Competition Home training service looking for Canada's Naughtiest Dog

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HILARY PAIGE SMITH
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD - If their bark is bad and their bite is worse, your canine pal may be able to fetch the title of Canada's Naughtiest Dog.

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Cindy Wilson/Telegraph-Journal

Janet and Tim Leslie of Grand Bay-Westfield say had it not been for Barkbusters, their dog Ilsa might have been a candidate for Canada’s Naughtiest Dog.

Barkbusters, an in-home dog training service, is hosting the contest. The organization helps owners control and alter the behaviour of their problem pets. Trainers come into the homes of pet owners and help the owner train their pet. The pet deemed Canada's naughtiest dog will win a dog training session with its owner and 10 of its owners friends and their pets, as well as $500 donated to the animal shelter of their choice.

"The purpose (of the contest) is that we want the naughtiest dog to show the public that if we can turn Canada's toughest case around, then we can help other dogs out there," Annette James, a Barkbuster behaviourist and trainer for New Brunswick, said.

Annette and her husband, Greg, are the trainers for New Brunswick and service the greater Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton areas. They reside in Burton, just outside of Oromocto, and travel to the homes of their clients on a daily basis.

"A lot of people believe their dogs are too far gone and they can't be trained," James said. "We design a program specific to the dog and family environment. We offer, as well, a written lifetime guarantee. We continue to support the family with visits, whatever is needed to help that family have a happy dog in their home."

Janet Leslie of Grand Bay-Westfield is a person whose home has been impacted by the services Barkbusters offer. In May, 2007, the Leslie family got their dog, Ilsa, a Brittany spaniel. By September, they were calling on Barkbusters for help. Ilsa was disobedient, refusing to listen to her owners and trying to play with them in their frustration.

Leslie said that had she not been reformed by Barkbusters, Ilsa would be a great candidate for Canada's Naughtiest Dog.

"The impact has been amazing. Realistically had we not found Barkbusters we would have needed to find somewhere else for the dog to be," she said.

"I completely think we would have needed to find her a new home where she would be more herself. She is completely herself now but we can deal with it. It is calm now, where it was hectic before."

James said that the service doesn't seek to change the animal completely, changing only the behaviour that causes problems in their households.

To enter a dog in the contest, hopefuls must submit a photo and a story or video evidence to www.canadasnaughtiestdog.ca.