Holidays are hectic and involve many activities that can be stressful both for you and your puppy.

Many people look forward to holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving in anticipation for gifts. Gifts are limitless, and they can be anything that people find fit or suitable. Of late, people have begun buying or giving out pets like dogs, especially puppies as gifts. Some people see no problem with these while other can’t stand the thought of giving a dog as a present. Many associations have campaigned over the years against this norm, but it still happens.

I will discuss in reasons for and against giving puppies as gifts for our loved ones. The information will help you think twice the next time you consider buying a puppy as a birthday gift for your kid.

Reasons why you should not use puppies for gifts

• It is not morally right and unfair to the puppy.

Dogs are lifetime companions and not animals that you can just toss around. A puppy is not a new toy. Choosing to be a dog owner is a personal carefully thought out decision. Buying puppies for children are not wrong, but buying them as Christmas gifts is objectifying them.

Holidays are hectic and involve many activities that can be stressful both for you and your puppy. Most puppies feel nervous about being introduced to unfamiliar people. Instead, they require calmness and patience. A new house full of playful kids will scare them.

• The receivers may not be ready for a pet.

Every person has their hobbies and favorite pets. Presenting a puppy as a gift to a person that dislikes dogs is not good for the dog. Every dog needs someone who will take care of their needs and shower them with affection. Someone may say they want a dog for a pet but hasn’t done any organizing to show that they are ready. They may see the dogs as intruders to their private lives.

Owning a dog is not as easy as it sounds, it takes a lot of commitment and finances for insurance, food, vets bills, and sitters. Let your friends and family spice up their lives with the joys of dog ownership when it’s the right time for them, not for you!

• It can just be a temporary thrill for the receivers.

Just the way children receive toy gifts and discard them after some time, the same perception is apparent with puppies.

• A family member may be allergic to dogs or afraid of dogs.

Maybe short-time exposure to dogs did not cause many problems, but now that the puppy is about to be a full-time companion, the person cannot live with the pet. Children, especially those who lack pet exposure may be frightened by the new innocent creatures which in turn will also scare the pet. Distrust is not a good start to living with puppies.

Reasons why giving a puppy as a gift can be a good idea

Giving out a puppy as a gift is not completely a bad idea. The introduction of a new pet to the family is a reasonable thing, and it will make your children responsible as they bond with time.

One strategy that I highly recommend is first introducing the person you want to make this special gift with the whole idea. Be creative and fun when doing this. You can instead of a puppy, make an adoption kit in a box, complete with treats, a leash, a collar, and toys. Should that person be interested, you can go ahead and give a dog as a present. In short, make puppies planned gifts.

Conclusion

While it is rude to decline gifts, don’t accept puppies if you are not up to the challenge of taking care of them. It is better to reject them right away than ignoring them and treating them poorly. At least then they have a chance for a forever happy home.

If You decide to accept puppy as a gift then You can learn to take care of them, though – it is not rocket science. Learning will take time, but after a while, you will see that it was worth every penny and effort.