About

Training dogs effectively with methods that are kind is a passion of mine. I use these methods in all forms of dog training: puppy training, pet training, and dog sports training. The challenge of evolving to become a better and more effective trainer, while still using force-free methods, is one that I enjoy. I love sharing with other people how to effectively train their dogs.

When I started training dogs many years ago, choke chains and prong collars were commonly used. Not knowing any better, I fell into this way of training my german shepherd dog for the obedience ring. Max was a good boy, but I sure didn’t make obedience fun for him! Regardless, he did his job and we earned our Companion Dog title.

In 2001 I brought home an adorable golden retriever puppy named Tucker. What worked on Max did not work on Tucker. Instead of doing what I asked, Tucker would just freeze, not wanting to make a mistake. Tucker taught me such an important lesson: traditional methods aren’t necessarily the best way to a happy confident dog.

That realization started me on the journey to positive reinforcement training. As my training methods began to evolve, I saw Tucker’s confidence grow. In 2008, I started Golden Paws Dog Training, and I teach both pet owners and dog sports people dog-friendly training methods that are both effective and fun.

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I currently compete with my golden retrievers in many dog sports, including obedience, rally, agility, dock diving, and more. My golden retriever Toby UDX2 OM3 RAE was retired due to physical problems just 30 points shy of finishing his OTCH, earning multiple High in Trials and High Combineds throughout his career. Toby won the Advanced Rally class at the Golden Retriever National Specialty in both 2012 and 2015. He earned his RAE with many perfect scores of 100. In addition, Toby earned many agility titles throughout his career.

Strive has earned her UD and her RACH (Rally Championship). In a limited number of shows, Strive has earned 5 High in Trials and 1 High Combined in Obedience, putting her in the Golden Retriever Club of America’s Obedience Dog Hall of Fame. She has also earned numerous High Combineds and High Triples in Rally. Strive also has many agility titles and is titled in both field and TEAM. Strive is now being handled by my daughter Lexi in 4-H, Rally, Obedience, and Agility.

Excel is current competition dog and he is featured in many of the videos for my online training classes. Excel has earned his Rally Excellent title and is closing in on his RAE and Rally Master title. He’s about halfway to a RACH. Excel also has some TEAM titles and his Trick Dog Intermediate title.

In addition to operating Golden Paws Dog Training, I am an instructor for Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and the Pet Professionals Program and a TEAM Obedience and Rally judge. I have earned both the Obedience/Rally/Freestyle Trainer’s Certificate and the Sports Foundation Trainer’s Certificate from FDSA. I am also a Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog evaluator, a Professional Member of the APDT, and a field dog trainer for a service dog organization. Finally, I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Credentials & Experience

Misc. Titles:

Canine Good Citizen Advanced
Therapy Dog
Senior Jumper – Regional (Dock Dogs)
WC (Field Title)

AKC Titles:

Obedience Novice (CD) through Utility (UD), Utility Dog Excellent (UDX2), and Obedience Master 3 (OM3)
Rally Novice (RN) through Rally Excellent (RE), and Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE)
Rally Championship (RACH) and Rally Master (RM)
Novice Agility through Master Agility
Novice Agility Jumpers through Master Agility Jumpers
Novice Fast through Agility Excellent Fast

Other Titles:

Various agility titles in NADAC, CPE, and USDAA

Experience:

Certified Professional Dog Trainer
2+ Years experience as a Veterinary Technician
Dog grooming experience
20+ years dog training experience
Over 14+ years teaching experience
Multiple titles earned on my own dogs
Worked with many different breeds of dogs
References Available
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Nicole’s Dogs

Click on a dog for their bio.

Tucker

Toby

Strive

Excel

Topbrass Friar Tuck - "Tucker" (2001 - 2013)

UDX2 OM3 VER RAE PUD AX AXJ XF AD NAC NJC TG-N TN-N SJ-R CGC

Tucker was the quintessential golden retriever whose heart was bigger than his body. He loved everybody, human or canine. Tucker was my first agility dog and my first advanced obedience dog.

I always said that Tucker did obedience and agility because I asked him to, and he was a great performance partner, but he was so much more to me. He comforted me and kept me company as my husband was deployed to Iraq. He was always there for me; my best friend. Tucker was a therapy dog, a job which he took very seriously. He helped dozens of children become more comfortable with reading and taught scared kids that dogs can be friendly.

Near the end of his performance career, Tucker spent some time teaching his 8 year old friend the sport of agility. Together Tucker and his buddy got many ribbons and titles, and Tucker loved every minute of it. I miss Tucker’s big presence every day, and am so thankful for the time we had together and for the lessons he taught me.

Shoreland’s Shock’N Ya’ll - "Toby"

UDX2 OM3 VER RAE PUD AX AXJ XF AD NAC NJC TG-N TN-N SJ-R CGC

Toby is truly a once in a lifetime dog who lives every day with unbridled joy. Toby has blown me away with his accomplishments in the performance rings. He absolutely loved to be out there and commanded the attention of everyone watching, clearly showing that he was having a blast. He made me laugh every time we walked in the ring together with his adorable antics. I’ve never met a dog who puts forth as much effort into this work: he gave me 110% every single time I asked him to perform.

Toby particularly excelled in obedience, coming very close to earning his Obedience Trial Championship before he had to be retired because of physical health problems. Even after he was “retired”, we kept showing in the preferred classes which allowed the jumps to be lower, and he continued to compete and win many ribbons well into his 13th year. Toby has taken me on a journey that I’ll forever be grateful for. He’s taught me to live life with happiness and joy and laugh a lot. Even at 15 years old, Toby still is still very bouncy and happy, and I’m thankful for every day that we have together.

Hi-Star Exceeding All Expectations - "Strive"

BN UD GO RE AX OAJ XF TKA DJ PD CGCA WC CCA

When I travelled through several states to meet Strive’s litter, I made it clear to the breeder that I wanted a boy. Upon meeting this sweet and sassy puppy, however, I couldn’t say no and the next day I started home with my little female pup that I named Strive. She was meant to be mine from the beginning.

To this day, Strive is still sweet and sassy. She adores people, especially children, and enjoys running agility with my daughter. Strive is an extremely fast and powerful agility dog and has had wonderful accomplishments in the obedience and rally rings as well.

Strive has earned numerous High in Trials and High Combineds for Obedience, and multiple High Combineds and High Triples in Rally. We are currently working on our UDX and Rally Master Championship titles. In addition, we are working on advanced agility titles.

Strive blessed me with 9 wonderful puppies who are now all over the country enjoying obedience, agility, and hiking with their owners. Strive has taught me a lot about training and I’m very grateful for our journey so far.

Hi-Star Registered Name - "Excel"

RE DS TKI GCG

Excel is the puppy that I kept from Strive’s litter. He is sweet and cuddly and goofy and I adore him.

He’s taught me how important life skills are for performance dogs, and much of his first couple years was spent focused on being calm around other dogs, loose leash walking, and being comfortable in his crate. Excel has also taught me the importance of clear criteria and reward markers and how that reduces frustration. He is super smart and tries so hard in everything that he does.

Excel is already "excelling" in his performance career! He has earned his Rally Excellent title and is nearing his Master and RAE titles. He's starting to show in agility and things are really coming together!

Besides training and showing together, we enjoy long hikes and cuddling. Most of his time is spent curled up next to me on the couch or at my feet. I am really enjoying our journey!

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About

Credentials & Experience

Misc. Titles:

AKC Titles:

Other Titles:

Experience:

Nicole’s Dogs

Tucker

Toby

Strive

Excel

Contact

Topbrass Friar Tuck - "Tucker" (2001 - 2013)

UDX2 OM3 VER RAE PUD AX AXJ XF AD NAC NJC TG-N TN-N SJ-R CGC

Shoreland’s Shock’N Ya’ll - "Toby"

UDX2 OM3 VER RAE PUD AX AXJ XF AD NAC NJC TG-N TN-N SJ-R CGC

Hi-Star Exceeding All Expectations - "Strive"

BN UD GO RE AX OAJ XF TKA DJ PD CGCA WC CCA

Hi-Star Registered Name - "Excel"

RE DS TKI GCG