About Me
Becky Stowe, CPDT-KA
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Certified Professional Dog Trainer, KA, CCPDT
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Professional Responder, ASPCA Behavioral Sciences Team
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Certificate in Shelter Training and Welfare, Karen Pryor Academy
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Certificate in Animals and Human Health, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work
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Certificate, Fear Free Shelters
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Certificate, Behavior Works, Living and Learning with Animals
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Attended Hunter College Animal Behavior and Conservation Program
In 2007, when I began training my dog Blaise as a Therapy Dog, I fell headfirst into the world of Canine Nerddom and I’ve never left. After a three-decade career in publishing, I started my own Second Act (or Third or Fourth but who's counting?) and went back to school to study Animal Behavior. I began volunteering at a shelter, which eventually led to working full time in the sheltering world, and then to dog training. I’ve held a variety of jobs, including Volunteer Coordinator, Program Director, Dog Program Coordinator, and Trainer. During that time, I’ve apprenticed with senior trainers, attended numerous workshops, seminars and conferences, and studied independently through the Karen Pryor Academy and the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy.
I recently retired from the ASPCA's Behavioral Sciences Team, where I deployed regularly to work with dogs rescued from puppy mills, dog-fighting cases, and hoarding situations, specializing in work with fearful dogs.
Here at home, I work privately with individuals and families on everything from helping a new dog adjust to the home to basic manners to addressing behavior problems. I also work with the Immersive Training dogs at the Hudson Valley Dog Farm, www.hudsonvalleydogfarm.com.
I am a passionate advocate of science-based training and believe that training based on choice is more effective, humane, and long-lasting than training based on fear or coercion.
In my previous life, I wrote novels and short fiction, taught writing at the 92nd St Y in New York City, and edited fiction and creative non-fiction. I am currently offering select full-length developmental edits. For more information visit www.rebeccastowe.com. I have three published novels, one of which is even still in print!
I am owned by two dogs, Merlin the Aussie and Buck the Red Dog, both of whom came from shelters and have “issues.” Dogs with “issues” are the best teachers! Merlin is a show-off smarty-pants who has titled in Nose Work, Parkour and Trick Dog (Expert!) ; Buck was extremely fearful and now is the happiest, most mellow fellow ever. They are both now doing Nose Work and Dog Parkour and loving every minute of it.
