New Training App Could Reduce Problematic Behaviours in Dogs
3 March 2025
Written by: Hannah McGowan
A new study involving animal behaviour experts at the University of Lincoln, UK, has underscored a necessity for the early training and education of puppies in order to mitigate their risk of developing behavioural problems as adult dogs.
As dog ownership continues to rise, the need for effective training solutions and a better understanding of dogs’ welfare needs has become increasingly important. Behavioural problems in dogs can bring major welfare concerns for both dogs and their owners and, in worst possible cases, can lead to relinquishment or euthanasia of the animal.
To identify a substantial solution to these issues, the research group assessed the use and impact of puppy training app Zigzag – an educational tool designed to provide puppy owners with unique and easy access to a welfare-friendly training plan.
The groundbreaking findings, published in the journal Animals, are the first to indicate the potential value of dog training apps, revealing a promising association between the use of the Zigzag app and a decrease in the severity of various problematic behaviours in adult dogs. The study focused on a subset of 367 survey participants, specifically those who did not engage in any formal training or exclusively used the Zigzag app.
Primary findings were that higher completion levels of the training modules within the app were generally associated with lower odds of having more severe problematic behaviours in the dog. Notably, the study found that app users reported less aggressive behaviour from their puppies towards familiar people, reduced instances of house soiling, and diminished destructive chewing behaviours, barking, and noise fear.
Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, explained: “It is important that puppies receive a good start to life to mitigate the risks of problematic behaviours developing.
“To prevent potential behavioural issues, the education of puppy owners is vital, and the Zigzag puppy training app, among others, provides a way to increase owner accessibility to welfare-friendly educational material.”
Lorna Winter, Co-founder and Head of Programme at Zigzag, added: “For too long, dog owners have been left guessing about how to train their puppies properly. This research proves that structured, positive training through the Zigzag app makes a real difference – not just for today, but for a dog’s entire life.”
The research also emphasises the necessity for further research in this area, which could explore various aspects of training app usage, including mode of delivery and user engagement.
As the landscape of pet training evolves, the Zigzag app stands out as a promising tool for dog owners and by continuing to investigate its efficacy and exploring the broader implications of dog-training apps, researchers can help ensure that puppy owners receive the best possible guidance for their furry companions.
The study was undertaken by the University of Lincoln, Dogtalk and Zigzag Petcare Services Ltd.