What to Do When the Kids Want a Dog for Christmas

For the vast majority of dogs (with the possible exception of senior canines) walks alone will not meet their exercise needs. Unsplash

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, many parents are gathering lists to send to Santa, only to find out that top of the list for their children is a dog. If you’re riding the fence on whether or not it’s the right time to add a canine companion to your family, here are some tips to guide you through the decision-making process.

Is Your Family Ready for a Dog?

Bringing a dog home from the shelter is a very exciting experience for everyone. However, finding out that it isn’t going to work out, and having to return a pet is a potentially traumatic experience, particularly for children. To make sure you are making the right call rather than an impulsive decision, think through these three main areas: space, time, and budget.

Space

Dogs need exercise to stay healthy and mentally balanced. For the vast majority of dogs (with the possible exception of senior canines) walks alone will not meet their exercise needs. Off-leash running and playing in a secure area is more or less a daily requirement.

Toy and small breed dogs may have their exercise needs met with games such as fetch and tug played indoors. However, medium to large dog breeds benefit greatly when they have access to a secure fenced yard for daily play.

Time

Does your family have time to provide for the attention and training that a new dog will require? If the adults are working all day while the children are away at school, your new dog will be spending a great deal of time alone. While some breeds will tolerate being alone during the day (as long as they are getting plenty of training, exercise, and attention when people are at home), many will not.

Budget

Make sure you have some money set aside for the costs of owning a dog. These will usually spike in the beginning as you pay for an initial vet visit, buy the first round of preventative medicine (heartworm and flea and tick preventative), as well as getting geared up with a leash, harness, crate, bedding, toys, etc.