Nicole Wilde is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who specializes in behavior issues, and holds a degree in psychology. She is the recipient of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers' prestigious Ian Dunbar Member of the Year Award for 2006, and a popular speaker at the organization's conferences. Nicole is also an instructor and on the advisory board for the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, the educational branch for the International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior.

Nicole is an internationally recognized author and lecturer. Her books include Living with Wolfdogs, Wolfdogs A-Z, So You Want to be a Dog Trainer, It's Not the Dogs, It's the People!, One on One: A Dog Trainer's Guide to Private Training, and Help for Your Fearful Dog (all available through Phantom Publishing at www.phantompub.com). She has presented seminars both domestically and internationally for conferences, training clubs, and other groups.

Nicole writes training and behavior articles for various publications, including an ongoing training column for Modern Dog Magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Dog Star Daily (www.dogstardaily.com). She co-stars in the DVD "Train Your Dog: The Positive Gentle Method," and co-hosted the "Dog Talk" radio show, where her experience, humor and quick wit were put to good use. She was also featured in the Paul Owens DVD "The Dog Whisperer" (not to be confused with the television show by the same name).

Nicole has always had a special place in her heart for dogs in need. Her experience includes a position as Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles' Animal Services, where she instructed volunteers in canine handling and behavior, handled hundreds of dogs, and served as adoption counselor. She served as Executive Director for Villalobos Rescue Center, a sanctuary for rescued wolves/wolf hybrids, Pit Bulls and exotic animals. Nicole's specialty was socializing fearful wolves who were to live out their lives at the center. She also trained wolves and other canines, and presented seminars for animal control officers, schools, and specialty groups. Her experience is rounded out by having worked at a doggy daycare (supervising 40-50 off-leash dogs daily!), a veterinarian's office, as Editor/Chief Writer for a Get-A-Pet magazine, and teaching group classes as well as private instruction.

Originally from New York, Nicole moved to Los Angeles in 1987. She has competed as a professional gymnast, ridden motorcycles, played bass guitar in various bands, and lived with wolves. Never a dull moment!

Nicole owns and operates Gentle Guidance Dog Training in southern California (www.gentleguidance4dogs.com). With warmth, humor and positive techniques, she trains owners to train their dogs. She continues to teach seminars domestically and internationally for professional dog trainers, rescue and shelter workers, veterinary groups and others, and to educate the public on canine behavior issues.