Expectation–Behaviour Mismatches in Dog Guardianship: A Framework for Support-Seeking and Relinquishment Decisions

While dogs are popular pets, they do not always live harmoniously with their human guardians. This study examined guardian support-seeking for perceived inappropriate behaviours in their dog(s). A mixed-method survey explored the types of behaviours reported, sources of support accessed, and how these factors influence willingness to adopt or relinquish a dog displaying such behaviours. Among 175 participants, most reported multiple inappropriate behaviours within their dog(s) and sought support from a wide range of sources (importantly, support-seeking was not associated with educational level or canine qualifications). Many participants expressed conditional willingness to adopt dogs with behavioural issues, and some saw relinquishment or euthanasia as last-resort decisions. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding guardian expectations, capability, and access to reliable behavioural support. We propose that future research and policy development adopt a framework-based approach (such as extending the Perceived Canine Reactivity Framework) to better conceptualise behavioural mismatches and inform training, rescue, and regulatory interventions.