We never have puppies at Christmas time and this is by design. Christmas time is very hectic and a puppy requires undivided attention form it's new family. There are all kinds of dangers lurking such as poisonous plants and decorations. Also a puppy that is not under direct supervision can develop bad habits that become very difficult to correct when they are older. Little puppies have small bladders and have little control over them. You can not wait to take a puppy outside until the cookies come out of the oven or the carolers are no longer at the door. Also many visitors are likely to over stimulate or incorrectly handle your new addittion. The consequences can be dire.
If you wish to give a puppy to a family member it is better to provide the equipment that will be needed for the puppy's homecoming than the actual puppy under the tree. When the holidays are over and the house goes back to normal than you can choose and bring home your new addition without confusion and with full attention to the welfare of the puppy.
CRATE TRAINING
Crate training is a vital part of proper canine education. It is invaluable as a housebreaking tool. Confining a puppy to a crate should never be done as a punishment but rather as a safe haven from a larger
more dangerous world. Puppies who are crate trained very often chose to sleep in their den rather than out in the open. It is a place where they do not have to worry about being stepped on or disturbed.
Maltese are often kept in a puppy clip or groomed professionally. When you bring your puppy to the groomer they will put it in a crate while the groomers are busy with other chores. To a puppy that has never been crated this is a stressful situation. A crate trained puppy on the other hand understands that this just means that it is time to nap or relax and that they are safe. The same thing happens if your pet is ever hospitalized. Adding to the stress of surgery or other treatment is the stress of not understanding confinement. If you ever board your animal while you are away they will likely be crated during at least part of their stay.
Crating should never be done for longer than is reasonable to expect a puppy to hold its bowels or bladder. Access during the day to a crate that is left open goes a long way to helping the puppy feel confortable viewing the crate as a safe place.