75% of Rehoming is Due to Guardians; 5 Things to Check Before Raising a Dog

When adopting a pet dog, many people expect behavioral issues such as aggression or barking to be the biggest cause of rehoming. However, looking at the actual causes of rehoming, behavioral problems in dogs account for only 23%, while the remaining 75% stem from the guardian's environment and lack of preparation. Veterinarian Lee Tae-ho explained in a video that approximately 50% of rehoming occurs due to the guardian's health and housing issues, and if reasons such as lack of time are included, more than 75% are due to the guardian's side. Rehoming that occurs because lifestyle patterns change in an unprepared state leaves a great trauma for the dog, as they must adapt to a strange environment without knowing the reason.

Misunderstandings in the Name of Love and Wrong Educational Methods

Veterinarian Lee Tae-ho pointed out cases where guardians mistakenly believe they are 'giving love,' but it actually has a negative impact on the dog. Representative examples include providing excessive treats to a dog with an appetite, causing obesity, or staying attached to the dog 24 hours a day to resolve separation anxiety. Additionally, while a guardian may think they enjoy hugging, the dog may actually feel uncomfortable with excessive physical contact. The video warns that actions a guardian takes for the child can actually lower the child's quality of life, emphasizing that correcting existing ways of showing love is the true way to care for the child.

Caution is also required regarding educational methods. The video warned that negative punishment, such as scolding coercively, can increase a dog's stress and reinforce aggression. In particular, it is inappropriate to scold a dog to correct defensive aggression shown to protect its own space. This is because dogs often stop acting to avoid the situation rather than realizing they were wrong. Therefore, it is important to reduce the child's stress through positive reinforcement training rather than punishment.

Changing Lifestyle Patterns and the Weight of Responsibility

Raising a pet dog requires significant changes in the guardian's lifestyle patterns. Dogs are animals for whom a walk of at least 20 to 30 minutes every day is essential. Therefore, guardians who do not intend to change their existing lifestyle patterns at all or do not want to adjust their entire daily routine to the dog should consider adoption carefully. If one is a single-person household or has long working hours and lacks time to spend with the dog, specific measures such as using a dog daycare or raising two dogs together so they can rely on each other must be prepared. The video advised that it is best if at least one family member stays at home whenever possible.

Furthermore, the ability to deal with diseases and preparation for old age are also key factors. Responsibility is needed to not miss the golden time for treatment and to receive medical care at the appropriate time, and one must ask themselves if they can handle the burden of medical expenses and care that arise when the dog grows old and its health deteriorates. If one decides to adopt by only imagining the cute aspects, there is a high risk of leading to rehoming because they cannot handle the changes when the dog becomes an old dog. Guardians must also possess economic responsibility, considering even unexpected medical expenses.

Three Things to Practice if You Are Already Living with a Pet Dog

If you are already raising a dog but have concerns among the items above, it is recommended to start with one thing rather than trying to change everything at once. Veterinarian Lee Tae-ho suggested the following three practical measures.

First, calculate the time used for the dog during the day (walking, playing, training, etc.) and if it is insufficient, gradually increase that time. Second, start the health management or behavioral correction that has been postponed. For example, if there is a chronic skin disease, solve the cause, or if the child is obese, prioritize starting efforts for weight loss. Third, conduct studies in parallel to understand the dog's behavior. It is necessary to go through the process of learning correct training methods while checking whether the guardian's way of loving fits the child, or whether the current educational method is causing stress to the child.

Prospective guardians considering adoption should ask themselves three questions: 'Can I change my lifestyle pattern for the child?', 'Can I be responsible for unexpected medical expenses and costs?', and 'Can I stay by their side until the end even when the dog grows old and sick?'. Only when there is certainty in these questions can a happy pet life truly begin.