Is there any time when you shouldn't bring your new dog home? In two words: the holidays. Why? you might ask. After all, it seems like a long period of vacation time when you might have time to spend with your new addition. But is it really time off?

The holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and so on) are usually times for you to get together with family and friends. Unless you live alone and have no parties to attend, family to see, or festive decorations to put up, you won't have time to spend with your new rottweiler. In fact, many responsible breeders won't sell a puppy for the holidays because so many puppies are given away as presents.

There are also plenty of poisonous temptations around the holiday time. Liquor, chocolate, raisins, and other goodies in great supply around the holidays are poisonous to your rottweiler. Mistletoe is extremely poisonous, and plants such as holly and poinsettias can at least cause irritation or gastric upsets. Glass ornaments can break and cut your rottie's mouth or feet, and tinsel can cause a blockage if your rottie eats it. Unless you're planning on not celebrating the holidays, choose another time to bring your rottweiler home.