To think that if you want a dog

[Goldencity1]

You should have to fill in a questionnaire to prove you are going to be a responsible owner. It could be a multi choice one.
For example:

1/ You have decided to get a family pet dog. How do you choose which type/breed?
a/ I would research breeds and breeders thoroughly to find one that suits my lifestyle. I will visit the breeder and check the dogs parents and learn about the characteristics of my chosen breed.
b/ I would visit a rescue center and discuss the dog that would best suit me and my family.
c/ I would buy a puppy from the internet because it looks cute. Puppy farming? Whats that?
d/ A man down the pub has a big fierce dog he will sell me. I am going to call it Ripper.

2/ How will you make sure that your dog is well behaved?
a/ I will take the dog to training classes and work at home to train the dog to be a good canine citizen.
b/ Training? How hard can it be? I have watched a few episodes of Ceasar Milan.
c/ My puppy won't need training as it's sooo cute!
d/ Ripper won't need training, he's really vicious already!

Feel free to add your own questions!
Obviously this would be funded from a revised, and sizable, dog license fee.

[PurpleSwift]

most rescues i know of do this.

[Tulip26]

Cost. My dog is costing me £60+ a month to feed, major vets bills etc as he has been losing weight for apparently no reason. I'm insured but that only covers some of it and not the food. People seriously need to consider the cost of taking care of a dog properly. Neutering alone is around £150.

[BreconBeBuggered]

How do you plan to exercise your dog?
a) At least twice a day as appropriate for the breed, with regular access to outdoor space;
b) At least once a day, provided the weather's okay;
c) I can just let him out to run round the neighbourhood if he's bored;
d) Ripper will be tugging me from his end of a frayed rope while I stomp around my manor.

[Owllady]

To have a female spayed (medium sized) it's double that tulip

[specialsubject]

How long will your dog be left alone?

a) for no more than two hours, with a comfy bed after the daily walk
b) all day until I get home from work. Sod the neighbours, I won't hear the barking.

[Motherhen39]

Is there someone I can rely on to let it out/ walk it if we want to go on a dog free day out? -Zoo etc-

[higgle]

Ripper sounds like my kind of boy - in private he probably likes a cuddle on the sofa and is scared of loud noises - can I offer him a home now?

[MothershipG]

You've got a lovely female dog, how will you manage her seasons?
a) I will consult my vet and make sure I can afford to have her spayed after her first season.
b) Ah, she's so cute and the kids would love it if she has puppies.
c) All female dogs should have a litter because it's not fair to deny them the chance, it's natural, init.
d) Season? What's that then? Why is she bleeding? Why is that random boy dog stuck to her? Eww, that's gross that is! Puppies? Where did they come from?

[sparechange]

This already happens for everyone who wants to get a dog from a rescue, and for people who want to get a puppy from a (responsible) breeder.
Some people will lie, obviously, but I'm sure the vast majority of people who have problem dogs are getting them from the 'grey market' - blokes down the pub, people who will import borderline-illegal dogs from overseas. All the questionaires in the world won't stop them, sadly

[HazleNutt]

You have children. Will you:
A. never leave them alone, never let children hurt the dog and teach children appropriate behavior around animals, including stress signs.
B. tell them sometimes half-heartedly "don't hit the puppy".
C. Make hilarious youtube videos of your toddler smacking the dog on the head with a stick yelling "Puppy bang!!"

[MrsTerryPratchett]

What will you do if your new dog is aggressive to people or other dogs:

a) training, properly researched behaviorist, I will put the hours in and so will everyone in the family
b) put it down
c) worry about it but blame everyone who goes near it and not myself
d) I LOVE aggressive dogs, makes me look well 'ard.

[Goldencity1]

Sparechange: But this would be for everyone getting a dog, not just the already sensible!

[Joysmum]

Personally I think only the responsible people would bother. Those who don't want the hassle will just go to those numerous amounts of people who breed from their bitch because they want to make money or just want to see her have puppies.

[FoxesRevenge]

A friend of mine leaves her puppy alone all day while she's at work. It makes me

[Motherhen39]

Apart from the obvious house training problems associated with leaving a puppy all day how on earth can you expect it to grow into a well adjusted dog if it's left all day. A puppy is a massive commitment and a reputable breeder would not have sold the puppy to someone without checking day to day arrangements first.

[MissBattleaxe]

What will you do if your dog fouls during a walk?

a) take a poop bag out of my pocket, pick it up and dispose of it responsibly.
b) pretend I didn't see my dog do it and walk away
c) Leave it there. Not my problem.

[Goldencity1]

Or as popular round here:
d/ take out a poop bag, pick it up and throw the bag in a tree.

[DescribeTheRuckus]

If you don't buy a dog from a breeder, though...just a family whose dogs have had puppies, they don't check to see if people are going to be home all day, do they? A friend of mine just got a puppy...a labrador in a small house, she and her dh took the first week off with him, then both promptly went back to work the next week. She is adamant that because she only works 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, that he will be fine, and the vet said it was ok. Before she had the dog, I did tell her loads that I worked from home for the first three months when we had our puppy (and only went into work 2 or 3 days after that), because she couldn't be left alone for a full work day, but that fell on deaf ears.

I just don't understand it...why have a dog then?

[Cakeismymaster]

Seriously, I have noticed that mumsnet has turned into dogsnet...it says at the top mumsnet, by parents for parents..lately aibu and chat is full of dog threads!
And woe betide you if you say you have a dog and you are pregnant/have a baby! HOW DARE YOU...did you not use your crystal ball to foresee ALL possible future circumstances in relation to said dog?
Not having a go at op or anyone in particular, just wondering out loud as have noticed the increase in dog stuff the last few weeks.

[ChoccyDigestive82]

How easy would it be for people to just tick the boxes that are obvioulsy the sensible options though

[ILiveInAPineappleCoveredInSnow]

I have four dogs (chihuahuas), a six year old and a four month old baby. I never leave them together alone, walk the dogs 4-6 times a day, and my 6yo knows how to behave around dogs and also when to leave them alone.

AND I got shouted at for letting my oldest dog wee on some mud today.

I must be one of those irresponsible dog owners

[HavantGuard]

'And woe betide you if you say you have a dog and you are pregnant/have a baby! HOW DARE YOU...did you not use your crystal ball to foresee ALL possible future circumstances in relation to said dog?'

Most dogs live 10+ years. If you take on a puppy or dog that's the span you're looking at. So are you going to want to have children in that time? Better put the effort into making the dog child friendly.

[ILiveInAPineappleCoveredInSnow]

Tbh Havant most responsible dog owners sort out their dogs and kids because dogs will always come into contact with kids even if you don't have any and aren't planning to do so. You meet them at parks, friends and family visit with theirs etc.
It's asking for trouble if your dog foams at the mouth and wants to eat every small human it meets whether they are yours or not IMHO.

[Cakeismymaster]

Totally agree with pineapple
Effort should always go into making the dog people/child friendly - as if it wasn't, why would you want it as a pet? But no one can predict how a dog that was there first (ie before any babies came along) will react to a newcomer in their house. The dog may well have been fine with kids and people for years previously, but it doesn't mean it will accept a new focus of attention in its own home. Especially if dog was previously the 'baby' of the owners and then they have a real baby! Child would obviously then take priority over the dog.