Dog owners giving up their pets because they can't be bothered to train them

Adopting a dog is a huge commitment - and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.

While 4.7 million households adopted a new pet during the pandemic, an estimated 3.4 million have given one up since last year.

And, according to new research, more than a quarter of dog owners would consider giving up their puppy if they displayed behaviour that was mistakenly identified as 'problematic' for their age.

One in 10 would give them up for adoption, while 12 per cent would take them back to the breeder and six per cent would give them to a friend.

However, a shocking 2.5 per cent would consider euthanasia.

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Some owners do not have the time or patience to train their pets (Getty Images)

Research from puppy training app, Zigzag, has uncovered a knowledge gap when it comes to what is normal behaviour and development.

When asked to identify problematic behaviour in puppies aged eight weeks to three-months-old, 59 per cent of UK dog owners identified peeing on the floor as a behavioural issue, while nearly half considered nipping and chewing furniture and possessions a problem.

For puppies aged three to six months, more than a third of owners considered barking a behavioural problem and over a quarter mistakenly identified crying all night as an issue.

While jumping up at strangers and pulling on the lead were considered issues by many in puppies aged six months to one-year-old.

Although these behaviours can be trained out of dogs, it appears some owners do not have the time or patience to teach their pets right from wrong - and decide to rehome them instead.

The RSPCA is urging dog owners against abandoning their pets (Getty Images)

Lorna Winter, director of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter and co-founder and head of training at Zigzag, and said: "These behaviours are all completely normal and the stats highlight the misguided expectations we place on the dogs in our lives.

"Over three million of us are considering getting a puppy, however many have idealised views of companionship and simply aren’t prepared to put in the work when it comes to training or researching what is normal.”

In a bid to show new and prospective owners what normal puppy parenthood really looks like, Zigzag has launched a new campaign, ‘Is my puppy normal?’ .

Carolyn Menteith, accredited dog trainer and behaviourist with more than 20 years experience said: “One of the questions I get asked constantly is, ’Is my puppy normal?’.

"In most cases, the answer is yes, but people often doubt themselves because they only see the good bits on social media and in movies.

"People rarely share how hard it can actually be, so many people’s expectations are completely out of whack with the reality.

"Owning a puppy is a journey, but if you are raising them properly from day one, the rewards are definitely worth it and it builds a strong relationship and a lifelong bond which can reduce the number of puppies being put up for adoption or rehomed.

"Not only that, but it prevents far more serious behaviour problems from developing further down the line”

Two thirds of Brits think raising a puppy is comparable to raising a child - a figure that rises to 75 per cent of dog owners, with only half of all dog owners said they were fully prepared for bringing a dog into their lives.

It comes as the RSPCA urges dog owners against abandoning their pets during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The charity received 3,644 calls last year categorised as 'help with vet bills', a growth of 12 per cent on the year before when 3,241 calls were received.

The RSPCA's chief vet Caroline Allen said: "Times are tough for so many people at the moment, the cost of living is spiralling and many people may face difficult financial decisions over the coming months.

"It may be tempting to bury your head in the sand if your pet seems unwell and you are worried about costs but this can lead to increased problems later down the line.

"The first step towards helping your pet is contacting a vet.

"Although it can feel awkward to talk about money, it is good to speak honestly with your vet about what you can afford as there may be alternative options.

"These may not be the best option that exists to treat your pet's illness, but they may still help your pet to feel better.

"Depending on your circumstances or where you live there may also be charities who can help."

Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.