Puppy’s First Christmas by Susan Ewing
c.2009, Kennel Club Books
$14.95/$16.95 Canada
160 pages, includes index

The sound of eight tiny reindeer on the roof of your house will be no surprise to you this year. You’ll be used to insistent little footsteps by then.

Hearing noise in the chimney might be of slight concern, but finding someone where he doesn’t belong will be old news. The sound of jingle bells – or, more likely, squeaky toys – won’t be any big deal, either.

That’s because you’ve got a new puppy. He’s just a baby, though, and this is his first holiday season. How can you make it a safe one? Pick up Puppy’s First Christmas by Susan Ewing and change “Oh No!” into “Ho, Ho, Ho.”

Despite what most breeders, shelters and conventional wisdom say, Susan Ewing claims that there’s no problem getting a four-footed baby as a holiday gift. Quite the contrary, she says: some overwhelmed shelters are promoting holiday adoptions, conventional wisdom is changing and bringing home that Christmas puppy can be a smooth transition if you plan carefully.

Plan. Carefully. Read those words again – then read on.

First of all, it’s natural to want to share celebrations with your new family member, but there are human foods that are dangerous to dogs, puppies in particular. Keep an eye on what guests feed Fido, or invest in some yummy puppy-only treats for your party.

Better yet, let friends coo over him, then crate your puppy safely away so you don’t have to worry about him getting hurt.

During gift opening, your puppy will be caught up in the excitement like any child, but be vigilant. Some puppies (like kids) find boxes and wrapping to be just as much fun as the gift itself. Make sure your pup doesn’t eat something.

Speaking of decorations, your little one will love all the jingly, dangly, shiny ornaments and frou-frou that accompany the holidays – but those pretty things aren’t so pretty when a pup chews or swallows them. Always keep an eye on your puppy for a cool Yule, and beyond.

I had definite mixed feelings about Puppy’s First Christmas. I liked it, but … as a new (but experienced) puppy-mama myself, I can attest that the advice author Susan Ewing gives is sound – choosing a breed, basic care tips, obedience training, grooming hints – although much of it is common sense.

Spend five minutes with a new puppy, for instance, and you know that constant vigilance is mandatory. Choosing bowls is a no-brainer. Still, this is good info for beginners.

Then there’s the controversial part of this book: the words “plan carefully” aren’t stressed enough, puppy-as-gift may not be such a great idea after all (but you won’t know until it’s too late) and Ewing never addresses puppy-as-surprise for unsuspecting, possibly unwilling, giftees. (Hint: The latter could get you swatted with a rolled-up newspaper).

Keeping those caveats front and center in your mind, this most basic of books is helpful for the newbie with a Newfie or the holiday hound in the house. For them, Puppy’s First Christmas will be a great gift from Santa Claws.

Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was three years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books. Readers with questions or comments may write to her in care of this publication.