"There are still people out there who can't buy the presents that they want, and who get a puppy or a kitten for the family instead, " said Gillian Bird, education officer with the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA). "This is not a good idea for a number of reasons. Firstly, these are not always animals that are wanted by the family, given the huge commitment that a pet requires. But, as well as this, Christmas is a dangerous time of year for animals, with rich food left about, and Christmas trees, decorations and lights all over the house.

Not to mention the fact that there are usually a lot of visitors over Chirstmas, which makes it difficult for a new pet to get into a routine."

Animals need a routine if they are to develop properly, in terms of house training and other behavioural patterns. If a pet is allowed to develop bad habits, this could lead to a situation whereby a family gets rid of it, usually later in the year. So even if people feel that the time-off over Christmas will be ideal to break in a new pet, the reality is that the project could be better undertaken at a less hectic time of year.

This even goes for people who feel that they would be doing an animal the favour of its life by adopting in from an animal shelter.

"Even if you feel that you are saving an animal, you have to look at what you are bringing it into, " said Bird.

"We would suggest that if somebody is fixated on a pet for Christmas, there are alternatives, such as sponsoring an animal with the DSPCA. We have dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, ducks, even turkeys (who will not be eaten this Christmas). People can sponsor these animals, and they will get a card, some information on the animal, a photo, and they can even visit it. Or, if they really want a pet for Christmas, they could get one of those animatronic animals (such as by Hasbro) which learn and respond to affection."

If people still feel that they are up to the task of caring for a pet, for Christmas or otherwise, there is, at least, help available. Training an animal is never easy, and despite their best intentions, some people simply do not get it right. But Dog Training Ireland Ltd, in St Margarets near Dublin Airport, provides a service which teaches the basics of acceptable behaviour to dogs. This includes such elements as sit, stay, and walk with a lead, as well as manners around people, manners around food and respect for children.

"We never shout at the dogs or use choke chains, " explained Tara Choules of Dog Training Ireland. "All of our training is reward based, and we involve both the owner and the dog, working with the whole family to train the owners as much as the dogs themselves."

Dog Training Ireland courses run for one hour per week over four weeks . . .

always with the owner present. It also runs special courses in de-sensitising and counter conditioning for difficult dogs with aggressive tendencies, and, at the other end of the scale, it trains dogs in agility (such as you might see at Crufts). But, enjoyable as any training session might be, there is a serious message behind it all; an untrained pet may develop bad habits and some families may end up giving these animals away . . . which is a very sad end for Santa's Little Helper, or any other Christmas present which became too much for its recipient.