(5 hours, 10 minutes) Includes lecture, photos, videos. Dogs are excellent interpreters of canine body language and signals. But how good are we at reading dogs? Sure, you know that ears back and tail down means a dog is afraid, and that a show of teeth is your cue to move away slooowly. But there’s so much more to canine body language and communication. “Talk to the Paw!” is a full day lecture by Nicole Wilde, complete with tons of photos and videos, tricks and tips, and techniques that are immediately useful. Here are just a few of the topics that are covered: - What does it mean when a dog’s teeth chatter, or when the lower jaw trembles? - How dangerous are air snaps and muzzle punches? - Is there a significance to which side your dog’s tail wag favors? - What are the active and passive defense reflexes? - Can you recognize the subtle signals that tell you when a dog is afraid? - Do dogs “laugh” and if so, how can we make use of it? You’ll hear about all of these things, and will also gain a much better understanding of how human body language and vocalizations can have a huge impact. You’ll see how even your smallest gesture can affect the way dogs react, both in training and in everyday interactions. Best of all, you’ll learn how to use that knowledge to gain cooperation and trust. The lecture is packed with eye-opening information including the latest research studies, as well as an extensive collection of fascinating photos and video footage. By viewing real-time video and then slow-motion playback, you’ll improve your observational skills and discover subtle, lightning-quick signals that otherwise might have been missed—even if you’re a professional. This seminar is appropriate for trainers, shelter/rescue workers, owners, and other dog enthusiasts and professionals.

(2 hrs. 15 min.) Includes lecture, photos, videos. In the fluid dance we call play, dogs leap, spin, chase, pounce, and wrestle together. Their interactions range from joyful romps based in camaraderie and fun, to cautious “discussions” born of over-arousal and tension, and sometimes even to skirmishes that can result in bodily harm. If we are to make accurate behavioral assessments and keep dogs safe psychologically and physically, we must understand play’s subtle dynamics. Through entertaining lecture and extensive video footage, the nuances of dog-dog play are explored. Viewing slow motion playback reveals split-second body language, signals, and maneuvers that would otherwise be missed, and will help to improve your skills when watching dogs interact in real time. Even if you are an experienced trainer or owner, you’ll be amazed at how much is revealed. One thing is certain: you’ll never look at dog-dog play in the same way again. Topics include: - What constitutes safe play - Whether actions like mounting are problematic or not - What the latest studies reveal about gender play preferences, role reversals, and self-handicapping - What canine physical features may confuse other dogs and hamper communication - Which danger signals should not be ignored - When a play bow means something other than, “Let’s play!” - How and why redirected aggression occurs - How play can sometimes be a displacement behavior - Which situations warrant intervention and how to do so safely …and lots more! This seminar is appropriate for trainers, shelter/rescue workers, owners, and other dog enthusiasts and professionals.

(2 hours, 43 minutes) Includes lecture, photos, videos. Many owners become frustrated and overwhelmed living with a dog with separation anxiety, and some even give up. While most trainers are aware of standard protocols and approaches, some dogs just haven’t read the game plans, and outside-the-box solutions are needed. Living with Sierra, a shelter dog who came with a deeply entrenched case of separation anxiety, has given Nicole an insider’s perspective on separation issues and has emphasized the fact that a cookie-cutter approach does not work for every dog. Nicole’s twenty years of experience as a canine behavior specialist, along with her newfound empathy for owners, allowed her to develop outside-the-box, creative ways to address separation problems and to support owners. Topics include: - How to accurately diagnose a separation issue, and how to differentiate separation anxiety from isolation distress - Root causes, and how owners can have an influence for better or worse - Creative management options, including what to do in an emergency - The Alone Zone: Where in (or outside) the house to leave your dog when you’re away; what is not recommended and why - The latest, easy-to-use technological advances that allow you to monitor your dog remotely - Assessing if and when pharmacological intervention is appropriate, and two natural alternatives to consider - Complementary products and therapies that may help - Separation anxiety myths (You might be surprised at some of the “accepted wisdom” that is simply untrue!) - Common questions, such as “Could getting a second dog help?” - A structure to help you formulate a customized behavior modification plan This seminar is appropriate for trainers, shelter/rescue workers, owners, and other dog enthusiasts and professionals. ATTENDEE REVIEWS (for full-day seminar that also included Dog-Dog Play, which is available as a separate DVD or streaming). "I benefited from the seminar, picking up several good insights from each topic. As always, you were an engaging, polished speaker with well organized material, good anecdotes and stories, stayed on track and kept us on time. - Kathy St. Cyr, New Orleans "This was my third Nicole Wilde seminar. I always enjoy her take on behavior and training. Each time, I come away with something new and fresh to share with clients." —JWE, GA "Two Timely Topics: Separation Anxiety & Dog-Dog Play" seminar

A Full-Day Seminar Presentation (5 hours, 50 minutes) Includes lecture, photos, videos. Many trainers find anxiety, fears and phobias to be among the most challenging behaviors to treat. This intensive, information-packed workshop incorporates lecture, photographs and extensive video footage to explore the art of working with fearful dogs. You’ll learn techniques that you can implement immediately, and come away with new ways of thinking about canine fear issues and how to address them. Topics include: - Causes and prevention - How fear manifests - Recognized and lesser-known stress signals - How to work with fearful dogs in clients’ homes - A Firm Foundation program on which to build confidence - Skills to teach owners - Skills to teach dogs - A brief review of desensitization and counterconditioning - What training equipment is (and is not!) appropriate Note: Although this seminar was presented to an audience of primarily trainers, it is also invaluable for owners, rescue and shelter workers, vet techs, and anyone who works with or wants to help fearful dogs. ATTENDEE REVIEWS "Very excellent speaker. Covered everything I expected and more. I liked the video clips and the way everything was organized. I like how she just touched on learning theory so that there was time for actually showing how to apply training techniques to the theory. Loved it." —Janice P. "I just wanted to let you know that we received a lot of great feedback from your seminar. They all commented that you presented the material very well and most of all learned a lot. I've already seen people in class correcting "people" about the way they correct their dogs. It was refreshing to see the dog not get punished for being a dog!! Thanks again for helping us help our fearful dogs!!!" —Nancy Strack, seminar host, Metro All-Breed Obedience Club "Nicole is a knowledgeable, dynamic speaker. Love her!" — Debbie M.

(90 minutes) Includes lecture, photos, videos. Solving canine behavior issues is akin to solving a mystery. In addition to having good training skills, a trainer must be a bit of a sleuth. Taking a thorough history enables the trainer to pinpoint major and secondary issues and to discover issues of which the owner might not be aware. In this seminar, you will learn how to set the stage for optimum information gathering; how to use neuro-linguistic programming techniques to put clients at ease; what non-verbal clues to watch for; what responses should send up red flags; what to ask, how to respond, and how not to respond; and how to interpret the information you receive. You’ll also participate in that ever-popular video game, Spot the Trainer’s Mistakes! Incorporating these valuable skills and tips into your history-taking interviews will greatly improve your efficiency in treating behavior issues.

(90 minutes) Includes lecture, photos, videos. Any trainer will tell you that training people can be a lot more challenging than training dogs. One of the most troublesome aspects in working with people is gaining and keeping compliance. You may have an excellent training program, but if your clients don’t follow through and practice at home, the result will be a dog that is not as well trained as possible and ongoing excuses as to why no or very little practice has taken place. In this seminar, you will learn how to motivate your clients to follow suggestions and to keep working with their dogs. Noncompliance isn’t the only aspect of working with our human clients that can be a challenge. Trainers encounter difficult personality types on a regular basis, and becoming adept at handling them can make all the difference in whether training is successful. You will learn how to deal with know-it-all clients, soft clients, angry clients, and more. Gain insight as to what motivates specific personality types, and how to respond so as to make your training encounters flow smoothly.

Two-Day Seminar Presentation (11 hrs. 45 min.) Includes lecture, photos, videos. A treasure trove of information for current or aspiring dog trainers, the material is presented in an upbeat, entertaining style. Nicole discusses business considerations, safety issues, what to do in in-home sessions and in what order, how to help your clients chart their progress, how to deal with difficult personality types, and a lot more. You will learn to develop your people skills, gain compliance from clients, take a thorough history, and improve your phone skills. In short, you will learn to be a kind, effective coach for both people and dogs. An invaluable educational tool for anyone wanting concrete information and useful tips for training private, in-home lessons. ATTENDEE REVIEWS "Thank you for your recent seminar in Temeculah. I enjoyed myself and I learned a lot. My clients are getting more detailed homework instructions and I am excited by the success I'm seeing. You reminded me to be thorough in my history taking and to be more conscious of how I say things. I have become more thoughtful in the last week and a half and I have corrected myself when I was being judgmental or sloppy with my words. ...You possess a rare gift in the dog training world - you are good with people and you like them. Your enthusiasm for working with people is contagious and I am a better trainer as a result. Thank you for sharing your gift with the rest of us." — Barbara Burgess, Happy Tails To You, Santa Maria, CA "I enjoyed your seminar so much! I had identified it as a good way to help my new employee (Lynn) learn the people skills that are sooooo important to one-on-one dog training and it was great for that. But I also picked up so many great points, both for the actual training side and the business side." — Julie Winkelman, Alpha Canine Academy, Durango, Colorado

(90 minutes) Includes lecture, photos, videos. Wolf hybrids, aka wolfdogs. What are they? How do they differ from dogs? What issues do wolfdog owners typically need help with? This DVD contains a half-day seminar presented by Nicole Wilde. It focuses on things trainers must know in order to deal effectively with wolfdogs in private training or group classes, or to make an informed decision as to whether to deal with them at all. It is also useful for those who are considering a wolfdog as a pet, or those who already share their life with one. Lecture, photos, and video are combined to address physical characteristics; behavior issues; training tips; legalities; the rabies issue; and more. Learn to separate myth from fact and get a realistic overview of these unique animals.