Dogs as Gifts?

[mi_bella]

During Valentine week, craiglist was flooded with puppies ready to be the 'perfect valentine's gift,' and then today, I noticed how many were rehoming their new puppy that their husband/boyfriend had given them for valentine's because they don't have the time for it, are pregnant, moving etc.

Anyways, my question is, would you ever give someone a dog as a gift? Or is it always a bad idea.

 

[Pam111]

I would give my child a dog as a gift if I knew he wanted one because I would be the one really responsible for it's care and would want to be the one to really pick out a dog for him anyway until he was much older.

I would give a dog as a gift to someone else if I knew they actually wanted a dog/could handle a dog and they took part in picking it

 

[mi_bella]

I would give my child a dog as a gift if I knew he wanted one because I would be the one really responsible for it's care and would want to be the one to really pick out a dog for him anyway until he was much older.

I would give a dog as a gift to someone else if I knew they actually wanted a dog/could handle a dog and they took part in picking it

That's what I was thinking. It just surprised me so that so many people had to give their dogs away when they were gifts from their husbands. I mean if I had a husband (which I don't so I might be wrong here) I would expect him to know our financial situation and our work schedule so he would be aware of whether or not we could handle a dog and if so what type of dog we could handle...

Maybe,, they just carried away with the romantic notions of a puppy with a bow and not really think down the road?

 

[Xandra]

Bad plan 99.999 percent of the time.

First of all, in many cases the people don't even really know if the other wants a pet. You can like an animal without actually wanting one for the next, say, 15 YEARS.

Second, even if you know they're looking, they are a better judge of what fits then you are. Say I'm looking for a new shepherd and my family knows that and they decide to buy me one. They don't know **** about dogs and I can all but guarantee I would NOT want the one they chose.

Third, even if I have my eyes set on a litter or even an individual in a litter, if I went there myself to pick the pup out I might change my mind. You never know!

So if it isn't a surprise and you're going together, then sure, no problem

Or if it's, say a betta fish. If someone buys me a betta and it's ugly, well, big whoop. I can go buy another and have two betta tanks or I can just wait a few years until the ugly one dies. Even if someone bought me a pair of mice or something... that might be annoying but not catastrophic.

Dogs are NOT good "surprise" presents.

 

[Amanda885]

Pets should not be given out as gifts just because they are "cute" ..if people aren't ready for the responsibilities of having one, they probably really shouldnt own one. no need to stress the animal out being moved around.

 

[mi_bella]

So if it isn't a surprise and you're going together, then sure, no problem

This is true. And I mean, a dog is such a big thing, it's not like the lack of surprise factor would take away from the excitment.

 

[vanillasugar]

Matt has been told clearly that a pet WOULD be an appropriate gift to me at any point. In fact in some cases it might be the most awesome gift ever! However, he's the one who holds back on pets etc around here, and I'd have many many more if it were my choice. If he came home with a kitten or a dog or a small critter of some kind I'd be about the happiest girl around

This is not the norm, and for most people a pet is NOT an appropriate gift. Pets are not surprises that you spring on people unknowingly.

 

[milos_mommy]

The only time I would EVER give a dog as a gift would be to my child (as i would still be responsible for it) or a loved one that I KNEW 100% was interested in a dog, like they were looking, etc.

I remember how Romy's husband or SO surprised her with Kaia for Christmas, that to me was perfectly okay. Getting someone you've been dating six months a puppy for valentine's day imo ISN'T.

 

[milos_mommy]

Matt has been told clearly that a pet WOULD be an appropriate gift to me at any point. In fact in some cases it might be the most awesome gift ever! However, he's the one who holds back on pets etc around here, and I'd have many many more if it were my choice. If he came home with a kitten or a dog or a small critter of some kind I'd be about the happiest girl around

This is not the norm, and for most people a pet is NOT an appropriate gift. Pets are not surprises that you spring on people unknowingly.

I want so badly to wake up one christmas morning and see a puppy's head and legs sticking out of a hanging stocking.

One of those christmases when we've been talking about getting a puppy, have decided we're ready for a puppy, and i have hinted endlessly to my SO that I would not mind any of these *insert petfinder links* puppies under my tree.

 

[bubbatd]

Basically No , but it would depend on the situation . I sold a pup once as a Christmas gift , but it was to a lady for her husband . They lived in Ill and he had fallen in love with Bubba and wanted a puppy from him . I had pick of the litter and made a video for her of the pup crawling out of a Christmas wrapped box at 8 weeks old . I guess he broke into tears !! They came and got him the next week .

 

[Fran101]

I dont think buying someone a dog is a good idea, but I think "puppy giftcards" some breeders do is a GREAT idea. You pay for A puppy, get the giftcard and give it to your loved one. they then get to talk to the breeder, decide if a pup is right for them etc...

the money paid from the gift card isnt processed until the final decision is made. so If it turns out that it doesn't work out (loved one doesnt want a pup, breeder doesnt think they are the right home) .. no harm done. get your money back lol

 

[Lizmo]

Bad plan 99.999 percent of the time.

Dogs are NOT good "surprise" presents.

^^ this.

 

[mi_bella]

Matt has been told clearly that a pet WOULD be an appropriate gift to me at any point. In fact in some cases it might be the most awesome gift ever! However, he's the one who holds back on pets etc around here, and I'd have many many more if it were my choice. If he came home with a kitten or a dog or a small critter of some kind I'd be about the happiest girl around

Haha, see that would be me too BUT I still would like to have an input or he should take my likings into consideration. I love all dogs, but only certain breeds am I really capable of owning. Also, as much as I love animals, I can't afford to have that many so while I would keep the new dog, love him to pieces, I think I would still rather know ahead of time.

If, let's say, I've been looking around for x-breed at x-age for a while, and someone surprises me with one, perfect. But otherwise, I would rather it not be a surprise.

 

[Fran101]

Basically No , but it would depend on the situation . I sold a pup once as a Christmas gift , but it was to a lady for her husband . They lived in Ill and he had fallen in love with Bubba and wanted a puppy from him . I had pick of the litter and made a video for her of the pup crawling out of a Christmas wrapped box at 8 weeks old . I guess he broke into tears !! They came and got him the next week .

that is such a cute idea!! I wouldve cried!! lol and golden puppies are just the CUTEST!

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

I would give my child a dog as a gift if I knew he wanted one because I would be the one really responsible for it's care and would want to be the one to really pick out a dog for him anyway until he was much older.

I would give a dog as a gift to someone else if I knew they actually wanted a dog/could handle a dog and they took part in picking it

^^^ Very well put!!

I realize the conventional wisdom says to "never" give any pet as a gift ... but I agree with the two scenarios exactly as Pam cited as situations where giving a pet as a gift would be OK. (And yes, no pets as "surprise" gifts.)

In the first instance, as long as the parent FULLY realizes that it is they who will caring for the pet and be responsible for it ... b/c the majority of children cannot handle that kind of responsibility, regardless of how many times they "promise" to take care of it. Pet care is an adult responsibility, period. Kids can't be realistically expected to do it themselves.

Basically No , but it would depend on the situation . I sold a pup once as a Christmas gift , but it was to a lady for her husband . They lived in Ill and he had fallen in love with Bubba and wanted a puppy from him . I had pick of the litter and made a video for her of the pup crawling out of a Christmas wrapped box at 8 weeks old . I guess he broke into tears !! They came and got him the next week .

OK ... I LOVE that story ... and agree that was a very creative way to present a puppy that the woman KNEW in advance her husband definitely wanted.

 

[dobesgalore]

Coors was a gift to our son on his third b'day, knowing he wanted a puppy but at the same time knowing that Wayne and I would really be the ones resonsible for him. We still have Coors, now almost 10 years old. Aussie was a gift from me to Wayne on Fathers day, and you can't separate the two!

 

[Fran101]

Romeo was a gift to myself for my 18th birthday lol worked out great, it was exactly what I wanted :rofl1:

 

[mi_bella]

Coors was a gift to our son on his third b'day, knowing he wanted a puppy but at the same time knowing that Wayne and I would really be the ones resonsible for him. We still have Coors, now almost 10 years old. Aussie was a gift from me to Wayne on Fathers day, and you can't separate the two!

Okay, drifting a little bit out of subject. How did you go around for getting your kid's puppy? Did he choose the breed or did you choose it?

I've heard stories where the child loves this particually breed but the parents think they're better suited with another, or where the parents didn't really want that breed (because, let's say, they don't have the energy for a gsd) but still got it because that's what the child wanted.

 

[mi_bella]

Romeo was a gift to myself for my 18th birthday lol worked out great, it was exactly what I wanted :rofl1:

haha, bella was also a birthday gift to myself. my brother and sister helped me pay for her, though.

 

[Fran101]

Okay, drifting a little bit out of subject. How did you go around for getting your kid's puppy? Did he choose the breed or did you choose it?

I've heard stories where the child loves this particually breed but the parents think they're better suited with another, or where the parents didn't really want that breed (because, let's say, they don't have the energy for a gsd) but still got it because that's what the child wanted.

When I was a kid, I told my parents that I wanted a tiger. they got me a kitten that had stripes, I was happy. I think it was for the best lol

lol when It came to dogs, my parents would choose breeds that were suited for our household (small, non shedding etc..) and I got to choose between those still got to pick, but between dogs that were right for us