The idea that "the key to a better pet is a better owner" lies at the heart of A Better Pet LLC (ABP), a Cleveland Heights-based dog training and consulting business that views successful training as a shared journey between the human and the dog. Founded and led by Rachel Friedman, ABP operates on the belief that clear communication, realistic expectations, and benevolent leadership form the foundation of a trusting relationship.
"When you understand how your dog experiences the world, you stop trying to control them and start learning how to communicate with them. That's when training becomes a dialogue, not a command," Friedman remarks.
ABP's mission is to equip people with the knowledge and tools to help their dogs thrive in all settings, whether at home, in public, or in support of individuals with disabilities. The company's approach blends deep understanding with intuitive practice. It's about knowing how dogs think and behave, and just as importantly, recognizing the subtle cues that guide when to act and how to connect.
That balance is embodied in ABP's proprietary framework, The Six Pillars of Dog Training Wisdom, which serves as an introduction to all ABP programs. The Six Pillars teaches owners to set realistic expectations, enhance communication, and foster mutual trust.
"These are the skills that lay the groundwork for every training journey," says Friedman. This same framework informs ABP's latest offering: a comprehensive self-guided online dog training course designed to bring professional-level instruction to a worldwide audience.
The new course translates Friedman's 25+ years of hands-on expertise into a user-friendly, accessible digital program for dog owners of all experience levels. It's structured into three modules and 12 lessons. The first focuses on developing reliable basic manners, the second on public-access behaviors, and the third on functionality–the skills and behaviors that dogs are trained to perform to help mitigate challenges.
Learners can complete the program in no less than four months or progress at their own pace. At any time during or after the course, clients can choose to schedule one-on-one sessions with Friedman for tailored support. "I wanted to make high-quality training available to anyone willing to learn," she shares. "This course is about learning to approach training with a trainer's mindset."
ABP's pet or working dog training services teach owners how to apply reward-based, force-free methods that encourage cooperation and understanding. Friedman guides owners to reinforce desirable behaviors with empathy and patience.
"Trust isn't something you can force," she says. "You earn it by being the kind of guide your dog feels safe following." Her concept of benevolent leadership helps owners model the calm confidence that dogs naturally respond to, even if at first you are faking that confidence. Over time, training becomes a mutual language that can foster both stability and affection.
ABP's work in service dog training is a unique model. Friedman places dogs at a much younger age to provide a deeper bond and help the owner mold the dog for their own needs more quickly. This approach merges Friedman's backgrounds in social work and behavioral science and informs her integrated approach to working with dogs. "In social work, behavior is often seen as a form of communication," she notes. "That perspective extends to our canine companions."
Friedman has selected, raised, trained, placed, and supported dozens of service dogs over her career that assist their partners with medical, psychiatric, and/or mobility challenges. Each client enters into an agreement that is specifically addressed to their own unique needs and challenges. Her aim is always to help clients feel ownership of the process and have the time and support to be successful.
Essentially, A Better Pet's work emphasizes measurable change, which is necessary to develop any successful relationship. It also honors the emotional transformation that occurs when trust takes root. That insight became personal in 2017 when Friedman suffered from a stroke that temporarily paralyzed her left leg. With the support of her own dog, she regained mobility, and she developed a greater empathy for the people she works with.
Beyond training, ABP's consulting services address the broader life cycle of dog ownership. Friedman advises prospective owners on choosing a dog that fits their lifestyle. She also helps families navigate transitions such as adding or integrating new pets or moving homes, and offers grief counseling or guidance on end-of-life decisions. Each consultation is grounded in the understanding that people's relationships with their dogs are deeply personal and emotionally layered.
A Better Pet's work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the human-dog bond through education, empathy, and thoughtful guidance. Whether through training, consulting, or service dog placement, the focus remains on building trust, fostering communication, and supporting meaningful partnerships that enrich lives. Friedman emphasizes, "When owners learn to lead with empathy and develop the skillset to support them, dogs learn to follow with trust. Trust creates solid working relationships."
