Dog Trainer, Behaviorist, & Class Instructor

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Training your dog does not have to be a lesson in frustration! Does your pet have some unacceptable behaviors that you need help modifying, but you just can't seem to find the right method of getting through? Allow us to help you get on the path to a better training relationship!

Awesome Paws Academy focuses on fun obedience training and happily obeying dogs! We want to help you build a lifelong training relationship with your pet using positive, motivational techniques with an emphasis on relationship-based dog training, so that you don't always have to rely on that leash! By using classical and operant conditioning, we create stronger bonds that are science based, not coercion based.

Sadly, emergencies rarely happen when the leash is attached, and as a certified veterinary technician for a local veterinary hospital, Julie Westphal, our owner, has never seen a hit-by-car emergency where the dog has had the leash attached. Let's get you started on your dog's "naked obedience" today!

We have 10+ years of experience with the following:

* Human and Dog Aggression Modification
* Anxiety modification
* Resolving storm phobias
* All stages of obedience training
* Competition readiness
* New puppy temperament testing and training
* Tracking
* Tricks and more

We also offer:

* Vacation boarding school
* Mini-group sessions
* Full-length, in-home courses
* Field trips
* Run-thru critiques
* Group classes through Cudahy Kennel Club

Julie is proud to be one of CKC's chosen instructors, and she teaches puppy-through-competition obedience. She specializes in recalls, tricks, and "challenge" classes! She is also one of their private instructors, if you would like private instruction at the building.

In addition, Julie has been giving demonstrations, holding Seminars, and otherwise educating others her entire career. Her life's mantra is: Changing The World...One Pet At A Time.

Let us help you teach your pet some new behaviors and modify old or unwanted ones, and all the while strengthening your relationship and building trust.

Call or email today!

Earn applause with Awesome Paws!

Reviews

• 5/5 stars April 2, 2012

  

  I would highly recommend Julie to any of my friends (and have) that want to train their dogs. I like that she comes to your house. She was very helpful in giving me a different approach to training that is more my style of training. I have started using the techniques she has shown me in the past few days and my dog has shown improvements.

  – Rebekah

• August 14, 2011

  

  Just wanted to share with everyone my experience.
  
  My dog jumps and barks. A lot. To the point where he was aggressive and scaring people. I didnt think he would hurt anyone but he is a 92lb Lab and boy, can he pack a punch! He pushes me around sometimes, especially when I get home after work. It came to a head two weeks ago when he jumped and knocked me into a wall, where I fell and got hurt. IT had to stop. Anyway, I called around, got some prices. I don't have time for class, so I started looking at in-home trainers. I called "Awesome Paws Academy" and Julie got back to me that evening, which I did think was weird, as I had talked with a few other people right away and got information on options, price, etc, but I found out she works some days as a certified technician at an animal hospital. When I talked to her...there was just something that clicked when she explains why he might be doing the jumping and barking. She had not even met him yet but she guessed that when I knee'd or pushed him down he got more excited. I was reinforcing him, not punishing him! He LOVED the "knee game" and wanted to play more! She even encouraged me to call around a bit and make sure I found the trainer that I felt most comfortable with, since I didn't know what I wanted to do...instead of asking "when would you like to set this up?" like the others. She does cost more than some. So I did, went through my notes, visited her and others websites. Went to her youtube link and even looked at the blog. The videos and entries are not the usual "professional" ones ...but they do show her love for dogs and made me smile. I called her back and asked for some referrals, saying I wanted just a little more time. The referrals I spoke with (only one did not get back to me) were all happy with her help and feel they accomplished their goal. I'm a pretty skeptical person...they are referrals after all. But they all encouraged me to ask for a "demo" if I picked her.
  
  Well, I went with my gut and we met this week ...and I am impressed. The demo with her dog, Guinnes (a very well trained dobberman) was good. Not only did I see some very nice obedience and some neat tricks, but he was very well behaved and ...nice. I have been attacked before by dogs as I deliver mail and there are some dobbermans that bark and growl and snap at me through fences. I was a little leery. She noticed my discomfort, though, and made sure I was okay with him on leash and then she even took his collar off and showed how she trains "naked obedience." I would love to see that with Gryffin (I love harry potter) but we have a long way to go.
  
  I would recommend Julie to ANYONE. She clearly communicates with dogs AND people and Gryffin is already a much more behaved people-greeter. After one session with her, I've been teaching him to sit and wait politely many times...without his leash on. I've read some books, researched online, talked to people, tried jerking his collar, kneeing him, spraying him, what I now know as "aversive training" and it didn't work anyway! After months of trying things, one day he was obnoxious and the next -the halo appears! It's amazing how he seems to just understand me more now with a lot of things. He's so darn cute when he slams his butt into the ground, thumping his tail, and practically gives himself whiplash looking for me when the doorbell rings. I can't wait until our next session when we learn walking nice!
  
  Anyway, I am forwarding this to her as well, so she can post it on her website as another testimonial.
  
  Thank you Julie and thank you for teaching me...Awesome Paws. The fun new games are really helping make a difference...I can't believe I didn't do this sooner!
  
  I hope any of you guys out there needing a dog trainer call her! Have a good day!
  

  – Bea

• 5/5 stars May 9, 2011

  

  Julie was super professional! She emailed when she said she would, she called to confirm the appointment, she showed up on time and gave me a wealth of information. I would highly recommend Julie's services!!!

  – Tanya

• April 17, 2011

  

  Julie is the most knowledgable person in her field. There aren't many trainers that have experience in this plus veterinary experience. She knows her stuff! And I am proud to say I have worked closely with her as one of her employees and one of her fellow veterinary technicians.

  – Efrem

• April 4, 2011

  

  Julie has this special talent for being able to interact with and understand animal behavior and animal/human relationships that just can't be taught in any school. It's a surprise to many (myself included) to see just how much you can learn and accomplish when you take the right approach. Many people can claim they teach your dog to obey you, and sometimes they actually can. But at what cost to you and the relationship that you have with your pet? To see the full potential you can have with your dog, where you know you both are happy - and the ability to wow your friends and family - talk with Julie. Don't settle for anyone else.

  – Brad

• April 1, 2011

  

  I met Julie while I had been signed up in another class with a different trainer. It was an 8 week class and my dog and I were at the end of our session , and I knew not only was my dog not ready to attend an Obedience trial but neither was I .
  I talked with Julie and signed up for 6 lessons within 3 sessions PJ and I were on our way to our first trial and she received her first leg in Obedience . PJ is now a Grand Champion Versatility Dog.
  Thank you Julie and Guinness!!

  – Dawn

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