You brought home your furry mate, excited for long woodland walks, lazy evenings on the sofa, and fun trips to the local café with your friends. 

But instead… before you’ve even got the lead on, your dog’s already bolted like a sprinter out of the starting blocks. 

You’re being yanked along like a rag doll, zigzagging down the street trying to dodge the neighbours (please, no more muddy paw prints!) and steering clear of the “street buffet” (tissues, chicken bones, and God knows what else).

The local park - it’s strictly off-limits. You just can’t face the embarrassment of your dog’s selective hearing kicking in while they launch themselves at someone’s picnic or chase down squirrels like a scene from a nature documentary—complete with horrified children as the audience. 

Walks have become tactical missions—routes planned down to the last detail to avoid distractions and disasters. What you once looked forward to now feels like a daily chore you have to brace yourself for.

And let’s be honest—you’re not even sure you want to leave the house with them anymore. You’re stuck between avoiding the stress of walking them and the fear of what might happen if you leave them home alone. Will they bark the place down? Eat your sofa? Turn your shoes into chew toys? You’re tense all the time, waiting for the next disaster to strike.

As for guests, it’s not much better. The moment someone rings the doorbell, all hell breaks loose—jumping, tail-whacking, body-slams galore. You’re once again left apologising while your guests duck and cover. It’s exhausting, and the guilt is creeping in. You wonder, Am I failing my dog? Why does this feel so hard?

You’ve tried everything. Midnight TikTok scrolls, endless Google searches, and advice from every “dog expert” at the park. But nothing works and nothing sticks. You’re worn out, frustrated, and starting to think you’re not cut out for this.

But the thing is, you love your dog. You really do. That’s why it’s even more frustrating when you find yourself constantly apologising and saying things like, “He’s not normally like this!” You just want the world to see the adorable, loyal friend you know and love. Instead, you’re stuck making excuses while feeling like a shitty dog parent..