Dog training specialists coming to Quesnel

Nov 10 2005
A pair of animal training experts from the BC SPCA will be in Quesnel tonight for a special dog behavioural training seminar.
Nadine Gourkow and Barrie McKnight will be at the Sandman Inn on Sunday, Nov. 13 to implement the BC SPCA DogSense system, a dog management program that makes use of the latest animal behaviour and welfare science in the development of compassionate, moral and human practices.
The seminar begins at 7 p.m.
Quesnel SPCA Manager Barb Onciul is looking forward to the learning experience.
“We don’t often get this great training opportunity,” Onciul said.
The objectives of the BC SPCA DogSense System is to:
• improve the welfare of dogs
• improve adoption of dogs
• reduce euthanasia
• increase positive regard for SPCA dogs
• increase staff expertise in behaviour and welfare
Gourkow is the animal welfare manager for the BC SPCA. She holds a masters in animal welfare and is a certified behaviourist with the American Association of Companion Animal Behaviour Counsellors.
She has been with the BC SPCA since January 2000, working on ways to improve the welfare of shelter animals.
McKnight is the animal management supervisor for B.C. He has been with the BC SPCA for 10 years.
McKnight has been a professional dog trainer for 15 years. For the past three years he has been working in the behaviour and welfare department.
McKnight is a certified dog temperament assessor and DogSense instructor.
Gourkow will give a presentation on this innovative animal management system. She will provide an overview of the whole system, discuss goals and explain the training that will take place in the shelter.
Gourkow and McKnight will be available to for a question and answer period following the presentation.