Dogs and kids are a natural combination. For this reason, a puppy often becomes one of the most wished for items to be found beneath the tree on Christmas Day. Yet, Christmas Day is not always the best time to bring a newcomer into your household. The holidays tend to be a very hectic, crazy time. Days and nights are spent entertaining family and friends, shopping, cooking and enjoying the sites and sounds of the holiday season. There is very little time to devote to the needs of a young pup. It is hard to find moments in an already overfull schedule for training, comforting and loving an insecure pup who needs reassurances in his new surroundings away from his siblings and birth home for the first time.

A new puppy or older dog is a wonderful gift for the entire family, but the responsibility for caring, loving and soothing starts the minute the new four-legged family member is brought home. Dogs will offer unconditional love and companionship, but in return they need to be taken care of, welcomed and accepted - all of this takes time, patience and thoughtful consideration.

What should you do? By all means, do your research into finding the best breed of dog that fits your particular lifestyle, locate a breeder and pick out your pup, but don't bring him home until you have time to devote to the newest member of your household. If the pup is a surprise, put a stuffed toy dog in a dog's bed beneath the tree. Attach a photo of the pup to a big red bow and secure it around the toy's neck. Wrap other dog-related gifts - a book, bowls, brush and comb, toys, video on training - be creative and have some fun! When the hectic holiday pace slows... then bring your four-footed Christmas treasure home.

Remember, though, a dog is not just for Christmas, it's for a lifetime. The time you take introducing this newcomer to your home is worth it, as you will be rewarded many times over in faithful, unquestioning devotion and love.

Reprinted with permission of the American Kennel Club
http://www.akc.org/love/dah/life/puppy_gift.cfm