RVC survey to explore ‘Living with Dogs’
Data from the survey will inform the work of veterinary professionals, animal behaviourists and more.
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has launched a nationwide survey into the impacts of canine behaviour on dog owners and their families.
The Living with Dogs survey, which is open to all UK-based dog owners, is expected to gain insights to support the work of veterinary professionals, canine behaviour experts and animal welfare organisations.
RVC reports that approximately one in three households share their lives with a pet dog. However, while they bring companionship to their owners, the dogs’ behaviour can be challenging or overwhelming for their owners.
The unique nature of dog-owner relationships means that ‘problematic’ behaviour to one owner can be ‘cute’ to another.
The online survey, created in collaboration with Battersea Cats & Dogs Home, is open to adult UK-based dog owners with a dog aged 12 months or over. Parents may choose to include children aged 8-17 years to provide their own experiences.
An initial set of questions will take approximately 30 minutes or less to complete. There is an optional additional section which would take five minutes longer.
The data will be used by RVC’s Companion Animal Research and Engagement (CARE) Collaboratory and VetCompass Programme to inform professionals on how they can provide appropriate behavioural support to owners and their pets across the UK.
Rowena Packer, senior lecturer in companion animal behaviour and welfare science at the RVC, said: “Living with dogs can be immensely rewarding, but also emotionally and physically demanding, particularly when they behave in ways we find challenging. We want to better understand these experiences by learning from dog owners across the UK, whether they consider their dog to show problematic behaviour or not.
“This study will help us shape more effective support for dogs and the people who love them, to ultimately ease the burden on caregivers while strengthening the bond between dogs and their families.”
The survey can be accessed here.
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