About

Hi, I’m Milica

Let me start with the honest truth. I am not a celebrity trainer, and I do not have a wall of certificates. What I am is a person who fell completely, hopelessly in love with a dog, and who learned, sometimes the hard way, how to raise him into the calm, happy, well-mannered companion he is today. That dog is Poki, and he is the reason this whole site exists.

By day I have spent more than a decade working in the world of digital content and marketing, which means I know how to research a topic properly, separate real advice from noise, and explain things in plain language. But Paws Applaws did not come from a marketing plan. It came from a Golden Retriever who chewed through two pairs of my favorite shoes and taught me everything I know about patience.

How Poki Came Into My Life

I still remember the day I brought Poki home. He was a wriggling golden bundle who fit in the crook of one arm, with paws far too big for his body and an expression that seemed to say he already owned the place. I had wanted a dog my whole life, and there he finally was, looking up at me like I was the most interesting person on earth.

The romance lasted roughly until the first night, when he cried in his crate and I ended up sitting on the kitchen floor beside him at three in the morning, wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into. The next few weeks were a blur of puddles on the rug, sleepless nights, and the slow, dawning realization that this tiny creature was entirely dependent on me to teach him how to live in the human world.

I made mistakes. Plenty of them. I tried some of the old-fashioned advice floating around online, the kind that tells you to be firm, to show the dog who is boss, to correct the bad out of him. It never sat right with me, and worse, it did not work. Poki grew more anxious, not less. He started to flinch when I raised my voice, and the bright, trusting look in his eyes dimmed a little. That broke my heart, and it became the turning point.

The Day Everything Changed

I threw out the dominance advice and started again, this time with kindness at the center of everything. I bought a pouch of tiny treats, learned to reward the behavior I wanted instead of punishing the behavior I did not, and committed to short, happy training sessions every single day.

The change in Poki was almost unbelievable. Within days he was offering me his paw, sitting before his meals, and looking to me for guidance instead of shrinking away. The trust came flooding back, stronger than before. That was the moment I understood something that now sits at the heart of this whole website. A well-trained dog and a happy dog are not two different things. They are the same dog, and kindness is what connects them.

From then on, Poki and I learned together. We worked through the jumping, the leash pulling, the barking at the window, the whole familiar list every dog owner knows. Not with force, but with patience, treats, and a lot of laughter. He is a proper gentleman now, mostly, though he still believes the postman is his sworn enemy and that any unattended sandwich is fair game.

Why I Started Paws Applaws

Once Poki and I had found our rhythm, I could not stop thinking about all the owners still stuck where I had been. Drowning in conflicting advice. Being told to choose between a strict dog and a spoiled one. Feeling like a failure over a chewed shoe or a walk that turned into a wrestling match. I had been that person, close to tears on the kitchen floor, and I wished someone had simply handed me clear, kind, honest guidance.

So I decided to become that person for someone else. I started Paws Applaws to share everything Poki taught me, backed up by careful research into what the science and the best positive trainers actually recommend. My promise is simple. No fear, no gimmicks, no shaming. Just practical, warm-hearted help you can use in your very next training session.

What I Believe In

Positive Methods, Always

I only recommend reward-based, science-backed training. You will never find advice here that leans on shock collars, dominance theory, or fear-based corrections, because I have seen with my own dog how much damage that approach does, and how beautifully the kind approach works instead.

Honesty Over Hype

If a product or program is not worth your money, I will say so plainly. Every recommendation I make reflects what I would genuinely tell a friend over coffee, not what pays the most. When I use an affiliate link, I tell you, and I only ever point you toward things I truly believe can help.

Consistency Over Quick Fixes

There is no such thing as a truly instant fix in dog training, and anyone who promises one is selling something. I focus on the small, steady habits that genuinely last, the ones that turned Poki from a chaotic puppy into my calm, devoted shadow.

What You’ll Find Here

• Puppy fundamentals, from house training and crate training to socialization and those all-important early weeks.
• Everyday obedience, the core commands like sit, stay, come, and loose-leash walking that actually hold up around real-life distractions.
• Problem behaviors, with honest, practical fixes for jumping, barking, pulling, and destructive chewing.
• Enrichment and games that tire out your dog’s brain and turn training into play.
• Honest reviews and fun extras, from training treats and gear to picking the perfect name for your new arrival.

Let’s Raise Happy Dogs Together

Poki is stretched out at my feet as I write this, snoring gently and occasionally twitching after some imaginary squirrel. He has no idea he inspired an entire website, and if he did, he would probably just wonder whether it came with treats.

Whatever you are facing with your own dog today, whether it is a brand new puppy or an old habit you are finally ready to change, I am genuinely glad you are here. Take a look around, pick a topic that speaks to you, and know that every calm, kind step you take is building the same trust that Poki and I share. You have got this, and I am cheering you on.

You can follow along with me and Poki here, where I share the highs, the lows, and the occasional stolen sandwich. Positive training, happy dogs. Let’s do this together.

Milica Jovanović
Founder, Paws Applaws