Please note that stage schedules may be subject to change.

* MAIN ENTERTAINMENT STAGE *

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

10:45AM: Start ‘Em on the Right Paw
Robin Quintana,The Dog Training Club of Dallas County
The Dog Training Club of Dallas County will show you some useful training tips to improve your relationship with your dog.  You will learn how to make your dog a good canine companion by teaching him how to sit, lay down, walk loosely on a leash and come when called.  Members of the audience will be pre-selected to participate in this demonstration.  The demonstration will conclude with an exhibition of club members and their dogs showing advanced obedience exercises.

11:15AM: Harrison Forbes Q & A
Forbes’ 20 year career as a dog trainer, animal behaviorist and bestselling author has propelled him into the spotlight as a highly sought after pet expert. His extensive career in dog training has made Forbes the “go-to” guy for national pet stories, appearing on “Larry King Live” discussing the Michael Vick case, as the resident pet expert on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” and appearing on the Fox News Network, CNN, CBS, “The Early Show,” and “The Today Show,” on NBC. Having been involved in the training and importing of over 700 police service dogs, Harrison has also been called upon to train dogs for films in Hollywood, including Francis Ford Coppola’s film “The Rainmaker. “ Come take part in a Q & A with Harrison and come prepared with your most challenging pet-related questions.

11:45AM: CPR/First Aid
Community Pet Outreach
Knowing what to do in the initial moments of a crisis can be critical to your pet’s life. In the event that a dog is not breathing, CPR, also known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mouth-to-snout resuscitation, can be used to save your pet’s life and stabilize them until you can reach help. In order to correctly perform pet CPR, it’s important to follow certain steps in their exact order. Join us for a canine CPR and First Aid 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 12:00PM.

12:45PM: Dog Bite Prevention
Janet Foresburg, Sit Means Sit
A must for any animal lover – particularly those with children! Expert dog trainer of Sit Means Sit, Janet Foresburg, is passionate about dogs and education. Come learn how you and your family can help prevent dog bites.

1:15PM: Parrots as Companions
Georgia Hayes and Cheryl Burns, American Federation of Aviculture
Georgia Hayes, the South Central Regional Director, and Cheryl Burns, the North Texas State Coordinator for the American Federation of Aviculture, will share their thoughts and experiences on parrots as pets and companions. Georgia and Cheryl have many years of experience living with parrots and sharing their love of their feathered companions.

1:45PM: The Myths Surrounding Breed-Specific Legislation
Melissa Trevino, Dog Star Pit Bull Rescue
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 advocate Melissa Trevino, of Dog Start Pit Bull Rescue, 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 Dallas 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: A Natural Approach to Grooming & Maintenance
Chris Watson, The Petropolitan
Chris will discuss products, techniques and homeopathic options for maintaining your pet’s appearance.

3:45PM: Learning to Speak FELINESE
Elizabeth (Betsy) Gaither, Winn Feline Foundation
Learn to be alert to the signs of changes in your kitty’s health.  There may be few overt signs of early problems, but being attentive to your cat’s daily routine is a great preventive tool.  Tips for specific clues are almost universal in feline behavior.

4:15PM: Responsible Dog Ownership
Mart Ratliff, Dog Scouts of America
Troop Leader, Mart Ratliff, will share the importance and benefits of the relationship between people and companion animals and seek out ways to enrich this bond. Dog Scouts of America hopes to prevent misunderstandings, communication failures and behavioral problems which often lead to dogs being given up as a “lost cause.”

4:45PM: Sugar Gliders 101
Ed Margulies, Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
What is a Sugar Glider? Ed Margulies, co-founder of Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary, will offer insight into sugar glider behaviors, diet, health and well being. He will also share tips on bonding with your Suggie and playtime activities!

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

* Agility Course *

10:10AM, 11:00AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00PM, 4:00PM: Agility Demo Presented by the Dog City Training Center
Canine agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs their dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. The Dog City Training Center invites you to stop by the amazing agility show at the Dallas Pet Expo to see a variety of dogs and handlers racing through the course. Come prepared to watch, listen, and be a part of the amazing sport of dog agility!

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 Dallas Pet Expo staff. To enter, bring your pet to the agility course at 4:45PM.