It is that time of year again! The holidays are upon us and families are shopping for gifts for their loved ones. Electronics and gadgets, make up kits and spa gift certificates are great options for friends and family. With that being said, a puppy should never be on the list of gifts you need to get for somebody.
We get it, puppies are cute and cuddly, but this is not a “gift” that can be given to somebody. Stick with the gifts that are inanimate objects and don’t require massive amounts of responsibility. While we understand it can be tempting, we implore you to find another gift for your friend or family member.
Lifetime Commitment
When you choose to adopt or purchase a puppy, you are making a huge commitment. They not only come with a hefty time commitment, but a significant financial investment as well. Feeding your dog can get expensive and vet visits can be even more costly. Routine care, grooming, meds, treats, and toys all add up quickly and you should be financial stable and prepared prior to ever getting a pet dog. Having a backup savings account specifically for your dog is always encouraged to make sure you are always prepared for the unforeseen circumstances.
You also have to be prepared to spend time and money on their training. Raising your puppy will ultimately lead to training a full-grown dog. When you invest in training at an early stage, you will set yourself up for success for years to come. While you can certainly teach an old dog new tricks, starting to train your dog as soon as possible is the wisest choice. If you need help and don’t know where to start, check out our services page to learn more about what we offer!
Emotional Readiness
When you gift a puppy to a friend or family member, you may be unaware of their emotional availability and readiness. You never truly know what people are going through in their lives and adding another potential stressor to their life could be problematic. Not everybody is ready, capable, and available to dedicate so much time, effort, and energy into raising a puppy. A dog needs a strong leader to guide them, advocate for them, and have their back at all times. If the owner is emotionally unavailable, you may be doing a large injustice to the dog.
Think Ahead
If you still believe that a puppy would make for a great gift, you should communicate with the recipient far before you follow through. All parties should be on the same page and real discussion needs to be had. Ensure that all recipients are aware of the responsibilities, commitments, and financial needs that come with a new dog. If they are still interested and ready, then a puppy may be an excellent gift.
If you have any questions about purchasing or adopting a dog, we’d love to help! Fill out our contact form with any questions you may have and we’ll work together to get you on the right track!
