Weaverville, NC
Pia Silvani
Pia Silvani has been teaching for over 30 years starting with dance, track and field, and swimming where her accomplishments and achievements were internationally recognized. But she found her true calling in coaching and teaching dogs and even cats, where she continues to receive international recognition and accolades in the many programs she has developed.
Pia recently settled into a new and rewarding position with Asheville Humane Society in NC, applying her expertise and knowledge to assist in behavioral assessments and rehab of shelter dogs and developing training programs.
Before this, Pia worked as Director of Behavioral Rehabilitation for the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center located Weaverville, NC. This groundbreaking Center focuses on helping animal victims of cruelty and neglect to overcome their feelings of fear and increase their chances of successfully finding a loving forever home. She was instrumental in getting over 400 fearful dogs adopted. The Behavioral Rehabilitation program started as a pilot funded by the ASPCA, and held on the campus of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ,. It is featured in an award-winning documentary, "Second Chance Dogs," currently available on Netflix.
For 25 years, Pia was Vice President of Training and Behavior as well as Behavior Specialist at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ. Pia developed numerous courses focused on positive, reward-based techniques, which are extremely effective in the enhancement of the bond and relationship of the dog with his/her human companion. The result was an astounding 100+ classes per week, which included 8 levels of pet training classes, and specialty courses designed for dogs with extreme behavioral problems. The very successful Feisty Fidos(TM) curriculum which she developed while working at St. Hubert's has gotten rave reviews around the world. Pia continues to train new trainers in the field and has written six training manuals, which are used nationally as a resource guide for other trainers. She offers workshops around the world on enrichment, training, and behavior modification for the shelter dog and your pet dog or cat.
Training Philosophy
Pia likes quick results and does not believe in cookbook recipes. Solving behavior problems is her speciality.
Services
Pia offers a variety of services including:
- Private Behavior Consultations: Pia has worked privately with clients for over 30 years. A private consultation includes taking a detailed history, identifying contributing factors and explaining why your pet is exhibiting the unwanted behavior. All results include a customized program with assistance and guidance to help implement a training plan.
- Training Mentor: Pia has been mentoring trainers around the world for over 40 years. Having a mentor and coach will make a huge difference in "doing it right" or simply "just doing."
- One-Hour Sessions: Pia offers a variety of sessions for career counseling, selecting playmates for play groups, developing a rock solid curriculum for your pet training classes, starting your own Feisty Fido(TM) training course, and more...
- Phone Consults: Pia offers phone consultations and has been successful helping clients around the country.
Certifications
Pia is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CCBC).
Specializations
Pia specializes in dog and cat behavior problems, including:
- Aggression towards people or other pets
- Fears, phobias, and anxiety
- Resource guarding
- Dog aggressive dogs
- Housetraining and litter box problems
- Excessive vocalization
- Destruction and escape
- Difficulty handling for restraint or grooming
- Separation anxiety problems
Training Methods
Pia uses positive, reward-based training methods.
Customer Reviews
Carolyn Lloyd-Cohen, client
You helped me unlike anyone else to control Saksie's reactivity with other dogs. A number of people have given me advice because they have had a reactive dog themselves. But each dog is different, and what works for one is not a guarantee for another. It is your advice, good humor, willingness to experiment, encouragement, confidence and patience in guiding me to develop better teamwork and relationship that has made the difference.
As an attest, Saksie and I have been successfully competing in agility for well over a year which I thought would never happen. She would get so worked up around other dogs that I never dreamed we would be able to line up at the start line. Turns out we both love the game of it and she is really talented!
In my opinion, Saksie's reactivity is a blessing. Because of our work with you and your commitment to our success, I have learned to think for myself and gain control quickly when something gets her aroused. My wonderful Saksie and I now have a relationship that is far more fulfilling than I ever thought possible.
Roberta and Frank Graffeo, client
From the moment we first met Pia we knew we were in the right hands. We could tell that she was an extremely caring person and passionate about her profession. It was quite evident that she was very knowledgeable on how to approach and treat the problem we were experiencing with pets in our home.
We initially contacted Pia because of serious dog aggression exhibited by one of our dogs toward the other two in the household. We previously consulted with the University of Pennsylvania Animal Behavior Clinic and, after numerous sessions, they recommended an in-home trainer. Pia was highly recommended to use and was familiar with this type of aggression.
With the utmost respect and faith in Pia's capabilities, we would wholeheartedly and immediately recommend her services to all friends and families seeking to provide a home or training for a pet.
Pia is a true dog inquisitor. She is not afraid to take on the issues of any dog and you can see she really tries to understand them and not just "train" them. Her techniques and approach demonstrate how to train your dog during his or her every day routine and not just training him/her while at a class, only to have them become monsters at home.
I have fostered and adopted numerous rescue dogs and Pia's extensive knowledge and expertise have been invaluable in helping me understand and overcome issues of some of these troubled dogs. Not only that but her enthusiasm, humor and positive attitude make working with her and my dogs just plain fun!
Media Appearances
Pia has spoken at various conferences and forums nationally (in 47 states) and internationally (including Belgium, Bermuda, England, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia). She routinely gives guest appearances on television and radio and consults with various shelters to assist them in improving and expanding their programs.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
