* Don't make it a surprise gift - Talk to the recipient and find out if they're ready to commit as much as 15 years of their life to caring for a new family member. If your kids are asking for a puppy, consider yourself as the dog owner, not the kids.


* Let the recipient select the dog - Don't take a chance on picking out a dog you think he or she would like. Even if you know the breed of dog they want, you still can't determine which particular dog they feel something special with


* Take them to the local animal shelter - Instead of buying a puppy, adopt a homeless dog. Many shelters don't stop euthanizing dogs just because its December. I guarantee you if you take someone to see the dogs at a shelter, they won't leave without wanting to adopt one.