More pups are abandoned after Christmas than at any other time of the year. Why?
Pups make cute and cuddly presents that children often ask persistently for, but in the days and weeks that follow the realisation of what is involved in owning a pup soon sets in and all too often this results in many people trying to get rid of their pups by handing them into shelters, pounds or dumping them on the streets.
Pups are extremely cute and most children want to own a pup but pups require a lot of work, attention and patience. For many children the novelty of the cute pup soon wears off and the pup is often discarded.
Pups chew and bite: As pups are teething they will chew anything they can get their teeth into. Their teeth may be small but a pup can do a lot of damage to furniture, shoes, toys etc. They will also chew on fingers and toes which is why we don’t recommend pups for homes with very young children as often when a pup hurts the child it is removed from the house when it meant no harm.
Pups demand a lot of attention: Pups are baby dogs – they have been taken away from their mother at a young age and separated from the rest of their siblings therefore they will whine and cry a lot especially at night when left alone. They also don’t like being left alone during the day and tend to look for attention constantly for reassurance. Children can often get bored of playing with the pup, the pup then gets under the parents feet and the pup soon becomes a “nuisance”.
Pups need house trained: This is one thing many people aren’t prepared to deal with. Pups will urinate on just about anything and to train them to do it outside takes time and effort. Christmas is a busy time where parents are stressed out, busy and tired and children are distracted so not an ideal time to house train a pup.
Pups are expensive: Pups require vaccinations and dog licenses. When they reach the age of 6 months old they will need to be either spayed or neutered to prevent litters of pups. They will need treatment against fleas, ticks and mites. They will also need to be fed four times a day so food will be another expense and as all pups chew they will need toys to chew on.
Pups need love and security: Christmas in most households is chaotic. A young pup just separated from its mother and siblings will very often be frightened and disorientated. A noisy bustling chaotic household therefore is not a good place for pup to be.
Pups become dogs: Having a puppy means eventually having a dog that will need more exercise than a pup and eat more food than a pup. It will never stop wanting attention no matter how big or old it gets.
Please take all of these issues into consideration before buying a pup at any time of the year but especially when considering buying a pup as a Christmas present. Unlike other gifts a pup cannot be returned for a refund, it cannot be disposed of and it cannot be dumped once the novelty has worn off. Pups and dogs are wonderful additions to the family but at the right time of the year and when the whole family are prepared to take on the commitment and responsibility of looking after and loving a dog for the duration of its life.
Please remember….”A dog is for life…..not just for Christmas……..”
