Articles

Those I've been featured in, and those I've published.

A Cat Called Sky Dawg
by Tonja Osborn

9 years ago, I was searching for a puppy, for a breed that I had never owned, or knew anyone else in my area that I had helped train; that would be difficult in attitude. Difficult/stubborn towards humans, dogs, small critters, education, in public, with other naughty dogs, etc. I studied breeds for months, reading all I could. Talked endlessly on the phone to dozens of breeders representing purebred AKC dogs, and mix breed dogs (not recognized by AKC) breeds.

I heard that Catahoulas were the up and coming "pit bull" dog in the U.S. Even semi truck drivers had stories about horrible incidents involving Catahoulas in the southern states. Running in packs, killing anything they wanted: horses, cattle, small critters, etc. Even a lady in her own horse stable, with her small poodle, was attacked; right there on her own.....<Read the rest of the story>

In my prior life I was a Rottweiler
by Tonja Osborn

In my prior life I was a Rottweiler. Although housebroke and happy, I felt I was misunderstood, and looked down on. I vowed that in my next life I would work hard to bridge the gap between human and canine communication.

Seriously though, we've all been frustrated over an inability to communicate with friends, relatives, co-workers, etc., even though we speak the same language. Imagine how difficult it would be for a Russian and an American to communicate if they didn't have a root language.....<Read the rest of the story>

From East Des Moines Press Citizen
Dog Trainer Teaches Capitol View Students Tricks or her Trade
by Roger Miller

You can teach an old dog new tricks. Tonja Osborn does it all the time. 

Tonja Osborn loves her work. Ever since she got a dog she described as "nasty," Osborn has made a practice of showing dogs who is boss.

"I started studying eleven years ago. At the time I had a rescue German Shepard-Malamute mix, and he was not a nice dog to work with. He really wanted to be boss, and at 90 pounds, he could be boss."....<Read the rest of the story>

From The Des Moines Register
Animals Learn in Time with Taste of Motivation
by Steven S. Woo

Tonja Osborn specializes in training difficult dogs.

"The goal is to reduce the number of dogs that need to be moved to another home," or in the worst cases, put to sleep because of behavior problems, said Osborn, owner of Canine training by Mystic Moon in Des Moines.

She teaches hyperactive dogs that usually refuse to respond to commands to fetch, lie down and sit....<Read the rest of the story>

From The Des Moines Register
He walks the walk, barks the bark
by Steven S. Woo

Woof! Woof!... Rauurgh grrrrrargh -- Woof! Woof! Yeeeeeowlll.... Ruff-ruff-ruff-ruff-ruff!!!

Am I barking up the wrong tree by trying to understand what my dog is saying to me?

No, say the makers of the Bow-Lingual, a new electronic gadget that uses state-of-the-art voiceprint technology painstakingly researched and developed in Japan....<Read the rest of the story>

From www.monkeycube.com
Tasmanian Puppy
by Nathan Wright

Some recent phrases overheard at my household have been: "Why are you eating my pants?" and the ever-popular "For the love of God, STOP CRAPPING!"....<Read the rest of the story>

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

Call for appointments or more information
515-287-4809