TipTopTails Dog Training

I have over eleven years of experience working with dogs and their owners, and for seven years I have been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) after passing a national certification exam on dog behavior and training.  Attending seminars and staying current on professional literature ensures that I can maintain my certification and bring our clients the most up-to-date information about training and behavior.

I started off my dog training career just like you – as a student.  Even though I grew up on a small farm with dogs, cats, horses, chickens and geese, when I got my first dog I was frustrated by my inability to get through to him.  The traditional correction methods I learned at puppy class just didn’t work, and I didn’t know any other way to train. 

It seemed like there had to be a better way.

My life changed when I learned about positive reinforcement training.  This training method emphasizes showing your dog what to do and rewarding your dog for getting it right.  Finally, my dog and I could train with cooperation instead of confrontation. 

Eventually I worked up the courage to ask my trainer to let me observe additional classes, and that turned into a year-long internship.  After ten years working as a litigation attorney, it was time for a change.  I became a dog trainer. 

Today, I am lucky enough to work with other dog owners and my goal is to enhance your daily life with your dog.  Whether you want to bring a new puppy into your home, teach your adult dog good manners, or spend some time learning fun new tricks with your best friend, I’m here to help. 

When I’m not training your dogs, I’m doing a variety of other dog-related things.  I have titled a dog in Rally obedience and agility and am currently training my dogs in agility and nose work. I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a past president and volunteer for Al-Van Humane Society, and a volunteer for Central Indiana Lab Rescue and Adoption.  I live in Grand Junction with my husband Matt; our dogs Mandy, a Labrador retriever; Hemi, a coonhound mix; and Tonka, a golden retriever; and our cats, Colby Jack and Pepper Jack.

I'm Carolyn Dostal.  I have been involved in dogs since 1974, when I took my West Highland White Terrier to obedience training.  I loved my training nights, and decided then and there that I would like to compete with him.  I went on to put a CD on him, and became involved in showing in obedience, both with him and then with a Miniature Schnauzer, and later my Border Terriers. 

After completing a CDX on my Border Terrier Jodi, I wanted to do something “different” before training and competing in Utility with her.  A friend of mine suggested trying a new sport called agility, and I decided to give it a whirl.  The sport was brand new in the Midwest, the equipment was home-made, the instructors had very limited knowledge, and we had no idea what we were doing, but we knew one thing - this new sport was FUN.  Jodi was a natural and we spent great times together with our friends at Blitzen Canine Academy doing demos in the Chicagoland area to get clubs interested in this new sport.  Later, my Border Terriers Jodi and Stardust competed in the first trials ever, earning some of the first USDAA and NCDA titles.

I started training agility classes in 1991 and became a NCDA agility judge in 1995.  Later I became one of the first AKC agility judges, and Jodi became the first AKC agility titled Border Terrier, with her mom Stardust becoming the second. 

My dogs have shown and titled in UKC obedience, UKC agility, NADAC agility, USDAA agility, CPE agility, Obedience, Rally and Confirmation.  I am currently showing a beagle in the Excellent level in AKC and pursuing a PACH title, and show two to three times a month.  I am also training another young male beagle in agility and showing him in conformation.  I also judge nine to ten agility shows per year for CPE and UKC.  Both my dogs are currently doing Nose Work and we are pursuing this new sport and hope to bring a Nose Work trial to the Michigan area.  

I am very happy to be on the staff of TipTopTails and looking forward to working with all of you.

Learning new skills and building stronger relationships through teamwork is such a fun and rewarding process, and I am thrilled to have the chance to work with you and your dog!