Lessons from Local Leaders:

Juliana DeWillems

Strengthening the Human–Canine Bond with Juliana DeWillems of JW Dog Training

When it comes to creating a happy, stress-free relationship between people and their dogs, Juliana DeWillems is leading the way. As the owner of JW Dog Training and Behavior Consulting in Northern Virginia, Juliana and her team specialize in helping families navigate everything from basic manners to complex behavioral challenges.

Her journey into dog training began while fostering young, energetic shelter dogs during her college years. What started as a way to help dogs become more adoptable quickly transformed into a career rooted in positive reinforcement and compassion. Today, Juliana is a nationally recognized expert, having been featured in National Geographic, Forbes, and WTOP, and she is also a faculty member of the Karen Pryor Academy.

During our conversation, Juliana emphasized why positive reinforcement is so effective—not only for shaping a dog’s behavior but also for strengthening trust and connection within the human-dog relationship. Unlike outdated “alpha” or dominance-based theories, her approach focuses on empathy, communication, and curiosity. She explained that dogs aren’t being “dominant” or “spiteful”—they’re simply doing what comes naturally, and it’s up to us to guide them with clarity and patience.

Juliana also touched on common misconceptions about quick fixes, viral social media “training hacks,” and how real progress takes time, consistency, and compassion. She encourages dog owners to adopt a mindset shift: see frustrating behaviors not as defiance, but as communication. This change, she shared, often extends beyond pets—helping people show more grace toward themselves, their families, and even their coworkers.

Her team culture reflects those same values of trust, transparency, and positivity. JW Dog Training’s certified trainers act as both educators and cheerleaders, offering clients support through even the most emotional challenges like separation anxiety, reactivity, and fear. Beyond one-on-one training, Juliana has expanded her impact through her book Manage It: Hacks for Improving Your Dog’s Behavior and her innovative app Dog Training Plus, giving families accessible tools to create harmony at home.

Juliana’s message is clear: dogs are doing their best in a world designed for humans. If we approach training with curiosity, empathy, and positivity, we not only help our dogs thrive but also build deeper, more joyful bonds that last a lifetime.

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