"I try to motivate dogs through positive reinforcement and rewards when they do a good job," said Malmberg. "It helps build a stronger relationship with your dog."

Rewards, said Malmberg, can include treats and toys, but at the top of the list is genuine praise.

Malmberg is bringing that calm, Zen-like attitude to canine obedience training to the Vancouver Public Library's Central Branch tomorrow, Nov. 13, as part of Dog Day at the Library, which begins at 10 a.m. with the Parade of Breeds and continues until 5 p.m. with classes including Canine Good Neighbours and Puppy Kindergarten. Obedience, narcotics detecting and assistance dog skills will also be demonstrated throughout the day. Reading to Dogs takes place in the Children's Library at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Meet the Breeds discussions take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Moat on the library's lower level. The Canine Question Period takes place at 4 p.m.

Malmberg and fellow dog trainers Ed Vernon and Serena Holmberg will instruct classes in using kindness and positive reinforcement to train your pet to be a valuable companion or working dog. The trainers will focus on heeling, recall and retrieving.

Malmberg insists every dog owner should enroll their pet in obedience classes, preferably when they're still young.

"[UBC dog expert] Stanley Coren says dogs have an 80 per cent better chance of not biting, which means not getting thrown out of their home, if they attend obedience classes," she says. "Obedience is very important and teaches young dogs socialization and how to tolerate their urban environment."

Anita Galanopoulos, the librarian organizing the event, said the first Dog Day at the Library held in 2001 was the idea of another library employee who also volunteered at the city's animal shelter.

"She thought that with 6,000 to 7,000 people coming through the library each day, it would be a different place they could learn about dogs," said Galanopoulos, who admits to owning a dog that needs obedience training.

Since then the event has expanded and for the first time will include demonstrations courtesy of Marion Postgate of the Canadian Kennel Club and former VPD dog trainer Ed Vernon.

"These trainers leave Cesar Milan in the dust," said Galanopoulos of Milan, star of the TV series The Dog Whisperer.

Dog Day at the Library begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 13 at the Alice MacKay Room at the Central Library downtown. The library asks participants to leave their own dogs at home. Only dogs taking part in the demonstrations are welcome. Admission is free.

sthomas@vancourier.com

Twitter: @sthomas10