About Nikki
Hi, I'm Nikki.
I'm so glad you're here! This page is a little bit about me, how I got here, and what I believe about dog training and behavior.
I've called Airdrie home for close to twenty years, and this is where I found my purpose: helping dogs, and the people who love them, live their best lives.
How it started
It all started in 2015 with a moment at a dog park that I couldn't stop thinking about. I saw an opportunity to do things differently, and I wanted to build a place where dogs and their people felt like they belonged. That's how Airdrie Puppy Pals was born. What started as a love of dogs quickly became a community, and it's where my education really began.
The more I learned about training and behavior, the more I wanted to learn. I wanted to support the dogs in our care at daycare, and families at home through private training and behavior support.
Along the way, it went deeper. I started supporting not only new puppy parents and our daycare dogs, but dogs whose behavior felt scary or overwhelming to the people who loved them. I learned that more often than not, it's a dog doing their best to navigate a world that doesn't always make sense to them. That's where I come in.
My own crew
This is one of my favourite pictures of Rosa, Ryder, and Kyah together. Earlier this year, we said goodbye to Rosa and Ryder. They lived amazing lives, to almost 14 and 13, and they're a big part of why I do what I do.
Today, Kyah and all of our Puppy Pals keep me on my toes. To me, dogs are family, and I treat every dog I support that way.
If I wouldn't suggest something for my own dogs, I wouldn't suggest it for yours.
How I help
Every dog is different, and every training plan should be too. Whether you're bringing home a new puppy or navigating bigger, more complex behaviors, I start by getting the full picture: who's doing the training, where we're training, and how we're going to get there.
My goal is to help you reach your goals. Training at your dog's pace is the only way to take care of their emotional wellbeing and make sure the progress actually sticks. I build plans that fit your real daily life, not just what looks good on paper. And when training is fun for you and your dog, you can teach them anything.
That belief is what led me to earn five professional certifications and complete hundreds of hours of continuing education, and it's what keeps me learning. View my credentials →
Partnering with veterinary professionals
I take a collaborative approach to behavior support. Dogs do best when their whole care team is talking to each other, so I partner closely with veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists, share my assessments, and speak up when I think a conversation about medication or extra support might be worth having. That decision isn't mine to make, but making sure the conversation happens is part of how I support families.
I help families with aggression, fear and anxiety, and complex behavior concerns that don't always have a simple training answer. I've also conducted bylaw assessments, and I take every referral seriously. Information for vets and referrers →
Community and recognition
I'm a fourth-generation Canadian entrepreneur, and Airdrie is home. Giving back to the community that's given me so much has always mattered to me.
- IAABCProud member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and current Director of Communications.
- LeadershipSix years on the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce board, including serving as President from 2020 to 2022. During my time as President, the Chamber was named the Alberta Chamber of Commerce's 2020 Chamber of the Year.
- AwardsAmazing Mentor Award, 2020 Amazing Airdrie Women Awards (airdrielife).
Finalist, 2023 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, Micro-Business category. - MentoringSupporting new entrepreneurs through the SMARTstart program.
- EducationDog bite safety presentations at local schools and community events.
- Giving backFundraising throughout the year for the Alberta SPCA and the Airdrie Food Bank.
