It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that familiar feeling is dawning - the cold sweat of realising how many presents you need to buy in the next few days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Gift-giving requires careful thought on the best presents to delight loved ones, and the worst possible idea is buying a surprise dog.
Here are the six most important considerations when gifting pets in the silly season.
Dogs are for the long-haul
On average a dog lives for 13 years, so new pet owners should prepare for impacts on their lifestyle, work commitments and travel plans in the long term.
RSPCA ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson said it needed "to be a well considered decision."
Owning a dog was a serious commitment and included caring for the dog through the puppy stage and into old age.
The time commitment is real
Dogs should have an environment to thrive in, so training the dog to understand the rules of the house and helping them feel comfortable inhabiting the space was crucial.
"Pets make us better, but we have to choose the right pet for our lifestyle," Ms Robertson said.
A large or energetic dog should be exercised for at least 30 minutes each day, which is a significant time commitment.
"Every single day you need to be able to give some of your time, not just for their physical needs, but their emotional needs as well," she said.
Care and maintenance can cost thousands
Dogs cost a lot of money, from food and toys to grooming equipment and training plans, all of which should be on hand as soon as the dog enters the new home.
There can be a substantial medical cost associated with owning a pet, this can include vet bills, medicine and pet insurance.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Quite an assumption
Dogs have boundless enthusiasm and capacity for destruction so committing to persevere with a pet through these behaviours was not a choice to be made on behalf of a loved one, Ms Robertson said.
Beware buying from puppy farms
When shopping for a dog you will probably be tempted by the cost and immediacy of puppy farms, but you need to be wary.
The conditions of these puppy farms can impact of the physical and mental health of your dog so consider adopting from an animal shelter or buying from a registered breeder.
When mistakes kill
If the new owner can't provide adequate care, the dog may be surrendered to a pet shelter and if they were unable to find an appropriate new family the dog faced the prospect of euthanasia.
New owners tend to keep puppies while they are cute and playful but discard them after destructive behaviours start to emerge from poor training, Ms Robertson said.
Consider buying a thoughtful book or organising an exciting adventure, but do not gift dogs for Christmas.