Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay 

Dogs are great; they are cute, they are fun, they love you no matter what, they always make you feel wanted, and they provide you with endless entertainment. There will likely be more people than ever before planning to get a dog this Christmas as so many people have spent more time at home this year and will still have some element of this next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so they feel they have the time to dedicate to training a puppy or getting a rescue dog settled. However, you do need to remember that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas, so here are a few tips and considerations if this is what you’re thinking for this year’s family present. 

When is the best time to introduce your new addition? 
It might seem like the ideal Christmas morning to have a puppy waiting under the tree with a ribbon around it, but in reality, you should introduce a dog to its new family in a quieter period as the visitors, the excitement, the decorations, and lights can hurt your new dog. You must have the time to spend with them one-on-one to get them settled. If you are set on getting a pup over the Christmas period, then try to keep it as calm as possible for them, and there are plenty of great products from Pet-Ness which will help you to keep them calm and relaxed.

Remember, it’s a big responsibility. 
Not every dog fits with every family, so it’s important to choose the right one for your lifestyle. And remember that if your lifestyle has been different because of lockdown, this won’t last forever. While this may be the perfect time to get a dog settled with the kids off school and you at home all the time, you need to think about what happens when things go back to normal. Will, the dog be left at home all day alone? Will you have time for a dog then? They will still need walks and attention, and you’ll have to help them adjust to things changing as they won’t understand what’s going on.  Do some research to see which breed and temperament will best fit with your family and make sure you have considered all the pros and cons. 

A dog will change your life, and so if you want to get one, then it doesn’t matter when you get it because it’s not just for Christmas. So, think about it carefully and do it right, take your time, do your research, and you could always consider adopting a rescue pup who is in dire need of a home. This might mean you get an older dog who doesn’t need training or one who has had a bad experience and will take a while to trust you but a good rescue center will help you find one that is the perfect family pet. Just make sure that your Christmas present doesn’t end up being one of these.