The 2012 PAW Report reveals frightening levels of problem behaviour in dogs, with growling, snarling and aggression towards people and other animals happening on a regular basis.
The highest levels of problem behaviour are seen in Northern Ireland and the East of England. Of the owners surveyed for the PAW Report, 24% in Northern Ireland reported that their dogs show problem behaviour on a regular basis. This was closely followed by the East of England (20%); North East (19%) and Yorkshire and Humber (19%). The area of the UK with the least reported problem behaviour in dogs was Wales (8%).
The research also reveals that almost one in three (30%) dog owners have been bitten or attacked by a dog with over half (51%) knowing someone else who has.
The PAW Report also warns that while in some cases dogs are deliberately trained to be aggressive, the primary cause of the anti-social behaviour is a lack of socialisation and basic obedience training when dogs are young - 61% of dogs (5.3 million) never attended training classes within their first six months of life, an increase of 11% on last year’s figure.
David Ryan, Clinical Animal Behaviourist and former Chair of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, says: “Good puppy socialisation and training classes undoubtedly help to reduce the initial development of aggression, but it is also essential to provide our pets with guidance in good behaviour, at home and elsewhere, throughout their lives. Training should be synonymous with ‘living with’ and never stops.”
What is encouraging is that 95% of pet owners believe that dog owners must take full responsibility for their dog’s behaviour; key to this is educating owners on the importance of training and socialisation.
And when it comes to the views of children a shocking 65% reported having been frightened or scared by a dog’s behaviour.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, says: “Each year there are awful stories of dogs attacking pets and people, sometimes with fatal consequences. Tackling this begins with owners and breeders taking full responsibility for their dogs’ behaviour and adequately socialising and training them from a young age.
"It is also essential that young people understand how to be safe around all pets and learn how to become caring and responsible owners in the future. In PDSA’s view, this should include learning about a pet’s five welfare needs at school as well as from other responsible adults around them.”
