Janet K. Butkiewicz has owned a number of dogs over the years and has always been called upon by friends and family members for help with their pets. Her innate understanding of canine behavior led her to receiving her degree in canine behavior counseling and obedience training, and in founding Paws Abilities in 2006. Aware that in excess of three million companion animals are euthanized for various reasons in the United States each year, Janet works to build healthy relationships between people and their companion animals so the pet can remain happily within the family setting rather than being given up for adoption. We visited with Janet recently, and listened as she described the services Paws Abilities provides;
Paws Abilities specializes in in-home canine behavior counseling and treatment, obedience training, and pet walking services. I offer a six-week in-home puppy socialization and obedience training program which not only teaches obedience training, but also provides the owners with the necessary leadership skills they need to establish a healthy relationship with their pet. Without these vital skills, the dogs usually take over the household and the owners begin to view their pets as unruly and uncontrollable, an unfortunate situation for both pets and owners.
I provide one-on-one obedience training lessons, and also canine behavior counseling for dogs with behavioral problems. After a full assessment and evaluation of the dog, I recommend protocols designed to enable the owner to effectively handle problematic behavior, such as separation anxiety, dominance aggression (dog to human aggression), interspecies aggression (dog to other dog aggression), food aggressions, improper urination, submissive urination, and fear aggression. As these behaviors are all anxiety based, I strive to find ways to calm the dog while working with the owner to reshape their pet's behavior.
I work with puppies from three months of age through their adult years. Some owners find that behavior they thought was cute when their pet was a puppy is not as cute when they are grown and become difficult to manage. Adult dogs that have been adopted from animal shelters generally come with their own set of behavioral problems that must be overcome. By developing proper leadership skills, the owner can create the firm leadership required to teach their pet to respond appropriately within the family setting.
When a pet lives with several people, everyone in the household must become involved in the dog's training. It is important that everyone in the family be willing to accept the program and work with the dog, otherwise they may unintentionally sabotage the training program by not providing responses consistent with the program goals.
Even with obedience training, it is important to understand that the client will not have a perfectly behaved dog at the end of the six week program. During the sessions my clients will be provided with the tools and knowledge they need, but it is up to them to carry on that training throughout their pet's entire life. Should they develop a problem after the six week program has ended, I will come back for a follow-up visit at no additional cost.
Paws Abilities can help you build a happy, healthy relationship with your dog. Call Paws Abilities today, and don't forget to tell them Avon Lake Business & Living sent you!
