Amongst the fluffy cuddles, dog walks and playtime, getting a puppy can seem a simple thing to do. But how easy is it to actually raise a puppy?
To find this out, Compare the Market surveyed both parents and dog owners (paw-rents) to determine just how hard raising a puppy is, asking both groups of participants questions such as how much sleep they lost and how hard they found the toilet training process.
From those sleepless nights to toilet-training mishaps, what are the biggest struggles of owning a puppy?
Toilet-training process
According to the research, 35% of paw-rents found the toilet training process difficult and felt like giving up but ultimately stuck with it. However, almost one in ten did give up, meaning their pup still isn’t toilet trained.
How much sleep do paw-rents lose?
One of the hardest parts of owning a puppy can be the consistent barking and whining at night which keeps you from getting some much-needed shut eye.
It turns out that on an average night, paw-rents are woken up by their pooch at least 3 times and nearly one in five (18%) reckon they lose around 13 minutes of sleep each time. Although not quite as tiring as a baby, it is close, with parents waking up 4 times on average and one in eight losing about 13 minutes of sleep on each occasion.
Do dog owners need help improving their puppy’s behaviour?
When it comes to acting up or just needing a little training, many dog owners turn to special classes. In fact, almost half of dog owners (49%) have found that their furry friend required at least some puppy training before their behaviour became manageable. Unsurprisingly, this comes at a cost and the average training session was found to cost £42.30 – Over £200 for just five sessions.
The survey also found that almost a quarter (24%) of respondents said that they found it harder to raise a puppy than a baby in the first six months. So, while it goes without saying that raising a new-born is a hard job, it seems as though puppies can be just as difficult.
Tips for first time puppy owners
If you’re looking to welcome a puppy into your family for the first time, here are some top tips for bringing them home:
Prepare the basics
Before bringing them home it’s important to ensure you have all the essentials they need, these include:
- A collar with an identity tag and a lead
- A selection of treats
- A crate and a play pen
- A comfy bed
- Multiple toys that are good for chewing
Offer some familiar smells
When you collect your puppy, you should ask if you can bring any blankets or toys that they have been using and have the scents they are used to. This will help them acclimatise and have some familiarities in their new space.
Let them wonder around
Give your puppy ample opportunity to explore your home to allow them to get comfortable with the space. Do keep an eye out for any potential accidents as lots of new smells might excite them.
Start the toilet training process straight away
When you get them home take your puppy straight out to the garden, if they go to the toilet then be sure to give them lots of treats and praise so they can learn from the start where they need to go.
Consider your vet and cover options
Get your pup registered with your local vet as soon as possible and take them in for a check-up. Whilst there, they can check they are chipped and book them in for their vaccinations. Also, on their first day with you, make sure to have suitable insurance coverage in place to ensure your pup is protected.
Commenting on the research, Anna McEntee from the pet insurance team at Compare the Market, says: “When thinking of raising a puppy we can get caught up in the thoughts of endless cuddles and big puppy dog eyes. However, owning a puppy isn’t as easy as some may think.
It’s important those planning on welcoming a puppy into their home are as prepared as possible, whether it’s planning a feeding schedule, nailing the night-time routine or ensuring they’re properly trained. Everyone’s experience will differ but keeping consistent is the key to making the journey as smooth as possible.”
For information and tips on training your puppy, visit: https://www.comparethemarket.com/pet-insurance/content/how-to-train-a-puppy/
