Nicole Kohanski | Source | Founder, Dog Behavior Expert and Trainer at Wiggle Butt Academy LLC

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Nicole Kohanski

Founder, Dog Behavior Expert and Trainer at Wiggle Butt Academy LLC
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Nicole Kohanski is the founder of Wiggle Butt Academy, a Texas based dog behavior and training company that uses science and kindness to train family pets.

Nicole is obessive about education. She has devoted many years and thousands of doallars to earn these credentials (and more): CTC, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CSAT, FDM, CBATI-KA, FPPE, Dip CBST, ADT-IAABC, CPDT-KA, Elite FFCP, L-FDM.

​Why did Nicole chose to invest so much time andy money in education? Dog training in the United States is unregulated. Trainers can label themselves with a title, and practice without any oversight, qualifications or experience. Nicole wanted to be an example of what she would search for if she needed help with her dogs. Education and experience both matter, as do methodology and tactics.

Nicole and her team work dog training and behavior cases for families needing help with dog of all ages and stages. They provide help with puppy manners to aggression, fear, bite consults and separation anxiety.

Learn more about Nicole's qualifications below:
Nicole graduated with honors from the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers, earning a Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC). She also earned a Diploma in Canine Behavior, Science and Technology (Dip CBST) from Companion Animal Sciences Institute. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and an Accredited Dog Trainer (ADT-IAABC) from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional (Veterinary Level 3, Trainer, Pet Sitter) and completed the Aggression in Dogs Masters Course. Nicole is also a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) and a Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE). She is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) from the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. She also holds a CBATI-KA. Nicole is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Most recently, Nicole completed Kim Brophey's Family Dog Mediation Certification and is a Licensed & Certified Family Dog Mediator. She also completed the Canine Arthritis Management Advocacy Program and is currently enrolled in the veterinary course.

Nicole's undergraduate education is a Bachelor's of Science in Business and Ethics. She earned her MBA from the Jindal School of Business at the University of Texas at Dallas.

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  • Spotting Stress: Is Doggy Daycare Overwhelming Your Pet?
    Nicole highlights signs of stress in dogs at daycare, including avoidance, increased reactivity, excessive sleepiness, appetite changes, and vocalizations. Physical changes like dandruff or hair loss may also indicate stress. To alleviate this, she suggests reducing daycare days to twice a week or opting for half days. Monitoring these signs ensures your pet's daycare experience remains positive.
  • Dogs Grieve: Expert Confirms Canine Emotional Bonds
    Nicole confirms that dogs grieve the loss of their companions. She shares stories of her dogs, Artoo and Chewie, who showed sadness and isolation after losing close dog friends. Nicole emphasizes, "Dogs are social creatures with complex emotional needs," capable of forming intense bonds and experiencing grief.
  • Keep Your Dog Out of the Litter Box: Expert Tips from Wiggle Butt Academy
    Nicole explains that dogs may eat cat poop due to hunger, boredom, or medical reasons. While normal, it can be dangerous if the cat has diseases. She suggests "preventing access and keeping the box clean." Self-cleaning boxes can help by isolating waste. For more tips, visit Wiggle Butt Academy's website.
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