community profile Meet Meg Nichol, Positive Trainer By Candace T. Botha Working with the youngest of to Meg credits Hurricane Charlie in 2004 well into their senior years, Meg has as a major turning point in her career every dog owner’s used her own extensive schooling in posi- and her life. It was in the aftermath of the dream: a happy, well-ad- tive training to teach dogs new skills, solve destruction in DeSoto County that she first justed that comes on canine behavioral problems and develop began working with animals, serving as a It’s command, sits and stays a “niche” program to address the special volunteer in the field and helping to bring when told, willingly obeys every spoken needs of shy and fearful dogs. strays off the streets and into area shelters word, greets guests without barking or While working as a positive dog trainer and foster care. She also became involved jumping, walks well on a leash, minds its is Meg’s passion, it was not a career she with the Humane Society of Manatee manners, gets along well with other , pursued immediately after college. After County, where she met Mary Lupi, now people and children and never, ever has graduating from Purdue University with president of Safe Haven Animal Rescue of an accident in the home. a bachelor of science degree in business, Florida, who was coordinating the volun- Unfortunately, puppies or older, ad- Meg worked at a bank in Chicago’s finan- teer outfit. opted dogs do not come pre-programmed cial district for several years. In the years that followed, Meg’s interest to meet all of their owners’ expectations. In the late 1980s, she relocated to in working with animals started to take a And, more often than not, one of the Florida and worked in banking before she more prominent role in her life. She soon leading reasons that dogs are realized that her part-time dropped off at—or returned pursuits brought her more hap- to—animal shelters is because piness and fulfillment than her these basic expectations have professional career. not been met, simply because “I was more interested in they have not been given the what I was doing in my free one thing every animal hun- time than in my career,” Meg gers for: the skills needed to recalls. “My personal life began please its owner. to take over my professional In truth, these dogs have life.” not failed their owners. In fact, That realization inspired Meg quite the opposite is true: the to completely reinvent herself. owners have failed their dogs After nearly two decades as a by not providing the training sales representative, she left the they need to become well- pharmaceutical industry and mannered, well-behaved and headed back to the classroom well-socialized pets. to begin her studies as a posi- Meg Nichol of Sarasota is tive dog trainer. intent on changing this all- To ensure she received too-common phenomena by optimal training, Meg enrolled helping both puppies and dogs at Animal Behavior College realize their full potential as (ABC), an accredited program loving and devoted compan- that focuses exclusively on ions. positive training techniques, to As founder and owner of become a certified positive dog Positively Simple , trainer. Meg has made it her life’s work Pictured above, Meg Nichol of Positively Simple Dog Training with her Her studies not only included to offer personalized training for dogs, Tristan and Daisy. Photo by Connie Summers traditional “book learning,” but people and their pets, using only also extensive field work. positive, reward-based training methods eventually migrated to a career in sales. “A critical component of that cultivate the bond between animals She then enjoyed a long, successful career the curriculum involved ‘shadowing’ an and humans. And, as her business name as a sales representative in the pharma- ABC certified trainer,” Meg says. “Mi- suggests, she provides simple, easy-to- ceutical industry before her part-time chelle McConnell, an ABCDT trainer who learn steps that make the training experi- pursuit—working with animals—became now co-owns Amy’s Natural Pet Pantry, ence both rewarding and fun. her full-time ambition. worked very closely with me; she is a posi- From Basic Obedience to “SOS” for Shy & Fearful Dogs, Positively Simple Dog Training Offers it All 40 Sarasota/Manatee Pet tive trainer who specializes in aggressive ods, she says, is on correcting bad behav- time they need me,” Meg adds. dogs.” ior rather than rewarding good behavior, Private classes are held in the dog Meet Meg Nichol, Positive Dog Trainer Successful completion of the training which is the foundation of today’s positive owner’s home or backyard or in commu- program not only depended on finishing training techniques. nity parks or other “neutral locations.” the required book studies, but also receiv- “I always have been naturally drawn to Meg is now offering group classes at ing a positive review from Michelle, as positive training methods,” Meg says. “This Poochie’s Pampered Pups, located at well as veterinarian, client and colleague specialized training uses a combination 7672 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, commendations, Meg says. of positive reinforcement and problem- and Sarasota Veterinary Center, located at After receiving her diploma, Meg’s inter- solving techniques to build confidence in 4019 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota. est in learning as much as possible about dogs and create stronger bonds between Since launching Positively Simple her new career did not Dog Training, Meg has diminish. expanded her class “I sought out the per- offerings in order to son I considered to be meet the varied training one of the best trainers needs of community in our area—Jeanine dog owners (Please see Brawn, CPDT-KA, of the sidebar below for a Jeanine’s Professional complete list of classes). Dog Training—to work In every class Meg with,” Meg says. “She teaches, the focus is not truly has been a won- just on learning, but derful mentor.” also on fun. “Jeanine also special- “A training session izes in training service should be enjoyable dogs,” Meg adds. for both the dog and Now a member of the the owner,” Meg says. Association of Profes- “People should ap- sional Dog Trainers, Meg proach every class as a also is working toward chance to participate earning credentials as a in an outing with their CCPDT-KA trainer that Above, Meg teaches a new group of eager students at a Kindergarten Class dogs; it should be both is awarded by the Certifica- held at Sarasota Veterinary Center. Photo by Connie Summers a positive and pleasur- tion Council for Professional able experience and Dog Trainers, a national organization that owners and their pets. certainly never a chore. “establishes and maintains humane stan- “A positive training approach also can “That’s what so great about holding dards of competence for animal training include ,” Meg continues. classes at Poochie’s,” Meg adds; “it’s just and behavior professionals. “ She also is in “Use of a clicker, which is a hand-held so much fun to be there. Dogs and owners the process of completing the necessary device that is emits a clicking sound each Continued on Page 42 studies to train therapy dogs. time a dog behaves appropriately, also Born and raised in Michigan, Meg grew reinforces good behavior and teaches a up in a family that included three pets— dog right from wrong.” Positively Simple two cats, Sally and Pipkin, and a Beagle Meg attributes the intimidation many Dog Training Classes named Billy. people experience when considering en- “I grew up with Billy,” Meg remembers. rolling their dogs in a training program to “We were both 14 years old when he died.” the aversive types of training that, unfor- • Shy & Fearful Class Meg remembers all too well how her tunately, still exist. beloved dog took the brunt of a lot of “That’s why the focus of each of my • Puppy Kindergarten aversive training. classes—is on ‘ positively simple’ training • Puppy Catch-Up Class “Billy was a leash puller,” Meg says. methods,” Meg comments. “He was a good dog, but not very well Offering both private lessons and group • Manners 101 behaved. Back then, positive training classes, Meg is certain to provide each dog • Manners 201 methods did not exist; choke collars tradi- and his or her owner specialized atten- tionally were used to control dogs that did tion. Class sizes are limited to a maximum • Terrible Teens not do what they were expected to do.” of six students to ensure that everyone’s According to Meg, positive training is specific training needs can be met. • Training teaching skills without any “aversives”— “Small-class training definitely has its from e-collars or “shock collars” to leash advantages,” Meg says. “While some of For complete class descriptions, From Basic Obedience to “SOS” for Shy & Fearful jerks and “everything in-between.” Meg the large area pet retailers offer training, I please visit also considers alpha-style or dominance provide a more personalized educational training an ineffective way to teach dogs. and training program. PositivelySimpleDogTraining.com Dogs, Positively Simple Dog Training Offers it All The focus of these types of training meth- “For all of my students, I am here any Sarasota/Manatee Pet 41 Continued from Page 41 fully socialized without help.” she can better see a person approaching work inside during class and then play Some of the techniques Meg uses in from the side can help to improve a dog’s together outdoors in the fenced-in play- teaching shy and fearful dogs to become confidence, Meg says. ground. My focus is always a learn-and- more confident are desensitization, While helping dogs overcome shyness play style of training.” counter conditioning and “targeting,” and fearfulness has become Meg’s area of The class that has attracted the most which is a means of teaching the dog to expertise, she also teaches basic obedi- attention and that quickly has become focus on something specific when in the ence and helps dog owners address and Meg’s specialty is Positively Simple Dog midst of a noisy, chaotic or frightening resolve a range of behavioral problems. Training’s “Shy & Fearful” class. situation. From separation anxiety, adjusting to a “The concept of offering a new home, leash pulling and class specifically for shy and bolting through doorways to fearful dogs really resonates with destructive chewing, excessive people,” Meg says. “It is a niche barking or whining, jumping class not offered by other train- and chasing, Meg can provide ers in our area that I developed the tools to successfully create based on the positive techniques confident, well-behaved pets. I have learned in my own edu- Even developing new socializa- cation and training.” tion skills, such as getting along The Shy & Fearful class actu- with other dogs, cats, children ally was first inspired by Meg’s or strangers, are behaviors that own dog, Daisy, a Florida Brown can be learned in Meg’s classes Dog, who had been found and private lessons. running in the street following “Dogs love pleasing their own- Hurricane Charlie and was taken ers,” Meg says. “They actually into foster care. are thirsty to learn. That’s why “Daisy was an extremely it’s important for dog owners to timid dog when I met her,” participate in ongoing training Meg recalls. “In the shelter, she Above, Meg helps Tinley, a Labradoodle, overcome her shy and fear- with their dogs.” ful issues with reward-based positive training. Below, Meg works with didn’t want to leave her crate One of the most critical Bologna, a Chi mix, at Arlington Park while owners Ivy, Kael and and had to be carried outside to Riley Dobbins of Sarasota look on. Photos by Connie Summers keys in successfully training a do her business, which wasn’t dog, Meg says, is developing easy to do, because she already consistency among all family weighed 40 pounds!” members in reinforcing the skills Daisy became Meg’s first “Shy learned. & Fearful” student. “It’s very important for every It was her work with building member of the family—even her own dog’s confidence that children in the household—to led Meg to realize that there was be on board,” Meg says. “Without a widespread need to develop a consistent practice of the same class for dogs that suffered from skills, family members can eas- similar issues. ily undermine the training and “There are many dogs in our eventually just confuse the dog. community that exhibit shy and “Consistency also builds a dog’s fearful behavior,” Meg notes. confidence,” Meg continues. “By “They are afraid of people, learning what to expect from his sounds and other dogs; many or her owner, a dog becomes are afraid of the world. Most of more secure and confident. the time, this kind of behavior Simply put, inconsistency breeds comes from a lack of socializa- insecurity.” tion from early puppyhood. Meg also is a firm believer in Many people who have adopted the fact that dogs can be trained these dogs mistakenly believe that shy and “At a crowded event or even at home, successfully at any age, which is why she fearful behavior is rooted in an abusive when a group of friends are visiting, chose the tag line, “It’s never to late to ask past. and a dog exhibits fearfulness, targeting for help” for her training business. “However, there also are dogs that are redirects the dog’s attention from what “People often tell me that they think raised in great, loving environments, but he or she is afraid of to something else, their dogs are too old to learn new skills they are predisposed to being shy or fear- whether it is a hand gesture, a command or that it’s too late to correct their bad ful,” Meg continues. If these dogs are not or an inanimate object,” Meg explains. habits, and that’s simply not true,” Meg worked with very, very early in life, they Even something as simple as trimming says. “It is possible to use positive training always will struggle and may never be the hair around a dog’s eyes so he or methods to teach any dog, no matter how

42 Sarasota/Manatee Pet old he or she is.” ous systemic infection that eventually was benevolent leader—someone the dog can Case in point: Meg recently worked with resolved with high doses of antibiotics; his look to for guidance, learn to trust and a 14-year-old that had a history sight was completely restored.” depend on to be consistent—is essential of nipping issues. To ensure that her two dogs would be to tapping into a dog’s and “It didn’t take long to discover that compatible, Meg actually brought Daisy promoting good behavior,” Meg adds. the dog was simply trying to guard and to West Palm with her when she went to Starting your own business in the highly protect his owners in his own home,” Meg meet Tristan for the first time. competitive field of dog training—espe- says. “By learning and practicing some “I let my dog pick her own dog,” she cially in today’s uncertain economy—can positive training techniques, the dog no says. “Daisy and Tristan became instant certainly be daunting. But for Meg, each longer nips.” friends and constant companions.” graduating “student” is a personal mile- While all of Positively Simple Dog Train- As new private lessons and group class- stone that reaffirms the validity of the ing’s classes are affordably priced, special es are scheduled and her training business major life change she made years ago. discounts on training for military families continues to flourish, one has to wonder: Does she harbor any misgivings about and community residents that have adopt- What does Meg enjoy most about her leaving the field of pharmaceutical sales ed shelter dogs also are available. work? to become a positive dog trainer? It is clear that Meg has a soft spot for “There is immense satisfaction that Hardly. shelter animals. Nelson, Basia and Riley, evolves from watching the bond that Instead, she says with a wide smile and three cats with whom she has shared her grows between a dog and his or her a sparkle in her eye, “There is absolutely home in recent years, were all “little res- owner,” Meg says. nothing else I would rather be doing.” cues,” and Tristan, Meg’s seven-year-old She also takes pleasure in showing Havenese mix, was adopted from a rescue people how to make their dogs think. For more information about group in West Palm Beach. “It’s very rewarding to help bring out Positively Simple Dog Training or to “Tristan was dropped off at a shelter in the ‘smarts’ in a dog,” Meg notes. “There schedule a free consultation, call Miami/Dade by a breeder when he just are some people that think their dogs 941-232-330, send an e-mail to six months old,” Meg explains. “He was aren’t very bright, but that’s simply not almost completely blind and had been true; the owners just haven’t learned how info@positivelysimpledogtraining. misdiagnosed with detached retinas in to cultivate a dog’s intelligence. com or visit PositivelySimpleDog- both eyes. It turns out that he had a seri- “Teaching a dog owner to become a Training.com.

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