In a significant development for dog owners in the region, Bekah Chapman, an experienced dog trainer, has launched a new dog obedience course through the Oxford Park Commission. This initiative aims to enhance the bond between pets and their owners, drawing on Chapman’s extensive background spanning more than 13 years in dog training.
Building Trust Through Training
The obedience course, which takes place weekly at Stone Park, is designed to instill fundamental skills while fostering trust between handlers and their dogs. Chapman emphasizes the importance of both training and communication. “This is a foundational obedience class,” she stated. “We focus on the basics — sit, stay, wait, loose leash walking, recall and touch. But beyond the cues, I emphasize communication and teamwork between the dog and handler.”
Chapman’s qualifications extend beyond standard obedience training. She is certified in Urban and Wilderness Search and Rescue, with experience deploying her trained dogs for live find and human remains detection in both local and national cases. Additionally, she serves as an evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen program.
The course is a result of a collaborative effort between Chapman and the Oxford Park Commission. “I’ve been passionate about offering accessible, quality training to the community, and OPC was looking for opportunities to bring unique programs to their members,” Chapman explained.
Training for Dogs of All Ages
Chapman believes that dogs of all ages can benefit significantly from training. “Puppies definitely get a great start from it, but older dogs often thrive too,” she noted. “Sometimes people think their dog is ‘too old to learn,’ but that’s not true. Dogs of all ages are capable of learning new skills and improving their manners. The key is adjusting the pace and expectations to the individual dog.”
One prevalent misconception about dog behavior is the belief that certain dogs are simply “bad.” According to Chapman, this perspective often stems from a lack of understanding. “The biggest misconception I see is the idea that some dogs are just ‘bad,’” she said. “In reality, most of the time it’s simply a matter of communication and training. Dogs don’t come into our homes already knowing our rules or expectations—we have to teach them in a way they understand.” Once owners learn effective ways to guide and motivate their dogs, undesirable behaviors can transform into opportunities for improvement.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Kerry O’Donoghue, who is currently attending the class with her Great Dane mix, Gemma, expressed her satisfaction: “It’s the best class I’ve ever been to. And I’ve been taking my dogs to training classes for well over 40 years. Bekah is a tremendous trainer.”
The current course is fully booked, but Chapman plans to offer additional sessions in the future. She encourages interested dog owners to regularly check the Oxford Park Commission’s website and social media platforms for updates. “Spots tend to go quickly, so I encourage people to sign up as soon as they see the class announced,” she advised.
