10 Dec 4 Things to Consider if You’re Thinking of Buying a Puppy for Chrismas
Nothing sounds sweeter than an adorable puppy for a Christmas surprise. Watching 
loved ones faces light up when a tiny ball of fur wrapped in Christmas ribbon snuggles into their awaiting arms brings the most heartfelt festive feeling.
If you are thinking of getting a puppy or gifting a puppy over the Christmas holidays, the following list is for you.
- Prevent Puppy Overwhelm
Like any other time of the year, when you bring a new puppy into your home, it can be very stressful for your new furry family member. Christmas is an especially busy time with lots of people, costumes, trinkets, decorations, lights and noise.This can cause overwhelm for your puppy, so be sure to plan ahead and do the following to avoid ‘puppy overwhelm’:
a) Get a crate and start crate training immediately. Create a ‘safe haven’ for your pup by providing food, chews, warm bedding, toys and love in the crate. Take it slow, make sure puppy has been toileted and exercised before putting him/her into the crate, leave door open to allow puppy to explore, and never use the crate punishment.
b) Designate a room away from the bustle to be the puppy’s go to quiet place.Keep puppy’s crate in here. FYI – Puppies need approximately 16-18hours of solid sleep a day!
c) Follow a schedule for feeding, toileting, playing and napping. Even though the holidays throw us off our schedule, it is important to start puppy off right
2. Keep a Healthy Holiday Puppy
Be sure to check your Veterinarian’s holiday schedule and keep the number of your local Veterinary Emergency clinic on hand.
a. Book a wellness exam for the first 24-48 hours you have the puppy if possible
b. Keep your new puppy away from any unvaccinated dogs and popular dog spots (dog park, pet store, popular dog walking trails)
c. When you first bring puppy home, feed the food that was fed before you got him/her. If you want to change foods, ask your Veterinarian what is recommended and slowly transition to the new food over 7 days. Limit treat offerings to training and use only 1 or 2 types of treats.
3. Avoid a Christmas Crisis
a. Keep all human food away from puppy. Chocolate is toxic to dogs; turkey bones can cause all kinds of serious problems and your puppy’s young tummy will be very sick after Grandma’s stuffing and pie!
b. Don’t let puppy play with the packages, ribbons and decorations. Give puppy lots of safe toys and chews and play with and supervise puppy at all times around all of the Christmas lights, decor and gifts.
c. Christmas poinsettia and all festive plants, flowers and greenery should be kept out of puppy’s reach
d. Supervise puppy at all times and don’t let him/her out of your sight
4. Seasonal Socialization
a. Christmas is a perfect time to introduce your puppy to all of the relatives and friends that may visit. Be sure to take it slow with your puppy while introducing him/her to strangers and remember, puppies are naturally cautious-especially around men.
Your puppy will be “Your Friend Furever”, so be sure to give him/her the best start you can this holiday season! Happy Pawlidays!!