love. I love teaching owners about their own dogs. Each dog is so unique that you can’t just learn the basics and that’s it.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people bought new puppies. Agnes has noticed that these ‘lockdown puppies’ weren’t used to seeing visitors in the home and didn’t know how to behave. “Many owners wait, hoping the dog will grow up, but unfortunately that’s not a solution. The dog becomes anxious and stressed. At the end, the dog follows its instinct, barks, and in the worst case, bite. Each dog needs guidance from the owner to show the positive association with visitors,” She encourages owners to observe and connect with their dogs. To listen to their body language and remove them when they are starting to become overwhelmed. This is like Orhan Pamuk said: “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen”. In 2020, Agnes achieved another qualification in Separation Anxiety training. “Many dogs panic and struggle when left at home alone for even a short time. This can be very challenging for owners, who often find themselves stuck at home with no solution. I love working in this area because I look for a micro behaviour which owners don’t see - it’s hard work but very rewarding. “It takes lots of baby steps, but when the dog understands it can be done, it’s a wonderful journey to freedom. Owners begin to understand their dogs on an emotional level. When the dog’s body language signals “I’m not ready yet”, the owner don’t push any further. The pressure disappears because they’ve connected with their dog. Looking to the future, Agnes has already started working on two new qualifications. The first course, animal reiki, helps dogs to heal from the inside out. This is especially beneficial for rescue dogs who have experienced pain, sadness or trauma in their past. Releasing emotions allows Agnieszka (Agnes) Strzechowska is a dog trainer who not only focuses on obedience training, but also through an emotional and holistic lens. Communication and understanding are the key to her unique approach. Read on to find out more about Agnes and her company, PawsAgnes. Agnes Strzechowska has always loved dogs – so much so that it seemed an obvious path to become a professional dog trainer. Back in 2019, she started offering dog walking and grooming services. At the same time, she was studying to become a dog trainer. She trained all dogs, but puppies became her true vocation, and she soon founded her puppy and dog training company, PawsAgnes, based in Wandsworth, London. To have a well-behaved and happy dog, Agnes believes the owner needs to learn not only the technical aspect but also about their emotions and personality. She says, “If you don’t understand your dog, you can’t build that bond. Without it, you can’t work on trust, or confidence because the dog feels misunderstood. It is like any relationship- clear communication brings Dog Trainer of the Year (South London) Jul22496 the animals to enjoy their life and not to be prisoners of their past. The second course is about Bach Flower Remedies to support emotional release. The 38 flower remedies cover the 38 negative states of mind. Agnes tells us, “Finding different approaches can be very helpful. Sometimes training won’t succeed at first, as emotions can block progress because of the trauma or fear. It feels like we need to demolish a wall to reach to the beauty of the dog’s heart. I want to help every dog. Being able to look at a problem from every angle helps me to do that. The most important thing is to have a happy dog and a happy family.” And, when her work is done, Agnes will be on her way to find the next dog to help. Contact: Agnieszka (Agnes) Strzechowska Company: PawsAgnes Web Address: www.pawsagnes.co.uk
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