Giving/Getting a Christmas Puppy - What else will need to be under that tree?

Question

This can be the best gift IF the giving is well orchestrated. It can be the worst gift, though, if the receiver is un-prepared. Here's a partial check list of things that need to be provided (as Christmas gifts) as well.

1) Credit voucher to vet for well puppy care and elective surgeries as needed (spay/neuter, ear crop, any special eye lid surgery) 600 - 1500.

2) Cash Card for any emergency veterinary care, at or away from home (cuts, broken bones, bloat, zipper surgery) 2000.

3) Credit voucher for Puppy Kindergarten (50) and one for Novice Level Obedience (95).

4) Vari Kennel (90), Ex-Pen (90), and Kennel Run (500).

5) Bag of premium puppy food AND a credit voucher to cover the first year feed expense (150 - 400 ... depending on size of dog).

Stocking Stuffers:
Food and water bowls, training supplies, toys, bed, book: The Art of Raising a Puppy.

Question: How to organize these 'gifts' to make sure that the whole gift is given and not just the puppy?

Some of the early answers are a bit off track. The question is how to organize the day, and the gifts it brings, to make the best of what could be the receiver's most cherished gift: a puppy.

Pleading with people not to gift dogs is pointless. THE FACT IS that on Christmas morning there will be puppies given to young children, older children, young adults and senior citizens.

Many of those giving these puppies are not aware of the other things that are needed ... this is your chance to clue them in and to suggest how to best orchestrate the day.

Please don't wast this opportunity to help by pleading with people not to gift puppies. Accept that it is going to happen and inform them of what some of the other things are that will be needed.

Answer 1

stocking stuffer, and # 1

Answer 2

1) Animals are NOT good Christmas gifts. Just as rabbits and chickens aren't good Easter gifts.
2) For those bound and determined to give the animal this way everything listed in the question can easily be packaged into a crate with a card for the vouchers. The ex pen can be placed under the crate, the kennel run (if it's what I know as a kennel run) can be left on the porch with a bow.
3) No person giving a puppy is going to pay any attention to this and if they do see it they will get upset at the prices and decide to just give the poor dog.

Answer 3

i agree with a spay/ neuter voucher unless the pedigree pup is being gifted to a reputable breeder who will finish the puppy and breed responsibly.

Too bad there is no way to get the commitment of time and energy from the person receiving the puppy. That would be a great gift for the new puppy.

I think you have done a wonderful job of covering the first year of life for a puppy in things needed.

I think it would have to be given all around the same time. As would a stern discussion about the uses of everything and the commitement. I don't see a timeline. It should all be presented at one time then the puppy after all the stuff has been looked at.

Go over everything about two hours after the pup is in the new owner arms and sleeping.

Answer 4

Thank you for posting this! I wrote this thinking you are not the one giving the dog, just trying to make life for the bozos who give pups for Xmas a bit easier!
How about first asking if the recipient even WANTS the puppy in the first place?
Also, remind adults to get the dog for themselves and plan to care for it 24/7... not do the old, "we broke down and got the puppy because the kids promised that they will help care for it" delusion.
The other book I would recommend is "Dog Training for Dummies". It is also a very good basic book as well as an Emergency Pet first aid kit which can be found at most pet stores as well as a list of things toxic to pups (And Xmas has almost all those things around!).
In 4 weeks we start the countdown to "dumped Christmas dogs". First starts with the unwanted or ill puppy mill dogs that can't be returned or the new owner can't afford the vet bills. Then comes the "I work too much" crowd, then the "it won't stop jumping on my kids and destroying things" crowd by late winter, followed by the "the kids aren't helping to care for it like they said they would" people. ugh!

Answer 5

You should never give a puppy at Christmas. It is totally inappropriate to introduce a dog into your house at such a hectic time of year.I appreciate that you have thought of all the practical issues of caring for the dog in normal circumstances ,but I would urge you to reconsider and wait until the holiday season has ended.Any genuine dog lover would want to do what is best for the animal in the long run.
The best thing to do would get a photo of the pup and give it as an I.O.U until the time is right .Does the person on the recieving end want a companion for the next 10 to 20 years, hope the answer is yes 100%.
And what on earth is an ear crop...surely people are not still carrying out this barbaric practice??

Answer 6

The first ever thing that you need even before you get the puppy is ask the receiver wether they are thinking of getting a puppy or wanting one if receiver is a child. Also you might want to ask the house owner wether they are willing to have a dog in the house. You wouldnt want a dog in your hands just as you have gotten all the stuff if they didnt even want it!!!!!
Hope the info helps x

Answer 7

I love that you posted this! I was telling one of my friends I was getting a puppy only a few weeks ago, and she told me that maybe she would give one to her sister for Christmas. So we went through how it would cost, for the first year about $3000 or more. And then there was the time invested (waking up in the night, taking it for walks, training it), and whether or not the dog you would give is actually the kind of dog she would want. Personally, I would NEVER want a dog for Christmas. I am the type of person who goes out and finds the dog for me, and am willing to go through months of looking to find that one.

Anyways, thank you for informing those who want to buy someone a dog for Christmas of all the things that go with that!!

You might want to also add, that a responsible breeder will NOT sell a dog around Christmas. Even my local humane society stops adoptions December 15 to avoid this.

Answer 8

You have a good point and thought this out. But, I still wouldnt give a pup to someone at Christmas. Just not the right time of year, too busy. I would give them a Christmas card with a certificate for a pup once the holidays are over. Many breeders wont sell during Christmas. Well, I wont. Nothing after Nov 10th or before Jan 1st. Just me?

Good for you Myatuk, thanks for helping!!! :)

Answer 9

Food, water bowls, toys, book, vet voucher.
Credit card for puppy kinder sounds good.
Would like to see spay or neuter certificate unless pedigree. Many animals make it to the pound.

Also BONES, CHEW TOYS as most puppies chew

Answer 10

I used to while i replaced into little. because of the fact i'm an person now, i like to have intercourse in front of the Christmas tree while the room is dark all different than for the lighting fixtures fixtures on the tree. in case you have not already, you may desire to attempt it. Merry Christmas!

Answer 11

One thing you forgot...

Give puppy and all these things to person after Christmas...

Why you ask? Because christmas is a hectic holiday on a new puppy.