It’s so important to think carefully before getting a new dog – and so many people don’t. We can guide you through that early, essential socialisation and in training your puppy.
A report in the Daily Mail yesterday spoke of the thousands of dogs being abandoned by owners. Puppies and adolescent dogs are being advertised for sale all over the internet and rescue centres are being inundated.
Lockdown puppies
At the start of the first lockdown demand for puppies soared. Which meant prices soared. Many puppies were bought to ease the boredom and oddness of that first lockdown without any recognition about the fact that buying a dog is a 10-15 year commitment.
Several factors have led to this mass abandonment.
The cuddly puppy has now become a gangly, obnoxious teenager.
Socialisation in those vital few weeks was difficult, so many lockdown puppies missed out on that vital period where they needed to learn about the world and how to cope. This has led to many behaviour problems, including fear of people and other dogs, reactivity to all sort sorts of things and, not least, separation problems which in turn lead to destruction and damage in the home.
Many of these dogs are being advertised because people ‘no longer have the time’ or ‘can’t give the puppy what it needs’.
Why puppy socialisation is critical
When puppies become adolescent, if you haven’t done the early essential socialisation and training you are highly likely to hit problems – especially as the puppy farmers made a fortune in the first lockdown meaning many of these puppies were behavioural time bombs.
Your puppy, now three times the size, pulls like a train so walks are unpleasant. They run off and won’t come back. They jump up at people. They may even be snapping and biting when you want to groom them or take something off them. Barking may drive you nuts and whilst going for spring and summer walks was a delight, going out in the cold, dark and rain is not.
The result? Hundreds of people trying to rehome their dog or trying to give them up to rescues – or even simply abandoning them. One dog was left tied to a lamppost in an alley for hours. Others have been tied to gates of recue centres.
You may be able to tell this makes me furious. And sad.
We have the tools to help both you and your pup
Our website gives you loads of free information to help before you get a puppy.
We provide information, in-person and online courses to guide you through that early, essential socialisation and in training your puppy so that they become your perfect pet.
And if you hit any problems, we can help you with individual and group specialist training and behaviour help.
We’re all encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle. But that should not apply to dogs.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
