We're Nikki & Sam - friends and trainers and founders of Confident Dog, Confident You
"The Training and Coaching Membership for Owners of Reactive Dogs where we help you go from isolated and exhausted to thriving and enjoying your dog for the wonderful friends they are"
You've tried other memberships, trainers and behaviourists - but the results are sporadic at best and you can't afford to keep spending hundreds of pounds with not a lot to show for it.
So we put our heads together to create something affordable that was more personal, that included support for you as well as your dog.
In Confident Dog, Confident You there are three elements:
1. Reactivity Dog Training with Tried and Tested Strategies in a 60 minute LIVE Every Month
We've been working with reactive and fearful dogs for years. We've used a wide range of fear-free tactics and strategies on both our own reactive dogs and clients with a lot of success.
Each 60 minute session will share strategies that you can implement with your dog to:
- Make walks more enjoyable
- Have visitors over with more ease
- Make time spent with your dog more enjoyable
- Help with visits to the vets
- Give you the confidence to advocate for your dog
- Enjoy a calmer house
- Get rid of any imposter syndrome that's telling you you aren't the right owner
We've taken inspiration from some of the leading trainers in the world and bring together a mix of games-based training coupled with coaching and compassion.
2. Coaching and Support - Implement your Learning and get Feedback in our Dedicated Coaching Group.
In our private group you can post videos, ask questions and share in the highs and the lows. We'll support you and guide you with those all important tweaks that will help you get the results you need. All of our training videos and live calls are posted in the group to watch back on replay anytime.
3. Live 60 minute Q&A Feedback Session Once a Month
We're here for you live to help make sure your training is going well and that if anything new crops up we can give some feedback and advice. We're here to lift and support you.
MEET NIKKI
Nikki has been running her own dog and behaviour training business for 10 years now. She graduated from university with a degree in zoology and has an advanced diploma in canine behaviour. Nikki has been inspired by some of the top leading dog trainers in this world and uses a games based training approach as it works so well for reactive dogs. People travel from all over the UK to home board their reactive dogs with Nikki when no one else will take them.
Nikki owns 6 dogs including three border collies, two cocker spaniels and a mini dachshund. Nikki lives with her partner Ben and their 1 year old daughter and has successfully navigated life as a parent of a young child with fearful dogs.
"Since owning my first reactive dog I knew that I wanted to help others with their struggles, and for both owner and dog to live happy and fulfilled lives. It's an emotional journey that I know well and it's so rewarding when students see those wins and start to overcome those challenges."
MEET SAM
Sam met Nikki when she was looking for training help with her now 4 year old Border Collie Buddy. Nikki has helped Sam with some of Buddy's more unusual behaviours which included lunging at everyone ad everything that moved - even the family! Fascinated by Buddy's behaviour and feeling isolated Sam set up a Blog and then a Facebook group to help owners with the emotional side of owning a reactive dog. Sam lives with her partner, her 14 year old son and her other anxious dog a cocker spaniel. In her 'day job' Sam works as a digital marketer helping business owners run their online businesses in an ethical way. Since Sam's son was diagnosed with Autism and her own very open struggles with Mental Health, Sam has a very neuro inclusive and empathetic approach to both dogs and their owners.
"I think training is just as much about the owner as it is the dog. When our mental health is not great, and we're feeling isolated and alone, we need that support to lift us and keep us going. Just knowing that someone else understands and has got our backs can make all the difference"
FAQs
Will this work for me because i’s all online - don’t you need to see my dog?
We’ve been working with reactive dogs over zoom for years! Before even the pandemic happened. The majority of behaviourists work online now – because the work happens at home. We’re here to teach and guide you and we’ve helped hundreds of dogs just like yours. We’ll also be inviting you to bring your dog on camera for the training sessions so we’ll be able to give feedback and guide you live if you'd like to take part.
Are you both qualified to teach me?
Nikki has been running her own dog and behaviour training business for 10 years now. She graduated from university with a degree in zoology and has an advanced diploma in canine behaviour. Nikki has been inspired by some of the top leading dog trainers in this world and uses a games based training approach as it works so well for reactive dogs. People travel from all over the UK to home board their reactive dogs with Nikki when no one else will take them. Sam has spent the last 4 years being coached by Nikki, covers her classes from time to time and has also studied dog training and behaviour with a view to not only helping her own (complicated!) dog but also to help others. Sam is very passionate about people too – and wants to help people live less isolating and empowering lives with their reactive dogs full of confidence.
My dogs reactivity is very specific will this work?
Yes! You’d be surprised at some of the stories we hear (just ask Sam about Buddy’s fascination with stalking inanimate objects!) And all of the concepts we teach will work with whatever struggle you have right now. So whether it's chasing cars, lunging at people or other dogs, or being really unsettled and reactive around the house and guests – we’ll be covering it all.
How long do I have to sign up for?
This is month to month so there is no sign up period you can literally join for a month or two and see if It’s for you and then cancel. We know that the longer you are in the membership the more benefits you’ll get – and we don’t say that to ‘try and keep you in’ – in all honesty it’s because there are no quick fixes, it takes time, accountability and support. And that’s what we’re here for. That’s why we made it so affordable (in fact the monthly fee is less than one in person group training session right? – yes, we are a bit crazy )
Where will we get to see the replays?
The replays will be posted in the private Facebook group. Over time we’d love to set up a dedicated membership platform and add more as we go!
Do I have to be on camera? Nope! As much as we encourage participation we are committed to being totally inclusive - if you’d rather do this camera free it’s all good. We’ll never force anyone to come on camera or speak publicly if they don’t want to. And you are welcome to message us privately too.
I’m already working with a trainer, is this still for me?
Absolutely! We totally respect that many of you already have trainers and behaviourists. This is just as much a supportive community as it is a coaching and training one. Everything we do is force free and fun so it’s a great addition to whatever you are doing. Equally if you don’t want to sign up that’s all cool! We aren’t here to try and make you ‘decide’ between us.
