* MAIN ENTERTAINMENT STAGE *

10:45AM: Shorty Rossi Welcomes Pet Lovers to the 2011 Atlanta Pet Expo
Shorty Rossi, star of ‘Pit Boss’ on Animal Planet, welcomes our many pet-lovers to the super fun Atlanta Pet Expo.

11:15AM: Easy Grooming 101
Dee’s Grooming Gallery
Tired of wrestling with your pooch to cut it’s nails? Don’t know how to properly brush your cat to reduce shedding? Want some hints and tips on how to keep your pup looking tip-top between grooming sessions? Dee’s Grooming Gallery will share some great ideas to keep your pet looking their fit and fabulous best!

11:45AM: Musical Chairs
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!

12:15PM: Celebrity Pet Expert Harrison Forbes Answers your Pet-Related Questions
Celebrity Pet Expert Harrison Forbes is attending the expo as part of the Toyota Pet Safety Tour. Forbes’ 20 year career as a dog trainer, animal behaviorist and best-selling author has propelled him into the spotlight as a highly sought-after pet expert. His extensive career in dog training has propelled Forbes into becoming 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.” He’ll be hosting a pet Q & A session, so bring your pet-related concerns and ask away!

12:45PM: Snakes, Lizards and Turtles, Oh My!
Richard Bradley
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. Reptiles! The very word conjures up a variety of responses, ranging from “Eeeeww, gross!” to “Way cool!” 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.

1:15PM: CPR and First Aid Demo
Jennifer Perry, Certified PetTech Instructor
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 discussion by Jennifer Perry, a certified PetTech pet saver instructor, with a Q & A session to follow.

1:45PM: The Myths Surrounding Breed-Specific Legislation
Jason Flatt, Friends of the Forlorn
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 Jason Flatt, of Friends of the Forlorn, 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: Easy Tricks for any Pooch
Jeff Wolfson, Superior Dog Training
Teaching your dog simple tricks can not only help stimulate your dog’s brain, but improve communication skills with your dog as well - plus dogs love to learn! And who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, anyway? Not us! Trainer Jeff Wolfson, of Superior Dog Training, will teach three easy tricks that anyone can teach their pooch at home.

3:15PM: Talent Contest 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 Atlanta Pet Expo staff. To enter, bring your pet to the entertainment stage at 1PM (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!

3:45PM: The Importance of Pet Nutrition
Regina Ryan, The Good Dog Co.
Proper nutrition will ensure that your pet lives a long, healthy, happy, and active life. Let Regina Ryan, The Good Dog Co., introduce you to the world of raw, holistic, all-natural, and organic pet foods and supplements and how they can improve your pet’s quality of life.

4:15PM: Learn about Canine Nosework
Sheila Barrie, K9 Coach
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!

* Agility Course *

10:10AM, 11:00AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM, 3:00PM: See the exciting sport of Dog Agility in demonstrations by the American Kennel Club
Watch the trained dogs execute the course of jumps, tunnels and weave poles – and then give it a try with your dog. Between demonstrations, a trainer will help you and your dog try the obstacles.
Agility is like an obstacle course for dogs in which dogs are judged on speed and accuracy as they maneuver through obstacles that include see-saws, dog walks and tire jumps.
The AKC also will have a list of local training schools that offer Agility – plus will offer discount registrations in its new program for ALL dogs, including mixed-breeds – AKC Canine Partners.

4:00 PM: Amazing Animal Athletes!™
WOOF! Sports USA presents fur-flying excitement with the world’s best Disc Dog superstars. Prepare to be fascinated by the airborne antics of these pooches. WOOF! Sports celebrity dog team brings the “heat” with Melissa Heeter, the first woman flying disc World Champion, and her daredevil dogs! Watch these incredible trick dogs entertain with ‘big air’ grabs to the beat of your favorite rock tunes. Get ready for the greatest flying show on four-legs.

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 Atlanta Pet Expo staff. To enter, bring your pet to the activity course at 4:45PM (you’ll see signage directing you where to go once you arrive at the agility course).

* Doxie Derby Course *

11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:30PM: Doxie Derby Competition Heats Presented by DREAM Dachshund Rescue
4:30PM: Doxie Derby Finals
Dachshund Racing, Wiener Dog Racing, Doxie Derby Racing... it doesn’t matter what you call it, but it’s wildly entertaining to see these little ones quickly attempt to race to the finish! Dachshunds will run swiftly to their owner at the finish line, coaxed by food or toys. Stop by to watch the Doxie Derby and see if the Doxies choose to run the course, run in circles, or visit with a neighboring pooch! You’re invited to participate and the winning weiner wins a fantastic prize package!