Beyond Sit and Stay: The Secret to Dog Training is Teamwork

BY THE GEORGETOWNER

“Dogs communicate through their emotions. It’s our job to interpret what they’re feeling and what it means.” says Stefanie Duval, owner and founder of Happy Paws DC, a boarding, training and daycare home-awayfrom-home in upper Northwest. “The owner, trainer and the dog have to understand each other so they can work as a team to bring out the dog’s best behavior.”

Since 2007, Happy Paws has been helping pet parents live happily ever after with their dogs—from recent rescues. Without consistency, Stefanie explains dogs and their caregivers can easily forget their lessons. “Every day is training day, whether our canine clients are here with us or at home with their owners.”

Lauri Spiliotes would definitely agree. The now-retired in-house counsel for a large DC-based philanthropy and her husband have always lived with dogs. “We had boxers while the kids were growing up and planned to get a new dog once we retired. But the pandemic came and we were still both working--now from home—and it seemed like the right time to bring another dog into our lives.”

That one dog turned into two: young siblings Coco and Nellie, pit bull and beagle mixes, who were, in a word, “ten handfuls,” Lauri recalls. “They were very high energy and hyperalert, each in different ways. And we were at our wit’s end.”

Happy Paws to the rescue. The couple discovered that daycare was the answer to their needs. “From the beginning, we could see a difference. They responded to clicker training and that helped us help them settle down and become more manageable. It made a tremendous difference. in their lives and ours.”

The experience has turned the Spiliotes family-canine and human--into devoted fans of Happy Paws. Three years later, Coco and Nellie are still enrolled in their play and train sessions and even spend the occasional night in the boarding facility. “What I appreciate about Stefanie is that she’s very direct and honest. She’s done a terrific job hiring people...they are knowledgeable and love dogs. You sense that there’s nothing they haven’t seen.” Lauri concludes, “if you are either overwhelmed or need some guidance, Happy Paws is the place to go.”

Happy Paws is located at 4904 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20016. Tel: 202.363.7297. For more information, visit happypawsdc.com or contact frontdesk@happypaws.com fairy in Turkish mythology, is slated to open in Q1 2024.

American comfort food eatery, Purl , opened where Hikari Sushi used to be at 644 H Street, NE in the H Street corridor. The 88-seat restaurant is brought to you by Ashlee Jack, formerly of District Restaurant Group ( The Ugly Mug) who is now director of hospitality for the Lemon Group Hospitality. Toronto-based Kelsey Ramage has orchestrated the cocktail menu.

Quick Hits: La Bonne Vache will open where the iconic Booeymonger used to be at 3265 Prospect St. NW, in early Q3 2023 this summer with vet chef Rob Aikens….

The Latest Dish

BY LINDA ROTH

Ch-Ch-Changes: Georgetown’s La Chaumière owner Martin Lumet, (who bought it from longtime owner, Gerard Pain in 2006) has sold the country-style French restaurant to Gil Fornaris, formerly of P.F. Chang’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and First Watch, and another industry veteran, Mike Connelly. Martin’s chef/partner Patrick Moulet will continue to run the kitchen until a new chef is named.

Thompson Hospitality Corp. ( Matchbox, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, Wiseguy Pizza, Milk & Honey, Hen Quarter) plans to open Makers Union gastropub at The Wharf, at the end of Q3 2023. It will be their second Makers Union, with a third slated for National Landing. THC also has plans to open Hen Quarter at River Point, near Audi Field, and Wiseguy Pizza in Wheaton.

Hakan Ilhan (Ottoman Taverna , Brasserie Liberté , Al Dente , Il Piatto) plans to open Alara, at 1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Georgetown where Paolo’s used to be. It will feature Turkish, Greek, Lebanese and Israeli (Mediterranean) cuisines. The 120-seat Alara, named for a beautiful water

Jerome and Sophia Grant opened Mahal BBQ, serving Afro-Filipino food, in the H Street NE Corridor… Taco Bell plans to open a Cantina, serving alcoholic beverages with its fare, at 8662 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, where Pollo Campero used to be. It’s next to the Fillmore Silver Spring.

Linda Roth is Founder & CEO of Linda Roth Associates (LRA), a D.C.-based public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the foodservice and hospitality industries. Follow her at: @LindaRothPR, #LindaRothPR, or www.lindarothpr.com.