From the Dog Whisperer…………..

The bond between humans and dogs is a beautiful thing, and watching it
develop can be almost as satisfying as forging it yourself. So it’s not
surprising that dogs are such a popular gift idea.

The person who gives a dog as a gift gets a front row seat to watch those
first wonderful moments. But think about the scene in which you present your
loved one with their furry gift, and look at it from the other side: the
excitement of the holidays can produce a frenzied, almost manic atmosphere,
and excited energy like that can be an unhealthy way to begin a new canine
relationship.

Dogs need structure and leadership, and shrill cries and cheers from a new
pack leader in training don’t fit the bill. Those first key moments should
be met with a calm, assertive energy so that puppy can get acclimated to the
new family hierarchy - affection should be saved until the dog’s fresh
energy has been burned off and he is ready for sleep. Sometimes it is even a
good idea to hold that affection until several days into your new
relationship; as much as a week is recommended.

Another speed bump along the road to a responsible pet ownership is making
sure that you choose a dog that fits with the energy of the person who will
be receiving it and with the rest of the family as well. Following through
on this may mean involving the gift recipient in the selection process. For
this kind of gift, a carefully wrapped IOU can be given in place of the
animal itself, to let the person know that their gift is coming (many
shelters offer packaged gift certificates for exactly that purpose!) Their
face may not be covered with puppy kisses after the big reveal, but you can
be sure there will be a broad smile in it for you!

Remember: dogs can make wonderful gifts, but unlike sweaters or socks, they
aren’t as easily returnable if the fit isn’t just right. The new owner must
be ready to make a commitment for the animal’s entire lifetime and be
prepared to accept the responsibilities that come with their new family
member. The relationship between human and dog must be approached with care
and respect - only then will you have a gift truly worth giving!

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