When Love Isn't Enough: A guide for dog fosters, rescues and owners.
Nikki Ivey, professional Dog Trainer/Behavior Consultant is the owner and founder of DogSpeak™. She 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 pet world as well. She loves to educate individually and in groups, wanting all pet owners and professionals to have a better understanding of dogs and to have the healthiest possible relationship with them. Nikki has spent many years learning to truly understand the nature of dogs and their motivations. By letting go of the “dominant pack theory” method, she is allowed to be more in tune with dogs, and more effective using her own method of training known as DogSpeak™. Nikki uses positive methods with negative punishment such as time-outs, stopping playtime and taking away attention. She doesn’t use any form of physical correction 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.   Nikki believes in clearly communicating with 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 traditional obedience. 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 also owned and operated the first dog daycare in Tennessee and has spent the last six years helping others build their successful daycares. She trains staff members on dog behavior and interaction at daycares, veterinary clinics, and boarding facilities. Local rescue groups and shelters have started taking advantage of the knowledge and skill that Nikki has to help their foster parents understand the importance of foundation skills and being a confident, consistent leader. In 2001, Nikki founded Tennessee Emergency Rescue and Recovery Association, which uses K9s to locate  deceased individuals in water or land. She’s not only a handler of a Human Remains Detection dog but also teaches other handlers to work their dog in HRD. In addition to teaching, Nikki has also authored articles for various magazines and newspapers, is a handler for KlaasKids, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.