Beginning July, 2013, we became a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild, an association for force-free pet professionals.
http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/
You can access our profile page here:
http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Content/Members/MemberPublicProfile.aspx?memberId=10161993
http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/
You can access our profile page here:
http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Content/Members/MemberPublicProfile.aspx?memberId=10161993
About awesome paws
Awesome Paws Academy, located in Southeastern WI, is dedicated to in-home pet training throughout SE Wisconsin and NE Illinois. The owner, Julie Westphal, a Credentialed Veterinary Technician (licensed in the state of Wisconsin), is an experienced reinforcement & motivational instructor who helps owners shape new and modify old behaviors. A full-time CVT for a local veterinary hospital, Julie has also been actively training and educating the public since May of 2002 and has been in the animal care field since January 2001. She fell in love with the sport of Schutzhund in the Fall of 2004 and started to compete in AKC Obedience, Rally-O, and Tracking in 2005. She and her dogs have earned titles in both sports venues.
Her first dog, Guinness (the Doberman), has earned his Trick Dog championship (the 3rd Doberman in the world to do so), his: CGC, WAC, RN, BH, ETD, CA, CD, RA, NAP, 1/3 NFP, CGCA, Longevity, Versatility. He has also been a certified Therapy Dog (until Schutzhund protection work dictated he be retired as such, per the requirements of TDI) and has even dabbled in Search and Rescue training. He was re-certified as a Therapy Dog in November 2013. Sadly, on August 9th, 2016, Guinness crossed The Bridge ahead of Julie after a battle fought hard against a primary lung mass (happens in less than 1% of all dogs; we knew he was special, but Julie told him that was a bit rediculous...). He knew he was surrounded by love as they said goodbye at 9:25pm. The story unfolds here: http://paws4reflection.weebly.com/personal-reflections/a-vet-techs-farewell-to-her-best-friend. He was a true Dobie Ambassador, who helped show the world that the stereotypical "bad" Doberman does not have to exist and that with proper training, you can have an obedient, FUN, dog! You can follow Guinness's legacy here: https://www.facebook.com/GuinnessTheDoberman
There was an amazing gift to Julie on Thanksgiving, 2016, when Emerald Eire's Harper (she is on our Emerald Eire Dobermanns page) came to Julie's home and helped ease some of the heartache caused with Guinness's absence. Harper earned her Novice Trick Dog title (NTD) at 14.5 weeks of age and the journey continues...
Her first dog, Guinness (the Doberman), has earned his Trick Dog championship (the 3rd Doberman in the world to do so), his: CGC, WAC, RN, BH, ETD, CA, CD, RA, NAP, 1/3 NFP, CGCA, Longevity, Versatility. He has also been a certified Therapy Dog (until Schutzhund protection work dictated he be retired as such, per the requirements of TDI) and has even dabbled in Search and Rescue training. He was re-certified as a Therapy Dog in November 2013. Sadly, on August 9th, 2016, Guinness crossed The Bridge ahead of Julie after a battle fought hard against a primary lung mass (happens in less than 1% of all dogs; we knew he was special, but Julie told him that was a bit rediculous...). He knew he was surrounded by love as they said goodbye at 9:25pm. The story unfolds here: http://paws4reflection.weebly.com/personal-reflections/a-vet-techs-farewell-to-her-best-friend. He was a true Dobie Ambassador, who helped show the world that the stereotypical "bad" Doberman does not have to exist and that with proper training, you can have an obedient, FUN, dog! You can follow Guinness's legacy here: https://www.facebook.com/GuinnessTheDoberman
There was an amazing gift to Julie on Thanksgiving, 2016, when Emerald Eire's Harper (she is on our Emerald Eire Dobermanns page) came to Julie's home and helped ease some of the heartache caused with Guinness's absence. Harper earned her Novice Trick Dog title (NTD) at 14.5 weeks of age and the journey continues...
More about julie
She currently instructs all stages of Obedience, Tracking, Rally-O, Tricks, organizes all of the public educational Seminars and Events, as well as oversees the Boarding School and New Instructor Programs. She is an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and heads the Feline Training Programs as well. In addition, she has instructed classes at Cudahy Kennel Club, and has held seminars there, as well as at: Animal Wellness Center of Oak Creek, Bay View Bark, Belle City Veterinary Hospital, The Woof, and various other locations.
She is proudly referred to by: The Woof, employees of WVRC, Animal Wellness Center of Oak Creek, Animal Wellness Center of Burlington, Animal Wellness Center of Waukesha, Animal Wellness Center of Fond du Lac, Belle City Veterinary Hospital, North Shore Animal Hospital, Animal Clinic in Sussex, Waukesha Small Animal Hospital, Wales Animal Clinic, Mobile Pet Doctor, Northcentral Maltese Rescue & Doberman Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin. She additionally is available for Seminars and educational speaking by request, like at The Woof, Mount Carmel Lutheran Church and the Northcentral Maltese Annual Picnics.
She is proudly referred to by: The Woof, employees of WVRC, Animal Wellness Center of Oak Creek, Animal Wellness Center of Burlington, Animal Wellness Center of Waukesha, Animal Wellness Center of Fond du Lac, Belle City Veterinary Hospital, North Shore Animal Hospital, Animal Clinic in Sussex, Waukesha Small Animal Hospital, Wales Animal Clinic, Mobile Pet Doctor, Northcentral Maltese Rescue & Doberman Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin. She additionally is available for Seminars and educational speaking by request, like at The Woof, Mount Carmel Lutheran Church and the Northcentral Maltese Annual Picnics.
Because experience matters
Julie not only has the benefits of a veterinary medical background, but a strong behavioral background that is based in science and learning theory. She started Awesome Paws Academy to help those owners who have home-based problems or simply cannot attend class or come into a facility. Being an active member in the veterinary field allows her to bring the medical aspect into her pet training programs (such as the benefits of proper nutrition and supplements, veterinary care, and even diagnostic recommendations to rule out physical ailments), but she has also been a member of the: Pet Professional Guild, United Doberman Club, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, DVG (German parent Schutzhund Club), Wisconsin’s Cudahy Kennel Club, and the Meridian Working Dog Club in Decatur, Illinois. She was a speaker at the 2006 UDC Nationals, and has been published in the UDC’s Focus magazine.
She is an unofficial foster mom for all pets, an approved pet foster mom for the American Belgian Malinois Club Rescue, Doberman Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin, Northcentral Maltese Rescue, and a volunteer for other local shelters and rescues. She attends continuing educational seminars for the ever-changing training fields and has certification in many areas including: Veterinary Technician, Reiki Level 1, Clicker Training, and Canine Good Citizen Evaluation. She has also been featured at local pet fairs, in a UW-Milwaukee documentary on animal behavior, and arranges Rummage for Rescue fundraising events.
She is an unofficial foster mom for all pets, an approved pet foster mom for the American Belgian Malinois Club Rescue, Doberman Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin, Northcentral Maltese Rescue, and a volunteer for other local shelters and rescues. She attends continuing educational seminars for the ever-changing training fields and has certification in many areas including: Veterinary Technician, Reiki Level 1, Clicker Training, and Canine Good Citizen Evaluation. She has also been featured at local pet fairs, in a UW-Milwaukee documentary on animal behavior, and arranges Rummage for Rescue fundraising events.
The mission
Julie's life's goal is (and has always been) to help pet owners strengthen their human-animal bond to the utmost possible level and create wonderful relationships that are based on trust, clear communication, and understanding.
We at Awesome Paws truly believe that you should never settle for just any trainer in the education of yourself or your pet. Find a trainer you can relate to, communicate openly with when you have concerns and have all questions answered completely. ONLY allow a trainer to do what YOU feel is right. NEVER let them take the leash unless you are Completely comfortable with what they're about to do. If you don't follow these basic guideline, you'll only end up regretting it.
Whether with Awesome Paws, or another training facility, we wish you success!
Happy Training!
We at Awesome Paws truly believe that you should never settle for just any trainer in the education of yourself or your pet. Find a trainer you can relate to, communicate openly with when you have concerns and have all questions answered completely. ONLY allow a trainer to do what YOU feel is right. NEVER let them take the leash unless you are Completely comfortable with what they're about to do. If you don't follow these basic guideline, you'll only end up regretting it.
Whether with Awesome Paws, or another training facility, we wish you success!
Happy Training!
