Owners of dogs prone to non-stop barking will risk steep fines if their pets go over time limits established in a new animal ownership bylaw nearing city council's final approval.
But there are some tips and tricks to help Fido change his ways, according to Kelsey Videgain of Ace's K-9 Care, the biggest one being to simply take him out for a walk.
"Taking a dog for a long run or walk before you go to work... if you tire your dog out it can help prevent it from constant barking," Videgain said.
Another is to give your pooch a mentally-challenging task to deal with while you're away. On that note, Videgain suggested a dog toy that dispenses peanut butter or treats.
"Things that are going to basically distract your dog so it doesn't feel like they have to constantly bark," she said.
Positive reinforcement helps.
"When they start barking, what you want to do is redirect them to something else and then give them a reward for not barking," Videgain said, adding a bone, a treat or some love all work as payoffs for good behaviour depending on the dog.
Some breeds, notably hounds, bark more than others. But Videgain said constant barking is usually a sign of an underlying anxiety, often due to being left alone. Lessening that feeling can involve putting the dog in a place where it feels safe, whether it's a crate or a certain room.
"They should be going in there throughout the day, it shouldn't just be when you're leaving," Videgain said. "Because that's also what causes anxiety, all of a sudden they're in this room, they're locked in a kennel and they know you're gone.
"Even when you're there, you want to make them think that you're gone in a sense so they get used to these places, so they are more comfortable in these places and it's less of an issue when you are leaving."
There are gadgets designed to change behaviour. Videgain made reference to a "sonic egg" that the owner holds in a hand. Whenever a dog starts barking, the owner presses a button on the item and it emits an irritating sound only a dog can hear.
"I've never personally used it but I've seen it on several dog sites," she said. "I don't know if that works."
Videgain does provide one-on-one advise and training to help break a dog of a bad habits.
Under the new bylaw, expected to pass final reading on Monday, owners of dogs who bark for more than five minutes per hour during the night and for more than 10 minutes per hour during the day can be subject to a $250 fine and a $100 annual licence fee.
