No such thing as a lockdown puppy

[Thewifefury]

More news today of how "lockdown puppies" have potentially contributed to the increase in dog attacks. I don't understand. There were no rules about not walking or socialising dogs during even the strictest of lockdowns. Letting dogs meet and play on dog walks whilst humans maintain a safe distance was all totally possible. Just feels like lazy dog ownership and a very useful, if flawed, excuse! Perhaps I am judging people too harshly? Covid did increase dog ownership, let's face it everyone was looking for a new hobby or interest they could actually do while the world was shutdown. So it makes sense that there was also a rise in Ignorant dog owners. I just get so irritated with the term "lockdown puppies". Shifts the blame off the reality - ignorant owners. And I am sure there will be people who say "I was shielding so I couldn't go out or get within speaking distance of another person" okay so why on earth would you get a puppy then? Again not a lockdown puppy. Another ignorant owner.

I agree with all of this. There were 4 million extra dogs registered during lockdown. That's a significant increase and sadly it means there'll be a significant amount of people giving up the dog who had no intention of training and devoting the next 12-15 years to it in the first place.

Prior to Covid 23% of homes had a pet after Covid 60% had a pet and as someone pointed out it was 4 million dogs.
Most of these dogs were bought on impulse with little research from irresponsible breeding ( many responsible breeders actually stopped during this time). These puppies were bought by inexperienced owners who then had no access to the normal support systems such as training classes and puppy parties. They didn't fully experience life in that crucial socialisation window up till 16 weeks of age. so became very fearful of new situations.
I myself did get a puppy in Feb 21 a much wanted and waited for puppy. He is not perfect, but actually socialising him took a huge amount of extra effort beyond a normal puppy as children would not ask to stroke him I had to ask them if they would like to meet him. For a long while he got over excited when people visited the house as for the first year that was something that rarely happened.