About Us
Liz Boucher , Founder and Owner of Paws First, LLC
“I love what I do! The sense of joy I feel when I see the improvements & successes with rescues and new puppies is amazing. Obedience Training allows me to help people live a better life. Pet sitting gives me so many opportunities to love fur kids.”
“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Marc Anthony
Driven by my passion to help clients work on behavior, obedience, and keeping the human-animal bond strong, I use the scientifically proven methods of force-free training. I use treats, toys and games that promote learning. I encourage the use of front clip harnesses and soft wide collars and as a supporting member of IAABC, I adhere to LIMA- Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive approach to behavior modification and training.
My skills and educational background help me bring understanding, communication, and organization to my roles as a Certified Dog trainer & Behavior Consultant. With them, I can ensure Paws First Positive Training is successful with excellent results and a high level of satisfaction for my clients, and their pets.
I am a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), Fear Free Certified member, Evaluator for American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen and C.L.A.S.S. trainer, and Supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). I regularly participate in Continued Education Courses by, Ian Dunbar, Jean Donadlson, Pat Miller, Trish King, Sue Sternburg, Malena DeMartini-Price, Leslie McDevitt, and other PPG, APDT & IAABC online web based courses; Red Cross Pet First Aide, Pet Nutrition, Dog Obedience and Dog Behavior, Puppy Works, Pet Professional Guild, Animal Behavior College training seminars.
Liz’s Background
After working in the apparel industry for over 20 years, Founder and Owner of Paws First, LLC, Liz Boucher decided to leave the corporate world and follow her life’s passion to start her own pet sitting and dog walking business in June, 2009.
The idea grew from her love of animals and desire to get more involved with animal rescue in the community. As a child, Liz grew up with German Shepherds and throughout her young adult life always had cats. When she bought her first home she adopted her first border collie mix, Buddy, and fell in love with the breed. Shortly after she adopted her second border collie, Brett who inspired her fascination in animal behavior and dog training. In 2013 she received her certification in Dog Obedience from the Animal Behavior College and did all her field work with several rescues and Woodbridge Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. Over the past 15 years her business has grown incredibly with over 1000 clients and 13 dog walker and pet sitters. The pandemic caused major challenges but gave her the opportunity to focus on Behavior Modification & helping fearful and reactive dogs live better lives.
Now, after working in Atlantic County Animal Shelter, her goal is to help reinforce and grow programs to support shelters to prevent pet relinquishment and overpopulation. Her focus is to help shelters attend to the mental health of the animals in their care. Utilizing enrichment programs in order to minimize shelter stressors & implement some minimum mental health requirements.
In her free time likes to give back! She is volunteering in several local shelters, sponsors Pet Food for local shelters; Atlantic County Animal Shelter, Cape May County Animal Shelter, Woodbridge Animal Shelter and Edison Municipal Animal Shelter. She also volunteered with Glen Highland Farm Border Collie Rescue, helping rehabilitate dogs and finding their new forever homes. Working with organizations like Glen Highland Farms and “saving the lives of these amazing animals is the absolute best feeling in my life,” say Liz. When Liz isn’t playing with or training her clients dogs she likes to bring her border collie/sheltie mix, Niall on long walks and hikes. Enjoying his funny Border Collie antics. She continuously looks for opportunities to take client’s dogs on Nature Hikes on the trails in the Atlantic County Park System. Always reading and studying to learn more about Dogs and why they do what they do as well as ways to improve the lives of pets & their owners.
