People have been told to stop and think before they do anything they may regret
People who are set to bring a new puppy home have been issued a warning by a dog behavioural expert. The fresh message of caution comes as research shows 6 in 10 new owners say they were unprepared, with 1 in 4 admitting they’ve considered rehoming or giving up their puppy in the early weeks.
The new research by puppy training app Zigzag, reveals a growing ‘puppy blues’ crisis in the UK, with 1 in 4 wanting to give up or re-home their dog due to stress and early behavioural challenges. Because of this, people have been advised to conduct as much research as possible to prevent innocent animals from being left without a home through no fault of their own.
While bringing a puppy home is a huge responsibility, the research also showed that many owners feel unprepared, with only half saying they were confident in preventing common issues like chewing and barking. In fact, nearly one in five did little or no research before getting their puppy, and almost a quarter waited until after the first month to begin dog training.
This lack of research and preparation by new puppy owners can lead to behavioural issues, which could have been managed, with many owners admitting that their lack of knowledge and attention around puppy training and care was a contributing factor to the behavioural issues experienced by their puppy.
Nearly six in ten owners reported that their puppy displayed unwanted behaviours in the early days, with toileting indoors (45%), chewing (36%) and separation anxiety or nighttime crying (27%) among the most common challenges.
Zigzag’s research comes as the UK faces record levels of animal abandonment. The RSPCA received 22,503 reports of animal abandonment last year, more than in any year since the pandemic began.
Lorna Winter, Co-Founder of Zigzag and Director of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, said: “We’ve seen a huge rise in the number of people bringing puppies into their homes over the past few years, which is fantastic. It shows just how much we value the bond between humans and dogs.
“But with all that excitement comes real challenges. More puppy owners than ever are telling us they feel anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure during those first few weeks, leading to what we call the ‘puppy blues’.
“Puppies are full of energy and emotion, and without the right guidance, early days can feel chaotic and stressful, not just for the pups, but also for owners – both emotionally and physically. With the right support from the start, puppyhood can be joyful again.”
