Article & Images Submitted by
Shannon MacBeth, Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors
www.facebook.com/shakespeareslegacylabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
The gift which I am sending you is called a dog and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind. ~ Theodorus Gaza
Christmas and puppies both have a magical feel about them. Combining the two, is almost an irresistible combination. Here are my thoughts based on why getting a puppy during the winter is a positive thing and a couple warnings to consider over the holidays.
www.facebook.com/shakespeareslegacylabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
The gift which I am sending you is called a dog and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind. ~ Theodorus Gaza
Christmas and puppies both have a magical feel about them. Combining the two, is almost an irresistible combination. Here are my thoughts based on why getting a puppy during the winter is a positive thing and a couple warnings to consider over the holidays.
Let’s start with the warnings but remember this is only for a few days over the holidays. The first is time. A puppy needs time to settle into their new surroundings. Yes, socializing your new puppy is very important and taking them along with you to Grandma’s is an exciting and honourable thought, but how does the puppy feel about it? Meeting a lot of new people and dogs all at once, being jostled from location to location is going to cause the puppy to become overstimulated and overtired, often resulting in less than desired reactions, such as biting and potty accidents. On the flip side, leaving them at home, alone, for extended periods of time can also cause reactivity to their space and separation anxiety because they aren’t used to the new sounds and smells of their home. Finding a balance between the two will help your puppy find security in these situations. Perhaps host the holiday gathering at your home or make your visits elsewhere a bit shorter.
The second thing to consider are the presents wrapped so beautifully under the tree. Having a space away from this chewing temptation is a great idea. Indoor puppy playpens are a great and inexpensive way to protect the puppy as well as the gifts. Management is your responsibility. A puppy only knows how to be a puppy, not how to be a puppy in a human world with human expectations.
The third thing are those adorably shaped and packaged rawhide chews you see pre-packaged as a gift. These should be avoided at all costs. If you take nothing else away from this article, please heed this advice. These products are bleached with household bleach and absorb the chemicals deep within the rawhide. They use industrial glue to help mold them into, and keep, their various shapes. They are NOT digestible for any animal consumption, especially a puppy, and will almost always cause a blockage in their digestive track. This will result in a very stressful and expensive extrication by your local emergency vet. Instead, why not look at a chew friendly toy, a coat for the colder weather or a brand new collar as a gift for your newest family member. In the long run, your puppy and your pocketbook will thank you.
The fourth thing is a puppy should never be gifted to someone unsuspecting. Yes, your intentions are heartfelt, but your brother, who recently lost their beloved pet, may not be ready to take on the antics of a new puppy. While your timeframe may believe they should be ready, it doesn’t mean they are. An ethical breeder won’t release a puppy in these circumstances. It’s our job to ensure the puppies are going to families who are ready and excited to welcome them.
And finally, the treats, leftovers and garbage from your holiday meals should be cleaned up and removed from where a puppy could access them. As the aroma of a freshly cooked turkey smells amazing to the humans gathered around the table, it’s even more irresistible to a puppy, but they can’t discern between what’s safe to eat and what is not. Any type of cooked bone can splinter when ingested and you’ll again be heading to the emergency vet for an emergency, life saving surgery. A situation I know we all want to avoid. Keep in mind Christmas treats including chocolate and gum can be lethal to a puppy as well.
Yes, these are all warnings, but let’s be honest, they are only required for a couple of days before settling into a more established routine. Now let’s look at all the reasons you SHOULD be adding a puppy to your family at this time of year.
All puppies need a set of vaccines before they can safely go out into the world and socialize with any- and everything they want to explore. A puppy adopted in June won’t be fully immunized until September and the other dogs at the campground or cottage country may not be vaccinated, causing great risk to your puppies brand new immune system. During the winter months, we don’t have to deal with fleas and ticks, as well as the puppy eating things they shouldn’t off the ground. Getting a puppy in the summer puts restraints on plans and activities as well. An eight to sixteen week old puppy is just too small to enjoy many outdoor activities yet. Hot weather can harm them, they aren’t able to take long walks and hiking before their bones and joints have grown can cause injury. Winter gives you time to make sure they receive all of their vaccinations and also gives you time to get a good head start on their training. Training works best when started in a distraction-free location, such as your home, and then by the time summer comes, they are not only fully vaccinated, they have also learned basic manners and skills and have grown enough to make these outside times more enjoyable for everyone.
Now let’s talk about potty training your puppy. Yes you are going to have to don a coat and toque and keep the warm boots beside the door for quick potty breaks but it’s actually much easier to potty train a puppy during the winter than it is during the summer. Have you ever been outside waiting for what seems like forever to have a distracted puppy finally relieve themselves? I know I have. Now put this into perspective, have you ever hit the cold and instantly needed the relief of a washroom yourself? This is also what happens to a puppy. Potty training happens almost instantly when they get outside because the urge hits them suddenly in the cold. There is no desire to explore and dilly-dally. They get their business done in order to return to the warmth of your home and your arms.
Winter can be long and often lonely for people. It’s a time to rejuvenate and prepare for the busy spring and summer months ahead, but it’s also the window to the winter blues. These short days of sunlight often lead to depression then in comes the bouncy little bundle of joy you adopted just in time for Christmas. A dog can offer so many positives to a person’s life. Constant company, lots of laughter, someone to cuddle with and talk to. If you only knew the conversations my dogs and I have on the daily that go beyond “what’s in your mouth?”. They are excited to greet you at all times of the day, whether you’ve been gone for hours or just came back from the other room. They remind you to get outside and take a deep breath of cool, crisp air and maybe even encourage you to take a little walk with them as they learn how to walk on a leash. The best feeling is seeing the joy they experience when they get to play in the snow. They give you a reason to get out of bed and a purpose while waiting for the days to lengthen and the temperatures to rise. So, get the puppy, expand your family and make this Christmas one to remember.
If you’ve received the unconditional love of a dog, you are blessed. If you’ve experienced the heart healing powers of a dog, you are fortunate. If you’ve felt a therapeutic calmness in the presence of a dog, you are worthy and if all of these came from the same dog, this is a heart dog and you’ve received a gift that I wish more people could experience. Cherish this, cherish the connection you’ve built with your dog and they will be your constant companion, confidant and comfort for as long as they are with you. Truly the best gift you’ve ever given yourself.
Merriest of Christmas wishes, happiest of holiday cheer and blessings for 2026 from all of us at Shakespeare’s Legacy Labradors.
The second thing to consider are the presents wrapped so beautifully under the tree. Having a space away from this chewing temptation is a great idea. Indoor puppy playpens are a great and inexpensive way to protect the puppy as well as the gifts. Management is your responsibility. A puppy only knows how to be a puppy, not how to be a puppy in a human world with human expectations.
The third thing are those adorably shaped and packaged rawhide chews you see pre-packaged as a gift. These should be avoided at all costs. If you take nothing else away from this article, please heed this advice. These products are bleached with household bleach and absorb the chemicals deep within the rawhide. They use industrial glue to help mold them into, and keep, their various shapes. They are NOT digestible for any animal consumption, especially a puppy, and will almost always cause a blockage in their digestive track. This will result in a very stressful and expensive extrication by your local emergency vet. Instead, why not look at a chew friendly toy, a coat for the colder weather or a brand new collar as a gift for your newest family member. In the long run, your puppy and your pocketbook will thank you.
The fourth thing is a puppy should never be gifted to someone unsuspecting. Yes, your intentions are heartfelt, but your brother, who recently lost their beloved pet, may not be ready to take on the antics of a new puppy. While your timeframe may believe they should be ready, it doesn’t mean they are. An ethical breeder won’t release a puppy in these circumstances. It’s our job to ensure the puppies are going to families who are ready and excited to welcome them.
And finally, the treats, leftovers and garbage from your holiday meals should be cleaned up and removed from where a puppy could access them. As the aroma of a freshly cooked turkey smells amazing to the humans gathered around the table, it’s even more irresistible to a puppy, but they can’t discern between what’s safe to eat and what is not. Any type of cooked bone can splinter when ingested and you’ll again be heading to the emergency vet for an emergency, life saving surgery. A situation I know we all want to avoid. Keep in mind Christmas treats including chocolate and gum can be lethal to a puppy as well.
Yes, these are all warnings, but let’s be honest, they are only required for a couple of days before settling into a more established routine. Now let’s look at all the reasons you SHOULD be adding a puppy to your family at this time of year.
All puppies need a set of vaccines before they can safely go out into the world and socialize with any- and everything they want to explore. A puppy adopted in June won’t be fully immunized until September and the other dogs at the campground or cottage country may not be vaccinated, causing great risk to your puppies brand new immune system. During the winter months, we don’t have to deal with fleas and ticks, as well as the puppy eating things they shouldn’t off the ground. Getting a puppy in the summer puts restraints on plans and activities as well. An eight to sixteen week old puppy is just too small to enjoy many outdoor activities yet. Hot weather can harm them, they aren’t able to take long walks and hiking before their bones and joints have grown can cause injury. Winter gives you time to make sure they receive all of their vaccinations and also gives you time to get a good head start on their training. Training works best when started in a distraction-free location, such as your home, and then by the time summer comes, they are not only fully vaccinated, they have also learned basic manners and skills and have grown enough to make these outside times more enjoyable for everyone.
Now let’s talk about potty training your puppy. Yes you are going to have to don a coat and toque and keep the warm boots beside the door for quick potty breaks but it’s actually much easier to potty train a puppy during the winter than it is during the summer. Have you ever been outside waiting for what seems like forever to have a distracted puppy finally relieve themselves? I know I have. Now put this into perspective, have you ever hit the cold and instantly needed the relief of a washroom yourself? This is also what happens to a puppy. Potty training happens almost instantly when they get outside because the urge hits them suddenly in the cold. There is no desire to explore and dilly-dally. They get their business done in order to return to the warmth of your home and your arms.
Winter can be long and often lonely for people. It’s a time to rejuvenate and prepare for the busy spring and summer months ahead, but it’s also the window to the winter blues. These short days of sunlight often lead to depression then in comes the bouncy little bundle of joy you adopted just in time for Christmas. A dog can offer so many positives to a person’s life. Constant company, lots of laughter, someone to cuddle with and talk to. If you only knew the conversations my dogs and I have on the daily that go beyond “what’s in your mouth?”. They are excited to greet you at all times of the day, whether you’ve been gone for hours or just came back from the other room. They remind you to get outside and take a deep breath of cool, crisp air and maybe even encourage you to take a little walk with them as they learn how to walk on a leash. The best feeling is seeing the joy they experience when they get to play in the snow. They give you a reason to get out of bed and a purpose while waiting for the days to lengthen and the temperatures to rise. So, get the puppy, expand your family and make this Christmas one to remember.
If you’ve received the unconditional love of a dog, you are blessed. If you’ve experienced the heart healing powers of a dog, you are fortunate. If you’ve felt a therapeutic calmness in the presence of a dog, you are worthy and if all of these came from the same dog, this is a heart dog and you’ve received a gift that I wish more people could experience. Cherish this, cherish the connection you’ve built with your dog and they will be your constant companion, confidant and comfort for as long as they are with you. Truly the best gift you’ve ever given yourself.
Merriest of Christmas wishes, happiest of holiday cheer and blessings for 2026 from all of us at Shakespeare’s Legacy Labradors.
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