About Nikki West

Hi, I’m Nikki and I’m a positive dog trainer.

That means I aim to make training a positive experience for both dogs and their people. 

To be really honest, I wasn’t always that kind of trainer. Before I fully understood the what positive training was capable of, I thought “corrections” (which is really just a euphemism for punishment) were just a necessary part of any successful training plan.

Turns out, that’s an old idea that’s rooted in outdated theories about what dogs need from us, plus the reality that we live in a very punitive culture. Punishment in dog training has become normalized, and our poor dogs have been paying the price.

When I discovered that dogs really could be trained without any force or punishment at all, and that there are thousands of dog trainers who literally do just that—even with the “toughest” of dogs—all the time, I embarked on a journey to learn more.

As I learned how to train using positive methods, I felt my whole training philosophy begin to shift. I’m no longer obsessed with “reliable obedience”; instead, I’m invested in creating the kind of relationship where my dog cooperates with me because we work together.

Currently, I work really hard to make sure my training remains in alignment with my values, and I’m happy to say that I’m really proud of the kind of training I do now. It’s informed by science and grounded in ethical considerations, and most importantly, it centers the relationship between us and our beloved dogs.

I’m also passionate about community care. Everyone deserves access to quality dog training, not just the financially privileged. It’s also important to me to be part of the solution to shelter overpopulation in our communities. I keep my prices low and I offer a sliding scale on all private lesson programs so that anyone can access the dog training help they need to keep their beloved dog.