A dog behaviourist has delivered a worrying alert about two favoured dog breeds, pointing out the “problem behaviours” he often deals with.
Dog trainer Will Atherton, with a following of more than 900,000 on TikTok, offers handy tips for dog training and guidance on picking the breed that’s right for potential owners.
In his most recent clip, Will opened up about “three breeds that right now I’m seeing the most problem behaviours with” – amending his statement to “two” in his post’s caption, Surrey Live reports.
He revealed he is bombarded by daily questions from followers regarding their pets’ issues and opted to cast the spotlight on those breeds currently giving owners the most trouble.
Dachshund
The Dachshund, fondly known as the Sausage Dog, topped his list.
Will commented: “The question is, is this just because they are booming in popularity right now and they’re not prone to additional behaviour? Or is it that they are prone to additional behaviour? My personal belief is that it’s a combination of both situations.”
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Cocker Spaniel
Will shared that Cocker Spaniels brought to him frequently exhibit “extreme barking, extreme reactivity and extreme pulling”, alongside “extreme fear and anxiety-based behaviours”.
He furthered: “And I believe this is because people are getting working line Cocker Spaniels, and they are not even coming close to being able to provide them with the output that they need.”
Will delved deeper into his opinions in the comments section, engaging with his followers about the recurring question of why certain dog breeds are commonly dealt with by top trainers.
He commented: “[Is it] because the breed is inherently prone to problem behaviours or simply the probability from their popularity makes it more likely to see those specific breeds?
“My thoughts are that it’s a combination of both things, and although all dogs with the right genetics, socialisation, training and most importantly leadership in their life can thrive, my years of experience and thousands and thousands of dogs I’ve helped make me strongly believe that choosing the right breed from a good breeder, or taking your time to rescue a dog that’s a great fit, is the most important decision you can make.”
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