Article: Dog Trainer Teaches Capitol View Students Tricks or her Trade

From East Des Moines Press Citizen July 10, 2002
by Roger Miller

This German Shepherd-Malamute mix was described as "nasty."

.... So I ended up going to several schools, went to several teachers, and nobody could seem to help me, for what I wanted to do," Osborn said.

What she didn't want to do was use traditional dog training methods. "I didn't want the rough, jerk-pop-pinch-pull," she said. "I wanted to work it out in a more humane way."

So, she ended up networking with other like-minded dog trainers, reading, studying over the internet and educating herself, working toward her goal.

Today, she operates Mystic Moon Kennel, a canine training facility for dogs of all ages and sizes. She recently took four of her "pupils" to Capitol View School to talk to third and fourth graders in a summer session reading class about what was important in owning a dog.

"In one of my reading groups, we were reading a book about a dog sled race," Mary Sieloff said. "Ms. Hoffman, one of our reading practicum students, got the idea about a dog trainer coming to talk to the class as a special activity."

Tonja Osborn of Mystic Moon Kennels introduces her Borzoi hound to students at Capitol View School in the course of her presentation on choosing and raising dogs as pets. The presentation was a part of a summer reading and writing program for students.

The summer session reading and writing class is offered to Capitol View third and fourth graders through the month of June. The class is co-taught by Sieloff and Beth Bloom, as well as Terri Hoffman, who teaches Middle School throughout the school year, but who took a reading practicum this summer for certification. Summer school lasts only through the month of June. "There was a time when there were more sessions in more schools, but that was cut when the funding was cut," Sieloff said. "So I think Capitol View is one of the few schools that is having summer school.

There was a time long ago when attending summer school was tantamount to being sentenced to hard labor on the chain gang. Not anymore! Students in the reading/writing class were genuinely pleased to be a part of the experience. "The best spelling activity would be when we do poetry," said class member Lizbeth Paz.

"Every year, it's really fun," said Latosha Kuyrkendall, 9, a member of the class. "We learn how to read and so we don't forget over the summer and we become better readers. I like it." Latosha said she looks forward to coming to summer school each year, and spent her free time reading and writing in her writer's notebook, as well as skateboarding.

Just outside the classroom, Osborn told the attentive group gathered on the lawn that many factors go into choosing a dog. "You need to consider the size of the dog, the dog's personality," she said. She showed the class members several of her own pets, from a naturally gregarious Dalmatian to a more reserved Ibizan Hound, the only one in Iowa. "Ibizan Hounds are the 137th most popular dog, out of a list of 139." she laughed. Osborn demonstrated several commands, and had the class members issue a group-command to one of her dogs to "lay down." Sure enough, on hearing that command, the large dog hit the deck, and stayed there until Osborn indicated that it was okay for him to get back up.

"A lot of people call themselves trainers, but you need to be able to prove it," said Osborn. A bushel full of titles won in competition with her own dogs has established credibility with veterinarians in the area. she had dogs in the top four in national competitions. "They figure if I am at a national level, maybe I knew what I was doing." She does in-home training, which includes follow-up visits to check on the progress of the dog. Interested persons can contact Mystic Moon Kennels at 515-287-4809.

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Canine Training by Mystic Moon, Inc.
Des Moines Dog Training, and surrounding areas
Tonja Osborn, Owner/Trainer

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