Doggone Etiquette —

Christmas Shopping

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

You may have been left home a lot a few weeks ago when some or all of your family went shopping. And you may still be wondering why they were shopping for something called “black Friday” or “cyber Monday” when all they brought home was the same old, same old bags, and boxes! People do very strange things at this time of year. Now it is officially called “Christmas shopping” and that includes special food. Yes! That’s more like it. When they come in the door, give them a perfect ‘sit’ – with no jumping up and down welcome – and maybe there will be a treat or two for you in one of those shopping bags.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Shopping must be a complete mystery to dogs – as to why we do it, when we do it, and where we do it. Maybe if we gave them the money … no, that definitely would not work! We’ll just have to leave them in the dark and occasionally pull out something for them from what we bring home. If your Rufus is an inquisitive individual who can’t keep his nose out of your shopping acquisitions, try to remember to stick a small treat in your pocket before you go out the door. Then, when you return home you will be able to distract him from your shopping spree and at the same time reward him for doing such a good job of guarding the house. (Well, it’s worth a try. It might work a time or two.)

A friend of mine told me that her dog seems to have caught onto this Christmas shopping business. Every time she goes out for any length of time, she returns to a very sweet, innocent-looking dog that waits patiently as she puts away whatever she has brought home. If there are no goodies for the dog, he wanders off and retrieves something he has carefully hidden while she was out. So far that list includes her cell phone, three different shoes, a bottle of soda, and a guest towel. The dog obviously has decided two can play at this mysterious shopping activity.

At this time of year there is one thing you should NOT bring home and that is a puppy, or even an older dog. If you live alone, or have no family descending on you for the holidays, and most important, if you are fully prepared to train and care for a dog over the long winter months, it might work out. However, with kids in the household and/or holiday entertaining, it would definitely be far better to wait a bit. When the plans to get a dog in the near future are underway, you can always put a few toys, essential items, or a couple of dog-related books under the tree. Letting a new dog make his entrance when the household is back to normal means that he will be easier to handle and he will know for sure he’s the best gift ever.

Toys, treats, and essentials for your resident best pal can be wrapped and put under the tree, but be alert to how quickly Rufus figures out how to unwrap gifts – no matter who they are meant to be for! The other occasional problem is with the Christmas tree itself. It is at floor level, and occasionally difficult for some dogs to figure out why you brought it indoors! (Leg-lifting is the cautionary word.)

With all this talk about shopping for gifts, please don’t forget to make a generous gift to the local shelters.

Until next time – Be a Good Santa Claus!

- 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 in 2008.