p r o f i l e
The Ethical Choice In our ongoing series of PPG member profiles, this month BARKS features
Janet Velenovsky of Kaizen Pet Training & Behavior in Montpelier, Virginia
J
anet Velenovsky runs her own business, Kaizen Pet Training & Be havior, and shares her home with five dogs, all of whom are regis tered therapy dogs, and four rescue cats.
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about yourself, how you first got into animal behavior and training and what you are doing now? A: The company I worked for went out of business when my first adult dog was about a year old. During my time of unemployment, I en joyed going to some seminars on training and dog behavior and quickly became hooked. I ended up being offered a job with a pet products company who liked my corporate experience and I spent the next seven years getting onthejob training and networking with the movers and shakers of training and veterinary behavior. When that company was sold to a shock collar manufacturer, I knew I couldn't stay. I left to start my own company, providing insight and assistance to pet owners in my own community. I couldn't be happier. Q: Tell us a little bit about your own pets. A: I am currently owned by five dogs and four cats. It never ceases to amaze me how much diversity there is within a species. All four cats are rescues, two are shorthairs and two longhairs. Each has his or her own story and personality. My canines include two border collies, two golden retrievers, and a terrier/spaniel mix. We do agility, Rally, Nosework, and therapy activi ties. They make amazing partners in working with fearful and aggressive dogs. I couldn't do my work without them. Q: Why did you become a dog trainer or pet care provider? A: Like most, I have always loved animals. Providing help to animals and their families is a privilege. Q: What drives you to be a force‐free professional and why is it impor‐ tant to you? A: It is essential to my world view to use cooperative, kind, and clear communication to develop relationships with animals and give them op
Showcasin best of theg the pet industry chuckle anto chat, d share Join hosts Niki Tudge and Louise StapletonFrappell with their special guests discussing news and views on force-free training, behavior, and pet care!
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© Janet Velenovsky
Janet Velenovsky considers helping animals and their families to be a privilege
portunities to participate in their learning processes and in their care. The science of dog training provides us with understanding of how to accomplish this. There is no other ethical choice. First do no harm. Build communication and relationship. Then shape behavior, rewarding what we want. Q: Are you a crossover trainer or have you always been a force‐free trainer? A: I have always been a forcefree trainer. Q: What do you consider to be your area of expertise? A: Behavior challenges like aggression, problems between housemates, and remedial socialization. I work with both dogs and cats. Q: What is your favorite part of your job? A: There are so many good things. Independence from "office hours," meeting people and helping them, making new cat and dog friends, watching any creature (human, feline, canine) acquire new knowledge or understanding, using the science to perform "magic" in the owners' eyes. Q: What is the funniest or craziest situation you have been in with a pet and their owner? A: Well, there are the usual faux pas like confusing the names of the pet and the spouse or child during a first visit, or ringing the wrong doorbell because I tend to invert numbers in addresses. And there was the time a dog who didn't like riding in cars tried to get into mine with me as I was leaving the appointment... Q: What awards or competition placements have you and your dog(s) achieved using force‐free methods? A: All of my dogs are registered therapy dogs. I have also certified three of my dogs as crisis response comfort dogs. Four dogs have competed in agility, earning a dozen titles, with two
BARKS from the Guild/July 2020
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