English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Dogs living in Western countries today are more likely to be considered a member of the family compared with those in previous generations. This shift in human–dog dynamics also affects how dogs are raised, the benefits perceived, and the challenges faced by guardians. To provide appropriate support to modern dog guardians, canine professionals need to understand their experience. This study aimed to better understand the lived experience of guardians who acquire and raise puppies for companionship. This longitudinal study surveyed 19 Australian puppy guardians every two weeks, from 3 weeks after puppy acquisition, through to their puppy turning 6 months of age. By undertaking analysis of free-text responses, we developed themes describing what guardians found most rewarding/enjoyable, most challenging, and most helpful. These themes were closely interconnected and suggest that puppy raising is complex, and sequential factors may have cumulative effects. Forming an attachment with their puppy, training, eudaimonic happiness, creating social networks, and having sufficient time to dedicate to puppy raising were major positive factors in a guardian’s experience. Training appears to have multi-faceted benefits as it likely provided opportunity for shared activity, increased positive states, eudaimonic happiness, attachment, and decreased challenges. Social networks may help decrease the time guardians require to raise their puppy (as burden is shared) as well as mitigate challenges, decrease negative states, and increase feelings of eudaimonic happiness. Challenges revolved around navigating puppy training and behavior, and the emotional and physical struggle of striving to be a “good guardian.” Understanding the puppy-raising experience better may help key stakeholders provide guardian-appropriate guidance, support, and resources to increase enjoyment and decrease stress in puppies and their guardians.

The Good, the Bad, the Helpful: Qualitative Exploration of the Australian Puppy-Raising Experience Through Longitudinal Surveys