As a Dog Listener, I was disheartened to hear today that the RSPCA in Australia is proposing legislation to fine people who do not walk their dogs every day. (http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/rspca-proposal-mandates-dogwalking-20091205-kbcj.html)

While I am completely in favour of certain ideas such as punishing those who overfeed their dogs or leave them outside without shelter, once again it seems people are stuck in the misguided belief that the dog walk will solve behavioural problems.

If a dog is the decision maker, making it fitter does not help. If the dog is barking non-stop, trying to tire it out will not change it's mind. If a dog is aggressive, is the physical exercise of a dog walk going to calm it down?

Or is taking away the decision-making responsibility better?

These organisations mean well, but the whole principle of an enforced dog walk is full of deep flaws, both theoretically and practically. I imagine the police will have other things to concentrate on, and a hefty fine will only encourage some people to get rid of their dogs, leading to a potentially massive rise in numbers going into rescue centres.

Disabled owners will either be fined or have to give their dogs away. Dogs will be taken out in all weathers, including scorching hot conditions. I do not walk my dogs when it is far too hot for them as it would be cruel, the antithesis of what the Aussie RSPCA is trying to achieve.

When official bodies finally realise that the nature of dogs needs to be respected and this (like so many other issues in society) means educating people is the solution, we can perhaps make some positive steps to improving the welfare of dogs.

The problem with common sense is too often it isn't very common...

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