• Difficult Dog Problem Keeping You Up at Night?

    Certified Expertise Backed by Behavioral Science. Real answers for your most challenging dog behavior problems.

  • Nobody gets a dog hoping for problems.

    We bring them home imagining unconditional love, joyful walks, and years of wonderful memories.

    For many families, that dream can quietly become a nightmare they never signed up for.

    Nikki Finn-Loudenslager CDBC

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    You love your dog. But right now, you're not sure what to do.

    Maybe it started small. A growl you hadn't heard before. A lunge that came out of nowhere. Anxiety that seems to be getting worse no matter what you try. So you did what anyone would do. You asked around.
    Your family had opinions. Your trainer had a program. Your vet had a recommendation. And somehow, you are more confused than when you started.
    Now you're lying awake wondering what to do next. Is this going to get worse? Is my dog even safe? Could a board and train fix this? Am I doing the right thing by keeping him? Could it really come to rehoming? To euthanasia?
    You're not looking for another opinion to add to the pile. You're looking for someone who actually knows. Someone who can look at your specific situation, tell you honestly what's going on, and what to do next without any agenda.
    That's exactly what a Dog Behavior Clarity Call is for.

  • The Dog Behavior Clarity Call

    60-Minute Zoom Consultation + Written Action Plan - $165

    You don't need to commit to a training program or wonder if you're doing the right thing.

    In one focused conversation, you'll walk away with clarity.

    Together we will:

    Identify the likely causes of your dog's behavior

    Discuss realistic options and what to expect

    Cut through conflicting advice and misinformation

    Build a practical, next-step action plan

    Leave you clear, confident and ready to move forward

    What you get:

    A 60-minute Zoom consultation with Nikki - a Certified Behavior Expert, followed by written report that will include a behavioral assessment, likely contributing factors, management strategies, training recommendations, and prognosis. This document can be shared with your vet, trainer, or family.

  • One Conversation Could Change Everything.

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    Is Your Dog....

    • Growling, barking, lunging, or biting?
    • Anxious, reactive, or difficult to live with?
    • Struggling with a new baby, another pet, or a major life change?
    • Caught in the middle of a separation, divorce, or ownership dispute?
    • Facing a possible rehoming or behavioral euthanasia decision?
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    Are you.....

    • Being recommended conflicting training methods and don't know who to trust?
    • Confused about whether you need a vet, dog trainer, behaviorist, or something else entirely?
    • Wondering whether to rehome, persist, or explore other options?
    • Feeling judged, overwhelmed, or just desperate for a straight answer?

  • My Story

    Many years ago, I started out as a dog lover and someone who had no idea what she was doing. A good heart. Great intentions. But zero knowledge when it came to dog behavior.

    Working at one of Denver's largest shelters, I kept asking the same question. If these dogs and their humans had just gotten the right help earlier, would they even be here? That question never left me.

    Then I rescued 2 puppies whose mother had died giving birth. I didn't know then how profoundly that early loss could shape a dog's behavior but I was soon to find out. One of them, Abbey, showed signs of difficulty from 10 weeks old. I did what a lot of people do. I listened to the wrong advice from TV Shows and Social Media. I thought it was all about how you raise them. I tried Punishment-based techniques that made her aggression worse.

    It wasn't until I discovered behavioral science that things began to change. Abbey's reactivity improved. Her anxiety reduced. I enrolled in a behavior course at CATCH Academy with Abbey as my subject dog, and I never looked back.

    We lost Abbey at 5 years old to a medical condition that had likely been contributing to her behavior all along. I didn't know that then. I do now, and that knowledge has shaped everything about how I work.

    From that point I threw myself into learning everything I could. Course after course, book after book, but always from reliable, science-based sources and the world's leading behavior professionals. Patricia McConnell, Michael Shikashio, Susan Friedman, Kathy Sdao, just to name a few.

    That journey led me to become one of only 3 Certified Dog Behavior Consultants in the state of Arizona, a credential held by fewer than 500 professionals worldwide. I've gone on to serve as a court-recognized Expert Witness in animal behavior cases, worked with families navigating some of the most heartbreaking decisions a dog owner can face, and wrote Finding Mikey. A story of my most recent rescue and the process of choosing the right dog for your family.

    But the thing I'm most proud of isn't the credentials. It's that I have never forgotten what it feels like to be the person on the other side. The one desperate for answers, let down by conflicting advice, and terrified of making the wrong call for a dog you love.

    That's exactly why I created the Dog Behavior Clarity Call. Because nobody should have to figure this out alone.

  • Clarity Shared

    Reflections from clients who experienced behavior help with Nikki
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    “The Session was great. I felt like I was in good hands throughout.

    Nikki knows her stuff.”

    Jason D with Arthur

    via Petworks

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    “Nikki does great. She makes suggestions that are understood by both people and dogs. She has made a difference in our lives. Thanks Nikki.”

    Cathy M with Zoey

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    “Nikki truly enjoys her profession and it shows! She communicates clearly and calmly. By observing and listening, she is able modify the approach if not getting expected results.”

    Kay with Sedona

  • Frequently Asked Questions

  • Schedule your Clarity Call

    One conversation could change everything.
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