Suzanne Harrington: Like teenagers, lockdown pets didn't ask to be born - don't dump your dog

"It’s not the dog’s fault it’s a teen nightmare – the good news is that they grow out of it far faster than human teens"

'Dogs don’t mature until they are around 18-24 months – until then, they remain juvenile delinquents. Patience and tolerance is required.' File Picture shows puppies rescued by the ISPCA late last year.

Our lockdown puppy had his first birthday this week. 

He is now one year old, 40kg, and if I’m honest, lucky he hasn’t been made into an attractive fireside rug. Gone is the adorable puppy with the floppy paws and daft face, yet still, some way off is the mature companion dog he will grow into.