The dog was not happy, people we met weren't happy and I wasn't happy: guardian support-seeking for perceived inappropriate canine behaviors

Despite the popularity of dogs as pets in the UK and worldwide, humans and dogs do not always live together harmoniously. This research aims to enhance our understanding of canine behaviors that humans perceive as inappropriate and the support they seek to manage these behaviors. The qualitative semi-structured survey examined the frequency of reporting of inappropriate dog behaviors, guardian support seeking for these behaviors, participant willingness to adopt a dog displaying inappropriate or reactive behaviors, and the circumstances under which they would consider canine relinquishment. Among the 175 participants, most reported multiple inappropriate behaviors in their dog(s), prompting them to seek support from various sources, including canine professionals, family and friends, and web sites and online forums. Additionally, willingness to adopt a dog with inappropriate or reactive behaviors was contingent upon factors such as the type of behavior exhibited and its impact on themselves and their families. The study also revealed divergent views on canine relinquishment, from commitment to continued training to euthanizing the dog. Overall, this research highlights the necessity of further investigations into guardian expectations concerning canine behavior, and their support-seeking behaviors when these expectations are violated.