Bringing a puppy home is usually a happy event, but sometimes the life change that comes with it can trigger significant negative emotions. Researchers found that nearly half of dog owners experience anxiety, tiredness or frustration during their dog’s puppy years.
According to a study by the University of Helsinki, some dog owners experience feelings similar to the baby blues (a brief low mood and melancholy) when their dog is a puppy. Caring for a puppy gives rise to a variety of worries, fears and frustrations, and it can be difficult to bond with the dog.
“The study found that the so-called ‘puppy blues’ manifest themselves in three ways: anxiety, frustration and tiredness. They often occur at the same time, but in some cases one or two of the three can be particularly prominent,” says psychologist and doctoral researcher Aada Ståhl.
An anxious puppy owner’s thoughts are tinged with worries about the puppy’s well-being and development, as well as their own incompetence in caring for their dog. Owners may blame themselves when things don’t go as planned.
A frustrated puppy owner may experience dissatisfaction and stress as a result of the unexpected stress and challenges of caring for a puppy. They may find it difficult to build an emotional bond with the puppy, wish they never had it, and consider giving up the dog.
For an exhausted puppy owner, the puppy stage is a time of physical and mental strain. They may have trouble sleeping and may find the constant attention and time the puppy needs tiring and anxiety-provoking.
“Almost half of dog owners have had significant negative experiences during their puppy years, and only a tenth have experienced the most severe levels of stress. This is in line with the prevalence of postpartum depression. However, the negative feelings disappear relatively quickly,” says Professor Hannes Lohi.
An interesting finding was that the more time had passed since puppyhood, the more positively people remembered him. In other words, the negative emotional content of puppy stage memories “fades” over time.
A phenomenon familiar to dog owners is now measurable for further research
The study first collected the experiences of over 100 dog owners who had experienced emotional stress after bringing a puppy home. Based on this data, a survey was developed to measure “puppy depression.” The new survey collected responses from over 2,000 dog owners and measures were taken to ensure the validity and reliability of the survey.
“Capturing the phenomenon in a measurable way is important to better understand its characteristics, its prevalence and its duration. This will also allow us to better understand the factors that can predispose owners to suffer from ‘canine depression’ or protect them from it, which will help develop prevention and support measures,” says Ståhl.
The study represents a new opening in the study of the relationship between humans and pets. Although the term “puppy blues” is commonly used among dog owners, no comprehensive research had been conducted on the topic before. Exploring this phenomenon will raise awareness, which can help people prepare for negative feelings and better recognize and understand their own experiences.
The study is part of a larger project by Professor Hannes Lohi’s research group, which investigates the relationship between owner and animal and its importance for well-being.