Many dog owners may be ready to turn over a new (dog-eared) leaf this January, but new research has revealed that more than a third of pet parents don’t know where to begin with training.
A nationwide survey by Tug-E-Nuff, a motivational toy company exclusively for dogs, has found that 34% of dog owners in the UK feel confused, unsure or frustrated when it comes to training their pooch.
The most common dog training struggles for owners currently include recall (45%), loose-lead walking (40%) and, rounding out to the top three, reactivity (37%).
More than a third (36%) of those polled by Tug-E-Nuff said they’d most like their dog to have an unshakeable recall, when asked what they wish they could fix by waving a magic wand.
Twenty percent said they’d most like their dog to have a calmer brain when excitement takes over. A fifth of British dog owners also wished for sharper focus.
Commenting on the findings, Tug-E-Nuff’s owner and dog-mad expert Danny Nelis-Rouse said: “Dog owners often feel like they’re the only ones struggling, but our survey revealed just how common training challenges really are and that no one is alone.
“The encouraging part is that most issues can be resolved far more easily than people expect and, with the right approach, training isn’t just effective; it becomes genuinely fun for both the dog and their owner.
“Interactive play taps into a dog’s natural instincts, boosting motivation, confidence and focus. We see every day how a few minutes of purposeful play can transform behaviour and help owners feel more connected, capable and confident with their dogs.”
More than three quarters (77%) of those polled said their dog’s behaviour or focus has improved thanks to interactive play with toys like Tug-E-Nuff’s, whilst seven in ten revealed it’s helped their dog’s recall.
The survey also revealed that a whopping eighty-eight percent of dog owners believe their dog gets more excited to train when using such toys.
