A free e-learning course to help new puppy owners get off to the right start with their pet has been launched to coincide with an anticipated further spike in sales over the Christmas period.
The Getting a Puppy course has been developed by Our Family Dog, a not-for-profit organisation that supports first-time dog owners, in partnership with training provider Lantra.
It is designed to help people make better decisions when getting a puppy. As well as covering the basics of which breed to get and where to get a puppy from, the course aims to better prepare people for what’s involved in raising a puppy.
A survey of first-time dog owners commissioned by Our Family Dog found that most people struggle in the early weeks. As well as feeling happy and excited after getting a puppy, 59% of the 471 respondents reported feeling exhausted, 54% said they felt overwhelmed, and 51% said they felt anxious.
Justine Williams, founder of Our Family Dog, said: “The reality of a puppy that wees, poos and cries constantly can take people by surprise. As well as helping people to buy a puppy safely, the aim of this e-learning course is to bridge the gap between the expectations and reality of dog ownership, so that people are better prepared for what’s in store and can decide if they are ready to commit to raising a puppy.”
The free e-learning course is at https://ourfamilydog.org.uk/getting-a-puppy
