Three Things to Know
Researchers analyzed data from an online survey to investigate UK dog owners’ unexpected experiences with dog ownership. This research was particularly timely given the surge in dog ownership during the pandemic.
Dog owners were surprised by the significant financial costs and time commitments involved, particularly the ongoing nature of training and behavior management. However, they were also pleasantly surprised by their dogs’ unique personalities and the deep emotional connections they formed with their pets.
Younger dog owners and those with fewer dogs tended to experience more surprises, with the exception of veterinary costs, which consistently exceeded expectations across all demographics. Owners who acquired dogs from shelters reported fewer surprises, while those who purchased their dogs, especially at higher prices, reported more surprises, particularly regarding training demands and unexpected behaviors.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
Unrealistic expectations are a significant contributor to dog relinquishment and returns. To address this issue, shelters must play a proactive role in setting realistic expectations for prospective owners before they acquire a dog. This research demonstrated that individuals adopting from shelters tend to hold more realistic expectations. Shelters should not only continue these efforts but actively market themselves as credible and trustworthy sources of information for potential dog owners.
Prospective owners should be encouraged to engage with shelters before making a purchase decision, not just when encountering difficulties. Shelters can further assist first-time and younger owners by providing more opportunities for interaction with dogs before adoption. Programs such as fostering can offer valuable insights into how a dog would impact their lifestyle.
Furthermore, veterinarians must address public perceptions regarding veterinary costs. The study highlighted that many owners were dissatisfied with treatment costs and perceived veterinarians as prioritizing profit over patient care, with concerns about “upselling” of services. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure owners receive necessary veterinary care for their pets.
The Full Picture
Dogs are cherished companions worldwide, with approximately 25% of UK adults sharing their homes with one. Despite their popularity, a significant number of dogs face the risk of relinquishment and euthanasia, often stemming from unmet owner expectations.
Unrealistic expectations regarding dog ownership encompass various aspects, including health, behavior, and financial costs. Misconceptions about specific breeds, such as the pervasive myth of “hypoallergenic” designer breeds, frequently fuel impulsive pet acquisitions.
This study, titled “Owner Expectations and Surprises of Dog Ownership Experiences in the United Kingdom,” examines the alignment between current dog owners’ pre-ownership expectations and their actual experiences. This research is particularly timely considering the surge in dog ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that may have been characterized by impulsive decisions and unrealistic expectations about pet ownership. By identifying areas where actual ownership experiences diverge from initial expectations, this study aims to address the issue of dog relinquishment and ultimately enhance the welfare of both dogs and their owners.
Study Methods
Data for this study were obtained from the “National Dog Survey 2021,” an online survey conducted by Dogs Trust between September 10th and October 25th, 2021. The survey received 354,046 responses from UK dog owners.
The research utilized a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative analysis focused on owners’ assessments of 13 aspects of dog ownership, categorized as “less than expected,” “as expected,” and “more than expected”. Conversely, the qualitative component involved an analysis of 2,000 randomly selected free-text responses to the question “What has surprised you most about owning a dog?”.
Study Results
The most common “more than expected” areas included the cost of vet visits (52%), cost of acquiring a dog (32%), and patience required to manage behavior (25%). Conversely, “less than expected” areas included damage to furniture and items (50%) and damage to gardens (33%).
1. Surprises in Meeting the Demands of Ownership
Many dog owners underestimated the significant time, effort, and financial resources required to care for their pets.
Veterinary Costs
Unexpected veterinary and insurance expenses emerged as the most substantial financial surprise, especially as dogs aged. This finding aligns with previous research highlighting unanticipated costs as a major challenge for pet owners.
Some owners perceived that veterinarians prioritize profit over patient care. This perception may stem from a lack of understanding of the complexities and costs associated with veterinary services. Further research into UK owners’ perceptions of the veterinary profession could shed light on this issue and help bridge the gap between client expectations and veterinary practices. This could also help mitigate financial misunderstandings, a common factor contributing to pet relinquishment.
Time Commitment
Many dog owners encountered challenges with problematic behaviors such as excessive barking, separation anxiety, and adolescent regression. They often underestimated the significant time commitment required to address these issues effectively, particularly through consistent training. Owners were frequently surprised by the ongoing nature of behavior management, not recognizing that training was an iterative process rather than a one-time fix. The challenges were amplified for owners of puppies and rescue dogs, who often required increased attention and effort.
Owners frequently found their daily routines dictated by their dogs’ needs, which could sometimes feel overwhelming. Misconceptions were widespread, especially among first-time owners or those who acquired dogs without adequate research. This commitment often necessitated significant lifestyle adjustments, including reduced spontaneity and limitations on travel.
Lack of time and unmet expectations regarding the level of responsibility are significant contributors to pet relinquishment, particularly for younger dogs. Unexpected negative behaviors could also strain the emotional bond between owners and their pets. Early intervention through accessible training resources and behavior support is crucial to address these challenges and maintain a strong human-animal bond.
2. Surprises in Understanding What Dogs Are Like
Personality
Many owners were captivated by their dog’s distinct traits, including loyalty, affection, and sociability. Others marveled at their dog’s intelligence, ability to learn, and capacity to express emotions. These qualities often strengthened the bond between dogs and their owners.
Adaptability was another positive surprise, particularly among owners who adopted dogs from shelters, who noted how quickly their pets settled into their new homes. However, a few owners also acknowledged the less glamorous realities of dog ownership, including shedding and cleaning up after their dogs.
Emotional Connectedness
Owners were often surprised by the depth of attachment they formed with their dogs, describing their relationships as akin to friendships, familial bonds, or even parental relationships. Many considered their dogs integral members of their families. Respondents frequently expressed surprise at the unconditional love and affection they received from their dogs, with some stating that their lives felt incomplete without their canine companions. This mutual bond, often described as developing rapidly, was a central aspect of the emotional connection between owners and their dogs.
Impact on Health and Well-being
Dogs were perceived to have a significant positive impact on owners’ mental, emotional, and social health. Many reported increased happiness, reduced loneliness, and greater motivation to stay active, often attributed to spending time with their dogs during activities like walking. Dogs also served as invaluable emotional support during challenging times, fostering psychosocial well-being and even alleviating specific mental health conditions. Additionally, dog ownership facilitated social interactions, with dogs acting as social catalysts and strengthening family bonds.
However, some respondents acknowledged compromises to their well-being, such as stress arising from meeting their dog’s needs or the emotional toll of a dog’s aging or passing. The hard work involved in raising a puppy or managing challenging behaviors could also strain some owners, intertwining with the practical demands of dog ownership.
3. Surprises by Demographics
Demographic factors significantly influenced the extent to which owners experienced surprises. Younger owners reported a higher frequency of surprises, particularly regarding noise levels, activity levels, feeding costs, training time, and the impact on their social lives. In contrast, older owners were more likely to find their ownership experiences closely aligned with their expectations, with the exception of veterinary visit costs, which exceeded expectations across all age groups, particularly for older dogs.
Owners of younger dogs and those with fewer dogs experienced a greater number of surprises, such as unexpected damage to property and more demanding training requirements.
The source of dog acquisition also influenced owner expectations. Individuals who obtained dogs from rehoming centers reported fewer surprises and found some aspects, such as damage to furniture and gardens, to be less than expected. Conversely, owners acquiring dogs through general or pet-selling websites reported a higher frequency of surprises, particularly related to noise levels, mess, training time, and property damage.
Furthermore, a higher purchase price was associated with increased surprises, particularly regarding the patience required for behavior management and the overall costs of ownership. Notably, owners sourcing dogs from Kennel Club websites most frequently cited higher-than-expected veterinary visit costs.
4. Implications for Future Interventions
By addressing these discrepancies between expectations and realities, and by equipping owners with the necessary knowledge and resources, future interventions can significantly enhance the welfare of both dogs and their owners, fostering a more positive and enduring human-animal bond.
The study highlighted the crucial importance of pre-acquisition research, yet noted that approximately half of dog owners do not engage in such preparation. Even among those who do, many struggle to fully grasp the realities of dog ownership, leading to unmet expectations and potential negative outcomes.
The findings suggest that hands-on experiences, such as fostering a dog or helping care for a friend’s dog, could provide invaluable insights and better prepare prospective owners for the realities of dog ownership. These experiential learning opportunities, combined with thorough desk-based research, could significantly improve understanding and help mitigate negative outcomes, such as reduced welfare, broken bonds, relinquishment, or euthanasia.
Further research into owner expectations and the development of effective preparatory interventions is crucial to enhance the human-dog relationship and prevent these challenges.
Conclusion
While the perks of dog ownership are often emphasized, the realities and potential consequences may not be fully considered by prospective owners. This study reveals that owners’ reflections on dog ownership are multifaceted and complex, involving the formation of close relationships often at a greater cost (e.g., financial and time) than initially anticipated.
In addition, certain aspects of dog ownership, such as the strength of the human-animal bond, the extent of benefits, and the magnitude of challenges, may be difficult to fully comprehend before acquiring a dog. Successful and fulfilling dog ownership experiences likely rely on a realistic alignment between pre-ownership expectations and actual experiences.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Expectations > Expectations vs. Realities
Year of Publication:
2024
External Link:
Anderson KL, Holland KE, Casey RA, Cooper B and Christley RM (2024) Owner expectations and surprises of dog ownership experiences in the United Kingdom. Front. Vet. Sci. 11:1331793. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1331793