One in Three Families Find Raising a Puppy Harder Than Expected, Study Shows

The kitchen floor is covered in shredded paper towels, someone is crying over a nipped sock, and the four-month-old pup is doing high-speed victory laps around the coffee table.

Before anyone starts second-guessing their life choices: take a slow, deep breath. That chaotic, messy middle of raising a young dog is completely normal, even if picture-perfect social media clips make it look like everyone else adopted a self-sufficient little angel who naturally understands house rules.

In reality, bringing home a bundle of puppy energy is a major lifestyle shock. According to an American Kennel Club report on research published in PLOS ONE, more than one in three families discovered that living with a puppy was significantly harder than they anticipated. Led by Dr. Rowena Packer, senior lecturer in companion animal behavior and welfare science at the Royal Veterinary College, the study surveyed hundreds of UK parents and children aged 8 to 17 to see how welcoming a young dog actually shifts the family rhythm.

The bedtime confidant meets the afternoon meltdown

The survey highlighted plenty of bright spots that make dog companionship so special. Kids overwhelmingly viewed their dogs as non-judgmental confidants and best friends who helped them navigate schoolyard stress. Dr. Packer noted that while childhood friendships are often in flux, a dog offers steady, unconditional devotion from the moment anyone walks through the front door.

Yet beneath that heartwarming bond, the everyday workload told a much heavier story. Roughly 95 percent of primary caregiving duties landed directly on mothers—what Dr. Packer described as the dog-care mirror of the "maternal load." Almost half of the parents reported that their children were far less involved with daily chores than originally promised. Once the novelty of fuzzy puppy breath wears off, school schedules, homework, and changing hobbies inevitably crowd the calendar. As Dr. Packer pointed out, children evolve dramatically over a decade, and expecting a ten-year-old to shoulder a puppy's long-term routine is a fast track to household frustration.

Why hugs and tail tugs do not translate to dog love

The study also surfaced a widespread blind spot when it comes to communication between children and dogs. First-time owners were frequently caught off guard by the sheer velocity of puppy mouthing, jumping, and razor-sharp teeth.

More concerning, over half of the children were routinely permitted to engage in behaviors linked to an increased risk of bites, such as tightly hugging a dog, kissing its face, pulling ears or tails, and disturbing a sleeping pet. Because humans show affection through close physical contact, it is easy to assume our four-legged pals love bear hugs just as much as we do. But dogs communicate discomfort through quiet signals—turning their head away, yawning, licking their lips, or holding a stiff tail. When those subtle requests for space go unnoticed, growls or snaps can follow.

Setting up safe boundaries through practical training means teaching kids to read dog body language as early as possible, so interactions stay fun rather than stressful for both sides.

Hitting the brakes before bringing the crate home

For families still weighing whether to jump into puppyhood, the research team suggests pressing pause on impulse adoption. Welcoming a high-energy Golden Retriever or any active youngster means honest conversations about who will actually handle the 6 a.m. potty breaks and rainy outdoor walks.

Dr. Packer recommends test-driving the routine first by pet-sitting for friends—especially in the middle of winter when slushy walks feel more like a chore than a movie montage. Browsing vetted puppy tips and connecting with other owners working through the puppy blues can also provide a realistic snapshot of what those first few months entail.

Puppies do not need perfection, and neither do their owners. Giving everyone permission to make mistakes, slowing down expectations, and learning canine cues together makes the messy journey far more rewarding for the whole pack.