Is Your Dog Living Their Best Life? Canberra’s New Draft Code Wants Your Views.
When you look into your dog’s eyes, what do you see?
Joy, boredom, comfort, confusion, trust, love? The ACT Government’s new Draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs asks us to consider this question not just as owners, but as a community entrusted with the wellbeing of animals who rely entirely on us.
More Than Adequate Care. A Good Life
Underpinning the draft code is a powerful reframing: dogs are sentient beings with intrinsic value. They aren’t just pets to be managed; they are thinking, feeling creatures who deserve a quality of life reflecting their worth.
If we asked the dog, perhaps they would say:
“I don’t want just a backyard. I want your presence. Your time. Your laughter when I’m silly. Your comfort when I’m scared.”
The code introduces mandatory standards and guidelines that reflect modern animal welfare science, including the Five Domains model, which emphasises nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state.
In short: it’s not enough to keep a dog alive and safe. They need a life worth living.
Key Changes You Should Know
When you think of your dog’s needs, what comes to mind? A warm bed. A full bowl. A safe yard. But what about three hours of your time each day, or the ability to bark when they’re worried, excited, or lonely? The Draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs is asking Canberrans to think bigger. To think beyond survival, and ask: What makes a good life for a dog?
At Purpose Media, we wondered, what if we asked the dogs themselves? So we sat down with four of Canberra’s long stay ladies, who’ve each spent more than six months waiting for a home at RSPCA ACT, to hear their thoughts.
Merida is a 2-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier cross with soft amber eyes. Dumped at the shelter with one-day-old puppies, she raised them with fierce love. Now they’ve all found homes, but Merida is still waiting for hers. The draft code proposes that all dogs receive at least three hours of human contact daily. Merida closes her eyes, imagining it.
“Three hours with my human sounds like pure bliss. I’ve spent so long watching people come and go, I just want someone to sit with me, brush me, and remind me I matter.”
Research by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Veterinary Science highlights that social isolation in dogs leads to behavioural and welfare issues including anxiety, barking, destructive behaviour, and depression-like symptoms (Overall, 2013). Social enrichment is essential for cognitive health and emotional stability, particularly in breeds like Staffordshire Terriers, who are highly human-oriented. But Merida wonders: How could busy families, shift workers, or farmers ensure every dog gets this time each day?
Indi is a 3-year-old Bull Arab with muscles rippling under her white and tan coat. She’s always ready for the next adventure, running trails, training sessions, or learning new tricks. The draft code proposes banning retractable leads, citing risks of injury to both dogs and handlers. Indi tilts her head thoughtfully.
“I’m strong and fast. A retractable lead can’t keep me safe if I suddenly pull. I need a sturdy lead and someone confident to guide me.”
Studies from the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital note that retractable leads can contribute to leash reactivity and injury, including finger amputations and leash burns for handlers, and neck or spine injuries in dogs due to sudden tension (Warwick et al., 2017). Traditional fixed-length leads provide better control and reduce risk during urban walks. Indi asks: Many owners find retractable leads convenient, what supports would help them transition to safer walking gear?
Millie is a 5-year-old American Staffy mix with a greying snout and soulful eyes. She dreams of a quiet life, pottering around the garden or napping at her human’s feet. The draft code proposes that dogs cannot be tethered for more than two hours at a time, and never as a permanent means of confinement. Millie sighs softly.
“I can’t imagine being tied up for hours. I just want to curl up near your feet, knowing I’m free to move and you’re close by.”
Australian research on tethering (University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science, 2021) finds that long-term tethering is associated with aggression, anxiety, and learned helplessness, as dogs are unable to flee stressors or engage in normal behaviours. The RSPCA Australia recommends tethering only as a temporary measure with appropriate shelter, supervision, and mental stimulation. But Millie wonders: On properties where tethering is used, how can owners provide safe alternatives while managing busy daily routines?
Coco is a 3-year-old mixed breed girl with a golden brown coat and eyes that light up at the mention of fetch. Her tail never stops wagging. The draft code proposes stricter limits on surgical debarking, only allowing it as a last resort when all behavioural supports have failed. Coco’s ears perk up.
“When I bark, I’m talking to you! Taking my voice away doesn’t help me feel calm, I just want someone to understand what I’m saying.”
The University of Sydney Animal Welfare Unit advises that debarking does not resolve the underlying behavioural cause of excessive barking, and may result in increased frustration, fear, or aggression (McGreevy & Masters, 2008). Behaviour modification, environmental enrichment, and owner education remain best practice approaches. Coco asks gently: If barking is a sign of stress or need, what training and behavioural supports are accessible and affordable for owners before debarking is considered?
The draft code proposes, for the first time, that working dogs – including farm and security dogs – are covered under the same standards as pets. Indi grins.
“I may not be a farm dog, but I get it. Us working breeds need more than a job. We need pats, enrichment, and a comfy bed after a long day.”
Research by Charles Sturt University (2020) highlights that while working dogs thrive on having purpose, they also require regular rest, positive human interaction, and enrichment activities to maintain welfare and performance. Neglecting these needs increases risks of burnout, injury, and behavioural issues, impacting both dogs and handlers. Indi poses the question: How can working dog handlers balance these welfare standards with practical work demands and time pressures?
These four girls – Merida, Indi, Millie, and Coco – have spent more than six months waiting for homes. Their reflections remind us that welfare codes aren’t just about policy, they shape real lives, real hearts, real tails wagging each morning.
The Draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs invites us to rethink how we care, train, and walk alongside our dogs. But it also invites us to consider:
What are the barriers to meeting these standards?
What supports do owners and handlers need?
What does a good life look like for every dog in Canberra, from city courtyards to country paddocks?
For some, these changes may feel like government overreach. For others, they are long overdue.
At Purpose Media, we see these proposals as an opportunity to ask deeper questions:
What is the purpose of owning a dog?
Does our care match their trust in us?
How do our practices today shape their quality of life tomorrow?
Perhaps the heart of this draft code is a moral one. If dogs are sentient beings who feel fear, boredom, and joy, what do we owe them in return for their loyalty and love?
If we asked the dog:
“You owe me nothing. But I would give you everything if you let me.”
Have Your Say
The ACT Government is inviting feedback from dog owners, working dog handlers, animal welfare groups, and the wider community until Friday 22 August 2025. While some mandatory standards (e.g. microchipping, desexing) cannot be changed, many guidelines and approaches are open to community input.
How to Contribute
Read the Draft Code: Available on the ACT Government’s YourSay website.
Complete the Survey: Share your views on what standards are fair, feasible, and reflective of your lived experiences with dogs.
Make a Submission: Email communityengagement@act.gov.au to provide detailed feedback or stories.
When future generations look back at how we treated animals in our care, what story will they see? Will they see a city that valued convenience and control, or a community that recognised the silent, simple wisdom of the creature curled up at their feet?
If we asked the dog:
“What do you want most from us?”
They might just say,
“To be with you. To be seen. To be loved for who I am.”
