Tails & Treasures: A Recap of Calgary’s Favourite Dog Event

In June 2023, University District hosted the fourth annual Tails & Treasures, Calgary’s favourite, free dog-friendly event. Hundreds of Calgarians and their furry friends attended for entertainment, activities and competitions. 

This year’s Tails & Treasures featured a Smooch Your Pooch photo booth where pet owners could capture memories, and the puppy pool party was a big hit with our four-legged friends, all while enjoying live music performed by The Rondel Roberts Band. The big highlight of the event was the world-famous Global Pet Foods SuperDogs™, who put on three exciting shows. 

The remarkable talents of the SuperDogs™ were showcased through fast-paced, hilarious, and interactive performances. These heartwarming and athletic displays created a truly entertaining experience for all.

To delve deeper into the world of these highly trained dogs and their professional trainers, we had the privilege of interviewing Alysa Lindberg, a professional dog trainer with the SuperDogs™ who has travelled across North America performing with her dog. When asked about her background and experience, Alysa shared, “I have been with the SuperDogs for 15 years. I travel all over the place for this job, but my hometown is Calgary, and I live right near University District.”

Alysa emphasises that the success of a show depends on one critical factor: “Practice, practice, practice.” That involves practising skills in diverse environments with loud noises and varying weather, ensuring both the trainer and the dogs are well-prepared to showcase their talents, anytime, anywhere. 

Alysa explains that as a positive reinforcement trainer, she uses food or toys to teach dogs tricks. Her favourite beginner trick for teaching pups at home is a spin. She explains, “It’s just getting your dog to go into a circle in front of you.” If you want to try this with your own furry friend, she suggests putting a treat near your dog’s nose and gently guiding them in a circle. Once they follow you all the way around, they are rewarded with a treat at the end. 

Along with performances by international canine stars the SuperDogs™, the event encouraged Calgarians to bring their beloved furry friends to participate in the community dog show. Enthusiastic participants had the chance to showcase their pups’ impressive costumes or tricks.

Veda, an autism and mobility service dog, earned the well-deserved title of this year’s costume contest winner. Dressed in a colourful rainbow tutu in celebration of Pride Month, Veda captured everyone’s smiles and attention.

With a strong bond formed over the past two years, Veda and her owner Mac have shared an inseparable connection. Veda was trained through the MSAR Canadian Israeli partnership that is “changing lives one dog at a time.” This adorable canine not only captivates with her undeniable charm but also impresses with her remarkable intelligence as a bilingual dog fluent in Hebrew.

Both Veda and devoted owner Mac enjoy living in University District, where they appreciate the dog-friendly environment and the warm sense of community that surrounds them. Although it was their first time at Tails and Treasures, they “make it to most University District events.” Mac’s favourite part of the day was “just watching everyone have fun with their dogs.” Learn more about these two in one of our previous blogs here.

Carmen, a Calgary dog walker, had her first experience in University District and was pleasantly surprised by the warm and inviting atmosphere. “Everyone is so friendly and nice,” she observed, appreciating the fact that the community celebrates pets. “It is nice to find a place where I can bring all the dogs in my life.”

If you missed Tails & Treasures, don’t worry! Plenty of fantastic events are still awaiting you this summer and fall in University District.