I knew in my soul that there had to be a better way.

Hello.

Email Beth

Pronouns: She/Her

My name is Beth Berkobien and I have been training dogs and doing behavioral work for 20 yrs. I grew up on a quarter horse farm in Wisconsin, showing quarter horses in various events including: Barrel racing, western pleasure and hunter under saddle. Growing up, my dad trained field trial labs using ecollars and punishment. I remember watching wiggly, happy high drive dogs come out to work and then return to their kennels, shut down and terrified…I knew in my soul that there had to be a better way. I originally wanted to be a vet, but blood makes me a bit squeamish. So, much to my parents dismay, I changed tracks and decided to get a masters degree in Animal Behavior, but because my parents felt that was essentially under-water basket weaving, I also got an MBA. When I graduated UW- Madison, I spent the first few years building my skills in basic manners and obedience, titling my Rottweiler in obedience getting his Companion Dog Excellent.

I began behavior work in 2006, specializing in the reactive dog. Since then I have continued my education and honing my approach, using only science-based methods that truly get results. I specialize in the rescue dog, because they often come to new families holding trauma and PTSD that is often misunderstood.

I live in Downtown Dallas with my husband, Richard, and 5 pups (Professor - Rescued Chihuahua/Terrier mix, Hazel - Rescued Cairn Terrier, Lucy - Rescued Texas Terrier, Edmond - Llewellyn English Setter, Fiona - LLewellyn English Setter) that all came with issues. I also support various local and national rescues.

My work is dedicated to the dogs that have enhanced my life, taught me lessons and shaped my dog training career:

  • Annabelle - Rescued Aussie mix - 2008 to Oct 2016 - Rescued at 2 yrs old - Cancer

  • Schmog - Rescued English Setter - June 2006 to June 2017 - rescued at 5 wks - Back injury

  • Hospice Fosters - Bones (15 yrs old), Bubba (14 yrs old) and Peppa Pig (11 yrs old)

  • BizBee - Rescued Deaf English Setter - 2004 to November 2019 - Rescued at 11 yrs old - Old age

  • Dutchess - Rescued Blind English Setter - 2008 to Sept 25, 2020 - Rescued at 10 yrs old - Mast Cell Stage 2

  • Contessa - Rescued Deaf English Setter - May 9, 2009 - June 7, 2022 - Rescued at 10 years old - Old age

Education, Certifications & Memberships

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Education and Certifications:

  • MS - Animal Behavior - UW Madison

  • CSAP-BC (Certified Separation Anxiety Professional Behavior Consultant) - Julie Naismith SA Pro Trainer Course

  • FDM (Family Dog Mediator) - L.E.G.S Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation Professional Course

  • AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator

  • CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Official Mentor Trainer

Memberships:

Continuing Education:

  • Aggression in Dogs Master Course - Mike Shikashio (completed 2021)

  • Animal Emotions Course - Karolina Westlund (2021)

  • Talking to Clients about Behavior Euthanasia - Trish McMillan and Sue Alexander (2022)

  • The Aggression in Dogs Conference - 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

  • PETPro Mentorship Program - 2023

  • Relaxation Protocol Course for Professionals - Pet Harmony - Completed 2024

  • Unlocking Resilience - Dr. Kristina Spaulding (in progress - 2025)