A major pet insurance company has revealed the results of a survey which show that huge numbers of new puppy owners often feel overwhelmed by the impact that their new additions have on their home lives, likening it to being as challenging as having a newborn baby.
Many were surprised at the challenge of rearing a young puppy and had considered re-homing as a result behavioural issues, including damage to their homes and other challenging behaviours. Large numbers felt that they would have benefited from expert advice when getting their puppy or even beforehand.
Bearing in mind that the first few weeks in its new home will have a huge bearing on how a puppy’s general character and behaviour will be reinforced, this survey supports the view of myself and many experienced dog behaviourists, that there is no substitute for one to one support as early as possible after bringing a new puppy home, in order that early problems are nipped in the bud.
Dog training classes will of course have little or no bearing on these issues, which often arise well before owners can even enrol their puppies and there is simply no substitute for one to one support, regardless of a dog’s age.
Jayne deals with all our puppy clients and their dogs, conducting vital home visits enabling owners to establish routines, rules and boundaries for their often unruly young dogs. Even if your puppy is past those early few weeks it’s never too late to get expert help to prevent a naughty puppy becoming a juvenile delinquent.
PETER MOUNSEY, ASHCLYST DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOUR, EXETER JANUARY 2023.