7yo really wants a puppy for Christmas, what’s a good toy alternative?

[EleanorLavish]

We have a cat that is terrified of dogs, plus we work so a dog isn’t going to be happening any time soon.
My parents have a dog (who adores us) that we see quite often, take for walks etc. He is very close to this dog, and I have said that
A) Santa doesn’t bring live animals
B) Mums dog would be so upset if we got a dog, as he loves us so much, he would be jealous.
But I know he really wants a doggy of his own. He was looking at a robot one in Smyths but it hasn’t good reviews. Is there any toy that is a decent puppy experience?
I’ve already bought his actual presents from Santa so nothing too £££. Thanks.

You will never find a toy that lives up to what he imagines having a dog would be like. I would just stick with the presents he has and the 'Santa cant bring animals" line. Maybe take him dog walking for a local shelter in the new year.

I second Bunny. "Santa doesn't bring animals" and stick with what you've got him.

Santa doesn't bring animals is brilliant, because animals are not presents.

My DS of the same age wanted a puppy too. We can't have a dog for similar reasons. Then we were in Ikea and he saw a stuffed Rottweiler puppy toy. He's NEVER been into stuffed toys, despite being given loads as a baby/toddler. He fell in love with this little dog and sleeps with it now!! I honestly thought he was joking when he asked for it in ikea!

I'm not sure I'd get that as a gift, but maybe an idea the next time you see a soft, realistic-looking stuffed toy and he's there! You never know!

Also, assuming he has no SEN, at 7 he's really old enough to understand why a dog just wouldn't work for your family. DS is almost 7 and while he would love a dog he understands and accepts that it wouldn't be fair to keep a dog in our house while everyone's out all day, he understands it's cruel to the dog and because MIL had a dog and now a new puppy he understands how much hard work they are. Don't overthink it.

Sponsor a guide dog or hearing dog puppy?

I like the sponsor a dog idea @georgedawes

Check out Perfect Petzzz dogs - you should be able to find them on Amazon. Personally, I think they are super freaky, but my DTs (9) love them. (They’re lifelike soft toy dogs (they also do cats I think) that “breathe”. My DTs think they are utterly delightful!

I got my daughter a puppy for her 11th birthday, she saved to put towards him for over a year. Counted down the days on her calendar. Cried with happiness all the way home.
She hasn't paid him much attention really despite previously being obsessed with our old family dog. She used to walk the dog daily/sleep with him each night, obsess over him.. whereas her own dog sleeps in my bed, I feed him and walk him.. She found him hard work and he's definetly my dog! I don't regret it because I utterly adore him but still... it doesn't always end up being what they think it will!
Do you have a local dog shelter he could volunteer at with you at wkend?

Yes I would research into dog walking at nearby shelters and bring a letter "from" the dogs in the home saying we know you want a dog, well, although we are waiting for the right home, in the meantime we want a boy to play with and walk us. Do you think you could be that boy?

And maybe a soft toy dog.

Could look at the walk/borrow my dog schemes where you can help out people who are struggling to walk their dogs. My neighbours do this and love it.