>>1207281I think dogs should be licensed the same way guns are, and for the same reasons. Dogs are dangerous predators, and you should have to prove you understand dog psychology before you're allowed to own one. Dogs don't "love" you; they're not primates. What dogs instead is pack loyalty, and unless you understand that, you should not be permitted to own a dog.
I've owned dogs for most of my life, and I have never needed a leash except when walking other people's (poorly trained) dogs. A properly trained dog will walk to heel naturally, and will constantly check and re-check your position, orienting themselves on you as alpha of the pack. My dogs will let me know when they want to check something out and watch for my body language to tell them whether it's okay or not. I've had my dog take off a couple of times when spotting wildlife like gophers or squirrels, but it was very rare, and they always knew they'd done wrong when the sudden instinct to give chase had worn off and they realized their mistake.
I don't see why I and my dog should be punished for the poor understanding of other dog owners.
