To get a puppy for Christmas Day?

[steppedonlego]

Back story: I've wanted a dog for years, but as both me and husband work long hours, we decided it wouldn't be fair for the dog to be left alone for long periods. Have since had a child and I have gone part time and work nights, so the dog will never be left alone for longer than an hour or two at a time and so there's really never been a better time to have a pup. I've done research over the last few months, selected breed type etc etc. Just to clarify that this isn't a decision we've gone into lightly and fully intend to give any dog we get a forever home, not just as a Christmas gift.

So, in light of above, we've been looking for the right dog for us. I have a few friends who are either experienced dog owners or even dog trainers looking out for a pup for us, and one came back to me last night about a puppy for sale.

She's beautiful, everything we want in a dog, but a couple of things are making me think twice. I really wanted to get a puppy as young as possible, because I have always had rescue cats in the past and have never experienced that baby stage of an animals life. This might be slightly selfish, but it's just something I would really like to do just once. The pup is currently 10 weeks old, which is fine, but this is where my dilemma is.

She's described as timid, and so I'm worried that getting her (possibly tonight) would be too much for her, to be in a new place with a lot of children and bright lights and new sounds and smells, Christmas in a family home basically. The problem is that even if I was to wait, by the time Christmas and new year is over with, she will be 3 months old and I'll feel like I've missed out on those early baby days, which I've always wanted to experience.

AIBU in either rejecting what is a perfectly good puppy because she's not 100% perfect, or having a puppy now in a situation which may be distressing for her?

More of a WWYD? I suppose.

My thoughts: I would not get a puppy this time of year simply because the toilet training thing in the winter is a nightmare.
Timid pup is worrying too although depends on the breed. Puppies are a nightmare and I certainly wouldn't be in a hurry to relive the first year with my dog.
All decs would need to come down!

I wouldn't.
Christmas is very busy and noisy and a baptism of fire for a person trying to settle a new puppy and have time to toilet train while entertaining, watching the kids, cooking.

Plus the tears when brand new toys are chewed.

I wouldn't get a dog described as timid either.

A good breeder won't let a pup go at Christmas week.

A ten week old versus 12 week old won't make much difference in regards to the cats.

We be been talking about getting a puppy for about year. We have found the right one and it's ready now but I have asks the breeder to keep him Until 28th and she is more than happy to, why can't the breeder keep yours for a few more days?

I wouldn't on Christmas Day. They are often a bit unsettled initially anyhow, being separated from mum. My pup didn't eat for 3 days and whined lots. It would probably be a bit overwhelming for a new pup. Plus you'd be majorly on guard for her eating , drinking the wrong sorts of things lying around. My puppy was timid at 8 weeks now she is the complete opposite. She is very confident and bold , maybe to much in two years she has never bothered with the submissive thing with other dogs.

Definitely not on Christmas day, and I'd be very wary about getting a 10 week old pup described as timid. The early weeks are critical for socialisation, and you've missed part of that window already. How come she is being offered for sale at this point?

Good luck with your search for the right puppy, though.

I'd wait until after Christmas and go to a rescue home.
They are overrun at this time of year and you could be a great help to them.
They will have puppies this time of year as well.

In the spirit of this being a wwyd. I wouldn't get a 'timid' 10 week old pup. I would wait, you've decided what breed you'd like so start researching breeders! The people looking out for you will have their idea of a perfect dog in mind not yours. Even if they don't have a litter available or imminently planned a good breeder who will offer you a lifetime of support is worth their weight in gold. They'll be able to advise you which pup/s in a litter are best suited to your family.

We have two dogs, one from 14 weeks and the other from 9. I didn't feel we'd missed the puppy phase with the first one, in fact the second was much harder work.

Personally I don't feel it would be fair to bring a timid puppy into the family on Christmas Day. They need 'normal' time to adjust to their new surroundings and the family dynamic. As others have suggested, the week between Christmas and NY when things are more settled seems a better idea

I wouldnt get a timid puppy with a family.

My SIL had a timid puppy. Used to piss and shit itself if you moved too suddenly or looked at it funny. Also completely terrified of walks.

You need a confident puppy with a family

I don't think you should get the puppy at Christmas, wait til things settle down a bit.

If you have your heart set on getting a little puppy maybe wait a while for another one that's right for you.

Whatever you decide make s couple of visits to see the pup beforehand at least then you'll have some idea of temperament.

One puppy on its own for sale doesn't sound quite right to me. You need to see the litter with the mum in the family home and pick one out yourself.

Ignoring the fact that only a breeder more interested in money than dogs would sell a puppy at Christmas, don't do it. My spaniel was almost certainly puppy farmed and sold to us through a front family. I wish I'd been more savvy. He is fear aggressive towards other dogs, neurotic and chases lights/shadows. I love him but it's been much harder work. Our other dog came from a decent breeder and is a breeze in comparison. A steady temperament is the most important thing when choosing a 15 year commitment. Please look for a decent breeder in the new year. Puppies are all cute, adult dogs with issues are heartbreaking.

Let me guess is the puppy in question a "cavapoo" or such the like?

You'd be bonkers to even consider this. Christmas Day is never a good time to settle a new pet never mind one that is timid. You may do more damage than good by introducing it into the family at this stage.
Also as previously stated no good breeder would consider homing at Christmas so am assuming this is an accidentally on purpose litter.

Also puppies are extremely hard work, think of a 2 year old child going through the terrible twos and double it. You need eyes in the back of your head. My mums dog has only just calmed down from puppy stage he is now 3, So I really don't think waiting 2 more weeks is going to make a huge amount of difference.

My cats are happy well adjusted non timid animals but come Christmas Day they are stressed beyond belief as they can't cope with the noise and celebrations. Think how a timid puppy entering a new house having being taken away from its mother, coming in when the celebrations are in full swing with excited children running round.......it's not fair on the poor thing, don't do it.

In all seriosity, although you might not want to hear it, the best time to get a puppy would be towards the beginning of summer. Long daylight hours and generally drier days make house training a lot easier/more pleasant for the pup than being dragged outside hourly into wet/cold/windy winter weather. Walks are more enjoyable. There's generally less going on; or at least less trying to be fit into each day, so there's more time to devote to training and getting pup settled in.

Getting a puppy at Christmas; a crazy, chaotic, loud and stressful time just doesn't seem very clever. Plus, my cynical self would imagine that unscrupulous breeders would push their prices up before Christmas.

Sorry, but responsible breeders dont sell ANY puppies around christmas because of the noise and excitement that goes on etc.
It is not an appropriate time to get one, especially a timid one, dont do it.

No. Just no.

Wait until the new year to consider a new family member. Think about all of the available breeds, and choose the breed that will be best for you. Contact reputable and responsible breeders and talk to them about their puppies and how to buy a quality puppy from a reputable breeder.

Thank you all. Story has a happy ending after all, the seller wasn't a breeder, it was a friends dog of the same breed that managed to get at her bitch when she was in season. Contacted her this morning to tell her that I wasn't sure that the pup would be the right fit for our family etc etc, and she came back saying that actually she was relieved because she'd been having second thoughts about letting her go and as I'd changed my mind she'd decided to keep her. Happy all round

captainkit actually, that is exactly what I wanted to hear, and I think that's my plan going forward. As I've said before I'm not in a huge rush to get any dog, just the dog that's right for us whilst also making sure we're the right family for the dog.

Thank you all for the kind advice, I was half expecting to get roasted, but I really appreciate everyone who's helped out. Merry Christmas all!

That sounds very sensible and I am sure you will find a lovely puppy that suits your family within the year.

Glad this has all worked out. I can only imagine how hard it would have been to walk away once you'd chosen a pup, so it's great to hear that girl will be staying with her breeder (albeit an accidental breeder)

Take the next few months to enjoy the relative peace and quiet of a puppy-free house, whilst reading up and making plans for a summer pup.

(Fwiw, I got my pup at 11 weeks from Dogs Trust, just in case you were discounting rescues because you were after a young puppy. They don't usually put the young ones on their website, so might be worth visiting your nearest site if you'd consider a rescue.)