During the pandemic, many families sought comfort in getting a puppy, but new research shows that the experience brought both positive effects and significant challenges.
Many families got their first dog
For almost half of the households, the pandemic puppy was their very first dog.
Families often saw it as an opportunity to bring joy and energy into the home during a time marked by restrictions and uncertainty.
A women’s responsibility
Dog care was mainly carried out by women, especially mothers between the ages of 45 and 54.
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They took on the majority of daily tasks such as feeding, walking, and ensuring safe interactions between children and the dog.
Mental health struggles among children
About one quarter of the families had children with a diagnosed mental health condition.
Most caregivers believed that the pandemic had contributed to these challenges and hoped that having a dog would help ease them.
Harder than expected
One third of caregivers found life with a puppy more demanding than anticipated.
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The greatest difficulty was ensuring that children and the dog could interact safely, particularly in households without prior dog experience.
Limited responsibility for children
Many parents reported that children were less engaged in dog care than expected.
First-time dog owners were especially likely to find that their children did not take as much part in feeding, walking, or playing with the dog.
Risky interactions
More than half of the children were allowed to interact with their dogs in ways that increased the risk of bites.
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This included hugging, kissing, or playing with the dog during meals which are situations known to trigger aggressive behavior.
Emotional support
Despite the difficulties, both adults and children described the dog as a source of comfort, joy, and companionship.
The presence of a dog often lifted spirits and created a stronger family bond during lockdown.
Breaking isolation
Having a dog encouraged children to leave their screens behind and spend more time outside.
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Walks and play became natural routines, bringing families together for shared activities in a period otherwise marked by isolation.
Negative feelings in children
Not all children welcomed the responsibility.
Some became jealous when the dog received more attention, while others disliked its constant demands for interaction or felt burdened by losing free time to pet care.
The importance of knowledge
The study highlighted the need for families to learn how to recognize signs of stress, fear, or aggression in dogs.
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Teaching children to respect these boundaries is crucial for preventing conflicts and ensuring safe coexistence.
Unpredictable outcomes
Researchers concluded that the hope of improved mental health was not always fulfilled.
The motivations for getting a dog often did not align with reality, showing that a puppy should not be seen as a simple solution to emotional challenges.
This article is based on information from News Medical.