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Dog Owners Misunderstand One Of The Greatest Acts Of Loving A Dog, Says Dogs Trust
1 week ago 
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- New research reveals owners instinctively associate love with treats, toys and play, but are far less likely to recognise guidance and protection as equally loving.
- Both current and prospective dog owners in Wales rank highest among regions on new responsible dog ownership score suggesting they are, or will be, the most responsible dog owners in the UK
- Londoners top the table for the smallest Love Recognition Gap
- Scotland ranked top region in the Public Responsibility category among prospective dog owners
- South West leads the way in the Long Term Ownership Mindset category showing widespread agreement that responsible ownership is a lifelong commitment rather than simply providing affection in the moment.
Dog owners may be confusing responsibility with love, according to new research from Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, which reveals many fail to recognise that some of the most important things they do for their dogs are also among the greatest acts of love.
While owners demonstrate strong intentions and understand many of the practical responsibilities that come with owning a dog, research suggests there is still considerable opportunity to strengthen understanding of canine behaviour, welfare and the everyday decisions that help dogs thrive.
The UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, has today launched the Dog Ownership Guide (DOG), developed in partnership with the RSPCA, to provide the first shared definition of responsible dog ownership and help owners understand what it really means to give their dog the best life possible. At its heart the DOG encourages owners, and prospective owners, to think more deeply about what loving a dog really means.
The Guide provides, for the first time, a shared definition of responsible dog ownership, built around five core pillars: giving dogs a Good Life; keeping dogs, people and communities Safe and Secure; being a Good Citizen with your dog; recognising the Lifetime Commitment of ownership; and the role of Community in supporting owners.
To accompany the Guide, Dogs Trust has developed the UK's first Responsible Dog Ownership scoring framework, creating two new measures of understanding of responsible ownership among current and future dog owners.
Current owners were measured against five pillars: long-term ownership mindset, welfare and wellbeing, advice seeking and learning, understanding dogs and public responsibility. Applying the measure to UK dog owners gives the nation a score of 61.95 out of 100, with owners performing strongly in some areas but showing clear opportunities for improvement in others.
The findings demonstrate a solid foundation of responsible ownership, particularly in their understanding of public responsibility and their willingness to continue learning. However, the score reveals clear opportunities to strengthen knowledge of canine behaviour and broaden perceptions of what protecting a dog's welfare really involves. Rather than being a measure of how much owners care, the findings suggest many responsible behaviours, such as understanding canine communication, adapting care over time and making proactive welfare decisions, are not yet consistently recognised or practiced. Together, the results reinforce that responsible dog ownership is not a destination but a lifelong journey of learning, adaptation and informed decision-making.
Prospective owners scored 69.7 out of 100 on the Prospective Owner Readiness Score. They were measured against four key prospective pillars: practical expectations, awareness of challenges, understanding dogs and public responsibility. The findings demonstrate a good understanding of the practical commitments involved and behaving responsibly around other people and dogs. However, they also suggest they are considerably less confident recognising and interpreting canine behaviour. This indicates that while many prospective owners are well prepared for the responsibilities of owning a dog, they would benefit from trusted guidance that builds confidence in understanding what their dog is communicating before they become owners. This reinforces the role of the Dog Ownership Guide in supporting people not only to prepare for ownership, but to begin that journey with the knowledge and confidence to build a positive lifelong relationship with their dog.
The nationwide research found owners overwhelmingly associate love with visible acts of affection, such as giving treats, buying toys and spending quality time together, and supports the DOG.
The DOG, which reflects the same pillars measured in the scoring criteria, explores the themes highlighted by the research: from helping owners provide their dog with a Good Life through everyday welfare and wellbeing, to understanding canine communication, navigating public spaces responsibly and continuing to learn throughout a dog's lifetime.
By providing a shared framework for dog owners, organisations and policymakers alike, the DOG aims to encourage consistent, preventative approaches that improve dog welfare, strengthen communities and help more dogs enjoy happy, healthy lives.
On average, 79% recognise these behaviours as acts of love, compared with 57% who see them as acts of responsibility.
As behaviours become less about affection and more about guidance, protection and long-term wellbeing, owners become increasingly likely to view them as responsibilities rather than expressions of love.
The widest perception gaps appear in everyday moments designed to keep dogs safe. While 85% of owners recognise giving treats as an act of love, fewer than half (45%) say the same about keeping a dog on a lead when appropriate, and just 44% recognise preventing their dog from approaching another dog as an act of love, despite 85% acknowledging it is the responsible thing to do.
The research also identified a clear ‘Love Recognition Gap’ when owners and prospective owners were asked to classify different everyday actions as either an act of love, an act of responsibility, or both:
Visible Love (Good Life) – Treats, toys, play and quality time are recognised as acts of love by 79% of owners, compared with 57% who also recognise them as acts of responsibility.
Practical Care (Lifetime Commitment) –Behaviours such as regular vet visits, a healthy diet and giving medication are recognised as acts of love by 59% of owners, compared with 83% who see them as acts of responsibility.
Protective Love (Safe & Secure) – Actions such as recognising body language and removing dogs from stressful situations are seen as acts of love by 54% of owners, versus 81% who view them as responsibilities.
Responsible Guidance (Good Citizen & Community) – Training, reliable recall, keeping dogs on a lead where appropriate and seeking trusted guidance show the widest Love Recognition Gap, with just 54% recognising these behaviours as acts of love despite 84% recognising them as acts of responsibility.
Responsible Guidance recorded the widest Love Recognition Gap, suggesting owners readily understand that behaviours such as training, recall and setting boundaries are responsible, but are far less likely to recognise them as acts of love. This suggests the greatest opportunity isn’t helping owners understand what is responsible, as they already do, but helping them recognise that responsibility is itself one of the clearest expressions of love.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive at Dogs Trust comments: "When we think about loving our dogs, it's natural to picture the moments we both enjoy, a walk together, a game in the park or giving them a favourite treat.
But some of the greatest acts of love are often the hardest ones. Walking away from a stressful situation, keeping your dog on a lead, setting boundaries, asking for help or making decisions that protect their long-term wellbeing may not always feel affectionate in the moment, but they're often the decisions that keep dogs happiest, healthiest and safest.
Responsible dog ownership isn't about being perfect. It's about continuing to learn, understanding what your dog needs and making informed choices throughout their dog's life. Because sometimes the greatest act of love isn't the easiest decision, it's the one that's in your dog's best interests.
That's exactly why we've developed the Dog Ownership Guide - to help owners feel confident making those decisions throughout every stage of their dog's life."
Nearly four in five owners (78%) describe themselves as either always interested in learning new approaches or open to advice from trusted sources. Yet more than one in three (37%) admit they have been reluctant to seek advice or support because they worried about being judged. The findings highlight a clear need for trusted, judgement-free guidance, which is why the DOG has been created, to support owners at every stage of their journey.
The research also found that just 5% of owners spontaneously associate showing love with managing challenging behaviour, 5% with making difficult decisions for their dog's wellbeing and 6% with seeking help when needed.
The Dog Ownership Guide has been developed alongside these findings, providing practical, evidence-based guidance to help both current and prospective owners build confidence in understanding canine behaviour, making informed decisions and navigating the realities of responsible ownership.
Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Owning a dog is one of the greatest joys in life; but it’s also a huge responsibility. And being a responsible dog owner means doing the best for our pets but also for those people around us.
“Amid the cost of living crisis, and with life so busy, being a responsible pet owner can feel daunting to some. But the Dog Ownership Guide explains exactly what owners need to do to keep your dog happy, and keep them and others safe.
“There are sadly many welfare and societal problems associated with irresponsible dog ownership today, but we believe that this Guide - if adopted and used across society - will help us tackle these head-on.
“This guide offers a one-stop shop for improving dog welfare and reducing the number of dogs suffering cruelty and neglect or ending up in rescue centres, easing the pressure on local authorities, police and charities, and better protecting public safety.”
From recognising early signs that a dog is uncomfortable to understanding public etiquette and making difficult welfare decisions, the Guide encourages owners to view responsible ownership not as a destination, but as a lifelong commitment to learning and adapting alongside their dog.
Together, the research and the Dog Ownership Guide mark the beginning of a new approach to responsible dog ownership, one that recognises responsibility isn't separate from love, but one of its clearest expressions. By helping owners understand their dogs, make informed decisions and continue learning throughout every stage of ownership, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA hope to help more dogs enjoy happier, healthier lives.
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