Pandemic puppy boom has led to an ‘extremely worrying’ rise in dog AGGRESSION in the UK, vets warn
>
Pandemic puppy boom has led to an ‘extremely worrying’ increase in dog aggression in the UK, vets warn
- Half of vets reported an increase in owners concerned about their dog’s aggression
- 87 percent of the dogs were believed to be less than three years old
The boom in pet ownership has led to an “extremely worrying” increase in dog aggressive behavior, according to a survey of veterinarians.
Half of UK vets report an increase in customers concerned about their dogs’ increasingly aggressive behavior over the past 12 months, the survey found.
While veterinarians in the study were often unsure of the exact age of the dogs involved, it was believed that 87 percent of the dogs were under three years old in cases where the age was known.
Nearly one in four (24 percent) veterinarians also reported an increase in the number of pets they had treated in the past 12 months and were injured as a result of dog aggressive behavior.
The British Veterinary Association, which commissioned the study, said the findings highlight the long-term effects on puppies purchased during the 2020-2021 lockdown.
The boom in pet ownership has led to an ‘extremely worrying’ increase in aggressive behavior by dogs, according to a survey of veterinarians (stock image)
An estimated 3.2 million households in the UK bought a pet in the first year of the pandemic, with the number of people owning a dog increasing compared to early 2020.
Pandemic puppy owners were more likely to be dog owners, less likely to look for a breeder to perform health testing on their breeding dog(s), or to view their puppy in person.
A 2022 Royal Veterinary College study funded by the BVA’s animal welfare organization, Animal Welfare Foundation, predicted the risk of behavioral problems in some pandemic puppies purchased in 2020.
Senior Vice President of the British Veterinary Association, Justine Shotton, said: ‘While these new statistics are extremely worrying, they are not unexpected.
Veterinarians and animal charities have expressed concern about the long-term effects of the pandemic puppy boom, when owners lacked access to adequate training and socialization opportunities so critical to development in the first few months of life.
‘At the British Veterinary Association, we urge pet owners who are concerned about their dog’s behavior to speak to a vet, who can check for any underlying medical issues that could be causing problems, provide advice and refer to an ABTC-accredited veterinary behaviorist.
‘Don’t delay seeking help, as bad behavior can worsen and become more difficult to deal with as a dog matures.
“We also continue to stress the importance of always doing proper research and using the puppy contract to ensure you are buying a healthy puppy from a responsible source.
“Make sure your puppy has many positive opportunities to socialize with people of all ages, other animals, different environments, different sounds, and everyday experiences, including visits to your vet’s office.”