Entertainment and Activities Schedules

Upcoming Shows

Please note that stage schedules may be subject to change.

* MAIN ENTERTAINMENT STAGE *

10:35AM: Shorty Rossi Welcomes Pet Lovers to the 2012 Anchorage Pet Expo
Shorty Rossi, star of ‘Pit Boss’ on Animal Planet, welcomes our many pet-lovers to the super fun Anchorage Pet Expo.

10:45AM: Crossing Over to Rewards Based Training
Claudia Sihler, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer), owner of The Better Companion, Wasilla.
Dog training has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. Reward-based training works for every dog, from the Chihuahua to the Great Dane, from the shy dog to the so-called “alpha” dog. Instead of teaching the dogs that they HAVE to or should do this FOR US, we show them how good behavior will GIVE them what THEY want. This approach builds trust, a healthy relationship and creates a happily obeying “better companion”!

11:15AM Baby Smarts
Liz Williams, Alaska Dog Sports
Expectant parents get to spend months preparing for the new arrival; they get information from their physicians, read books and usually attend classes so that they are prepared for the birth and what happens after. In all of the excitement, a very important member of the family is often not included in the process and can be confused, nervous or over-excited when the new baby arrives which can cause undo stress and anxiety for everyone involved. We’ll give some quick tips, thoughts and ideas for expectant parents to consider before the arrival of the baby that can help them and their canine family member(s) welcome the baby home.

11:45AM: Common Household Toxins and Emergencies
Shannon Kesting DVM, Chester Valley Hospital
Do you know which every day commonly-used household items are poisonous to your pets? For instance, one Tylenol can kill a cat. Knowing what to do in the initial moments of a crisis can be critical to your pet’s life and learn what the signs and symptoms are of a true pet emergency. Join us for a pet home safety discussion with a Q & A session to follow.

12:15PM: Pet/Owner Musical Chair Competition
Musical Chairs is a doggy variation of the classic children’s game. Music plays as handlers walk with their dogs off-leash counter-clockwise around a rectangular area. A line of chairs (with alternating chairs facing in opposite direction) runs down the center of the rectangle. When the music stops, the handlers instruct their dogs to sit by verbal request and/or hand signal only (i.e., without touching them) and rush to sit on a vacant chair in the center of the rectangle. Stop by and take part in this popular event – everyone can play! To enter, bring your pet to the entertainment stage at 12:30PM.

12:45PM: Service Dogs: Opening Doors for Alaskans
Carole & Renee, Alaska Assistance Dogs
Can you spot all the people in a group that could use a service dog? Learn about the different ways that service dogs help people with both visual and hidden disabilities and how Alaska Assistance Dogs leads to greater independence in their homes, neighborhoods and communities.

1:15PM: Parrots 101
Garry Wallan, Alaska Bird Club
It happens all the time: An unsuspecting person pays a visit to a neighborhood pet store. Once inside, they round a corner to find themselves face-to-face with a beautiful, vividly colored parrot, they’re smitten, and minutes later they are driving home with their new parrot. Many people that find themselves in this situation are unaware that some parrots and macaws live just as long as people. Some have no idea that these birds require special food or that they need to be handled and let out daily. Often, situations like these lead to unhappy owners and unwanted birds. Make sure that this doesn’t happen to your family as Garry Wallan, of the Alaska Bird Club, explains how you can help the exotic birds in your community and addresses some of the misconceptions about bird ownership.

1:45PM: The Myths Surrounding Breed-Specific Legislation
Northern Outpost Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club
Breed-specific legislation (BSL) refers to laws that target dogs based on how they look rather than their actions. Hundreds of U.S. cities have already enacted BSL, and more cities adopt it every year. Many cities and counties—plus Marine Corps and Army bases—have banned select breeds altogether. Currently, BSL most often focuses on Pit Bull types (dogs that have “Pit Bull characteristics”), but some cities also target Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinchers, American Bull Dogs, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Dalmatians, Chows and other large breeds and mixes of the targeted breeds. Local animal advocates from Northern Outpost Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club will discuss BSL, why BSL doesn’t work, and how you can help prevent breed discrimination.

2:15PM: Education to End Cruelty
Shorty Rossi & Hercules, ‘Pit Boss’ and Shortywood Productions
Shorty Rossi, star of ‘Pit Boss’ on Animal Planet will be making an appearance with his popular canine sidekick, Hercules. Rossi has a special passion that has been a major part of his life since he was a teenager – championing the cause of pit bulls. When Rossi isn’t managing Shortywood Productions, a company that works with little people in the entertainment industry or filming ‘Pit Boss,’ he’s working with Shorty’s Pit Bull Rescue, a charity he formed that rescues, rehabilitates and places neglected and abused pit bulls in loving, nurturing homes. Shorty’s Rescue is not a shelter or a charity; it’s employees work tirelessly to help relieve the suffering of and prevent cruelty to pit bulls through education and activism. A Q & A session will follow.

2:45PM: Animals Got Talent! Pet Talent Show
Does your pet have an amazing talent? Here’s your chance to show it off! Contest will consist of one category: Best Trick. Immediately following the competition winners will be determined by audience applause as assessed by Anchorage Pet Expo staff. To enter, bring your pet to the entertainment stage at 2:30pm (you’ll see signage directing you where to go once you arrive at the stage) and be ready to dance, jump, sing or whatever your specialty may be! You definitely don’t want to miss THIS!

3:15PM: Understanding our Feline Friends
Elaine Parry, Purrfect Purr Cat Hotel
Stopping unwanted cat behaviors can be a daunting task! Elaine Parry, of the Purrfect Purr Cat Hotel, will talk about how to smoothly introduce a new cat into your household stress-free, as well as share some useful steps for preventing, reducing and ending your feline’s behavior issues. Unfortunately, too many cats end up being surrendered or euthanized for undesirable behaviors because their owners don’t know that there are solutions.

3:45PM: Grooming 101: Nose to Tail!
Maggie Joyner, Hair of the Dog Wash & Groom Salon
Tired of wrestling with your pooch to cut its nails? Don’t know how to properly brush your pet to reduce shedding? Want some hints and tips on how to keep your pup looking tip-top between grooming sessions? Maggie Joyner of Hair of the Dog Wash & Groom Salon will share some great ideas; including, teeth brushing, ear cleaning and keeping hair out of your mouth during grooming to keep your pet looking their fit and fabulous best!

4:15PM: Ferrets: The Perfect Pet Alternative
Butch and Debbie Sims, Forget-Me-Not Ferret Club & Rescue
There are so many reasons why ferrets make good pets and you only need to meet one to find out why. If you’re interested in getting a new pet for your family, you should look into the prospect of getting a ferret or two. They’re the perfect alternative for families that can’t have, or don’t want, a cat or dog. They’re cuddly, curious, smart and active; come learn why a ferret may be the perfect fit for you!

5:00PM: Costume Contest
This popular event takes place on the Agility Course.

* Agility Course *

10:10AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM, 2:00 PM: Agility Demo Presented by Alyeska Canine Trainers
Agility is a sport that appeals to all dog lovers - from junior handlers to senior citizens- and can be performed by almost any pooch. Agility is designed to demonstrate a dog’s ability and drive to work with it’s handler in a variety of situations. The dogs and handlers will demonstrate agility basics such as jumping over agility jumps and jumping through tires. Information regarding how to get started in agility and a Q & A session will follow the demonstration.

11:00AM: Rally and Basic Obedience Demonstration by Alyeska Canine Trainers
Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm! Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing. The skills are heeling, sits, downs, brief stays, assorted variations of left, right, and about turns. A great first step towards agility and advanced obedience for handler and dog.

3:00PM: What did you say?” Learning to Read Canine Body Language by Alyeska Canine Trainers
Wondering what your dog is trying to tell you with his tucked tail? Alyeska Canine Trainers offers insights to what your dog’s body language is really communicating!

3:30PM: Treibball
The Better Companion, Wasilla
Also called the “urban herding sport”, Treibball mimics herding techniques using exercise balls instead of real sheep. Similar to sheep herding trials, the dog must herd and drive large exercise balls into a soccer goal. Treibball is a positive-reinforcement team sport, that builds communication skills between the dog and handler and improves attention and off-leash reliability. Dogs of any size can compete and handlers of any capability can participate, which makes it a fun, skill-building activity.

4:00PM: Nosework
The Better Companion, Wasilla
The art and practice of nose work has now reached dogs of all shapes and sizes and has made basic search dog skills available to companion dogs, creating a new urban sport arena for dog enthusiasts. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. The sport of canine nose work is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence and burn lots of mental and physical energy!

5:00PM: Pet Costume Contest
Show off your pet dressed in their best costume for the super popular Pet Costume Contest! Each pet must wear a costume during the competition period to be eligible. Winners will be determined by audience applause as assessed by the Anchorage Pet Expo staff. To enter, bring your pet to the agility course at 4:45PM (you’ll see signage directing you where to go once you arrive at the agility course).

* Flyball Course *

10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:30PM, 4:30PM: Flyball Demos presented by Alaska Dogs Gone Wild
Flyball is a dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball. Flyball provides an entertaining and active way to interact with one’s dog and other dog enthusiasts in an environment that is fun while allowing the dogs exercise and enjoyment.