It is vital that owners attempt to train their dogs from a young age, it has been claimed.
Jez Rose, canine behaviour specialist at The Behaviour Company and founder of the National Responsible Dog Owners campaign, said failing to take a four-legged friend to puppy training is the equivalent of a child not being educated until they are 17.
Mr Rose noted this stage of a pooch’s life – known as the crucial socialisation period – is very important for the animals, stating: “If you have a puppy, you’ve got until about 13 weeks of age to expose your puppy to as many things as possible.”
A dog’s behaviour blueprint is formed in the early weeks of its life, so it is essential they see plenty of sights before they reach 13 weeks to prevent them being scared of things they have never looked at before.
Mr Rose explained these could include buses, men with beards and women with big hair – and might lead to them reacting in an angry or frightened manner as a result.