Four-legged-free-for-all 9 in 10 Aussie dog owners regret behaviours they’ve allowed

A recent survey by Guide Dogs Australia of 1,000 dog owners revealed that many are missing out on one of the most paw-some parts of a dog life – daily walks – leaving owners feeling guilty and doggos chewsing other ways to release their energy.

Less than a third of Aussie dogs are being taken out daily, with just over half being taken out for the recommended 30-45 minutes when they do go.

This August, Guide Dogs Australia is encouraging dog owners to walk-ease the guilt by taking part in PAWGUST, an annual fund raiser that sees Aussies commit to walking their dog for a set distance (with different challenge levels) throughout the month of August.

Guide Dogs Veterinary and Breeding Services Manager, Dr Caroline Moeser shed some light on how this could improve doggy demeanors.

“Taking your dog out for a daily walk not only gives them needed exercise but allows them to socialise with other dogs. It also gives them significant mental simulation through sniffing and exploring. Daily mental stimulation is not only great for your dog’s longevity but can also put a stop to some pesky behaviours, like chewing your favourite pair of shoes or barking at innocent passersby.”

The challenges of dog parents

The recent survey also revealed that owners are having a ruff time with guilt. Over a third of Australians leave their dogs alone in the house a few times a week and a quarter leave their dog alone at some point every day.

A whopping 93% of owners said that they feel guilty at one time or another about leaving their dog at home, not walking them enough or not paying attention to them at home.

But owners don’t just feel bad about not spending enough time with their pooch, they also have regrets about their training. 90% of dog owners admit they regret not addressing some aspect of their dog’s behaviour.

The top 5 regrettable behaviours are:

Barking or howling
Jumping up on owners or guests
Chewing household items
Reactiveness (such as lunging at other dogs)
Pulling on the leash during walks

However, millennials are the guiltiest age group for indulging in their dogs, being twice as likely to believe bad behaviour can be cute at times.

Dog owners are not alone

Owners may feel embarrassed or frustrated when it comes to their dog’s bad behaviour but this research shows they’re not alone in this doggy dilemma. And, while no dog owner is paw-fect – we all have busy schedules and sometimes struggle to fit everything in – there’s a wag-tastic solution to put those guilt-filled tails to rest.

Take the lead

PAWGUST not only helps you and your dog improve your physical and mental health by walking or running throughout August, but also gives you an opportunity to raise vital funds for Guide Dogs.

And you don’t need to be a dog owner to help out. By gathering friends and family to sponsor efforts, participants (with or without a furry friend) can contribute to raising and training Guide Dogs. These remarkable canines cost over $50,000 to raise and train but provide years of independence and companionship to people with blindness or low vision.

“While changing our dog’s behaviour can take time, dog owners can make instant changes to their own habits by adding something as simple and enjoyable as a daily walk this August – and might find their dogs easier to manage as a result” concluded Dr Moeser.