Christmas Puppies Mean Big Biz for Dog Trainer

December 30, 2008 - 12:19 PM
Jerry Gretzinger

If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times.

Don't give a puppy for Christmas.

Still, a local dog trainer says people continue to ignore the warning.

Before Christmas, the Animal Protective Foundation told CBS 6 about the pitfalls of packaging up puppies for gift giving.  Despite how adorable they may be, dogs are a big responsibility.  But Tara Baggerman of Caliber Canines tells us that her phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from people who got a pooch for Christmas and have no idea what to do with it.

Baggerman says the holidays, along with the success of the new movie ''Marley and Me'' are good for business but not necessarily for the animals.  Baggerman, who also works with the SPCA, says this is a time of year when lots of puppies get turned in to animal shelters.

If you'd like some help on making Fido a member of the family, visit www.calibercanines.com.