August 22, 2011 update

The BC SPCA and Dr. Jill Taggart are grateful for the support and interest of animal lovers throughout the Lower Mainland.

Dogs 101 is a unique new educational experience to help dog guardians tackle common behavioural issues and to increase their bond with their pet. Participants have gained valuable insight and solutions for some of the most common dog behaviour problems, including aggression towards people or other dogs, separation-related issues, fears and phobias, attention-seeking behaviours and other training issues.

The animal welfare society is pleased to announce that an additional three sessions have been added at the Vancouver, West Vancouver and Surrey locations in September and October.

Upcoming Dogs 101 sessions include:

• Saturday, Aug. 27 - BC SPCA Education & Adoption Centre (Richmond), 7791 Steveston Highway (at No. 3 Road), Richmond;

• NEW! Saturday, Sep. 3 - BC SPCA Vancouver Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver *;

• NEW! Saturday, Sep. 10 - BC SPCA West Vancouver Shelter, 1020 Marine Drive, West Vancouver;

• NEW! Saturday, Oct 1 - BC SPCA Surrey Shelter, 6707 152nd Avenue, Surrey. 
  

* If you require wheelchair access for this shelter, please call 604-681-7271 in advance for arrangements.

Space is limited. Select a date above to register online and reserve your spot today.

The BC SPCA provides care and protection to more than 34,000 animals each year. Your gift can help a homeless, injured or abused animal until a loving home is found. Please donate today.

July 11, 2011 update

Due to popular demand, a second Dogs 101 session at the BC SPCA West Vancouver Branch location has been added. 

The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to participants aged 15 years and older.  Registration is $59 and includes handouts.  Participants must register online in advance of the program.

Upcoming Dogs 101 sessions include:

• Saturday, July 16 – BC SPCA/District of Maple Ridge Community Animal Centre, 10235 Jackson Road, Maple Ridge; 

•  Saturday, July 23 – BC SPCA Surrey Shelter, 6707 152nd Avenue, Surrey;
  

•  Saturday, Aug. 6 – BC SPCA Vancouver Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver *; 

• NEW! Saturday, Aug. 13 - BC SPCA West Vancouver Shelter, 1020 Marine Drive, West Vancouver;

• Saturday, Aug. 20 – BC SPCA/District of Maple Ridge Community Animal Centre, 10235 Jackson Road, Maple Ridge; 

•  Saturday, Aug. 27 - BC SPCA Education & Adoption Centre (Richmond), 7791 Steveston Highway (at No. 3 Road), Richmond.

* If you require wheelchair access for this shelter, please call 604-681-7271 in advance for arrangements.

Space is limited. Select a date above to register online and reserve your spot today.

The BC SPCA provides care and protection to more than 34,000 animals each year. Your gift can help a homeless, injured or abused animal until a loving home is found. Please donate today.

June 15, 2011

Have you ever wondered what makes your dog tick or why he or she behaves in a certain way?

The BC SPCA is offering a unique new educational experience to help dog guardians tackle common behavioural issues and to increase their bond with their pet. The half-day session, entitled Dogs 101, is presented by clinical animal behavourist Dr. Jill Taggart.

“The seminar will provide guardians with solutions to the most common dog behaviour problems, such as aggression towards people or other dogs, separation-related issues, fears and phobias, attention-seeking behaviours and other training issues,” says Dr. Taggart.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about what animals need, how they think and how to build a strong relationship with our pets. The ideas we’ll be presenting are based in the latest animal behavioural science, but our goal is to present information in a way that is fun and practical for participants.”

She notes that the sessions are not pet-interactive and participants should not bring their dogs to the program.

The session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to participants aged 15 years and older.  Registration is $59 and includes handouts.  Participants must register online in advance of the program.

Dogs 101 will be offered in the following locations. Please click to register online and learn more:

•  Saturday, June 18 – BC SPCA Education & Adoption Centre (Richmond), 7791 Steveston Highway (at No. 3 Road), Richmond; 

•  Saturday, July 2 – BC SPCA West Vancouver Shelter, 1020 Marine Drive, West Vancouver; 

•  Saturday, July 9 – BC SPCA Vancouver Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver *; 

•  Saturday, July 16 – BC SPCA/District of Maple Ridge Community Animal Centre, 10235 Jackson Road, Maple Ridge; 

•  Saturday, July 23 – BC SPCA Surrey Shelter, 6707 152nd Avenue, Surrey. 

•  Saturday, Aug. 6 – BC SPCA Vancouver Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver *; 

•  Saturday, Aug. 20 – BC SPCA/District of Maple Ridge Community Animal Centre, 10235 Jackson Road, Maple Ridge 

• Saturday, Aug. 27 - BC SPCA Education & Adoption Centre (Richmond), 7791 Steveston Highway (at No. 3 Road), Richmond;

* If you require wheelchair access for this shelter, please call 604-681-7271 in advance for arrangements.

About Dr. Jill Taggart

Dr. Jill Taggart is a clinical animal behaviourist with a Master of Science degree in companion animal behaviour and a PhD in behavioural psychology. She is a Research Fellow of the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom and a member of the Animal Behaviour Society and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. Dr. Taggart is also a lecturer in animal behavior and provides one-on-one counselling for pet guardians.

The BC SPCA provides care and protection to more than 34,000 animals each year. Your gift can help a homeless, injured or abused animal until a loving home is found. Please donate today.

Photo caption: Dr. Jill Taggart (with Tiggy) will present an educational experience for dog guardians, entitled Dogs 101.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.