Pandemic Puppies Display High Levels of Behavioural Problems, Study Finds

Owners, particularly first-timers, struggle with training as dogs reach 21 months, with many resorting to punishment-based methods.

Research by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) reveals that many owners who acquired a puppy during the height of the Covid pandemic are struggling with their dog’s behaviour as they reach 21 months.
A fifth of owners surveyed reported their dog had eight or more problem behaviours at that age, such as pulling on the lead, clinginess or aggression.
33% of owners found training their dog harder than expected – something that was more common among first-time owners.
Out of more than 1,000 UK dog owners, 97% reported their dog had at least one problem behaviour from a list of 24, while on average owners reported five problems.
While 96% of owners used positive reinforcement such as praise to train their dog, 82% used one or more punishment-based methods such as choke chains, shouting or pushing their dog – methods that can cause further behavioural problems.