I'm an Autistic🙃 Dog Trainer who coaches 👣both ends🐾 of the leash.
25/03/2025
Should Dog Owners Have to Prove They Deserve a Dog?🧐
I've heard it many times from frustrated dog owners.👂 It’s a bold statement to say, “Half the people out there don’t deserve their dogs.” But is it really that far off? 🤔
If you’ve ever visited an off-leash dog park, you’ve probably seen it: some 🐾dogs running riot while their 👣owners stand around chatting, not watching body language, not advocating for their dogs, not picking up faeces. Many assume all dogs are the same, and that a one-size-fits-all approach to training will work. 🫣
But every dog is an individual. And ownership comes with responsibility.
So, here’s the real question:
Should people have to prove they deserve a dog? 🤔
Where’s the Accountability? ❓❓❓
In most areas of life that involve risk, there are checks and balances. You must prove you’re competent before being given certain responsibilities:
🔫Firearms → Strict licensing & safety training
🚗🛻Vehicles → Driving tests & registration
🧰🧱Trades (Electricians, Plumbers) → Accredited training & licensing
✈️Aircraft → Rigorous pilot training & licensing
🐾Dogs? In Australia, we do have basic owner licensing through local councils. You pay a fee and register your dog, often showing proof of desexing or microchipping. That is all...
But there’s a massive gap:
🫣There’s no quality control or competency check. No one ensures you understand training, body language, breed traits, socialisation needs, or even legal responsibilities. 😱 And yet, dogs are living, feeling beings capable of serious harm if mishandled; they are powerful predators.
When something goes wrong, we don’t investigate the cause the way we do with cars or fi****ms. We blame the dog… or worse, the breed. 😔
A Better Way Forward: Raising the Standard🗣
Rather than ☠️banning breeds or introducing blanket rules, we need smarter systems that promote responsible ownership before problems arise. Here are some ideas to consider:
✅ Ethical Breeding Practices: 🐾Dogs should be bred for temperament, nerve strength, and appropriate drive—not colour, trends, or aesthetics. Vague regulations exist, but more accountability is needed. 😁Breeders and vets are the experts, but working with groomers and trainers to get the data of the bloodlines will go a long way!
✅ Early Imprinting & Structured Socialisation: 🐾Puppies need the right experiences at the right developmental stages. Pet shops and general vet clinics aren’t equipped to give behavioural advice. 😁Qualified trainers should lead this space.
✅ Quality Training as the Norm: Training should be seen as a non-negotiable part of dog ownership, not a last resort when problems occur. The earlier it begins, the better. 😁Governments, local councils and even police can come into play here - they can also work with breeders, vets and trainers.
✅ Temperament Testing Over Time: Dogs change as they grow. Testing at 8 weeks isn’t enough. Ongoing assessments from puppyhood through adolescence to adulthood (up to 3 years) can guide breeders and inform owners. 😁Trainers and breeders should work together here.
✅ Licensing That Requires Competency: Dog ownership should come with an education requirement—just like driving. Think: online modules, fostering placements, structured workshops, or a “learner permit” style approach before full ownership. 😁Governments, local councils and even police can come into play here - they can also work with breeders, vets and trainers.
🤔What About Dog Parks?
Until we have better systems in place, we must self-regulate—especially in high-risk spaces like off-leash dog parks.🐾🫣
Before you let your dog out:
🔍 Observe the people: Are they paying attention to their dogs? Do they intervene appropriately? Are there too many dogs per person? Are dogs mobbing the gate? 🚩Red flag.
🔍 Observe the dogs: Is play reciprocal and safe? Are rough or anxious dogs being managed properly? Is there a variety of playstyles, sizes, and tolerance levels? If the park seems chaotic or you wouldn’t trust the other owners to intervene if something went wrong—leave. 🚩Red flag - your dog’s wellbeing comes first.
So… Do People Deserve Their Dogs?
The answer isn’t black and white. Maybe instead of asking, “Do people deserve dogs?”—we should be asking:
👣How do we raise the standard so that more people become the kind of owners their dogs deserve?🐾 That starts with education, awareness, and accountability. 😎The fact is that I know there is a lot of information - vets, groomers, dog trainers, rescues - we do a lot to get the info out there, but does the 🧐dog owners take learning into their own hands? Why do I ask? Because knowledge is ONLY potential power - it doesn't work if you don't. 😌
👣Let’s talk about it: Would you support competency-based dog ownership? Should potential dog owners show competency before they can buy, adopt, or raise a dog? 👇Drop your thoughts in the comments—your voice matters, and the dogs in our communities deserve better.
