Resources
Calgary.ca
The best source of information for city dog parks with great maps.
http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/Off-leash-area-locations.aspx
The Whole Dog Journal
An excellent online periodical with information on care, nutrition and training.
Well worth the $20 annual subscription fee.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com
Dog Food Advisor
Comprehensive reviews of commercial dog foods.
Dog Vacay
Dog sitting site. There are some quality sitters available, but none are vetted, so buyer beware.
https://dogvacay.com/dog-boarding--ab--calgary?fhp=1
Pet Sitters International
Kikopup
Kikopup is a YouTube channel posted by Swedish trainer Emily Larlham with a ton of videos teaching different behaviours. I loved watching when I was first learning how to clicker train, as seeing the timing and mechanics of treat delivery in real time was a great adjunct to book learning. It was also very helpful in understanding how tiny increments need to be for shaping. I also love Emily's high level of compassion for dogs that is built into her training methods.
https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup
Emily’s main site is here: http://dogmantics.com
Back Alley Soapbox
Authored by a local Calgary blogger, Back Alley Soapbox is brimming with photographs of two drool-worthy (and also DROOLY) Newfoundlands. Rhetoric is amusing.
https://backalleysoapbox.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/monday-mischief-17/
Dog Sports
Introducing your dog to organized sport is a fantastic way to enrich life for both of you. Sport increases focus and provides mental and physical exercise for your dog, and if trained properly, will enhance your communication skills and strengthen your bonds. Mixed breeds are now accepted in many disciplines and more and more non-competitive, just-for-fun sport opportunities are opening up. Local information:
Agility: http://www.calgaryagility.com/main.html
Dock Diving: http://www.prairiedogsports.ca
Drafting: http://www.ckc.ca/en/Events/Overview-of-Events/Draft-Dog-Tests
Earthing: http://www.ckc.ca/en/Events/Overview-of-Events/Earthdog-Tests
Flyball: https://www.hyperhounds.ca
Frisbee: http://pontusas.wix.com/calgary-disc-dogs
Herding: http://www.albertastockdog.com
Hunting: http://www.wrhrc.com
Lure Coursing: http://www.rimouski.org/fgc/
Nosework: http://www.sniffalberta.ca
Obedience: http://www.ckoc.com
Pulling: http://www.weightpulling.webs.com
Rally Obedience: https://www.sithappens.org/cynosport-rally-trails/
Scenting: http://www.calgarycaninecentre.com
Schutzhund: http://www.albertaschutzhund.com
Search & Rescue: http://www.sardaa.ca
Skijoring: http://maddogsexpeditions.com
Sledding: http://www.snowyowltours.com/
Water Rescue: http://www.newfoundlanddogclub.ca/images/Water_Rules_2011.pdf
PALS
PALS (Pet Access League Society) dogs visit hospitals, retirement residences, schools and correctional facilities to assist patients who may not respond to other forms of therapy. If your dog is calm, tolerant and enjoys being with people and other animals (including cats), s/he may be a good candidate to participate in this valuable program.
http://www.palspets.com/about-pals/
Nail Trimming
Overgrown toenails affect a dog’s balance and gait, and can cause spinal and hip degradation because of a misaligned gait. Dr. Leslie Woodcock, DVM, gives a fantastic presentation on the importance of nail trimming here:
http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2013/08/cutting-your-dogs-nails-how-important-is-it-really/
My guy infinitely prefers trimming with a Dremel to clippers. This is not true for all dogs, however, and a Dremel should be slowly conditioned to avoid development of fear around nail care. (clippers should be conditioned too!) The best guide I’ve found for Dremeling is here: http://www.doberdawn.com
A video demonstrating conditioning is here: http://www.upwithpup.com/blog/entry/counter-conditioning-the-reverent-way-video
Trimming information video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cq5X8aV95E
Pet Portraits
Robyn Millar: http://robynmillar.com
Rad Dog Portraits: https://www.facebook.com/RadDogPortraits
Peter Potapoff: http://potapoffart.ca/
Evocative Photography: http://evocativedogphoto.com/blog/
Allie Pets: http://alliepets.com
Food Recalls & Advisories
http://www.centerforpetsafety.org/advisories-recalls/
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls/
(Dog Food Advisor has a free app that will send notices of recalls, so that you don’t have to continually check sites for your brand)
Pet Food Assistance Program
Provides dog & cat food to low-income families or individuals in need.
http://www.fur-everhomesrescue.com/pet-food-assistance-program.html
Adoption Organizations
AARCS (Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society): http://aarcs.ca
Established: 2006
Processes: Dogs & cats
Origin of animals: Rural Alberta
Staff composition: Volunteers
Housing: 3851 21st Street NE (temporary housing) + volunteer residences
Number of animals placed in 2015: unpublished
ARF (Alberta Rescue Foundation): http://arf.ab.ca
Established: 1995
Processes: Dogs & cats
Origin of animals: First Nations and rural Alberta areas
Staff composition: Volunteers
Housing: no physical facility; dogs housed at volunteer foster residences
Number of animals placed: approximately 300 per year
Calgary Humane Society: http://www.calgaryhumane.ca/
Established: 1922
Processes: Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles & rodents
Origin of animals: Calgary’s only open-admission shelter, animals are primarily local
arising from surrender, seizure and abandonment
Staff composition: Professional paid medical staff and trainers + volunteers
Housing: 4455 110th Avenue SE
Number of animals placed (2014): 5,580
City of Calgary: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Animal-Services/Adoptable-dogs.aspx
Established: unknown
Processes: Dogs & cats
Origin of animals: local seizure and abandonment
Staff composition: paid professional
Housing: 2201 Portland Street SE
Number of animals placed in 2015: unpublished
Pawsitive Match: http://www.pawsitivematch.org/index
Established: 2012
Processes: Dogs & cats
Origin of animals: Hand-selected dogs from Mexico and sometimes other locations,
selectively accepts animals scheduled for euthanasia at other shelters
Staff composition: Volunteers. Organization partners with some professionals like
veterinarians and trainers
Housing: no physical facility; dogs housed at volunteer foster residences
Number of animals placed (2015): 533
Dog-friendly accommodation rental site: http://petrentals.com/pet-friendly-apartments/alberta/calgary
Walks 'n' Wags certified pet first aid courses:
Paws First Aid: http://ellisvanschuur.wixsite.com/pawsfirstaid
Kong Recipes:
Instructions for how to stuff a Kong and recipes to try: http://www.calgaryhumane.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kong-Recipes.pdf
Tips & tricks to make filling less messy: https://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/how_to_stuff_a_kong_toy/
How to incorporate Kong philosophy into training and everyday life: https://youtu.be/LwZI1isnvPQ
Dog Trainers:
Educated and experienced trainers committed to using force-free methods exclusively:
Barbara Walmer at Good as Gold: http://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/Good_As_Gold/About_Us.html
Colleen Herring at Sit Happens!: http://www.sithappens.org/about-us/instructor-colleen/
The Calgary Humane Society: http://www.calgaryhumane.ca/what-we-do/animal-training/
This article is intended for veterinarians, to help them select and recommend trainers, but the information is equally valid for pet parents: http://k9behavioralgenetics.net/resources/Articles/Good%20Trainers.pdf
More references: http://www.albertaforcefreealliance.com/business-directory
General description of service levels available to parents: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/behavioral-help-your-pet
Pet Poison Helpline:
If you suspect your dog has gotten into something, these are the people to call. Service is available around the clock. The Helpline is used by many veterinary clinics. A call has a fee of $49 USD, but is worth every penny for time-sensitive, accurate advice.
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com 855-764-7661
Alberta Force Free Alliance:
Learn how to build the best possible relationship with your pooch.