First P.U.P.P.Y event of the summer to be held this weekend at Auburn Bay off-leash area

We are hosting P.U.P.P.Y. (Pick Up Pooch's Poo Yourself) events throughout the spring and summer, beginning this Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. in Auburn Bay’s off-leash area.

P.U.P.P.Y. experts will share information about dog waste, proper disposal methods and The City’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw. Supplies will also be available for anyone wanting to pitch in and pick up.

With over 120,000 dogs in the city, the amount of pet waste in our parks and off-leash areas can quickly add up if owners aren’t picking up after their pets. Help keep our city pet-waste free. Always carry pet waste bags with you when walking your dog (or someone else’s) and pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s waste as soon as possible.

Events run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us at a P.U.P.P.Y. event near you:

April 30 - Auburn Bay off-leash Area, 55 Auburn Bay Dr. S.E.

May 14 - Taradale off-leash area, 64 Ave. & Tarington Rd. N.E.

May 28 - Sue Higgins Park

June 4 - River Park

June 11 - Bowmont Park off-leash area, 5550 85 St. N.W.

June 18 - Nose Hill (Edgemont parking lot), Edgemont Blvd. and Shaganappi Tr. N.W.

July 23 - Edworthy Park off-leash area, 5539 Edworthy St. S.W.

July 30 - Nose Hill (Egdemont parking lot), Edgemont Blvd. and Shaganappi Tr. N.W.

August 6 - Sue Higgins Park

August 13 - Connaught Park off-leash area, 11 St. and 14 Ave. S.W.

August 20 - Braeside off-leash area, 14 St. & 110 Ave. S.W.

September 10 - Sandy Beach

September 17 - Bowmont Park off-leash area, 5550 85 St. N.W.

September 24 - Sue Higgins Park

October 15 - Dover off-leash area, 150 Gosling Way S.E.

October 22 - Auburn Bay off-leash area, 55 Auburn Bay Dr. S.E.

Just the facts - 5 things you should know

Pet waste left in our outdoor spaces isn’t just awful to look at, it’s dangerous. Here are five facts you may not know about doggy doo-doo:

1. It’s crawling with E. coli and other harmful bacteria, like salmonella, that can cause serious illness in humans.
2.  It often contains roundworm larvae which, if ingested by humans or pets, can lead to brain, eye and other organ damage.
3. It’s never a good fertilizer. Its high-nutrient content is toxic to lawns and will create “hot spots” causing the grass to burn and discolour.
4.  It attracts mice, coyotes and other wildlife into our parks and off-leash areas (they consider it a delicious snack).
5. It doesn’t absorb into the soil, so the risk of spreading its harmful effects can linger for years.

The dangers aren’t just outdoors. When you consider all the ways dog waste can be transmitted into your home – shoes, pets, strollers, etc. – you realize how easily you and your loved ones could be affected.

Visit calgary.ca/PUPPY for more information.

Submitted by Regan Wetsch, Parks

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.

Free dog training available through Off-Leash Ambassador program

In partnership with the Calgary Humane Society (CHS), we are offering free events on recall training from certified professional dog trainers.

Whether in an on-leash or an off-leash area, your dog needs to be under your control at all times for everyone’s safety. Effective training encourages positive interactions and gives owners the techniques needed to maximize desirable dog behaviour.

Barbara Walmer, department head of behaviour at CHS, is coordinating recall training sessions at Sue Higgins Park on July 25 and Falconridge Park on October 27 to teach and demonstrate tips and techniques with Calgary dog owners and their dogs.

July 25: There will be four 45-minute sessions starting at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. There are only 12 spots available per session (no drop-ins are accepted) so please apply online to attend before July 21. Or you can also call 311. A draw will be held on July 22.

These free events are offered as part of our Off-leash Ambassador program, which is a community-based program providing a volunteer-led approach to promote and educate people about responsible pet ownership and ensure safety in off-leash areas.

Good animal behaviour requires a commitment to building a strong relationship between pet and owner. We are committed to working with and supporting Calgarians on responsible pet ownership.

Visit us online to become an off-leash ambassador or view other events, or for more information on responsible pet ownership visit www.calgary.ca/animalservices.

Submitted by Carissa Vescio, Animal & Bylaw Services