?
Ah, spoken like a true non-puppy-owner. Is your memory as fuzzy as mine, or have you never owned a puppy?
Just-weaned Golden Retriever Christmas puppies need constant attention and supervision.
They have tiny bladders and bottomless tummies.
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Basically, puppies turn your house and your daily routine upside down.
Where Can I Find Golden Retriever Christmas Puppies, Anyway?
You're still not convinced? OK, let's look at your options for tracking down a puppy to put under the tree.
Reputable Golden Retriever breeders don't plan litters for the convenience of the Christmas crowd. They know that choosing a Golden Retriever puppy takes time and careful research.
They want their puppies to go to homes where they'll be loved and tenderly cared for, and that simply doesn't happen during the busy Christmas season.
Golden Retriever PuppySo what about the ads for Golden Retriever Christmas puppies? Where do those puppies come from?
Believe it or not, puppy mills churn out thousands of tiny pups every year to meet the Christmas demand.
Did you think those filthy torture chambers had been eradicated? Think again.
This is their most profitable time of the year, and they make the most of it.
Flooding pet stores and malls, these cute Golden Retriever puppies tug at shoppers' hearts and empty their wallets. Gosh, they might even come with papers!
They probably also come with poor health, behavioral problems from being raised in a cage, and genetic health problems like allergies or bad hips due to inbreeding.
Please don't encourage the continuance of puppy mills by purchasing one of these unfortunate little guys.
Reality Sinks In When Christmas is Over
Somehow you all survived the holidays. You bought a puppy even though you shouldn't have, and the kids were ecstatic--for a few days.
Then it all got to be lots more work than fun. The kids are back in school, mom and dad are back at work, the puppy's either stuck in his cage or making messes all over the house, and everybody's miserable. What now?
A few days or weeks after the holidays, Golden Retriever Christmas puppies are still cute. You're sure somebody else would like to adopt Puppy Pete. So you load up the pup and head for the local animal shelter.
Why are thousands of adorable puppies brought to the pound after the newness wears off? Because puppies are a lot of work! The family wants their old routine back, and a puppy just doesn't fit in.
Will somebody else adopt him? Maybe, if he's lucky. If not, he had a very short life.
Instead of Golden Retriever Christmas Puppies
Under the Tree
I'm not trying to be Scrooge here. I know you want to put something puppyish under the tree, since you wisely understand this wouldn't be a good time to bring a real, live puppy into the family.
So here are some great substitutes for Golden Retriever Christmas puppies:•Book or DVD on Golden Retrievers
•Collar and leash
•Brush and comb
•Food and water bowls
•Chew toys
•Book on raising a puppy
•Gift subscription to a dog-oriented magazine
•Gift certificate for puppy kindergarten from a local obedience instructor
•Gift certificate for a veterinary checkup.
•If your local veterinarian doesn't offer them, suggest that this would be a great time to start.
•Gift certificate (don't you just love 'em?) to a local pet supply store
•If you're waiting for a certain puppy from a reputable breeder, take a picture of the tiny pup you've selected (or one of his pregnant mom), and put it under the tree.
•If you're planning on checking out a rescue center or animal shelter after the holidays in search of abandoned Golden Retriever Christmas puppies, put a note under the tree and tie a ribbon around it: "Dear Kids, After Christmas, we'll pick out our new puppy together." Puppy Pete will be glad to meet you.
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The True Spirit of Christmas
Golden Retriever PuppyGolden Retriever Christmas puppies are not toys wrapped in fur. Each puppy is a vulnerable little guy who misses his mom and siblings.
He's been thrown into a strange world full of big people and bigger noises. Nothing's familiar. Everything's scary.
It's wonderful that you want to show your love for your family by presenting them with a puppy on Christmas morning.
But how about showing your love for your puppy by waiting until a better time of the year to get his Journey of Life off to a better start?
That way, you can all get acquainted without holiday distractions. And it's much easier to housebreak a puppy when it's warm outside!
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