What age is Puppy Class for?

Puppy Class is for puppies aged 8 to 16 weeks. Your puppy must have their first round of core vaccines before joining.

What will my puppy learn?

Puppies learn early manners and handling skills, recall, confidence building through age-appropriate activities, and get supervised off-leash play with puppies their own age. We also cover potty training, teething, and appropriate chewing.

How many weeks is Puppy Class?

Puppy Class is a four-week course held indoors at our facility in Airdrie, Alberta.

How do I register for Puppy Class?

You can view upcoming dates and register online at https://www.airdriepuppypals.com/calendar.

Nikki, owner and Dog Behaviour Consultant at Airdrie Puppy Pals, with a Bernese Mountain Dog

Meet Your Trainer

Hi, I'm Nikki! I'm the owner and Dog Behaviour Consultant at Airdrie Puppy Pals. I started the business in 2014, and I've been working with dogs and their people ever since.

What began with dog walking and training classes has grown into a career focused on helping people better understand their dogs. Over the years, my work has grown to include everything from puppy training and everyday manners to more specialized behaviour support.

I've always been fascinated by the science behind animal behaviour, and that curiosity continues to shape how I work with dogs and their families. I love taking what we know about how dogs learn and turning it into practical training that makes sense in everyday life. My goal is to help you understand your dog, build useful skills, and feel confident working together.

Professional Certifications & Credentials

Education and professional standards are important to me. I've earned four professional credentials through two independent organizations that assess dog trainers and behaviour consultants.

These credentials reflect my knowledge and experience in dog training and behaviour. They involve professional examinations or assessments, along with continuing education requirements that help me keep learning and growing in my field.

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed

Covers the foundations of dog training, including how dogs learn, training methods, canine behaviour, and teaching people to work with their dogs.

CBCC-KA

Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed

Focuses on understanding and supporting dogs with more complex behaviour concerns, including aggression, fear, and anxiety.

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

IAABC-ADT

Accredited Dog Trainer

Focuses on applying learning principles, developing training plans, and helping dogs and their people learn new skills.

CDBC

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

Focuses on understanding complex behaviour concerns, identifying contributing factors, and developing individualized behaviour support plans.

Advanced Education & Training

For over a decade, I've been teaching dog training classes and offering private training. Staying up to date with the latest research and developments in canine behaviour has always been an important part of my work.

I regularly attend courses and conferences to learn from researchers, veterinary behaviourists, and other experienced professionals. I enjoy learning more about why dogs do what they do, especially when it helps me better understand the dogs and people I work with.

I also have a background in adult education. Dog training involves teaching people, too, and I want you to feel comfortable asking questions and confident about what to practise with your dog.

Nikki attending the CANIS Conference — At the CANIS Conference

Courses, Conferences & Continuing Education

Aggression in Dogs Master Course Advanced study with Michael Shikashio on understanding and working with aggressive behaviour in dogs.

Behavior at the Beach In-depth education with Dr. Karen Overall on canine behaviour, behavioural medicine, and the science behind behaviour problems.

CANIS Conference Sessions covering canine behaviour, training methods, research, and developments in the dog training industry.

Clinical Animal Behavior Conference A closer look at behaviour concerns, assessment, and treatment from a clinical and veterinary perspective.

Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education (CACE) University of Manitoba. Education in how adults learn, how to teach effectively, and how to make information easier to understand and use.

Additional Courses & Workshops Further education in dog behaviour, body language, learning, and welfare through courses, seminars, and workshops.

What Does This Mean for Your Dog?

Every dog brings their own personality, experiences, and way of learning. My continuing education helps me understand those individual differences and develop thoughtful, practical training plans that make sense for you and your dog.

Training Options

Explore our training options to find the right fit for you and your dog. From puppy classes and everyday manners to one-on-one private training, we offer programs to support dogs and their families at different stages.

Explore Training Options