Confirmed: Average dog causes 2,000 family arguments in its lifetime

The most common cause of canine-related conflict is what to do with the dog during holidays, closely followed by whose turn it is to brave the elements for walkies.

A quarter of owners also regularly row about where the dog should be allowed in the house, with the most frequent battlefields being the bed, the sofa and upstairs.

Discipline is another common source of discontent, with 18 per cent of couples falling out because one thinks the other is too harsh on the dog and 15 per cent fighting over who should be training their pet.