New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed how problem behaviours in young adult dogs are weakening the owner-dog bond, particularly among so-called “pandemic puppies” as they reach maturity.

The findings underscore a crucial need for dedicated support to help owners navigating the heartbreak of behavioural challenges. By tackling these issues early, owners can nurture a deeper, more harmonious bond with their dogs, transforming frustration into understanding, safeguarding canine wellbeing, and ultimately preventing the devastating prospect of relinquishment or even euthanasia.

The Pandemic Puppy Phenomenon

The surge in dog ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic, dubbed the Pandemic Puppy phenomenon, sparked widespread welfare concerns. Many puppies were purchased impulsively, often entering homes ill-suited for long-term pet ownership. Additionally, limited early-life socialisation and an increase in breeding from poor welfare sources raised fears that these dogs would be more prone to behavioural problems. Experts worried that such challenges could put strain on owner-dog relationships, potentially leading to increased relinquishment.

To address these concerns, the RVC launched the ‘Pandemic Puppies’ longitudinal study to examine the strength of the owner-dog bond and the risks that might weaken it. A strong emotional connection between an owner and their dog is key to ensuring long-term care and responsible ownership. This research sought to identify the factors that put these relationships at risk, offering crucial insights to help struggling owners and reduce the likelihood of dogs being abandoned or euthanised. The findings could also help guide future puppy buyers, equipping them with knowledge to build a lasting and positive relationship with their dogs.

Key Findings: The Impact of Problem Behaviours on the Owner-Dog Bond

The study, published in PLOS One, analysed data from 794 dog owners whose pandemic puppies had reached 21 months of age. Researchers assessed the owner-dog relationship using two key subscales from the Monash Dog-Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS):

• Perceived Emotional Closeness – measuring companionship, attachment and love felt towards the dog.
• Perceived Costs – assessing how burdensome dog ownership felt, including financial, emotional and time-related factors.

Researchers also examined risk factors such as health, behaviour and acquisition-related influences to understand their impact on these relationship scores.

Some of the most significant findings included:

• Owners whose dogs exhibited problem behaviours reported feeling a greater burden of dog ownership compared to those with well-behaved dogs.
• Owners of dogs displaying multiple types of aggression felt less emotionally close to their pets than those whose dogs did not show aggression.
• Reward-based training methods were linked to a stronger emotional bond between owners and their dogs, whereas punishment-based methods (such as shouting, pushing or smacking) weakened the relationship.
• Owners who acquired a puppy specifically because of the pandemic were more likely to feel burdened by their dog’s care compared to those who had planned to get a puppy before the pandemic.

Expert Insights

Dr Bree Merritt, PhD student at the RVC and lead author of the study, emphasised the challenges that can arise in the owner-dog relationship:

“Relationships with our dogs can be immensely rewarding, but it’s not all fun and games. Looking after them can be hard work, expensive or even change day-to-day activities. When the owner-dog relationship goes wrong, the wellbeing of the dog and owner can be affected.

“Problem behaviours have the biggest influence on the burden of dog ownership felt by our Pandemic Puppy owners. This is after pandemic-related factors such as lack of training and socialisation opportunities were taken into account, so problem behaviours are likely to be a much wider concern beyond just those dogs who were brought home during the pandemic.

“These results show how important it is to find evidence-based help for problem behaviour to improve the emotional health of dogs, their owners and sustain their relationship. Owners who are struggling with problem behaviour in their dog should contact their vet, who can look for any underlying physical problems and refer them to an accredited behaviourist.”

Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC and senior author of the study, highlighted the dangers of impulsive dog purchases:

“Impulsive acquisition of dogs based on short-term circumstances is an enduring challenge for the canine welfare sector. Here, we demonstrate that puppy purchases that were a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as having increased time for a dog during this atypical period, resulted in owners who felt a greater burden of dog ownership by the time their puppy was a young adult, compared to owners whose purchases were planned based on longer-term circumstances.

“UK campaigns have long encouraged owners to consider their ability to care for a dog for the duration of its lifetime at acquisition. However, if the efficacy of these messages remains limited, greater interventions may be needed to emphasise the responsibilities of dog ownership, ideally prior to purchase. As seen in some European countries, this could include compulsory courses as a deterrent to impulsive and uninformed acquisitions, which could also act as a vehicle to increase awareness of the legal obligations of dog ownership.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the study, reinforced the importance of careful planning when acquiring a dog:

“Acquiring a new dog is often one of the most exciting moments of our lives. This wonderful new research from RVC now gives us the keys to ensuring this happiness for us and our dog can only get stronger with time. Spend months or years planning how and where to get your new and well-socialised dog, and follow this with patient and positive training: it may not be rocket science, but it is very good dog welfare science.”

Moving Forward

This study underscores the long-term consequences of impulsive dog ownership and highlights the importance of positive reinforcement training in strengthening the owner-dog bond. By recognising and addressing problem behaviours early, owners can improve their relationship with their dogs, ensuring a happier and more secure future for both.

For those experiencing difficulties, seeking professional guidance from veterinarians and accredited behaviourists remains the best course of action to enhance both canine and human wellbeing.