Staff

 

 

 

Sylvie Armstrong,

Lead Dog Trainer, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP

Sylvie is the Lead Trainer at Milwaukee Paws Pet Care and the backbone of our training and behavior program. She specializes in helping dogs who struggle with reactivity, fear, and anxiety, especially in busy, urban environments like downtown Milwaukee.

In the pet industry and rescue world since high school, Sylvie has fostered and worked with more dogs than most people meet in a lifetime. That real-world experience sparked a deep interest in behavior and communication, especially for dogs who are misunderstood, labeled “difficult,” or simply overwhelmed by city life.

Sylvie is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), a Family Dog Mediator (FDM), and a Fear Free Certified Professional. Her training is grounded in force-free, science-based methods that prioritize emotional safety, choice, and consent for the dog. She is also an active member of Force Free Trainers of Wisconsin, fully aligning her work with modern, ethical training standards.

Sylvie works with dogs of all sizes but has a special soft spot for small dogs and their unique needs; helping guardians understand that smaller dogs have specific needs to be their best selves. Her passion is improving communication between dogs and their people: teaching pet parents how to read body language, respond to stress signals, and support their dogs more effectively in everyday life.

At Milwaukee Paws Pet Care, Sylvie:

• Leads group classes focused on real-life skills and confidence building

• Provides private training for reactivity, fear, anxiety, and behavior concerns

• Trains and supports our dog walking staff, ensuring consistent handling and low-stress approaches across the team

Together with Dawn, Sylvie co-created a specialized program for reactive dogs, You Have a Friend, that is unlike anything else currently offered in Milwaukee. This program is designed for busy professionals who love their dogs deeply but need expert guidance and structure to help them navigate city living safely and comfortably and creates a community for Milwaukee reactive dog owners.

Outside of training sessions, Sylvie is often recharging near the lakefront, usually with a peppermint mocha in hand and more snuffle mats and leashes in her car than seems reasonable. She currently shares her home with two dogs, Fry and Bodi, both with their own special needs.  The bond they have with Sylvie is inspiring to see.

Sylvie’s goal is simple: to help Milwaukee dog owners truly understand their dogs so both sides of the leash can feel calmer, safer, and more connected.