A Howlin’ Good Time
(
River Park off-leash news
July 2, 2007
UPCOMING STUFF
Next River Park Clean Up Day
Sunday, August 19
9am - 10:30am
Join us! Bring some gloves and
a bag or two and lend a hand to
pick up garbage and feces. We’ll
concentrate on the east side where
the grass is long. Please email
Candice at leesmale@telusplanet.net
to confirm your attendance.
Farewell to Odin
River Park lost another
long-time member of
our dog circle. Odin
Lab passed away,
leaving behind his
loving owner, Bob and
‘cousin’ Madge. Odin had a suspected
tumour and an enlarged heart that was
pressing on his esophagus. Bob made
the difficult decision to say goodbye to
Odin on June 7.
Lend Your Expertise
Do you have a skill, contacts or
knowledge that can further
FRPS’ cause? If so, please
contact Candice Lee at
leesmale@telusplanet.net
or call 287-1029. Thanks for
your consideration.
Please feel free to share this
newsletter with friends. If at any
time you no longer wish to receive
communication, just let me know.
Candice Lee
287-1029 (home)
703-1671 (cell)
leesmale@telusplanet.net
Promotional Items Feedback The Results are in!
The Friends of River Park (FRPS)
leadership team asked for your feedback
on dog-related promotional items for our
park group. Although there are 267 email
addresses on our list, only a few people
voted for a preferred item. Here’s the
feedback:
1. FRPS t-shirt - 5 votes
2. FRPS ball cap - 1 vote
3. Calendar - 5+ votes
4. Off-leash guide book - 12 votes
5. Flashlight - 3 votes
6. Word puzzle fridge magnet - 2 votes
7. Dog collar light - 1 vote
As most of you know, FRPS has been
reviewing all of the off-leash parks on the
City of Calgary’s website and rating them
from a dog owner’s viewpoint. Our
intention was to publish an off-leash park
River Park Clean Up
Thanks to 27 Friends of River Park
(FRPS) volunteers who picked up garbage
and poop on Saturday, June 2.
Scattered throughout the park were a
few liquor bottles, beer cans and beer
bottles, a towel, a few coffee cups and lids,
several chocolate bar wrappers and lots of
cigarette butts (toxic to dogs!). In the
wetland, we found some large sheets of
plastic and a 2’ x 5’ piece of plywood and
a plastic sign.
This shows our commitment to being
responsible dog owners and to keeping the
park clean and gives the park’s competing
interest groups very little to complain about.
Much appreciation to all of you who
continually pick up extra garbage and
feces in River Park. The park is looking
very clean. Great work!
))
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guide book. Recent voting results and
previous feedback indicate we’re on the
right track. Proceeding, we hope to have
the book finished in time for Christmas.
Some people who bought the two
versions of 2007 calendars I created,
continue to ask if I will produce one in
2008. Sure, why not? Don’t be shy when
you see me coming around with my
camera.
FRPS will not produce t-shirts in large
quantities. Please let me know if you
want one. I have a supplier that will
produce any amount for $18.95 each;
$12.95 each if the t-shirt is supplied. I’m
happy to co-ordinate this, as there’s a
great advantage to having more people
advertising our cause. Email me if you
want to see the design again.
A Heartfelt
T hank Y ou
You
Erin asked me to
gain your feedback
about a good
veterinarian for their
dogs and cat when
they moved into Killarny.
She said they were flooded with many
responses and would like to pass this
message along to everyone:
“My brothers, sister and I would like
to thank all of those who emailed mum and
dad regarding vet information. We love our
new area and our vet is grrrrreat! See you
all at River Park!”
Erin, Mike, Jack, Atticus, Scout & Sassy
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Dog Training & Behaviour - Your Book Suggestions
Last month I asked you for your favourite
dog-related books. The response was
tremendous. Thanks for sharing.
Positive Training
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Positive
Dog Training” by Pamela Dennison
“Karen Pryor’s Clicker Start-Up Kit” by
Karen Pryor.
“Don’t Shoot The Dog” by Karen Pryor
“The Power Of Positive Training” by Pat
Miller.
“Beginning Family Dog Training” by Dr.
Patricia McConnell.
“How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks” by
Dr. Ian Dunbar.
“Understanding And Teaching Self
Control” by Suzanne Clothier.
“Visually Train Your Dog” by Unknown
Puppies
“How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live
With” by Clarice Rutherford and David H
Neil (MRCVS).
“Before & After You Get Your Puppy” by
Dr. Ian Dunbar
“Dummies Guide to Puppies” by Sarah
Hodgson
Caring For Your Pet For the Health of It
Metal Chain Collar Warning
Does your dog
wear a metal chain
collar? If so, please
consider this: they
can pose a real
danger to your pet’s
health, even death.
Dogs have inadvertently been
strangled when their teeth became
stuck in the metal collar of another dog,
while playing. It is recommended that
your dog always wear a quick release
dog collar made of material that can be
cut in an emergency.
Behaviour
“The Truth About Dogs” by Stephen
Budiansky
“Calming Signals” by Turid Rugass (book
and video)
“Body Posture: Shifting Shapes, Shifting
Minds” by Suzanne Clothier
“Dog Language” by Roger Abrantes
(encylopedia format)
“Caesar’s Way” by Caesar Milan
Training
“Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to
Train Your Dog, 1st Edition” by Carol Lea
Benjamin
General
“Visiting the Dog Park: Having Fun, Staying
Safe: A Dogwise Training Manual” by
Cheryl S. Smith
Dog Perception
“Culture Clash” by Jeanne Donaldson
“The Other End Of The Leash” by Dr.
Patricia McConnell
“Dogs: A New Understanding Of Canine
Origin, Behaviour And Evolution” by Ray
and Lorena Coppinger
“Evolution Of Canine Social Behaviour” by
Roger Abrantes
Chain collars are often used for training
purposes, but should be removed once
the training session is complete.
Chain collars serve no useful purpose
without a leash attached.
Take this into consideration when your
dog is at the off-leash park, at doggie
daycare or in any play situation. This
also applies to dogs left alone in the
house and car.
Choose a type of collar wisely and
ensure your dog never becomes a
victim of a preventable situation.
“The Truth About Dogs: An Inquiry Into The
Ancestry, Social Conventions, Mental Habits
And Moral Fiber of Canine Familiaris” by
Stephen Budiansky
Aggression
“MINE!” by Jean Donaldson
“FIGHT” by Jean Donaldson
Dog-dog Aggression
“Feisty Fido: A Guide for the Leash
Aggressive Dog” by Dr. Patricia McConnell
“Canine Aggression Workbook” by James
O’Heare
Separation Anxiety
“I’ll Be Home Soon” by Dr. Patricia McConnell
“Canine Separation Anxiety Workbook” by
James O’Heare
Dominance
“Finding A Balance: Issues Of Power In The
Dog/Human Relationship” by Suzanne
Clothier. Be the leader without being abusive.
“Dominance Theory And Dogs” by James
O’Heare
“Dominance: Fact Or Fiction” by Barry Eaton
“Jelly Bean VS. Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde” by
C. W. Meistfield. How harsh dominance and
punishment can ruin your dog.
CLASSIFIEDS
Wicker Dog Bed
For a 50 – 70lb dog
Email Sarah at sarahlulman@shaw.ca.
Dog Run
A 4-panel chain link fence: 6' x 12',
6' x 10', 6' x 8', and 6' x 8' which contains
a gate. Paid $450; asking $350.
Email Dorothy at drcalgary@shaw.ca.
Arthritis Medicine
Ginny’s sister’s arthritic dog recently
passed away. She has a fair amount of
medication left over to sell or give away.
Contact Ginny to determine if your dog is
taking the same medication. If no one
wants it, it will be given it to the SPCA or
to ARF. Email Ginny at fredz@telus.net
or ttgcowan@hotmail.com.
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