Perfect Dog Syndrome
18 years ago
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People are placing such unrealistic expectations on their dogs that they are causing them to become victims of ‘Perfect Dog Syndrome’, warns Britain’s pet charity The Blue Cross.
A massive 87 per cent of dog owners surveyed by the charity who said that their perfect dog would be able to be socialised in a month also wanted that dog to be good with people and kids. Worryingly, of those surveyed who could only dedicate 30 minutes a day to their dog, 75 per cent also wanted a family dog.
The pet charity is concerned that this lack of understanding about the importance of training and socialising could mean that dogs are not considered ‘perfect’ and are brought to rehoming centres, such as those run by The Blue Cross.
Julie Bedford, head of animal behaviour at The Blue Cross, said: “People may feel that their dogs have to be perfect – the need to attain perfection in all other walks of life means that we see our pet’s behaviour as another thing to conquer.”
Women are more likely to have pets with PDS. Over a third of women said that the destruction of household items would be the thing most likely to make them give their dog up, and they find wetting or messing in the house the most annoying behaviour of a dog. However, women are also more likely to leave their dogs alone all day, which could lead to these behaviours being exhibited. Dogs destroy household items due to separation anxiety, or will wet in the house if left for long periods of time.
Julie continued: “It can be impossible to attain perfection, but with time, effort and the correct approach it is certainly possible to avoid the problems that may lead to disappointment and the dog ending up in a rescue centre.”
The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.
BMRB was commissioned by The Blue Cross to conduct the survey among 1000 dog owners between 14 and 24 October 2005. Interviews were conducted via the internet.
Other results from the survey included:5070 views
Posted
5th January, 2006 00h00
- the perfect dog in looks and temperament was found to be female, medium sized, with mixed colouring, short hair, good with people and kids, and a family dog women most likely to want a female dog (57%)
- women want a medium dog firstly (53%), but more are likely to want a small dog than men
- 82% of women want a dog that is good with people and kids
- women prefer dogs with short hair, 57%
- fewer women keep their dog with them all day
- 34% of women place destruction of household items as their main reason they would give a dog up
- vet/behaviourist most likely place for women to get advice
- women find wetting/messing in the house the most annoying behaviour at 41%
- 37% of women would try and distract their dog if faced with continued bad behaviour
- women most likely to own one dog (74%), and the majority, 56%, have owned a dog for ten years
- more than half of dog owners (55%) said the perfect dog would be a family dog
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