Happy by Dr. Zazie Todd

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

Janet Velenovsky runs her own business, Kaizen Pet Training & Behavior, and shares her home with five dogs, all of whom are registered 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 enjoyed 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 activities. 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

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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

“It is essential to my world view to use cooperative, kind, and clear communication to develop relationships with animals and give them opportunities 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.” - Janet Velenovsky

reaching Excellent levels. Five have competed in Rally, earning multiple titles in two venues. Three have competed in Nosework. My latest has titled in Dock Diving.

Q: What reward do you get out of a day's training? A: I always enjoy establishing a relationship with an animal and watching him/her go from uncertain and afraid to eager to interact. That simple connection with a nonverbal being never ceases to thrill me.

I also enjoy the smiles and relief many owners show when I can connect with their pet, when I recognize the beauty or intelligence of their pet, and when the pet makes a breakthrough in understanding what we are asking. Seeing progress that helps us keep the pet with its family is a highly rewarding outcome.

Q: What are some of your favorite positive reinforcement techniques for the most commonly encountered client‐dog problems? A: I am most interested in helping the dog make good choices in any situation and building confidence in the dog to work with me. Careful observation, marking, and rewarding the slightest indication of a good choice (inhibition of excitement, checking in with handler, moving of muscles that indicate the beginning of desired response) builds value for that choice. There is no substituting clever gadgets or techniques for focused observation and clear communication with the "student."

Q: Who has most influenced your career and how? A: I was blessed to have Dr. R.K. Anderson as a mentor; he impressed upon me the value of data and true scientific standards in learning. I can count friends and colleagues Terry Ryan, Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, Sophia Yin, Pam Reid, and Lore Haug as major influences. Each of these folks provided models of professionalism, compassion, curiosity, and drive for excellence. Veterinary behaviorists and professional dog trainers as communities also had an influence on my desire to strive for standards and collaboration in our work.

Q: What advice would you give to a new trainer starting out? A: Read lots and lots of books by qualified trainers and veterinary behaviorists. Meet as many as you can, and attend lots of conferences, seminars, and meetings. Go for a variety of input within the scientific community. Be critical. Don't accept everything you hear or read without critical thought. Study and practice as if you were earning a college degree. Be professional in all your interactions and practices.

Q: How has PPG helped you to become a more complete trainer? A: PPG is doing an invaluable service by providing a focus on finding the most compassionate and humane way to accomplish the work we do. I am very pleased to be a founding member of PPG. n

Kaizen Pet Training & Behavior ( velenovsky.com ) is based in Montpelier, Virginia. To be featured in the BARKS Profile section, please complete this form : bit.ly/2y9plS1