'Don't give pets for Christmas!'
Animals need time to adapt to new home without stress

Over the last few weeks I have received phone calls from parents who want to give their children a pet for Christmas. Although many of these parents want to do the right thing by asking about the temperaments and suitability of different dog breeds, the response they got from me was not what they were hoping to hear. The answer to all inquiries about Christmas puppies and kittens was the same:

"Don't give pets For Christmas!" The Humane Society of the United States, veterinarians and companion-animal behavior experts all agree that puppies or kittens should not be given as Christmas gifts. As a matter of fact, most reputable breeders will hold off the sale of litters until after the holiday season. Why is it a bad idea to give puppies or kittens as presents for the holiday season? First, a prospective pet owner should realize that both puppies and kittens enter a "behavioral imprint period" at about the same age, between 7 to 12 weeks. During this behavioral development period, a dog or a cat learns a majority of its behavior and develops its own personality. This is also when a potential pet is developmentally best capable of leaving its litter and begins to form bonds with a human family. Companion-animal behavioral counselors and veterinarians also agree that this age is the right time to send a puppy home with its adoptive family. It is extremely important, however, that a pet goes to a home environment that will not stress or unduly frighten it during this stage of development. Many homes on Christmas morning are filled with loud noises, flashing lights, ringing phones, arriving company and other types of commotion. With all this excitement, Christmas morning is probably the worst time to introduce a just-weaned pup or kitten to its new human family. With children vacationing from school and guests visiting from out of town, households can experience tension and tests of patience and good will during the busy holiday season. Welcoming a baby pet during this stressful period could cause behavioral harm to the animal. The first few days of a pet's introduction to a new home should be as calm and orderly as possible, the exact opposite of most homes during the holidays. The second problem with giving a pet as a holiday present is that it could send the wrong message to a child that an animal, like so many toys and gadgets, is disposable once the newness wears off. Think about what happens to some children's Christmas gifts. Within a few months, most of them have been forgotten, broken or traded. A pet should not be thought of in the same category as a Christmas toy. Children need to be taught that a pet's life has value, and so it must have the special care that will demand the attention and commitment from all family members. If you are absolutely set upon getting your family a pet for Christmas, consider these alternatives. Purchase a leash, a collar, food dishes and a good book on raising a pet. A gift certificate for a "well puppy or kitten examination" can be bought from your local veterinarian. For those who want to give their child a puppy later on, you can pre-pay for puppy socialization classes. These gift ideas send the message to a child that owning a pet comes with responsibilities. Wrap up all these items individually and place them under the tree. As they are opened one by one, the family's excitement and anticipation will grow. Before long, they will figure out what this present is! Then, after the Christmas tree is taken down and the rush of the holiday season is over, together the family can enjoy the anticipation and excitement of discussing and selecting the right pup or kitten. This will help increase the family's mutual commitment to their newest family member. While no harm is done if a Christmas toy is put up and forgotten or broken and tossed into the trash, a pet should not be discarded so easily. All pets must be given every opportunity to live long and wonderful lives in "forever homes." So before you go and buy that puppy or kitten for Christmas, carefully consider if you and your family are willing to give the time and lifetime care that your new pet deserves. Then wait until the New Year to bring that special baby home to its new family. Special Note: Members of the Top of Texas K9 Search and Rescue Association traveled to Houston during the weekend of Nov. 22-24 to be tested by the National Association for Search and Rescue. All team members successfully completed both written exams and field skills tests to become nationally certified search and rescue technicians II. Team members who received this certification were Kathy Anderson, Marie Molsbee, Cheryl Reilly and myself. Congratulations to all team members for a job well done. Eamon Riley is a certified master dog trainer and canine behavior counselor. For comments and suggestions, he can be reached at (940) 636-5777 or (940) 689-WAGS.%%