About

Nikki Ivey, professional Dog Trainer/Behavior Consultant, has been working with dogs and their owners since 1996. She has spread her wealth of knowledge to not only the general public but to the professional world as well. She loves to educate individually or in the masses, wanting all owners and professionals to have a better understanding of dogs and the healthiest relationship.

Nikki has spent her years getting to truly understand the nature of a dog and and their motivations. By letting go of the “dominant pack theory” method it’s allowed her to be more in tune with dogs and more effective using DogSpeak™. She uses positive methods with negative punishment such as time-outs, stopping play-time, and taking away attention. She doesn’t use any form of physical corrections such as correction collars, shock devices or fake bites. This allows dogs to show their true personality, builds their confidence and always leaves them happy as well as an owner who doesn’t have to feel like a drill sergeant.

Nikki believes in clearly communicating to dogs, setting their expectations and giving them a confident leader. She teaches foundation skills to dogs such as self-control and problem-solving. Once a solid foundation is in place you can begin to build the walls of real life manners that go beyond the traditional training of sit, stay, down, come and heel. With real life manners your dog will know how to respond in situations without having to be commanded by you, however, when you do need to command your dog, they respond quickly and enthusiastically.

Nikki’s training style makes training your dog, or anything with a brain stem, easy. (VIEW client testimonials) You’ll learn good habits without feeling guilty for not walking your dog miles everyday. Physical stimulation is important but not as important as Mental Stimulation. Don’t get caught up in the new rave of “walking your dog miles everyday” fixes everything. CLICK HERE to read more about this new myth.

Nikki has also owned and operated the first Dog Daycare in Tennessee and has spent the last five years helping others build their successful daycare whether it’s from the ground up or as an additive to an existing business. She trains staff members dog behavior and interaction whether it’s at a daycare, veterinary clinic or boarding facility. Local rescue groups have begun taking advantage of the knowledge and skill that Nikki has to help their foster parents understand the importance of foundation skills and a confident, consistent leader.

In 2001, Nikki founded Tennessee Emergency Rescue and Recovery Association which uses K9′s to locate missing persons and deceased individuals in water or land. CLICK HERE to find out more about TERRA.

In her spare time Nikki enjoys writing a good murder mystery, incorporating her knowledge of search and rescue. Check out Nikki’s first novel, “Callout”, available online at any LARGE BOOKSTORE.