advicefordogowners.com: Animal Services boss pushes for mandatory dog training courses

CALGARY – Calgary’s head of animal services is known worldwide for his work in Calgary, boasting the lowest dog bite ratio in North America.

While most dogs and owners in the city are well behaved and responsible, a new trend has animal services Chief Bill Bruce worried.

The number of serious dog bites in 2010 nearly doubled over the previous year and there were more attacks in homes.

“In most cases the dog knew the person who it was they bit,” says Bruce.

“It was either a neighbour or a family member and we’re seeing an increase of bites inside the home which is troubling.”

Bruce feels the increase is a result of poor training.

“What we have to do is change the way people are managing dogs.”

Bruce wants to change the punishment for minor incidents like chasing or nipping, before they escalate into something more.

He suggests that on top of or instead of a fine, owners may have to take mandatory dog training.

“We look at opportunities when the dog is at the first level of just chasing a threatening behaviour – that’s a good opportunity to get in and correct it,” says Bruce.

Professional dog trainers agree.

Trainer Alison Stephens says owners often don’t recognize early signs of aggression until it’s too late.

“There’s lots we can do to help owners recognize body language, trigger points – maybe they can intercept that, redirect it with a behaviour they would prefer instead of reacting after the fact.”

Dog owners like Theresa Gerritsen say anything to reduce confrontations is welcome.

“Training is never a bad idea for a pet owner. You can’t really do enough it’s a constant thing you do throughout the dog’s entire life.”

In addition to more training, the proposed bylaw changes include new definitions and fines for different levels of aggression.

The proposed dog bylaw changes will be unveiled this spring.

There are over 200,000 licensed dogs in Calgary. Last year only 158 aggressive incidents were reported.