As the new year begins and many families welcome a new puppy into their home, research from award-winning pet insurance provider ManyPets, has found that almost two in five (37%) devoted dog owners had the ‘puppy blues’ in the first few weeks of pet ownership, experiencing feelings of regret, resentment and doubt after bringing home their new pooch.

The survey of 2,000 dog owners revealed almost half (47%) felt their life changed more than they had expected after getting their puppy, while 56% were surprised by how hard it was to look after a young pup. Almost three quarters (71%) even compared it to bringing home a new-born baby, with a quarter (25%) suggesting a new-born child would be less demanding.

Three quarters 75% felt ashamed by their experience of puppy blues, and a staggering 91% said they would have benefitted from receiving advice from an expert on how to cope.

To help ease the worries of new pet parents across the nation, ManyPets has appointed the UK’s first Doggy Doula – on hand to support, listen and help pet owners navigate those feelings of panic and stress during the early stages of puppy ownership.

Teaming up with This Morning’s resident Vet and pet expert Dr Scott Miller, he and ManyPets will offer tips and advice on frequently asked topics such as how to cope when your puppy doesn’t respond to training, and how to battle through those sleepless nights. As part of the partnership, dog owners can sign-up to a FREE 20 minute one-on-one session with Dr Scott Miller, with a host of resources also available on the ManyPets website.

For many dog owners, the damage their pup made to their house (43%), its behaviour (42%) and the overwhelming responsibility (38%) were cited as top reasons for puppy blues, with the change in lifestyle (34%) and lack of sleep (33%) also contributing factors. For those that experienced puppy blues, almost half (46%) even considered giving up or rehousing their pup.

For some, having a puppy also created tension within the household, with half (52%) of dog owners admitting getting a puppy caused rifts with their partner and family members. So much so, that 52% said they argued more about their pet than the washing up.

Despite the hardship, 96% said their feelings of puppy blues did subside over time, typically in less than a week (28%), with 86% confirming they love their pup unconditionally.

Dr Scott Miller said, “As a vet with over 20 years experience, I’ve seen a lot of puppies in my time when they come in for their first vaccinations and health checks. Almost every time, I talk to stressed-out owners who just want to check they are ‘doing it right’. The rollercoaster of emotions when welcoming home a pet can make you feel alone, but it’s important to remember that you’re not!

All new puppy parents have moments where they question their life choices. Parenting has its ups and downs, but at the start of the wonderful journey of raising a puppy, much of it can feel uphill. Remember it’s normal to doubt yourself, and no matter how much prep you do for the first day, the responsibility of taking care of a little one can still be a real shock. Even though you might feel embarrassed or scared to admit how hard you’re finding it, a great starting point is to seek out support when you’re struggling. As Doggy Doula, I’m here to lend a non-judgemental ear to your puppy problems.”

Oke Eleazu, UK CEO of ManyPets, said: “There is a growing recognition of the feeling of ‘puppy blues’ that can come from raising a puppy, particularly for first time pet parents. While bringing home a new puppy is a uniquely fulfilling experience, the lack of sleep, mess and feelings of regret can become overwhelming.

We want to help pet parents feel they are not alone. We’re really excited to have appointed Dr Scott Miller as our first ever Doggy Doula, to provide the emotional and informational support needed to help new dog owners adapt to life with their puppy.

We already offer our customers 24/7 free access to a vet, so this new service covers the emotional side, helping both pet and parent as they embark on their new journey together. Ensuring the health and happiness of pets and their parents is key, and something we are extremely proud to support.”