Free Dog Training: Building a strong relationship between pet and owner

Could your dog benefit from recall training? Could you use a few tips from a professional dog trainer? On Saturday, Oct. 17 join a certified professional dog trainer at the Falconridge off-leash area and learn tips and techniques that will help you and your dog show off their best behaviour when in public.

There will be four 45-minute sessions starting at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Certified professional dog trainers, courtesy of our partnership with the Calgary Humane Society, will demonstrate training methods that help improve the human/animal bond. Proper training helps owners by giving them the know-how to minimize their dog’s bad behaviour and encourage appropriate behaviour. Good animal behaviour requires commitment to building strong relationship between pet and owner.

Along with training, pet owners will also be able to chat with off-leash ambassador volunteers, Animal & Bylaw Services staff and will even be able to renew their animal licence.

This event is one of several offered through the year as part of our Off-leash Ambassador program, which is a community-based program providing a volunteer-led approach to promote and educate citizens about the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw.

The City is committed to working with and supporting Calgarians and their pets and this event is an example of this commitment.

Visit our website for more information on the Off-leash Ambassador program and responsible pet ownership.

Mingle with the best working dogs in Alberta

Come down to Bowmont Off-Leash Park between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 19 and take part in a Working Dogs Day. This fun, family event gives you a chance to meet working dogs from around the province while learning more about responsible pet ownership

Bring your own dog down and treat them to free nail trimming and learn some tips and tricks from our on-site dog behaviour and pet first aid specialists and the City’s P.U.P.P.Y team. Attendees will also be treated to agility, flyball and discus demonstrations.

Demonstrations and dog selfies

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. In between demonstrations, bring your camera down and have your photo taken with the different service dogs and their handlers.

Powered by volunteers

Working Dogs Day is part of our Off-Leash Ambassador program which was launched in 2013. The program features volunteers who promote the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw and encourage positive pet interactions and safety in our 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. 

More information at http://calgary.ca/animalservices. Or join our event on Facebook.

Dog lovers invited to Working Dogs Day event

Come down to Bowmont Off-Leash Park between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 20, to meet working dogs from around the city and learn about responsible pet ownership.

Working Dogs Days will feature demonstrations from working dogs and their handlers from the Calgary Police Department, 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 and RCMP Police Dog Services. Attendees can also learn about dog recall training and pet first aid.

Working Dogs Day is part of The City of Calgary’s Off-Leash Ambassador program which was launched in 2013. The program relies on volunteers to help promote the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw and teach dog owners about positive pet interactions and safety. This is accomplished through education, demonstrations and discussions led by the ambassadors who act as positive role models in off-leash areas.

“The Off-Leash Ambassador program is a great example of community and volunteerism,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Once again, we see success when The City and its citizens collaborate —together, we ensure healthy and safe off-leash areas for Calgarians and their pets.”

Councillor Ward Sutherland, who is a long time community volunteer, will attend the event to show his support of the Program and meet the working dogs.

“An event that celebrates volunteers, specifically the ambassadors that support our off-leash parks, is wonderful. The free dog recall training, first aid and service dog demonstrations are a brilliant addition to the event and a great way to educate citizens on how to keep our off-leash parks safe and fun for all of us,” he said.

For more information about responsible pet ownership, up-coming Off-Leash Ambassador events and registering to become an Off-Leash Ambassador, visit calgary.ca/animalservices or follow Animal & Bylaw Services on Facebook.

Please note: the area where the event will be held has been cleaned of tree debris from the recent storm and has been deemed safe. However, we urge all event attendees to be mindful of potential hazards, look up, stay away from large trees and be aware of surroundings.

Submitted by Tara Norton-Merrin, Animal & Bylaw Services

The City's IT department says goodbye to one of its most pawsitive employees

You may have seen him walking around City Hall, or the Andrew Davison Building. He’s not hard to miss, though you have to look down to see him. The City of Calgary Information Technology’s very own mascot and Stephen Dawes' guide dog, Alfredo, will be retiring this September after seven and a half years of service.

Fondly referred to as Alfie or Fredo, Alfredo has worked with Stephen Dawes, IT management systems analyst for The City of Calgary, since 2007. At the time, Alfredo was only two years old, but was fully trained as a guide dog. “Alfredo is the smallest dog guide I’ve ever worked with, each dog has their own technique, getting adjusted to that takes time and training,” says Stephen.

In order to become a qualified guide dog, Alfredo had to pass extensive training at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Guide Dogs for the Blind breeds their own dogs (most of which are Labradors) in California. In addition to the breeding center, they have two training centers located in California and Oregon respectively, where they teach the dogs everything they need to know about being a guide dog.

“During the introduction phase I learned how to work with Alfredo and identified techniques to work together as a team. I also learned about caring for Alfredo and how to detect any health issues he might have during our time together,” says Stephen. "The hardest lesson to learn is how to completely trust the dog, especially in dangerous scenarios.”

In addition to his every day job, Alfredo and Stephen are also busy volunteering with a number of different organizations, with the most enjoyable being speaking and answering questions from kindergarten and grade one students. “The kids love to hug him, pet him and ask questions like, can Alfredo drive?” says Stephen. “Alfredo brings joy to everyone he meets; he’s more like a co-worker than a dog. He’s really become part of IT.”

Visiting with Alfredo is a great stress reliever for staff. “Alfredo puts a smile on everyone’s face. Some people don't have a dog or pets so getting to spend five to ten minutes with Alfredo makes people happy; I will sadly miss him,” says Tracy Johnston, administrative assistant, Information Technology.

So what does Alfredo have planned for his golden years? Once he retires he will transition from working dog to the family pet. “He likes to be around people, making sure everyone is accounted for at home,” says Stephen. “He’s integrated into everything we do, he comes camping and for walks with the family."

As for Stephen, he will be heading off to Portland, Oregon on September 14, 2014 to start training with a new guide dog.

Find out more about diversity at The City and current job opportunities at calgary.ca/careers.

Here's how you can help prevent dog bites

Every spring and summer, the City of Calgary sees a spike in the number of dog bite incidents – with the majority of the roughly 200 reported dog bite incidents each year taking place in the warm months.

“Safety is our top priority. We see so many dog bites every summer that could have been prevented and many time it's children who are bitten because they are so trusting,” says Alvin Murray, Animal & Bylaw Services (ABS) North Operation Manager.

“Teaching ourselves and our children how to stay safe is the best way to prevent a dog bite.”

ABS has a few tips to help ensure people and pets interact in a safe and responsible way. Many of these tips also apply within your own home and with your own pets. ABS is also seeing an increase in dog bites to children in their own homes.

Safety around dogs

• Always stay away from stray dogs even if you think you know the dog. 
• Never try to break up a fight between two animals even if one is your own. 
• Never tease a dog, or do anything that may hurt it. 
• Never take away a dog's food or bone, or pull a toy from his mouth. 
• Never disturb a dog that's sleeping or eating. 
• Never approach a dog that's with her puppies. 
• Stay away from a dog that has been tied up and left alone in a public place. 
• Always keep your face away from dogs. 
• Never run away from a dog that scares you. Instead, stand like a tree by making your hands into fists and placing them under your chin. Stand still, do not speak to the dog, and look at the ground. Never stare into the dog's eyes. Doing these things will show the dog that you are not a threat.

Meeting a dog

• Always ask the owner's permission to pet the dog first. 
• If the owner gives you permission to pet the dog, let the dog sniff your hand, being sure not to place your hand in its face.
• Pet the dog gently under the chin. Do not pet the dog on its head, as not all dogs like to be touched on the top of their heads.

Dog owners

• Neuter your male dog. Unneutered dogs may be more aggressive than neutered dogs. 
• Control your dog at all times. 
• Do not encourage aggressive behaviour by playing rough or pulling toys or bones from your dog's mouth. 
• Properly socialize your dog. 
• Keep your dog out of situations you know may cause problems.

For more information on how to prevent dog bites and other important information on animal-related services in Calgary visit calgary.ca/animalservices.