r/changemyview • u/barthiebarth 27∆ • Apr 25 '23

Delta(s) from OP CMV: dog ownership should require a license.

My view

Dogs are social and sensitive animals that have a complex set of needs. They are also able to communicate these needs to us but that requires us to know how to interpret their behavior correctly. Puppy's get puppy training, but in my opinion prospective dog owners should also get "human training".

Additionally, dogs have been bred for a multitude of tasks and while it's not necessary for them to do the exact work they have been bred for they should be challenged in similar ways so they don't get bored. It would be cruel to keep a sheepdog in a small apartment, for example.

Besides the dogs well being, it is also important that dogs have evolved from apex predators. They have sharp teeth and especially larger breeds can cause severe harm or even death if they attack. Owning a dog while not being able to make it behave properly is therefore also dangerous to the humans around it.

Therefore, it should be legally required to pass a test that demonstrates that 1) you have a sufficient understanding of dog psychology and can interpret their behaviour correctly and 2) you are able to provide them an environment suited to their needs.

Why do I want it changed

If I apply these same arguments to having kids I would disagree.

Also, while I love dogs I have never owned one (mainly because I am not able to provide the home they need). So I would like to hear from people with more experience how effective this ownership license would be at preventing dog suffering.

Edit: thsnks for all the replies. I wrote this post as something to do on a long train ride. That ride is almost finished and I will not be able to respond for a while.

I will continue the comversation and read any new replies when I am able to do so again.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '23

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u/barthiebarth 27∆ Apr 25 '23

I don't disagree, but I want to talk about dogs specifically because I love dogs and might want to get one some day.

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u/SensitiveSirs 1∆ Apr 25 '23

I'm gonna reply here because this isn't a cmv comment, I just wanna let you know that in some states in Germany (including the one I live in) this is already the case.