While welcoming a new puppy into one’s life is generally an exciting and happy experience, it also comes with challenges. After all, these little animals have needs, not unlike those of a human baby.

As a result, new puppy parents can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of responsibility they’ve taken on. According to a Finnish study, this can lead to “puppy blues”.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Helsinki found evidence for the existence of this phenomenon after collecting testimonials from around 100 canine owners who experienced emotional upheaval after adopting a puppy and bringing the animal home. They then used these statements to create a “puppy blues” questionnaire, to which over 2,000 owners responded.

“Puppy blues” is the term used to refer to a short-term mood change that occurs in the days following the arrival of the puppy. Symptoms include anxiety, frustration and weariness. “These often occur concurrently, but in some cases one or two of the three may be particularly prominent,” study co-author Aada Ståhl explained.

Owners of a recently arrived pup are often overwhelmed by the arrival of this new “child”. On the one hand, they have to deal with all the administrative formalities involved in adopting a pooch, and on the other hand, they have to adapt their home accordingly.

All these steps can become a major source of stress, especially since, once the puppy’s home, things don’t always go as planned. A young furry newcomer can be shaken up by all the changes they are experiencing, which can put them on their guard – which, in turn, might result in unsettling behaviour constituting an extra challenge for the dog’s human.

‘Postnatal depression’?

In such a situation, it’s understandable why puppy parents may momentarily suffer from puppy blues. “Just under half the owners we surveyed report having had significant negative experiences during their dog’s puppyhood phase, with only about a tenth reporting the most severe levels of strain.

“This is in line with the prevalence of postnatal depression,” says Hannes Lohi, professor of veterinary biosciences at the University of Helsinki.

Fortunately, puppy blues don’t affect everyone and, when it does, it doesn’t last. Lohi and his colleagues found that dog owners who have experienced it don’t necessarily remember the negative aspects of adopting a new puppy. Indeed, many only recall the positive parts of this phase.

This study is one of the first to focus on puppy blues, although this phenomenon has long been known to dog owners. Researchers hope that, by building greater awareness of this period, pet parents will be able to better manage this transition and cope with this particular form of parenthood.