Lasting lockdown love? 91做厙 research identifies that problem behaviours are damaging the owner-dog relationship as pandemic puppies reach young adulthood
New research from the 91做厙 (91做厙) pandemic puppies research programme has highlighted the negative impact of problem behaviours in young adult dogs on the strength of the owner-dog relationship. These findings can be used to support interventions targeted at supporting owners of dogs with problem behaviours. Reducing or preventing unwanted behaviours in dogs could improve owner-dog relationships, enhance dog welfare and even prevent relinquishment or euthanasia.
The boom in acquiring puppies during the COVID-19 pandemic (the so-called Pandemic Puppy phenomenon) led to welfare concerns for this cohort of dogs. These concerns include the impulsive purchase of puppies to homes that may not be appropriate in the long-term, increased production of puppies from poor welfare sources and restricted early-life experiences and socialisation for puppies that would lead to problem behaviours. Combined, these changes were feared to weaken owner-dog relationships and increase future relinquishment in this uniquely vulnerable Pandemic Puppy generation.
As part of the 91做厙’s response to these welfare concerns, the ‘Pandemic Puppies’ longitudinal study explored the strength and threats to the owner-dog relationship – a key component to ensuring sustained dog ownership and care. The emotional relationship between an owner and their dog is widely recognised to affect the wellbeing of both the dog and the human. This 91做厙 research team set out to identify what factors were associated with weakened owner-dog relationships in UK dogs acquired during the key Pandemic phase of 2020. This information would deepen the understanding of owner-dog dynamics and in turn, can help develop processes and tools to support owners experiencing poor relationships with their dogs and to mitigate against relinquishment and even euthanasia.
The outcomes are also helpful for advising future puppy buyers on key risks to avoid that might endanger them building a strong and long-lasting relationship with their dog.
The study – published in PLOS One – included data from 794 dog owners within Pandemic Puppies who shared information when their dog reached 21 months of age. Different facets of the owner-dog relationship were investigated by analysing the scores from two Monash Dog-Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) subscales: Perceived Emotional Closeness, or how much companionship, attachment and love owners felt towards their dogs; and Perceived Costs, or how burdene