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Basic Manners Training Tips

Basic Manners Training Tips

Shopping List and Planning for the Perfect Dog

Shopping List and Planning for the Perfect Dog

"Starting off right" is always helpful when you begin your journey with your new puppy or dog. Because of that and possible confusion over what to buy while shopping, I wanted to give you a little help figuring out what to get.
 
There are so many possible items available, it can get a little confusing. Let's break it down.
by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Your New Puppy

Your New Puppy

New Year? New Puppy? By now, you are either really excited about your new puppy and having a great time, or you are wondering: "What have I done to my life!?"  I've heard mostly these two extremes when people call for puppy classes or behavior work.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Crate Training Your New Puppy

Crate Training Your New Puppy

A crate is your absolute best management tool. I cannot imagine bringing up a well-behaved puppy without a crate.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


10 Steps to a Successful Adoption

10 Steps to a Successful Adoption

Here are 10 steps to a sucessful dog adoption!

Following these 10 steps will help prevent problems and help you have the dog of your dreams.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Crazy about Dog Body Language, Part 1

Crazy about Dog Body Language, Part 1

Learning how to read dog body language will make you an even better trainer for your puppy or dog.
 
This is my favorite topic when I'm teaching new students. Even after 25 years of doing what I do, I STILL study it. It's fascinating to me and I feel it only helps people learn more about training their puppies and dogs.
by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Crazy about Dog Body Language, Part 2

Crazy about Dog Body Language, Part 2

This is a continuation of my series on how dogs communicate.  This newsletter is about your dog's mouth.  Dog's communication can be very clear, but most often the communication between two canines or between canines and humans can be very subtle.  Dog's communicate constantly, even when you don't realize they are.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Crazy about Dog Language, Part 3

Crazy about Dog Language, Part 3

In the last two dog body language articles, I talked about how your dog’s eyes and how your dog’s mouth communicates his feelings towards other dogs and people.  But, when you are trying to read a dog’s communication, you have to look at his whole body to really get the full picture of what is in his mind in the moment.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Nothing in Life is Free

Nothing in Life is Free

Nothing in Life is Free!  (NLIF)
Also referred to as "Say Please!"

One of the questions that people ask in classes at It's PAWSible! is: "How much time should I spend doing my homework?"

 

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Top 6 Tips to Successfully Train your Dog

Top 6 Tips to Successfully Train your Dog

Top 6 Training Tips for Successful Dog Training

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Training Thoughts to Consider

Training Thoughts to Consider

So you just acquired a new dog or puppy and you know that you must provide him with food and water, but did you know a dog's greatest need is for companionship?  That's right, companionship is more important to your dog than food.  That is a fact!

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Avoiding Damaging Training Methods

Avoiding Damaging Training Methods

It's so sad for me to realize that my clients and other dog owners can easily be subjected to their puppies or dogs suffering rough treatment from other professionals.  There are still some old, and just plain bad dog training methods still being used by people in the fields of pet care.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


How To Teach Your Dog Impulse Control

How To Teach Your Dog Impulse Control

It's so important for people to understand that dogs are not born with any impulse control.  If you have a puppy or dog that lacks some training, more then likely teaching him or her some "impulse control" will help solve most of your problems.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Learn How to Become a Wise Dog Food Consumer

Learn How to Become a Wise Dog Food Consumer

Whenever I’m working with students one on one and sometimes during group classes, I ask them:  “What kind of dog food do you feed?” 

Sometimes I’m asking the question because of a certain behavior problem, like over-reactivity to people or dogs, obesity, frequent very loose stools or aggressive behavior.

Dog food is a very misunderstood, but a very important part of your dog’s life.  Your choice in foods can make a difference in all of the above examples and more.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Keep 'Em Coming!

Keep 'Em Coming!

Training your dog to come when called is the most important skill we can teach our dogs! When your dog doesn’t come when called, there could be a major danger lurking in his future!  Why? If your dog is running towards the road and you cannot successfully get your dog to come when you call, that could be the worst of disasters.
 
Here are some ideas on how to keep your dog coming to you every time you call!
by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Improving your Dog's Down Stay

Improving your Dog's Down Stay

Helpful hints as to where and when you should practice the down-stay skill.  To find out Beth's hints, read more here

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


The Power of Being Nice

The Power of Being Nice

I have a couple of acquaintances and colleagues that are Veterinarians.  Recently I interviewed one to give my clients a look into that profession.

But, I wanted to share with you something that was a little upsetting to hear from two Veterinarians in the last week.



Teaching your Dog to Wait at the Door

Teaching your Dog to Wait at the Door

Is it sometimes a struggle for you to get in and out of doors with your dog?  Does your dog try to leap out of your vehicle before you can get a leash on him?

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Games; Fun Training Tools

Games; Fun Training Tools

Play should always be considered training and training should be considered play. Interactive games that make you look like a trusted, respected friend are best.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Muzzle Do's and Don't's

Muzzle Do's and Don't's

Do you ever have to use a muzzle for your dog? There IS a time for a muzzle for most dogs, even if it's just a preventative measure at the veterinary clinic.  

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Learn How to Avoid the Pain of Puppy Biting

Learn How to Avoid the Pain of Puppy Biting

Puppies are little biting machines!  They bite things that move, things that don't move, each other, your hands, anything!  Not only is this normal, it is an important part of their development! But how can you learn to live with it?

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Successfully Managing a Multi-Dog Household

Successfully Managing a Multi-Dog Household

Since I’ve had dogs, I’ve almost always had a pack of 3. For a short time, I had 4 dogs which was tough as I felt like I couldn’t stretch myself that thin for the amount of attention I like to give my dogs. Currently, I’m back to three. I like three, For me that is a perfect number of dogs.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


MACh, C-ATCH Paradox Educated Guess, Grin

MACh, C-ATCH Paradox Educated Guess, Grin

Whenever we, as people, acquire a dog or any pet, the assumption is we will outlive that pet. I am speaking about dogs right now. I know each time I get a puppy that she is my responsibility forever. I need to keep her safe. I also know that more than likely at some point I’ll have to make a decision to let him or her go. 
I unexpectedly lost my girl Grin last week.
This newsletter is to honor this special dog, forever in my heart and by my side.
by Beth Ostrowski-Parks


Finding the

Finding the "Right" Way to Train your Dog?


I feel I am so fortunate to be able to do what I do. I really love working with people and their dogs.  My goal is to make people feel happy and satisfied that they are doing all they can to make their dogs into great family members.   However, when people acquire a puppy or dog, they usually are inundated with advice from people who may be family, friends, or co-workers.  

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


He Does it Perfectly At Home

He Does it Perfectly At Home

He Does it Perfectly at Home

I’m sure that Sheila, Pam, and I have heard this statement thousands of times from our students. There is often frustration when your dog can do a sit-stay from rooms away in the house, but while in class your dog cannot seem to even do a 3-foot distance sit-stay. 
 

 

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


"COVID Puppies and Dogs"

Should I worry about my “Covid puppy”
Let me help you relax a little… 

Yes, 2020 was a unique year on so many levels.  Our country and the world will be feeling the backlash of COVID for a very long time for sure.
Where people typically worry about COVID affecting the dogs bought or rescued during the pandemic is:

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Re-visiting Puppy!

Re-visiting Puppy!

Four weeks ago, Wayne and I got a new puppy!
Enter Batman.

Batman is a blue and white Border Collie.  He is my first Border Collie.  For the last 2 years, "Team Beth" has just been me and my two girls Kala and Grin.  I lost my young boy Ninja in January 2019.  I needed time before I restarted the journey.

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA


Words from a Professional Groomer

Words from a Professional Groomer

This interview is with a Professional Groomer.

At It’s PAWSible!, I performed quite a bit of grooming for about 2 years here along with a Professional Groomer at my side to learn from.  I loved it.  We had our own Grooming Van for a while.  But I quickly realized that groomers are way under paid for the job they perform.  The profession, in my opinion, is way under valued and under respected.  You may have even heard that joke:  “ I pay more for my dog’s grooming then I do to get my own hair cut!”

by Beth Ostrowski-Parks, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA