Meet Alberta's Working Dogs - September 17th

The third annual Working Dogs Day takes place tomorrow - Saturday, September 17th from 11am til 2pm - at Bowmont Off-Leash Park in Calgary.

Working Dogs Day will feature demonstrations from working dogs and their handlers from the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, Animal & Bylaw Services, Calgary Search & Rescue Association, PADS Calgary (Pacific Assistance Dogs Society), PALS (Pet Access League Society), Canada Border Services Agency, CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), Water Inspection Sniffer Dogs and RCMP Police Dog Services.

Attendees can bring their own dogs, treat them to a free nail trim and learn from dog behaviour and pet first aid specialists.

Along with the working dog demonstrations, agility, flyball and discus will also be showcased.

The event is part of the City of Calgary’s Off-Leash Ambassador Program which was launched in 2013 and nominated in 2014 for the Urban Animal Innovation Showcase.

The program features volunteers who promote Calgary’s Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw and encourage positive pet interactions and safety in off-leash parks. This is accomplished through education, demonstrations and discussions led by the ambassadors who act as community liaisons and positive role models in off-leash areas.

Urban Animal launched the Innovation Showcase in 2013 to discover innovative projects that could be replicated across the Urban Animal industry.

Calgary Bylaw Services and CHS seek to promote positive pet experience

The Calgary Humane Society and City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services are teaming up to provide local dog owners with a rare opportunity. 

The partnership will host two free dog training sessions this weekend with certified dog trainers, sharing and demonstrating tips and techniques with Calgary dog owners and their dogs. 

"Calgary Humane Society is thankful for the opportunity to be partnering with Animal & Bylaw Services on this project to help improve the human/animal bond and increase positive interactions at dog parks and off leash areas with humane and effective training," said Barbara Walmer, Department Head of Behavior at CHS. "Proper training helps owners by giving them the techniques they need to minimize undesirable behaviours and encourage appropriate behavior." 

Walmer will be at Egerts Park on November 16 from noon to 2 p.m. and Kristy Pearson, also a certified trainer with CHS, will be at Bowmont Park on November 17 from 1-3 p.m. 

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