Doesn’t Christmas seem one of the best times to get a puppy? All that holiday cheer, with a new Christmas puppy added on? What a way to ensure a merry and bright holiday season! However, puppies are a serious commitment, not just a cute gift. You want to make 100% sure that your puppy will be cared for and loved not just during Christmas but for the rest of their life. They’re never something you should get on impulse, but only ever after much careful consideration and knowing that they are truly wanted and will be properly cared for.
If a Christmas puppy is something that you’re optimistic about, then you’ll undoubtedly want to know the best time to bring it home for Christmas! You may do so before or after Christmas. Regardless of what you decide, here are some tips for bringing your puppy home before and after Christmas.
You may want to bring your puppy home as an early gift. In this case, it’s important to remember just how chaotic the holidays can be and to prepare appropriately.
Just like you usually would, you’ll want to keep your cleaning supplies out of your puppy’s reach, same as any medications and small items that present a choking hazard. You’ll need to secure cords and trash cans, to prevent shocks, injuries, and upset stomachs from eating garbage. Additionally, during Christmas, you must be mindful of your holiday decorations. Puppy-proofing during this time of year includes your Christmas tree, avoiding tinsel, being mindful of the ornaments you use, and being wary of your greenery and lights.
Puppies can get overwhelmed and overexcited, so you must give them a quiet place to retreat. Puppies need a lot of sleep, too, so ensuring you have a little area in a room set up with a bed, toys, and calming music will give them a place to relax amidst all the commotion.
The holidays are already busy, and trying to reorient to new surroundings can be a lot for puppies. You don’t want to bring them home to tons of hustle and bustle. This can result in even more stress for them. Try having all your parties over before your new puppy comes home.
If you go to parties, you must assign someone to watch your Christmas puppy. They just arrived at a new home. They shouldn’t be left alone. Having someone watch over your puppy will help them to adjust, not feel lonely or stressed, and ensure they don’t get into any trouble.
Dogs thrive on routines, so you should make one for your puppy. With the business of the holidays, it can be difficult to establish an act, but if you plan on bringing your puppy home during this time, you must find a way to do so. Dogs need their regular food, walks, playtime, and time with you to bond all year round.
If bringing your puppy home during the holidays seems too stressful, or if you want the puppy to be a surprise gift, there are other ways you can prepare for bringing the puppy home after Christmas.
Since your Christmas puppy isn’t home yet, you may instead get dog gifts to prepare. You can get treats and toys, ask for pictures and videos to show your family, and make a photo album. You may want to record your family opening the gifts to build excitement for when your puppy comes home after Christmas. Perhaps in the gifts, you may include the supplies the puppy will need, such as a collar and leash, puppy pads, a bed and that sort of thing.
Just as before the holidays, you’ll want to make sure that your house is puppy-proofed, that your puppy will have a quiet space of their own, that you establish a routine, and that there is someone with them. You want your puppy to be safe, happy, and healthy!
New Year’s may be exciting for us, but it can be terrifying for puppies, especially if fireworks are going off! If you’re having celebrations or going to one, you’ll want to follow the same protocols as Christmas parties - having someone with them, managing their stress, giving them a private space, etc. If there are fireworks going off, you’ll want to be extra sure that your puppy feels safe, as this is quite a scary noise!
Creating a haven, playing white noise, and providing plenty of comfort can all help your dog feel safer, as will walking them beforehand and making sure they eat earlier in the day. You may also consider talking to your vet about a medication to soothe anxiety or hiring a trainer to help desensitize your puppy to the noise.
We here at Little Teton Doodles wish you the merriest of Christmases! If you have any questions about bringing your puppy home, whether before, after, or not during the holiday season, we’re happy to help.
I don't think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.