Calling all dog lovers!

The national charity the Dogs Trust has its National Dog Survey on at the moment, asking us dog lovers and owners what matters most to us.

The survey will help the Trust shape the services it provides to meet the needs of dogs and owners in the UK.

This survey has been done before;  in 2021, more owners reported experiencing behaviour issues with their dog.  As a result, the Dogs Trust created a Behaviour Support Line (free and nationwide) to stop more people having to give their dogs up because of their behaviour.  And this has helped over 8,000 people.

In the survey two years later in 2023, nearly 20% of those responding were thinking of changing to cheaper pet food in the year ahead, whilst 30% said they were considering cutting down on training classes because of costs.  So the Trust have now shared 1 million dog meals through their food bank partners AND they’ve offered discounted training classes for over 500 dogs.

The survey asks those with dogs about your relationship with your dog, what you do together and the highs and lows of owning a dog.  It asks about your dog’s care and training and which support networks you can call on when you need help.  In 2023, over 10,000 shared worries about walking their dogs – so this year’s survey asks more about what happens when you’re out and about with your dog.

Non-dog owners, there’s a way for you to help and get involved too!  The Dogs’ Trust want to hear your views on dogs, and what welfare issues matter to you the most, an whether you might get a dog in the future.

This is a great way to help a charity work out what help is needed most.  The survey is free to do and it takes about 15 minutes of your time, so please help!  You must be aged 18 or over to do it, and you don't need to be a dog owner - just a dog lover is fine, too!

Fetch more information and sign up here!

And find out about re-homing a dog here.

Ways to support the Dogs Trust are listed here.