I caved and took the simple route

[Ponyup]

The 1st year we were married my husband and I just cut the top out of a tree. At the place we used to go they stripped the bottom for wreathes & we took the top. It was under 4 feet tall, but it was real. We then set it up on a table to try & keep the kitten out of it. Didn't exactly work, but it was still really nice & cute. Maybe you could do this? Then the puppy might stay out of the tree & you can still have a real one.