Morris Mix
Your guide to local trends, treasures and well-kept secrets
by Lisa Robyn Kruse

Old dogs, new tricks
At Paws-Itive Experience Pet Service in Rockaway, owners Erin and John McWilliams don't believe in training just dogs. "We train you to train your dog," says Erin. "You'll leave our class with that ability." At their "one-stop dog shop," the husband-and-wife team trinas about 850 dogs a year in classes such as Puppy Preschool, Basic Obedience and Agility ABC's/

Paws-Itive also offers a Doggie Daycare and a "holistic hound" health-food store, featuring dog foods, supplements and toys. "We insist on people having fun with their dogs, but we also want the dogs to enjoy being dogs," says Erin.

Perhaps that's one reason why Paws-Itive comes so highly recommended by area veterinarians. The other, no doubt, is John's interesting resume: A trainer since 1982, he has worked with the Department of Defense and local law enforcement to train bom, cadaver, and drug-sniffing dogs, as well as canines used by the Secret Service. "John's specialty is breaking aggression," says Erin. "He evaluates a lot of animals, including rescue dogs, to see if they can be retrained. Not many people have his level of expertise."

Pat McMillan of Rockaway can attest to that. She credits the McWilliams team with transforming her golden Labrador puppy, Abby, who was "bouncing off the walls:-hyperactive, destructive and nearly impossible to housebreak. After puppy and basic obediance training. Abby became well-mannered, happy and affectionate. Says MnMillan, "If it wasn't for the guidance of John and Erin, I don't know where Abby would have ended up."