Doggone Etiquette —

WAIT!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

If you are an older dog, you may understand what I’m talking about when I say, “Wait.” On the other hand, if you are a puppy, it is more likely you haven’t a clue what I mean. It has everything to do with the future of you dogs (old, young or in-between), but your VIPeople or your about-to-be VIPeople also need to know what “Wait” means. Not to worry – I’ll explain it to them.

A Word to the Dog-Lover Reading this:        

The “wait” that I’m talking about is the often important delay in bringing a dog into your home. You are probably familiar with the saying, “A house is not a home without a dog” and for many of us it is so true. The problem is not about acquiring a dog, but when you bring that dog home.         

A responsible breeder will not let a puppy go to its new home in the days before Christmas for numerous reasons, the primary one being when the puppy is meant to be a gift for the kids in the family. There is simply too much going on during festive holidays that distract from the initial round-the-clock care of a puppy. This is more easily understood if you look at it from the puppy’s point of view. He is removed from the constant companionship of his littermates. He is removed from the only people he has known. He is removed from the only environment (scents, sights and sounds) he has ever known – and he is thrown into a chaotic world where every single thing is new and different. And to top it off, the family is not on a normal routine. So don’t be surprised or put off by a wise breeder’s advice to “wait until after the New Year.”   

On the other hand, if you are a non-celebrating couple, or an all alone and lonely single person, then having a puppy or older dog come into your life over the holidays may be exactly the way for you to celebrate! Have everything ready for the happy moment. Complete information about the dog, food and water bowls, bedding, a puppy crate (essential for house-training), a few toys until you discover your new dog’s preferences, a supply of the dog food your newcomer has been successfully fed, and of course a suitable collar and leash.                                 

If your newbie will be an older dog, keep reminding yourself that many of those “puppy” reactions still apply. The dog will still have to learn about your house, its sights and scents, your voice, your TV and telephone sounds. There is so much for him to learn! That song line, “Getting to know you” works both ways and those first days and weeks devoted entirely to this new family member will pay off in years of shared pleasures.                               

Back to the festive family and kids, there is no reason to be down-hearted if you cannot have the dog of your dreams with you during the holidays. Spend the days enjoying family, friends, kids’ activities and festivities. Then let your special Rufus come into your home at a time when your things are back to normal and he (or she) can be the center of everyone’s attention.

The whole family can celebrate the puppy’s anticipated arrival by having all the essential things listed above (except perhaps food) wrapped and under the tree. Books about puppy training and about the specific breed make super informative gifts for the whole family. Photos of the actual pup you’ll be getting soon (or look-alike ones) can be hung on the tree as featured ornaments. Enjoy your family holidays and the acquisition of your new doggie family member separately. You, and your pup, will appreciate the “wait.”

Until next time—HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.