1. Robyn J - 4:10PM on 12/04/07

It's funny how there are no comments posted on this subject. I guess that there are alot of us guilty of this. It breaks my heart that there are so many unwanted dogs that get euthanized every year. Many of these dogs were acquired this way and as soon as the excitement wears off or the dog doesn't live to their expectations, they are given up to shelters. Maybe if we insist on giving them as gifts, we should consider adopting a pet from the local shelters. They have many unwanted puppies, some euthanized at a very , very young age due to overcrowding. There are even rescue organizations that have dogs looking for a forever home. After proper consideration to whether or not you DO want to make a long term decision on having a dog, they do adopt out to suitable homes. Please spay and neuter your pets.

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2. kirscole - 5:19PM on 12/04/07

I think that getting a puppy for the holidays may be nice. But you would think that the little puppy would be scared. What do you put the puppy in? Exactley, you put the puppy in a box it's sittin there all alone is sort of mean. I think giving like a card saying you get to pick out a puppy would be a great idea or show a puppy that you found at a shelter would be good. That brings me to adoption. There are so many animals in shelters that have to put to sleep because some people much rather get one from a breeder or pet store. I just much rather save pet from a shelter. So I am concluding that everyone should try and adopt their pets.

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3. MKT - 6:04PM on 12/04/07

I think the key issue here is a life long commitment. To have a dog as a pet, to me, is for ever. To give a puppy as a present is risky, because the recipient may not consider having a dog for the rest of it's life(or thier's). More people should read Cesar's advice and take it.

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4. CJ Anderson - 7:19PM on 12/04/07

You know, if someone was considering getting a puppy from the rescue or shelter or even a purchase of a purebred (atho there are SOOOOO many of those int he shelters),one could not go wrong by buying Cesar's new DVD! "Your New Dog, From the First Day and Beyond!" I already have my Christmas stash to give away, The thing that is BEYOND cool is the fact that it shows EXACTLY how one can chose a dog that matches ones lifestyle and energy needs! You can see a clip of the video over on the site here: http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/products/ynd_dvd.php I have a co worker who is determined to get one and so I am going to give them an early oliday present of the DVD and a gift certificate from my favorite rescue!

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5. jazzalto - 8:37AM on 12/05/07

This is exactly what I did for my husband. We had been talking about adopting for a long time, so I got him a little card and put the pictures of 5 shelter dogs in the card so that we could discuss and choose the right dog for us. With Cesar's help, we have gotten him to be a more balanced puppy, though we are still working on being better pack leaders.

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6. stacy d - 8:37AM on 12/05/07

All 4 of my pets are adopted, 1 was given up (I figured out pretty quickl) because of tummy issues. He is still with me, will be til the day he is no longer on this Earth. One of my pets was given up because she wasn't a perfect breed standard. People just don't realize that this isn't defective merchandise they are returning. It's a living, breathing, feeling BEING and it angers me to see people adopting or buying an animal and when the animal does EXACTLY what it is suposed to do (which is be an animal) they get rid of him or her. It's beyond my comprehension that anyone can be that irresponsible and uncaring

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7. TATFK - 9:37AM on 12/05/07

I just got this in the mail the other day and I think it should be posted here as appropriate ..and anywhere else everyone can think of...This is my kind of Santa ~~Forgotten Dog's Christmas~~ 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there The children were nestled all snug in their beds With no thought of the dog filling their head And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter Away to the window I flew like a flash Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below When, what to my wondering eyes should appear But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain "Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all." I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear The gift of a dog is not just for the season We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons In our haste to think of the kids a gift There was one important thing that we missed A dog should be family, and cared for the same You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight "You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!" Author Unknown

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8. angelcakes00@sbcglobal.net - 8:40PM on 12/05/07

I think it is an okay idea to give a puppy/dog as a gift and as a best friend. As long as you know them very well and that you know that they will take care of the puppy/dog. I'm getting my blue heeler puppy spayed next friday!!! Sad story: Our neighbors had a Norwegian Elkhound, she was a gift from their daughters (before they died in a car accaident) They never let their dogs (Gracie and Jud- pit bull) out of the yard except for when they would do yard work. Yesterday no one was home and the dogs were out of the yard running loose. So I thought, I better put them back in the yard before one of them gets hit. I was going to go catch the pit bull and I got him and put him in the yard. I turned around to go get Gracie and I heard a dog like terror scream. I ran twards it. I froze with shock, I felt tears run down my cheeks as i saw her trying to get up in the middle of the road. I ran to her and picked her up (i didn't care about cars at that point) and walked over to the side of the road by the house away from the road. I layed her down and she squealed. I started hugging her while crying. Then I sat up and i thought why am i not calling the vet or something. Right as i thought that her owner drove up. She jumped out screaming(scared not mad) at me what happed. I told her that Gracie got hit by a car and that i carried her out of the road. She started crying and freaking out. I looked back down at Gracie (i was on my knees in front of her) I noticed that she wasn't breathing. I yelled her name, but I knew she was gone. We wrapped her in a blanket and buried her in between my yard and hers. R.I.P. Gracie We all loved you!

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9. isha - 10:34PM on 12/05/07

I do not think it is okay to give pets as presents, not only dogs. I used to ask for a dog when I was a kid, and my mom would tell me she would get me one when I grew up. I used to throw tantrums and everything. But now I see that she was right, and a dog is a big responsibiliy. I am glad I did my research before I got my dog. Pets are not toys, they are an additional member of the family, think about the finiancial responsibility before you get a pet. And please do adopt. There are many dogs/cats/birds/hamsters/and other animals that need a warm and friendly home. And have patience with your pets, do not give up on them. Many have had a past history of abuses and it probably will take some time for them to get to trust the world again.

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10. laurie n - 10:21AM on 12/06/07

Forgotten Dog's Christmas~~ 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there The children were nestled all snug in their beds With no thought of the dog filling their head And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter Away to the window I flew like a flash Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below When, what to my wondering eyes should appear But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain "Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all." I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear The gift of a dog is not just for the season We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons In our haste to think of the kids a gift There was one important thing that we missed A dog should be family, and cared for the same You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight "You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!" --Author Unknown

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11. CJ Anderson - 4:30PM on 12/06/07

That Poem is so beautiful I sure hope alot of people read it and think! It is amazing, isnt it? A dog can live nearly as long as a teenager child and goes through so many stages, each requiring its own special understanding and care. This is one reason why I wont work with puppies at all, infact wont work with dogs under 18 months although I really prefer to work with them as older dogs. I was so sorry to hear about Gracey it is always so sad when that happens I know - I have lost two, to being hit by a car. Dogs, like children create stresses all their own. This column remnds me about how so many people get all caught up in the glory and excitement of palnning a wedding, that they dont think about the marraige that will be coming behind and how much work it really is! Everyone gets caught by the cut puppy pictures and the first oos and ahhs, but then the puppy gets home, there is all the little puddles of pee and poo, chewed up furniture, crying in the middle of the night.Disobedience as puppy does its own thing until it learns better - somewhere down the road - maybe. Getting a puppy for a child that the parent ends up caring for, that ends up being put on a chain, that gets taken to the shelter to be abandoned or euthanized because it got one too many means off the counter, or too many pieces of furiture destroyed. Everyone of the 15 problem dogs I have worked with over the last year has been abandoned to the shelter and within hours of being euthanized because the people who got them didnt know how to handle the problems thedogs created. So perhaps what Cesar wrote is worth a second through, even if all that was done wa to give them that shelter gift certificate and checklist of how to chose their dog to match their lifestyle and energy level. Sometimes it does work out. Shelters are full of dogs where it doesnt, I think is all we are saying here - these should be throught of before actions are taken that have such grave and long term consequence.

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12. Sharon V - 8:57AM on 12/07/07

My brother once gave his son's family a very expensive puppy for Christmas. There were three young children in the house and trying to take care of a new puppy was quite stressful. They has the dog until the fourth child was born. My mother graciously took the dog to keep it in the family. The dog was loved and cared for by my mother who later became and died. So now the dog was adopted by a neighbor of my mother. This poor little fluffy dog has had three homes in the course of five years. All of this stress on the innocent puppy, because my brother did not even ask if the family wanted a dog. His son and daughter-in-law only held on to it because the children kickedup such a fuss. Hopefully now the dog is doing well. I don't know because I don't know the neighbor that got it.

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13. Laurette C - 9:17AM on 12/07/07

I Love Cesar, he is my hero. I just recently moved to TN from NY I have seen more unwanted dogs roaming in my area which is very rural. Yesterday I found a puppy in my field that as most likely dropped off because his legs were a little deformed. His front feet turn outward and his hind legs look like early dysplasia. I am a rescuerer and have 5 dogs already. I will keep this precious one and take him to the vet tomorrow. People need to realize that this is a lifelong commitment and not a throw away. It is a life you are carelessly throwing out!

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14. CC - 4:11PM on 12/07/07

I love this article and your sooo right! We had thought for months about giving our girls twin ferrets, cause they have been begging for them for as long... if not longer. My husband and I both think they are sooo cool and i guess have secertly wanted them as well. However, we have 3 dogs and 2.. AND 3 other children to consider. Although this article was about giving a puppy.. I think any new pet would apply. Thank you so much for giving me permission in a sense for a moment of pause... think the toys are going to be good enough till they can proove they can take care of them and trully want them more than the fad at school passing through.

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15. CC - 4:11PM on 12/07/07

I love this article and your sooo right! We had thought for months about giving our girls twin ferrets, cause they have been begging for them for as long... if not longer. My husband and I both think they are sooo cool and i guess have secertly wanted them as well. However, we have 3 dogs and 2.. AND 3 other children to consider. Although this article was about giving a puppy.. I think any new pet would apply. Thank you so much for giving me permission in a sense for a moment of pause... think the toys are going to be good enough till they can proove they can take care of them and trully want them more than the fad at school passing through.

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16. - 4:41PM on 12/08/07

I agree puppies or any animals should not be given as presents....The whole family needs to agree and make the desicion together and understand that this is a life desicion and dont enter into it lightley...

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17. Amy Rhode - 4:41PM on 12/08/07

Great article...I'm going to link it to my signature line! Too many pups are purchased/adopted and then given up early in the year because no one wants to walk them, feed them, brush them, etc. and then rescues/shelters clean up the mess. And...puppymills are once again kept in business.

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18. Shannel - 4:43PM on 12/08/07

My husband and I obtained our dog from a breeder during the holiday season. But it was something we sat down and discussed for months beforehand. What breed we wanted, whether we had the time to care for it properly, whether our home was suitable. I completely agree with this article, but I believe there can be exceptions. Two years later, our Siberian Husky is still with us and we still lavish as much love on him as we did in the beginning. He is basically another child in our family. However, I realize that the article above applies to many people. I have seen others who get dogs "for their kid" for Christmas. Of course the kid can't take care of it properly. They can't make sure it has food, take it to its vet appointments, trim its nails when necessary. So the dog ends up being the responsibility of the parents, who didn't really want it for themselves in the first place. The dogs then "run away" or are taken to shelters. This is why so many dog owners suggest looking to shelters first when looking for a new addition for your family. There are many animals out there already who need a good home.

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19. Mandy - 4:50PM on 12/08/07

About 3 years ago my parents got me a dog for Christmas. I was there to pick out the dog with my parents, so I knew what I was getting myself into. We had to go to a breeder because my parents needed an allergy free pet and my mom didn't want fur all over. We think we might get a second dog, and if we do we're either going to get a shelter dog, or we'll adopt our neighbors dogs. They have 6 dogs, and 2 of them are very small and adorable... they do not take care of them, neither of them have had a bath, the white one is now a dirty brown color, and they keep them in the garage and do not let them out ot poop, they used to have them outside, and they never let them inside even on hot days. They are close to being taken to the pound/

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20. supriya1111@sbcglobal.net - 4:50PM on 12/08/07

I think that giving dogs as christmas gifts is quite immoral, because it "hurts" the dog, in a way. After all, a dog is a living being, and giving it as a present, kind of means you are treating the dog like a "thing". I agree with this article all the way, because the puppy could really get scared with the excitement or loud atmosphere of the holiday season. Getting dogs for christmas is getting more popular these days, but it really isn't the solution to get the puppy/dog off on the right foot! So rethink getting a live dog for a present!

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21. chris c - 4:50PM on 12/08/07

expensive pup or not hes still a lifetime commettment. ive had three labs beautiful dogs they are . in 2007 my lab got sick i had o do the right thing for my bear . i loved him terribbbly till this day i havent forgot him . i got new pup his names sam what a sweeetyi love alll my dogs

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22. chris c - 4:52PM on 12/08/07

i hope god gives me the strenghth and health to raise this little guy i love him so if anything shall happen to me ive got it so a friend will take care sam he wont end up in SHELTER

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23. chris c - 4:52PM on 12/08/07

i hope god gives me the strenghth and health to raise this little guy i love him so if anything shall happen to me ive got it so a friend will take care sam he wont end up in SHELTER

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24. chris c - 4:52PM on 12/08/07

i hope god gives me the strenghth and health to raise this little guy i love him so if anything shall happen to me ive got it so a friend will take care sam he wont end up in SHELTER

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25. Meaghan - 4:52PM on 12/08/07

I totally agree with this statement. I always wanted a puppy for my birthday or Christmas. I asked Santa and my parents every year since I was two. When I was older my mom started having me read about dog care and training. When I was 14 she told me that if I still wanted one after all I had read and learned, there were some dogs from a friend of a friend that were up for adoption. After 12 years of asking I finally got my dog around my 15th birthday. He came to live with us the day he turned 2 months. The first night he proceeded to poop on me while I was asleep. But I was prepared for that. At 21 I still have my little terra-poo who is totally adorable and the love of my life, if you will. I would never think of letting him go anywhere. I love him so much and having to wait probably made me appreciate and love him all the more. I also enjoyed going to pick him out, well he chose me. I was in a cast and sling at the time and while I held him, he climbed up my sling and fell asleep there when he was two weeks old. At that point his closely watching mother was satisfied and walked away and we knew he was the one. He remembered me when we picked him up and brought him home. The dog really does pick the kid and I think picking out the puppy is half the fun too. I am really glad my parents gave me my puppy as a present the way they did. I was ready for one when he came and I was prepared for the odd things dogs in new places can do. This is the best advice I have read about dogs in a long time!

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26. jeffamarie413 - 4:56PM on 12/08/07

You know, I think it's so stupid that this guy is saying 'tread lightly, you don't want the pet to get too excited, it might get the kid excited and then everybody will have a wonderful and memorable Christmas!' I don't care how much people trust you for your advice, there's no need to "protect parents" from this "awful mistake". Please, there is nothing wrong with buying a pet and surprising your kid on Christmas, and they'll probably remember that time in their life that much more for it. I don't feel guilty at all, because my parents did it, and we're just fine.

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27. darkwyndstar - 4:59PM on 12/08/07

I have three cats and all of them have been spayed and declawed. we are now looking for new housing that we can afford and it breaks my heart that the places we are looking into (mostly HUD homes) wont allow more than ust one. How can I choose who stays and who goes. If i put them in the shelters who knows what could happen to them. They cant live without each other at all they were raised together its like separating a mother from her child. I am hoping that maybe one place will give us a chance and let us pay extra to keep the other two also if not my mother in law will get one to hold for us and I will have a friend hold the other and then sneak them into the house later when no one is looking. I have 2 years to think about this but it plagues me everyday that so many people can just throw away their animals like they mean nothing. I ahve a 4 and a half month old who loves the cats and i dont know how he would react if he didnt see them every morning when they rub his feet and lay with him while Im dressing him.

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28. jeffamarie413 - 5:00PM on 12/08/07

I think the solution to your 'excitement will wear off, pet goes up for adoption' scenario is to rear your child to be responsible and to KNOW WHAT THEY WANT before you get it. I think the problem is one of 'kids are spoiled and hate responsibility'... seems to me to have nothing to do with WHEN you get the pet.

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29. william p - 5:01PM on 12/08/07

Thats crazy. My girlfriend wants a puppy more than anything for Christmas. Its far from a surprise, and we have another dog at home allready. We're perfectly aware of the responsibilities of owning pets and cannot wait until our new puppy comes home. We're going to have a great Christmas. Will the author of this article?

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30. spongebarb95 - 5:04PM on 12/08/07

Breeders dogs are so exspensive and if you get one from a pet store you could be suporting the puppy mill. Adopting is also a good thing cause you save a life aswell. My niebors haver three dog and never take then on walks.I think they got one as a present to.

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