Brenda Rushman, Dip.C.B., C.C.B.C.
Advisory Board Member
http://www.PAWSitiveSolutions.net
Brenda and her husband live (currently) with 5 dogs: 3 St. Bernards, 2 mixed breeds: 4 are rescued dogs, and have chosen to stay. All are family members, and have been trained in companion obedience without use of aversive technique. Brenda holds associate degrees in business, and chose to "let her life go to the dogs" when she adopted her first St. Bernard, Cis, from a local backyard breeder, and could find no appropriate dog-related facilities (boarding, grooming, daycare, etc.) in the area. Long-term goals include erection of a facility that would offer all of these services, plus training, using only positive reinforcement techniques in dealing with the dogs and their humans.
In the interests of decreasing the numbers of dogs in shelters, Brenda offers breed counseling, adoption counseling, behavior counseling to adopters of rescued dogs (at a discount), breeder referrals when appropriate, and adoption referrals. Brenda taught (and continues to teach) rescue volunteers to use gentle methodology in their rehabilitation of the rescued dogs. She travels over the tri-state area teaching rescue volunteers assessment and behavior modification technique, to help to improve their relationships with the dogs.
Brenda studied extensively with Brandy Oliver, M.A., acclaimed owner of DoggieDoor.com and K9U.com, and was the Message Boards Manager of Brandy's website for 2 years, owning many of the topics. Brenda continues to further her education whenever possible, through reading, video, hands-on, observation, and attending workshops when offered close-to-home. During the course of her research, it became necessary to make an ethical and moral commitment to the use of positive reinforcement methodology, in order to facilitate the human/animal bond, and, in the process, denounce all use of aversive or coercive technique. Toward this endeavor, her behavior consulting business, PAWSItive Solutions! Canine Behavior Counseling, Ltd., was born... a private-session, results-oriented training and behavior modification business in eastern Ohio. Since her background is so deeply entrenched in working with rescued dogs, Brenda's business offers a 25% discount on training rates, for those dogs that are altered prior to commencement of training. She still does rescue work on a local level, offers rescue groups working with St. Bernards free consultations with problem dogs, and operates a private, national mentoring group for rescue people who work with large and giant breeds.