Canada's Naughtiest Dog - Another Biting Dog Awarded

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2009/10/14/11393271-sun.html

This dog's bite worse than its bark
Falcor's behaviour earns Dorchester pooch title of Canada's naughtiest
By RANDY RICHMOND
Last Updated: 14th October 2009, 5:13am

A Dorchester dog that bites, snaps and even ripped half its owner's thumbnail off has been named Canada's naughtiest dog.
Falcor the American Eskimo is so nasty its owners, Andrew and Sarah Trudgeon, have delayed having a family -- the thought of a child in the house is chilling.
Adults, even family members, refuse to come calling.
"He has bitten numerous people," Andrew Trudgeon said yesterday, listing the following injuries: his thumbnail, bite marks on his arm, several toes of others nipped, and a scar on his sister's leg.
"If you get into his space and he doesn't want you there, he will do serious damage."
Falcor beat out 170 other dogs from across Canada in a contest run by Bark Busters, an international canine-training franchise.
The three-year-old dog made a list of 25 finalists chosen by online voting, then got the top prize from a panel of judges.
Falcor will get free training, at home, and it can't come a moment too soon for the Trudgeons.
They bought Falcor as a pup when they moved in together three years ago.
"We wanted a cute little dog for our family," Trudgeon said.
Falcor started out like any puppy, taking the odd little nip at people.
But, as it grew older, it didn't grow out of it. Instead, it grew more aggressive.
"He doesn't know his place in the pack. He wants to protect his world and everything in the house is his," Trudgeon said.
Trudgeon once reached down to clean up some spilled pop on the floor and Falcor, hoping to drink it himself, bit his thumb. Half the thumbnail came off.
Friends and family members told the couple they had to get rid of the dog. A video posted on www.canadasnaughtiestdog.ca shows Falcor madly barking at a visitor.
What people don't see is Falcor alone on the couch at home with his owners.
"He's cuddly. He just wants to be loved," Trudgeon said.
The couple thought of getting Falcor obedience training, but worried how the dog would react to other canines.
The couple just got married Oct. 3 and returned home from their honeymoon on Sunday, ready to get start a family.
Sarah "loves him as well. But she has been attacked a few times. She has wanted to put him down," Trudgeon said.
Training started yesterday, Trudgeon said.
"This is our one hope."
Randy Richmond is a Free Press reporter.
randy.richmond@sunmedia.ca