Surprising Dad with a puppy is not a good idea

Dear Harold: Surprising Dad with a pup on Father's Day is not a good idea. Having a dog for a companion is a wonderful thing. It's the surprise factor and the lack of your father's involvement in the preparation and selection process that you should be concerned about.

In fact, I really don't recommend surprising anyone with a pet of any kind. This includes children. The person who is getting the pet should be involved in all the important phases of getting a dog, cat or pet of any species.

Let's deal with your dad's thoughts about getting a dog. Talking about it and actually wanting the daily responsibility are two different things. The person receiving the gift should commit to having a pet — no ifs, ands or buts. That's the first step in the process — making the decision to be responsible for a pet without hesitation. Only your father can do that, and he can only do that if he is involved in the decision to get a dog.

The second phase is proper timing. When is the best time to bring a dog into his home? Are there other commitments, trips or houseguests coming up that would interfere with the dog's adjustment to new surroundings and your dad's ability to devote the necessary time and attention the new dog will need? Is his health appropriate to deal with a puppy?

Then, there is the selection process. The person who is going to spend the dog's lifetime as its companion should be involved in deciding if a puppy or perhaps an older dog is the best choice. Breed, size and sex are also factors that the dog's owner should be able to consider, as well as temperament. Should the dog be frisky and high energy, or would a couch potato be a better choice? Does your father have in mind a small dog or a large one, a fluffy dog or a shorthaired one, a puppy that needs an education or a well-trained pooch?

What about preparation? The house has to be prepared for the dog. Proper food, dishes, accessories, a crate or doggy gate, and safe toys need to be purchased, and arrangements need to be made for training and veterinary care. Simply getting a puppy and putting a ribbon on his neck is only part of the process.