How to Give a Puppy As a Christmas Gift

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 16, 2023 References

A puppy can be an amazing source of joy, but a puppy is a big commitment, so getting one should never be taken lightly. If the situation is right and the recipient is ready, getting a puppy for Christmas can be a wonderful surprise.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deciding to Give a Puppy as a Gift

1
Talk to the recipient. The last thing you want to do is put a puppy in a home that isn't ready to take care of it. A puppy will need to be housebroken, trained, and exercised.
- If you plan to buy a puppy for a child, be sure to speak to their parents.
- If you don’t want to spoil the surprise, drop some hints about dogs or talk to someone close to the recipient.
2
Find the best fit. Assess the recipient’s lifestyle and home situation to determine what kind of dog they would like. ^{[1]
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Research source} Ask them some key questions:
- How active of a dog do you want?
- Are you okay with grooming it regularly?
- Do you have enough space for a big dog or would a small or medium dog work best?
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3
Consider adopting. Adopting a dog can be one of the best things you’ll ever do. Animal shelters can be great sources of both mixed-breed and pure-breed dogs.^{[2]
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- Search for animal shelters in your area and go take a look.
- If you are looking for a specific breed, call ahead.
4
Find a reputable source. Pet stores often get their animals from what are known as puppy mills. Puppy mills (also called puppy farms) treat their animals poorly and take advantage of their dogs, and their puppies are often unhealthy.^{[3]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source} Don’t support them! A great place to start is to ask your vet or local humane society for recommendations.^{[4]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source} Look for a breeder that:
- Allows you to visit and observe where they keep the dogs. Their kennels should be spacious and clean.
- Breeds only a few types of dogs and is knowledgeable about those breeds.
- Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee for your puppy.
5
Consider giving an IOU or gift certificate. If you are not 100% sure that the recipient wants a puppy (or any dog at all), think about giving a gift certificate or IOU. ^{[5]
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Research source} Admittedly, this is not as exciting as giving an actual puppy on Christmas morning, but it could save both the puppy and the recipient from a lot of hassle! ^{[6]
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- Some breeders and animal shelters offer gift certificates.
- Alternatively, you can make a handmade IUO.
- You can include a stuffed animal puppy with your gift certificate or IOU.
- Consider bringing in a foster dog instead. Your recipient will be able to learn the responsibilities of animal adoption. If they fall in love with the dog, awesome job! If they don't fall in love with the pup, that's okay! Fostering is just a temporary home.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting the Puppy

1
Buy/adopt the puppy prior to Christmas. Begin looking at dogs in early December. You will not want to wait until Christmas Eve, as this will make you rushed and stressed. If you give yourself plenty of time to look, you will be sure to find the perfect puppy.
- Some breeders will allow you to purchase the puppy ahead of time and pick it up on Christmas Eve.
2
Find a place for the dog until Christmas. If you live with the recipient, you'll need to find a place for the puppy to stay prior to Christmas. Speak to close neighbors or relatives who could take on this task. Make sure the place is suitable for a puppy, and that the caregiver understands what to do.^{[7]
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- Work out a schedule for when you can drop by and help with walking, feeding, or cleaning up.
3
Purchase supplies. The puppy will need food, bowls, chew toys, a place to sleep, a collar and leash, and some puppy pads for the floor. You will need these items to take care of the puppy yourself, but it’s also a great idea to include this with your gift.^{[8]
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4
Make sure the home is a suitable place for a puppy. Whether the puppy will end up living with you or someplace else, make sure this place is safe for a puppy.
- Move any cords that the puppy could chew on.
- Get rid of any poisonous plants that could make the puppy ill.^{[9]
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5
Take the puppy to the vet. Before you give a dog as a gift, it is crucial to make sure they have a clean bill of health. You don’t want to give a sick puppy!^{[10]
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- Many animal shelters can perform this service at the time of adoption and even spay or neuter the pet.
- Doing this will help offset some of the costs of having a puppy and make it a better present.
6
Invest in puppy training. It is also a good idea to invest in some puppy training for the recipient and their new pet. This can make for a smoother transition and solidify a happy, lifelong relationship between owner and dog.^{[11]
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- Many training academies offer special Christmastime workshops! Look for these in your area.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Giving the Puppy

1
Bring the puppy to the home of the recipient. Conceal the puppy in a room with a good door, as far away as possible from where the recipient will be.
- A laundry room, basement, or garage can be a good option.
- Check on the puppy often.
- Play Christmas music to conceal dog sounds.
2
Let the puppy use the bathroom. Before wrapping up the puppy, take them outside! You will want to big reveal to be graceful and clean. Ensure this by letting the puppy take care of business.
3
Put the puppy in a box. You are going to need a cardboard box much larger than the puppy. Wait as long as you can before sealing up the box.
- Poke holes in the box.
- Avoid using wrapping paper, as this can be a suffocation hazard. Instead, opt for a simple ribbon or bow.
- Bring out the box when you are ready to give the gift!
4
Put a bow or ribbon on the dog. If your puppy is larger, or if you simply do not want to deal with a box, you can tie a ribbon or bow onto the puppy's collar.
- Wait until the last minute to do it.
- Avoid tying anything around their neck.
- Simply leave the ribbon-clad puppy in front of the Christmas tree, but beware of him chewing other gifts.
5
Wrap up the dog accessories. A third option is to wrap up a box full of dog items (food dishes, toys, etc.). When the recipient opens this box, allow the puppy to run out and greet their new friend!

Community Q&A

Question

What if the person shakes the box, trying to guess what is inside?

Community Answer

Tell them there is something very delicate in the box and not to shake it, as it might break.
Question

Is this the same with cats?

Community Answer

Yes, if you are giving a kitten or cat to someone, you should follow these instructions, except the training part.
Question

What if I don't feel ready to get a puppy?

Community Answer

Let your parents know that you don't feel up to the task of looking after the puppy by yourself, so that they can remain responsible for it until you feel ready. You will learn a lot from watching them care for the puppy and you can play with it a lot to ensure good bonding.

Warnings

Along with the puppy, you should include some dog food, a grooming brush, and dog shampoo.

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Make sure that the puppy is vaccinated and has no diseases.

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Don't name the puppy, because the puppy may get used to their name, and you never know if the recipient won't like the name you chose. They may want to pick a different name.

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Remember: Dogs need forever homes and they can live up to twenty years. Besides the basic needs, they need yearly health check-ups, have emergencies, require a lot of training, and attention. Never give the gift of a puppy on a whim! They are living creatures that deserve loving homes.

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This can't be stressed enough: A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. You must be 100% sure that the recipient is ready for a dog and that they can provide adequate love and care for many years.

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