Does your dog or puppy listen to you? Do you want to learn how to communicate effectively with your dog? If so, we’ve got some great news for you! We recently had the opportunity to talk with Beth Ostrowski-Parks, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, author, and owner of It’s PAWSible! Dog Training Center in Westhampton, Massachusetts.
Beth and her husband, Wayne Parks, have created a wonderful new DVD called It’s PAWSible! 5 Week Pet Dog Obedience Training Course that provides a structured, basic obedience training program to help you and your pup learn the basic skills you need to know.
PupLife.com: Hi Beth! We are very excited to talk with you about dog training and the success you’ve had with your training school, day camp program and most recently your outstanding at-home DVD dog training course. First of all, tell us how you became interested in dog training, and what makes working with dogs (and their humans) so special for you?
Beth: I became interested in dog training shortly after I rescued my first Greyhound from the track. Jenna was very easy to train, but I met so many dog owners who were experiencing some kind of behavioral problem or another. I found that I had a natural knack for working with my friends’ dogs even though I didn’t really have any formal training. Soon after adopting Jenna, I adopted my second rescue Greyhound, Emily. Emily was the opposite of Jenna. I had to learn about living with a dog with emotional issues, and I began developing gentle training techniques that eventually enabled Emily to move beyond her past abuse. Emily was from the Midwest and was severely mishandled as many Greyhounds are. After experimenting with a variety of training techniques, both successfully and unsuccessfully (and working with more and more of my friends’ dogs) I found that I could not put a dog behavior book down until I’d finished it.
It was then that I decided to go to school to gain a background in animal behavior theory. I attended a dog training school in Connecticut and learned how to train lots of different types of dogs. The head trainer, at the time, taught force-training (or compulsion training). However, this was not what I was looking for. Even though I learned how to use these methods, I began developing my own ideas on how to train a dog without using force. Since then, I’m happy to say, the dog training school I attended has embraced a more positive-based training methodology.
The training I received after school was what molded my training methods into what they are today. I continued my education by attending APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) seminars, working with trainers whose techniques I liked, and, of course, the hands-on experience I gained on a daily basis at my own dog training center.
I’ve come to find that the some of the best teachers are the dogs I get to work with. One of my best teachers was my rescue Doberman, Makana. Now 10 1/2 years old, I got him when he was just a year. He came to me with LOTS of behavioral problems. I learned how to incorporate a variety of gentle training techniques and reward-based (or positive reinforcement training) methods through my work with Makana. He is a prime example of a dog that would NOT have responded to force-training. Makana responded so successfully to positive reinforcement dog training that he was able to complete TDI certification (Therapy Dog International). Additionally, Makana is a highly titled agility dog.My students’ dogs still teach me new things every day. I’m sure the learning process will never end!
In my previous experience, I’ve held many jobs where I trained people. I guess it has always been my calling. I just never knew I would be training dogs and their people! What I love most about my work is when someone comes to me with a dog exhibiting a serious behavioral problem. The person may be on the brink of relinquishing his or her dog to a shelter or finding another home. Although I do realize that there are times when this may be the only option, I just love it when I can help turn a troubled relationship around. In these situations, you really become friends for life with the dog and owner. It’s so rewarding to help create and nurture that bond of trust.
PupLife.com: What are the three most common reasons dog owners come to you and how do you address owners’ concerns?
Beth: This is an easy question!
1. The dog won’t come when called.
2. The dog doesn’t “listen” to the owner.
3. Chewing, nipping and biting has become a problem.
Each situation is different, so I tailor my services individually. For instance, if a client calls with a particular issue and is able to enroll in group class, I’ll generally be able to teach them a solid set of basic obedience skills. Having a basic framework goes a long way in solving common behavioral issues. I really feel that to create a bond between you and your dog, it’s essential to teach the basics. That’s why I structured my DVD as a 5 week class. Basic behaviors are broken down into easy to understand pieces. In this way, both the human and the dog learn how to communicate, and a life-long bond is created.
When a client comes to me for a behavioral consultation, they have hired me for one-on-one counseling, and each situation is a little different. One of the most important things I do is simply to listen. What is it in the relationship that has gone bad? Is it really the dog or is there some kind of miscommunication going on? I try to mend the relationship and teach the client how to rebuild and regain control of that relationship. I find this kind of counseling to be very empowering and ultimately very effective. However, I still recommend classes or our DVD to teach the basics!
PupLife.com: What dog training supplies do you recommend? What three behaviors would you like to see every dog owner implement for themselves and their relationships with their dogs?
Beth: 1. Good management: You can’t train a dog if you don’t have the right tools. In our DVD, It’s PAWSible! I thoroughly go over what the human student is going to need in order to start the program and make it work effectively for them.
2. Good social skills: While our DVD can do a lot, it cannot socialize anyone’s dog for them. People need to understand the difficulties that can arise when a dog has been poorly socialized or not socialized at all. At the very least, a person might end up with a shy dog. At worst, a person might end up with a fear-biter or a defensive dog.
3. Good goals: Don’t just take your dog’s behavior one day at time. Think about the adult dog your puppy is going to become (very quickly). What are the behaviors you want your dog to have? Now is the time to teach those skills and prevent behaviors that you don’t want.
PupLife.com: With your extensive experience in dog care and training what do you think is new and exciting in the field?
Beth: I’m glad to see new vaccine protocols coming out and that more people are educating themselves about their dog’s general health. People don’t realize how much behavior can be affected by over-vaccination and poor diet. I’m very happy with what the internet has done to help educate pet owners. I’m a huge advocate of natural feeding and staying in touch with my dogs’ health care. I’m in charge of what happens to them (medically) and no one else is. It’s just like with your own well-being. Our animals rely on us completely for their well-being. Our knowledge of the most effective health care options means that we have the power to keep our companion animals healthy and happy!
PupLife.com: What new projects are you working on?
Beth: Our new DVD project, It’s PAWSible! continues to keep us incredibly busy! We are working diligently to get the information out to as many people as possible. In the future, a second DVD may be in the works but the subject of that DVD is a SECRET!
PupLife.com: How can our readers get in touch with you?
Beth: The best way to reach us is through our website at http://www.itspawsible.com. From there you can email us with any questions and sign up for our monthly newsletter. We can also be reached at our toll-free number: 866-37MYDOG (866-376-9304).
PupLife.com: Thanks so much for talking with us today, Beth. Your DVD, It’s PAWSible! and It’s PAWSible! Dog Training Center provide an invaluable service.
Beth: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure to talk with you and your readers!
