Table 11.
Final multivariable binary logistic regression model of owners seeking professional advice for general training and behaviour queries up to their dog being 21 months of age, amongst owners of dogs from a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired <16 weeks of age between July and 31 December 2020 (n = 697). † Included as per information theory as a variable of a priori interest, regardless of significance. ° Retained in model by selection during automatic backwards elimination. ‡ Dog demographic variables individually used to replace breed (most common 11 breeds at 21 months) in the original model. • Dog behaviour variables individually used to replace total number of undesirable behaviours in the original model. * 95% confidence interval. Significant results in the table are formatted in bold font.
| Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI * | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attended adult training classes >16 weeks | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 9.93 | 6.14–16.06 | <0.001 | |
| † Breed | Crossbred | Ref | ||
| Golden Retriever | 6.32 | 1.24–32.29 | 0.027 | |
| Cavapoo | 4.12 | 0.38–44.78 | 0.244 | |
| Labrador Retriever | 2.11 | 0.66–6.69 | 0.205 | |
| Whippet | 1.85 | 0.41–8.28 | 0.423 | |
| Border Terrier | 1.25 | 0.30–5.30 | 0.762 | |
| Cockapoo | 1.20 | 0.36–3.94 | 0.769 | |
| Border Collie | 1.16 | 0.26–5.13 | 0.850 | |
| Other | 1.16 | 0.44–3.10 | 0.767 | |
| Cocker Spaniel | 0.76 | 0.22–2.61 | 0.658 | |
| Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund | 0.66 | 0.15–2.99 | 0.590 | |
| Labradoodle | 0.41 | 0.09–1.91 | 0.257 | |
| Attended puppy training classes <16 weeks | No | Ref | ||
| Yes, in person | 2.50 | 1.57–3.97 | <0.001 | |
| Yes, online | 5.43 | 2.02–14.56 | <0.001 | |
| †‡ Breed group | Not KC recognised | Ref | ||
| Gundog | 2.20 | 1.23–3.92 | 0.008 | |
| Terrier | 1.84 | 0.83–4.07 | 0.132 | |
| Working | 1.69 | 0.61–4.71 | 0.318 | |
| Toy | 1.24 | 0.40–3.89 | 0.711 | |
| Hound | 1.09 | 0.52–2.26 | 0.819 | |
| Pastoral | 1.06 | 0.44–2.55 | 0.897 | |
| Utility | 0.93 | 0.44–1.97 | 0.841 | |
| • Number of reaction to other dogs behaviours | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.94 | 1.17–3.20 | 0.010 | |
| • Number of aggressive behaviours | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.86 | 1.16–2.99 | 0.010 | |
| Owner expectations of training | As expected/easier | Ref | ||
| Harder | 1.73 | 1.06–2.84 | 0.030 | |
| • Number of attention-seeking behaviours | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.68 | 1.07–2.65 | 0.025 | |
| • Number of fear/avoidance behaviours | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.52 | 1.02–2.27 | 0.041 | |
| Total number owner-reported undesirable behaviours | 1.16 | 1.07–1.26 | <0.001 | |
| † Owner age | 18–24 years | 1.07 | 0.37–3.15 | 0.897 |
| 25–34 years | 0.63 | 0.34–1.16 | 0.137 | |
| 35–44 years | 0.77 | 0.42–1.40 | 0.385 | |
| 45–54 years | Ref | |||
| 55–64 years | 0.87 | 0.48–1.58 | 0.643 | |
| 65–74 years | 0.40 | 0.19–0.87 | 0.021 | |
| ≥75 years | 0.99 | 0.15–6.77 | 0.991 | |
| † First-time dog owner | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.34 | 0.80–2.27 | 0.268 | |
| † Owner gender | Female | Ref | ||
| Male | 0.68 | 0.34–1.37 | 0.280 | |
| † Dog sex | Female | Ref | ||
| Male | 0.89 | 0.59–1.33 | 0.568 | |
| † Neutered | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.37 | 0.89–2.12 | 0.152 | |
| †‡ Purebred status | Crossbred | Ref | ||
| Purebred | 1.46 | 0.55–3.89 | 0.448 | |
| Designer Crossbred | 0.95 | 0.34–2.61 | 0.913 | |
| †‡ Typical adult bodyweight | ≤10 kg | 1.29 | 0.74–2.26 | 0.375 |
| 10 to <20 kg | Ref | |||
| 20 to <30 kg | 1.21 | 0.71–2.08 | 0.489 | |
| 30 to <40 kg | 1.15 | 0.62–2.15 | 0.662 | |
| ≥40 kg | 0.69 | 0.17–2.80 | 0.604 | |
| ° Research conducted prior to purchase | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.56 | 0.97–2.46 | 0.070 | |
| ° Sold without dam present | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.39 | 0.83–2.35 | 0.214 | |
| ° Sold without a microchip | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 0.62 | 0.25–1.53 | 0.301 | |
| °• Control behaviour score | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.14 | 0.69–1.91 | 0.608 | |
| °• Reaction to familiar people score | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.46 | 0.57–3.78 | 0.431 | |
| °• Reaction to unfamiliar people score | 0 | Ref | ||
| ≥1 | 1.32 | 0.81–2.17 | 0.266 | |
| ° SRB case | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.50 | 0.95–2.37 | 0.084 |