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 Austin Pet Expo
Shorty Rossi, star of ‘Pit Boss’ on Animal Planet, welcomes our many pet-lovers to the super fun Austin Pet Expo.

10:45AM: How You can Help Equines in Texas
Stephanie Shea, Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
Stephanie Shea shares the many ways that you can help equines in Texas; from fostering a horse, to monthly sponsorships, to reporting abuse and more. A Q&A session will follow.

11:15AM: The Amazing Treat Diet For Dogs: How I Saved My Dog From Obesity
Katie Newman, Author
Canine diet expert, author and pet industry entrepreneur, Katie Newman, will be talking about her experiences with conquering her dog’s obesity and how weight truly affects our best friends. Stop by and learn principles for a healthy diet, guidelines for meal and treat servings, and how to shape your pooch’s eating habits into a process that is healthy, economical, easy and fun!

11:45AM: CPR/First Aid
Dr. Riggan, White Rock Veterinary Hospital
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: 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.

1:15PM: Parrots 101
Emily Strong, Austin Parrot Society
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 Emily Strong, of the Austin Parrot Society, 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
Kim Young, Don’t BULLY Me 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, Kim Young, Don’t BULLY Me 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 Austin 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: Reptiles as Alternative Pets
Michael Foux, Austin Reptile Shows
Reptiles! The very word conjures up a variety of responses, ranging from “Eeeeww, gross!” to “Way cool!” From strange and fun information to interesting facts, Austin Reptile Shows knows everything there is to know about both the small and not-so-small reptiles. An estimated 3% of households in the United States own at least one reptile. America’s newest pet craze leaves millions of animals misunderstood and mistreated-right from the gecko. Learning about the natural history and proper captive care of these animals just might change your world outlook and get you thinking more about the environment as a whole.

3:45PM: Kids, Dogs and Keys to Success
Kimberly Burgan, Author of “Poppy and Puppy Are Friends: A Child’s Introduction to Responsible Dog Ownership”
Kim is the owner and operator of Kimberly Burgan Dog Training here in Austin, TX and also a mommy raising kids and dogs in harmony! Kim will share strategies that all adults, guardians, and caretakers may employ to keep dogs and children not only safe together, but happy as well.

4:15PM: Grooming 101: Nose to Tail
Tina Patterson, Collie Club of Austin
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? Tina Patterson and members of Collie Club of Austin and the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Austin will share some great ideas; including, how to prevent and/or remove tangled mats from your long-coated dog, teeth brushing, ear cleaning and keeping hair out of your mouth during grooming to keep your pet looking their fit and fabulous best! Q & A session to follow.

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: Trainer Led Intro Agility Instruction with The Canine Center for Training
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 Canine Center for Training invites you to stop by the amazing agility show at the Austin 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 Austin 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).