Puppies Raised during the COVID-19 Lockdown Showed Fearful and Aggressive Behaviors in Adulthood: An Italian Survey

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The COVID-19 lockdown had a greater impact on growing individuals who were not fully accustomed to the relational experiences required for an appropriate socialization process. The purpose of our retrospective research was to investigate, through an online survey, the negative impact of restrictions experienced by puppies upon the adult dogs’ personalities. The present study highlights the importance of giving full attention to the relational needs of dogs during their early growth phases. In order to reduce the risk of episodes of aggression and fearfulness as well as to improve the wellbeing of animals raised under lockdown restrictions, we posit that a close monitoring approach should be adopted by veterinary behaviorists who can provide personalized rehabilitating therapies; this may be beneficial for both pets and humans. ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister’s decree issued by the Italian government on 9 March 2020, known as “#Iorestoacasa” (I stay at home), required everyone to stay indoors, with a few exceptions, from 11 March to 3 May 2020. This decree had a substantial impact on the mental health of both people and dogs. We carried out a national survey to compare the personalities of adult dogs who were puppies in lockdown (from March to May 2020) with those of adult dogs born after that time (from June 2020 to February 2021). Our results highlighted a significant increase in personality traits related to fear and aggression in dogs who experienced lockdown restrictions during their socialization period, further confirming that the COVID-19 pandemic strongly impacted the behavioral development of dogs. Therefore, it may be advantageous for these dogs to be closely monitored by veterinary behaviorists and receive specialized behavioral rehabilitation therapy to lower the risk of episodes of aggression and fearfulness as well as to increase the wellbeing of dogs raised under social restrictions.