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Simple Summary: For dogs and their owners to live in harmony, owner expectations and the behaviour of their dogs need to be aligned. Limited socialisation can contribute to the development of undesirable behaviours, so the reduced socialisation opportunities for many puppies during the COVID-19 lockdown is a concern. This United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland study used data collected between May 2016 and November 2022 to examine the impact of age and lockdown phase (pre-, during, and post-) on the types of socialisation experiences of 8-to-19-week-old puppies and the recency of socialisation experiences of 6-month-old puppies. The findings showed that puppies under 19-weeks had more types of experiences as they aged, and during pre-lockdown compared to post-lockdown, but not between other lockdown phases. Most 6-month-old puppies had met new adults or dogs, familiar dogs, or children within the last 1–7 days, regardless of lockdown phase. However, during lockdown, 6-month-old puppies experienced longer periods between meeting new adults in their homes. Overall, lockdown had a smaller impact on socialisation experiences than expected, but the quantity and quality of these experiences may have been affected. Future research will explore whether these early-life experiences relate to adult behaviour as the dogs in the study grow older. Limited socialisation can contribute to the development of undesirable dog behaviours. The COVID-19 lockdown potentially limited socialisation opportunities, which may negatively impact the future behaviour of puppies raised during lockdown. Data were gathered from longitudinal study participants in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland via multiple questionnaires between May 2016 and November 2022. The impact of age and lockdown phase (pre-, during, and post-) on the types of socialisation experiences of 8-to-19-week-old puppies and the recency of socialisation experiences of approximately 6-month-old puppies were examined. Puppies under 19-weeks had significantly more types of socialisation experiences (from a predefined list) as they aged, and pre-lockdown compared to post-lockdown, but not between other lockdown phases. Most 6-month-old puppies had met a new adult or dog outside the household, a familiar dog, and/or a child within the last 1–7 days, and this was similar between lockdown phases. During lockdown, 6-month-old puppies experienced longer periods between meeting a new adult in their home. Puppies were hypothesised to have had fewer experiences during lockdown, but this was not found. However, the quantity and quality of these experiences may have been affected. Future research within this longitudinal study will explore relationships between the timing and type of experiences had by puppies and their subsequent behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Owners' understanding of dog behaviour influences dog welfare. This study explored owners' experiences and perceptions of dog behaviour. Data came from an ongoing UK/ROI study of dogs. Survey questions when dogs were 12/16 weeks (data combined), 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were analysed. Data were explored with two approaches: (1) qualitative thematic analysis and (2) quantitative text analysis. Responses to 'other information' questions and those regarding owner-reported problem behaviours were explored to understand owners' experiences/understanding of dog behaviour (1). Responses to the 'other information' questions were evaluated to understand how sentiment in the text and in word use changes over time (2). The proportion of positive: negative sentiments increased with the dog's age. At the first time point, 'bite' was the most common word, later replaced by words related to 'love'. Owners referred to the 'dog's biology', 'personality/deliberate action' and 'external influences' when explaining dogs' behaviour. Problematic behaviours of young dogs were seen as 'mischievous', unintentional and context-specific. Similar behaviours shown by older dogs were described as 'deliberate'. Both positive and negative experiences of dog ownership were identified. Free-text survey responses are a useful resource for exploring data but should be interpreted cautiously, as not all respondents answer these questions. Owners' understanding of dog behaviour influences dog welfare. This study aimed to investigate owners' experiences of living with dogs and perceptions of dog behaviour/behaviour change. Data from an ongoing UK/ROI longitudinal study of dogs were used. Open-ended survey data (n = 3577 comments, n = 1808 dogs) when dogs were 12/16 weeks (data combined), 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were analysed to cover the dog's puppyhood/adolescence. To evaluate the usefulness of open-ended survey questions, both quantitative textual and qualitative thematic analyses were employed. Textual analysis identified an overall positive sentiment at all timepoints; the proportion of positive: negative sentiments increased with the dog's age. Words related to 'love' were the most frequent descriptors at all but the first timepoint, when 'bite' was the most frequent descriptor. Qualitative analysis helped to identify that owners attribute dog behaviour to 'Dog's biology', 'Personality/deliberate action' and 'External influences'. Analysis of open-ended survey responses helped to identify changes in perception over time. When dogs were young, owners described problematic behaviours as 'mischievous', unintentional and context-specific. Similar behaviours shown by older dogs were seen as 'deliberate'. Both positive and negative experiences of dog ownership were identified. However, as not all respondents answered open-ended questions, the generalisability of our findings is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cats and dogs can form friendly relationships and conflict between them can harm their welfare. This study aimed to investigate factors related to 'only desirable' puppy behaviour (defined as being uninterested, ignored the cat or interacted in a calm way) towards existing household cats following introduction. Owners' perceptions of the emerging cat-dog relationships were also explored. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to examine survey data collected as part of an ongoing study of dog health and behaviour. Of 4678 puppies, 26.7% lived with at least one cat. At the time of survey completion, 1211 puppies had been introduced to the household cat. The most common behaviours shown towards cats by puppies were: playing (58.9%), being overexuberant or over-excited (56.6%) and chasing (48.6%). Just 7.3% of puppies showed 'only desirable' behaviours. Puppies were more likely to show 'only desirable' behaviours when introduced before 12 weeks of age, gradually, and when they lived in a household with other dogs(s). Two styles of introductions were identified—owner-led and pet-led. Owners' expectations of the cat-dog relationship differed depending on the style of introduction. Early, gradual, owner-led introductions of puppies to household cats can help them form a friendly relationship. Although cats and dogs can live amicably, inter-species conflict can result in poor welfare. Species introduction can impact the development of the cat-dog relationship. This study aimed to identify factors associated with owner reported 'only desirable' puppy behaviour (defined as the puppy being uninterested, ignored the cat and/or interacted in a calm way) following introduction to existing household cats, and to explore perceptions of the emerging cat-dog relationship. Owner-reported data collected as part of a longitudinal study of canine health and behaviour were used. Of 4678 puppies, 26.7% lived with at least one cat. Of the 1211 puppies who had been introduced to the household cat at the time of survey completion, playing (58.9%), being overexuberant or over-excited (56.6%), and chasing (48.6%) were the most common behaviours displayed towards cats. 'Only desirable' behaviours were shown by 7.3% of puppies. Multivariable logistic regression showed early (puppies aged <12 weeks), gradual introductions and living in a multi-dog household increased the odds of 'only desirable' behaviours. Qualitative analysis revealed two styles of introductions—owner-led and pet-led. Owners who led introductions anticipated amicable relationships between pets, whilst owners who let pets introduce themselves did not. Early, gradual, owner-led introductions of puppies to household cats should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical neutering of dogs is common, however the average age that dogs reach sexual maturity, are neutered, and dog owners' attitudes to neutering in the UK and the Republic of Ireland have not been explored in a longitudinal study. Methods: Owner‐reported data on the timing of the first oestrus, timing of neutering and the reasons given for neutering dogs by 12 and 15 months of age were summarised. Factors associated with neutering at 15 months and factors associated with intention to neuter were quantified using multivariable logistic regression. Results: At 15 months of age, 90.0% (n = 207/230) of unneutered females had had their first oestrus. By 7, 9, 12 and 15 months of age, 22.1% (n = 131/593), 32.2% (197/593), 45.4% (n = 269/593) and 59.9% (n = 352/593) of dogs were neutered, respectively. Breed purity, dog's source, owners' intentions to neuter and the number of dogs in the household were associated with neuter status at age 15 months. Dog's sex, Kennel Club registration, dog's source, dogs intended to be working dogs and previous dog ownership were associated with intentions to neuter. Preventing puppies was the most common reason for neutering. Conclusion: Understanding factors that shape owners' intentions to neuter can inform owner‐vet discussions regarding whether to neuter a dog and the optimal age for doing so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]