Christmas is coming and many puppies make it as gifts under the Christmas tree. They are so cute and delightful at first, but unfortunately many of them are not there the next year. They are spending their next Christmas days behind the bars of a shelter ( and that is if they are lucky and it is a non-killing shelter).

I always try to discourage the idea of getting a "puppy for the kids", for many reasons. The main one is that kids don't have the time, skills and responsability to really take care of a puppy. Puppies require a lot of  committment and patience, for training, potty skills, exercise, etc. Having said that, here are my recomendations if you still want a puppy for the Holidays.

1) Pick the dog not based on your kids, but based on YOU. Parents, you  know you will shoulder many of the care responsibilities. Of course , a kid-friendly dog is a must, but also the energy level to suit the adult in the household is important, too.

2) High energy dogs are way funnier and more entertaining but that also means they are higher maintenaince. If you can commit to walk/run your dog for at least 5 days a week ,  30 to 45 mins every day, maybe a high energy dog is for you. I often say that I  trust my dogs to any of my friends except Pinky (who was with me at Indy Style on Dec 17th, see the link on this website to view Pinky, although she was very calm on TV!). Often her energy level is a huge challenge.

3) Pure breed dogs don't make better dogs, I have 5 dogs and only one is pure breed, (Stella, the brindle A. Standford) and being very honest they are all the same for me. As a matter of fact, mixed breed dogs suffer less health related problems than those who have been mating only between their own breed lines for decades or centuries.                                                              Also, considering my own heritage, being a mix of Native, White and Black, who am I to talk about pure breeds? ;)

4) Older dogs learn quicker than little puppies.  I may agree that puppies look pretty but that will only last for 1 year. Then, they grow up and look just like any adult dog.

5) Shelters are over-saturated with the best dogs (even pure breeds and puppies).  So, rather than buying from a breeder, spending a lot of  money and adding to the overpopulation problem that kills so many dogs DAILY, go to your local shelter. Pick your favorite, trust me when I tell you they come from the same source.

***A note on this, when you get any dog from The Hamilton Humane Society that has been there for more than 8 months, it comes with free training with me! I will train you, and your dog! For FREE...now there's a thoughtful, useful gift!

So, this Holiday Season, have fun. And show your loved ones how much you care by picking a puppy./dog that fits your lifestyle  And if you rescue a Shelter Dog, t won't hurt to be a hero as well...


I am Fernando and I will see you next time

Fernando