Difference between revisions of "Give a Puppy As a Christmas Gift"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Deciding to Give a Puppy as a Gift=== | ===Deciding to Give a Puppy as a Gift=== | ||
| − | #Talk to the recipient. The last thing you want to do is put a puppy in a home that isn't ready to take care of it. A puppy will need to be housebroken, trained and exercised.<ref> http://www.petrescue.com/petlibrary/pet-rescue/no-christmas-puppies-please/</ref> | + | #Talk to the recipient. The last thing you want to do is put a puppy in a home that isn't ready to take care of it. A puppy will need to be housebroken, trained and exercised.<ref name="rf1"> http://www.petrescue.com/petlibrary/pet-rescue/no-christmas-puppies-please/</ref> |
#*If you plan to buy a puppy for a child, be sure to speak to their parents. | #*If you plan to buy a puppy for a child, be sure to speak to their parents. | ||
#*If you don’t want to spoil the surprise, drop some hints about dogs or talk to someone close to the recipient. | #*If you don’t want to spoil the surprise, drop some hints about dogs or talk to someone close to the recipient. | ||
| − | #Find the best fit. Assess the recipient’s lifestyle and home situation to determine what kind of they dog you would like. <ref> http://lifehacker.com/where-to-start-when-youve-decided-you-want-a-dog-1665643067</ref> Ask them some key questions: | + | #Find the best fit. Assess the recipient’s lifestyle and home situation to determine what kind of they dog you would like. <ref name="rf2"> http://lifehacker.com/where-to-start-when-youve-decided-you-want-a-dog-1665643067</ref> Ask them some key questions: |
#*How active of a dog do you want? | #*How active of a dog do you want? | ||
#*Are you okay with grooming it regularly? | #*Are you okay with grooming it regularly? | ||
#*Do you have enough space for a big dog or would a small dog work best? | #*Do you have enough space for a big dog or would a small dog work best? | ||
| − | #Consider adopting. Adopting a dog can be one of the best things you’ll ever do. Animal shelters can be great sources of both mixed-breed and pure-breed dogs.<ref>https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/before-dog-adoption/</ref> | + | #Consider adopting. Adopting a dog can be one of the best things you’ll ever do. Animal shelters can be great sources of both mixed-breed and pure-breed dogs.<ref name="rf3">https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/before-dog-adoption/</ref> |
#*Search for animal shelters in your area and go take a look. | #*Search for animal shelters in your area and go take a look. | ||
#*If you are looking for a specific breed, call ahead. | #*If you are looking for a specific breed, call ahead. | ||
| − | #Find a reputable source. Pet stores often get their animals from puppy mills. Puppy mills treat their animals poorly and take advantage of their dogs.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/buying_puppy.html?credit=fb_post2015</ref> Don’t support them! A great place to start, is to ask your vet for recommendations.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/finding_responsible_dog_breeder.html?credit=fb_post2015_web_id83582065?referrer=http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/buying_puppy.html?credit=fb_post2015</ref> Look for a breeder that: | + | #Find a reputable source. Pet stores often get their animals from puppy mills. Puppy mills treat their animals poorly and take advantage of their dogs.<ref name="rf4">http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/buying_puppy.html?credit=fb_post2015</ref> Don’t support them! A great place to start, is to ask your vet for recommendations.<ref name="rf5">http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/finding_responsible_dog_breeder.html?credit=fb_post2015_web_id83582065?referrer=http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/buying_puppy.html?credit=fb_post2015</ref> Look for a breeder that: |
#*Allows you to visit and observe where they keep the dogs. These spacious should be spacious and clean. | #*Allows you to visit and observe where they keep the dogs. These spacious should be spacious and clean. | ||
#*Breeds only a few types of dogs and is knowledgeable about those breeds. | #*Breeds only a few types of dogs and is knowledgeable about those breeds. | ||
#*Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee for your puppy. | #*Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee for your puppy. | ||
| − | #Consider giving an IOU or gift certificate. If you are not 100% sure that the recipient wants to a puppy, think about giving a gift certificate or IOU. <ref>https://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/12/christmas_puppy.php#gsc.tab=0</ref> Admittedly, this is not as exciting as giving an actual puppy on Christmas morning, but it could save both the puppy and the recipient from a lot of hassle! <ref>http://www.patheos.com/blogs/heavenlycreatures/2011/12/5-reason-not-to-give-a-pet-as-a-christmas-gift-and-one-idea-how-to-do-it-anyway/</ref> | + | #Consider giving an IOU or gift certificate. If you are not 100% sure that the recipient wants to a puppy, think about giving a gift certificate or IOU. <ref name="rf6">https://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/12/christmas_puppy.php#gsc.tab=0</ref> Admittedly, this is not as exciting as giving an actual puppy on Christmas morning, but it could save both the puppy and the recipient from a lot of hassle! <ref name="rf7">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/heavenlycreatures/2011/12/5-reason-not-to-give-a-pet-as-a-christmas-gift-and-one-idea-how-to-do-it-anyway/</ref> |
#*Some breeders and animal shelters offer gift certificates. | #*Some breeders and animal shelters offer gift certificates. | ||
#*Alternatively, you can make a handmade IUO. | #*Alternatively, you can make a handmade IUO. | ||
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#Buy/adopt the puppy prior to Christmas. Begin looking at dogs in early December. You will not want to wait until Christmas Eve, as this will make you rushed and stressed. If you give yourself plenty of time to look, you will be sure to find the perfect puppy. | #Buy/adopt the puppy prior to Christmas. Begin looking at dogs in early December. You will not want to wait until Christmas Eve, as this will make you rushed and stressed. If you give yourself plenty of time to look, you will be sure to find the perfect puppy. | ||
#*Some breeders will allow you to purchase the puppy ahead of time and pick it up on Christmas Eve. | #*Some breeders will allow you to purchase the puppy ahead of time and pick it up on Christmas Eve. | ||
| − | #Find a place for the dog until Christmas. If you live with the recipient, you'll need to find a place for the puppy to stay prior to Christmas. Speak to close neighbors or relatives who could take on this task. Make sure the place is suitable for a puppy, and that the caregiver understands what to do.<ref>http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/bringing-home-new-puppy</ref> | + | #Find a place for the dog until Christmas. If you live with the recipient, you'll need to find a place for the puppy to stay prior to Christmas. Speak to close neighbors or relatives who could take on this task. Make sure the place is suitable for a puppy, and that the caregiver understands what to do.<ref name="rf8">http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/bringing-home-new-puppy</ref> |
#*Work out a schedule for when you can drop by and help with walking, feeding, or cleaning up. | #*Work out a schedule for when you can drop by and help with walking, feeding, or cleaning up. | ||
| − | #Purchase supplies. The puppy will need food, bowls, chew toys, a place to sleep, a collar and leash, and some puppy pads for the floor. You will need these items to take care of the puppy yourself, but it’s also a great idea to include this with your gift.<ref | + | #Purchase supplies. The puppy will need food, bowls, chew toys, a place to sleep, a collar and leash, and some puppy pads for the floor. You will need these items to take care of the puppy yourself, but it’s also a great idea to include this with your gift.<ref name="rf8" /> |
#Make sure the home is a suitable place for a puppy. Whether the puppy will end up living with you or some place else, make sure this place is safe for a puppy. | #Make sure the home is a suitable place for a puppy. Whether the puppy will end up living with you or some place else, make sure this place is safe for a puppy. | ||
#*Move any cords that the puppy could chew on. | #*Move any cords that the puppy could chew on. | ||
| − | #*Get rid of any poisonous plants that could make the puppy ill.<ref | + | #*Get rid of any poisonous plants that could make the puppy ill.<ref name="rf8" /> |
| − | #Take the puppy to the vet. Before you give a dog as a gift, it is crucial to make sure he or she has a clean bill of health. You don’t want to give a sick puppy!<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/living/giving-pets-christmas-mnn/</ref> | + | #Take the puppy to the vet. Before you give a dog as a gift, it is crucial to make sure he or she has a clean bill of health. You don’t want to give a sick puppy!<ref name="rf9">http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/living/giving-pets-christmas-mnn/</ref> |
#*Many animal shelters can perform this service at the time of adoption and even spay or neuter the pet. | #*Many animal shelters can perform this service at the time of adoption and even spay or neuter the pet. | ||
#*Doing this will help offset some of costs of having a puppy, and make it a better present. | #*Doing this will help offset some of costs of having a puppy, and make it a better present. | ||
| − | #Invest in puppy training. It is also a good idea to invest in some puppy training for the recipient and his or her new pet. This can make for a smoother transition and solidify a happy, lifelong relationship between owner and dog.<ref | + | #Invest in puppy training. It is also a good idea to invest in some puppy training for the recipient and his or her new pet. This can make for a smoother transition and solidify a happy, lifelong relationship between owner and dog.<ref name="rf9" /> |
#*Many training academies offer special Christmastime workshops! Look for these in your area. | #*Many training academies offer special Christmastime workshops! Look for these in your area. | ||
