Are you thinking about bringing a dog home this holiday season? A dog is one of the “top” gifts every year, but it shouldn’t be an impulse decision. Adopting a dog from a shelter is a life decision – you may be thier last chance.
Andrea Servadio, co-founder of Fitdog Sport Club, a doggy daycare in Santa Monica, California, answered our questions about bringing home a dog during the holidays.
Since the holidays are stressful, should people even adopt?
The holiday is not so much the problem as the fact that there is a lack of planning and preparation for taking care of the new furry family member around the holidays. Since dogs are given as gifts, sometimes it is with not much thought. As a result, it is a little known fact that many dogs given as gifts over the holidays are abandoned at shelters, particularly adolescent dogs (between the ages of 6 month and 14 months) as they are prone to behavioral issues. Dogs are not impulse purchases.
So, yes, you can adopt a dog over the holidays, but slow down to take the proper steps to making sure it’s a good fit.
What do people need to think about before bringing a dog home?
People need to consider their lifestyle and budget. This will give perspective on which breeds are better suited for you or whether or not you have the time or can afford to have a dog.
If you are adopting a dog for your children, do not assume they will be the primary caregivers of the dog. They may have told you they would, but assume you will be responsible for the dog and then determine whether or not a dog will work within your schedule.
What special considerations are there for Holiday adoptions?
Over the holidays there is just more of everything. More noise, more people, more children, more food, more boxes, etc. It can be overwhelming for a dog to be around so much activity especially when he or she does not know you yet or has formed a bond with you.
It’s important for you to spend alone time with your dog doing activities together like hiking, playing at the park, long walks, etc. The more time you invest in building a relationship with your dog, the more relaxed and comfortable your dog will be around you and all of the stuff that’s happening over the holidays. In general, it is important for new dog owners to form a bond with their dog regardless of the time of year.
Since spending time with your new fur baby is important to building a relationship, adopting at the start of a Christmas break (assuming you’ll be home), is the best.
If you are planning on traveling, then when you return. The worst would be adopting a dog and then after only 2 or 3 days having him or her, dropping him or her off at an overnight facility or with a pet sitter. That’s very stressful and confusing for dogs. Also leaving a dog right after you adopt them could make them see you as untrustworthy. At Fitdog, we recommend waiting 1 month after adoption before bringing a dog to daycare or for boarding.
The best day of the week to adopt is Friday so you have the weekend to spend together. If you have kids, the morning time is best, so your dog can explore your home before your kids come home.
A fun tip is to take your newly adopted dog with you to the pet store to pick up his or her food, bed and new belongings (vs buying it ahead of time). It’s a great first activity to start off your relationship, plus dogs love pet stores!
What are some tips for ensuring a successful adoption during the holidays?
Choose the right breed to match your lifestyle and budgetary needs. For example, if you are on a shoestring budget, it’s probably not advised to get a Goldendoodle that requires monthly and sometimes weekly grooming. Or if you work long hours or are a sedentary person, you do not want to adopt a high energy breeds like Pit bulls, Boxers, Jack Russell Terriers, Labradors and Australian Shepherds.
Have patience. Dogs, like people, need time to form relationships and bonds. It’s best to be proactive by engaging your dog in cooperative activities such as tug of war and fetch. Trust is earned over time. A new dog may take weeks to months to adjust to a new home and family. Don’t give up too early or you may miss out on a wonderful relationship.
Be prepared. Especially if you adopt a puppy, be prepared to invest the time and energy into raising a confident and obedient adult dog. Dogs become adults at 2 years old, so while not as long as raising a child, it does take some time. Until then, your furniture, shoes and other items may see better days:) And then when they are older, you will miss them being a puppy and take out photos and ask, “How did you get so big?”
What about Dogs as Gifts?
It is not recommended giving a dog as a gift to people who do not live with you such as nieces or nephews or friends, unless you have had specific conversations with them about wanting a dog including the monetary and time requirements of having a dog. As I stated before, if you are giving a dog as a gift to your children, make the assumption that you will be the primary caregiver.
Bringing a dog into your life is amazing and rewarding and adopting a pet (dog or cat) is truly special. Taking the proper steps will ensure that both you and the dog have a long lasting and loving relationship.
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She is the founder of A Fairytail House, a unique all-positive all-sport dog training facility that helps rescue dogs in her area and provides free seminars and training classes for the community. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
