Vets concerned about increasing dog aggression
Half of vets reported a rise in clients sharing concerns about their dog's aggressive behaviour.
A new survey, released by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), has revealed that veterinary professionals are seeing signs of an increase in aggressive behaviour by younger dogs, which the organisation suggests could be a result of the puppy boom during the coronavirus pandemic.
Half of the veterinary surgeons surveyed reported a rise in the number of clients they are seeing who are concerned about their dog’s aggressive behaviour, with only two per cent seeing a decrease.
Twenty-four per cent also reported an increase in the number of pets they treated for injuries caused by aggressive dogs in the past 12 months.
The aggressive behaviour appears to be mostly from dogs who were puppies during the pandemic. The survey found that, in cases where the age was known, 87 per cent of the dogs showing signs of aggressive behaviour were believed to be less than three years old.
An estimated 3.2 million households in the UK acquired a pet during the first year of the pandemic, with those acquiring a puppy more likely to be first-time dog owners. Research by the Royal Veterinary College has previously found that they were much less likely to seek out a breeder who preformed health testing on their breeding dogs or view their puppy in-person.
BVA’s senior vice-president Justine Shotton said: “Whilst these new statistics are extremely worrying, they are not unexpected. Vets and animal charities have been raising concerns around the long-term impacts of the pandemic puppy boom, when owners were unable to access adequate training and socialisation opportunities that are so important for development in the first few months of their lives.
“At the British Veterinary Association, we urge pet owners who are concerned about their dog’s behaviour to talk to a vet, who will be able to check for any underlying medical issues that could be causing issues, give advice and refer to an ABTC-accredited veterinary behaviourist. Don’t delay seeking help, as poor behaviour can deteriorate and can become harder to deal with as a dog matures.
”We also continue to urge the importance of always doing proper research and using the Puppy Contract to make sure you’re buying a healthy puppy from a responsible source. Make sure that your puppy has lots of positive opportunities for socialisation with humans of all ages, other animals, different environments, various noises and everyday experiences, including visits to your vet practice.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
