Alicia Nicholas has been coaching dogs and their handlers since 2004. She’s won a variety of titles and championships in multiple venues, including: obedience, agility, dock diving, herding, tricks, stunt dog, rally, therapy dog, scent work and dryland mushing. Alicia has competed nationally and internationally in agility, attending multiple national championships in different venues. As a fifteen-year veteran high school-teacher, Alicia has the expertise to coach handlers at any level.
Training Philosophy
Alicia is committed to education and growth in the field of dog training. Alicia believes you are an expert on your dog, and her role as an instructor is to provide an outside perspective, improving both your skill set and your dog’s abilities. Alicia will help you discover which activities you and your dog do best, and will help you improve your ability to work together. Recognizing what a dog enjoys and excels at is part of the relationship. She enjoys training dogs towards a goal and, as much fun as it is to win a title, the joy of living happily with your dog comes first. She encourages people to compete with the course more than the other entrants. It’s all about the journey.
Services
Journey Agility offers a variety of dog training services in Tucson. This includes group classes in dog sports such as agility, scent work, fungility, manners & life skills, and more.
Group Classes & Drop In Training –
Journey Agility’s group classes, in Tucson, are a fun way to improve your skills in a social environment. Group classes are a great way to expose your dog to new situations safely. Dog training can improve the bond you have with your dog and give your dog a job.
Classes Include:
- Puppy Classes
- Adult Manners and Life Skills
- Drop In Training
- Agility Classes
- Scent Work
- Nose Work
- Rally
- Mini Seminars
- and more!
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Boarding –
I board client dogs and dogs with referrals from clients in my home.
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Board and Train –
Board and train (minimum of three weeks) is available by appointment only.
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Private Dog Training –
Journey Agility can help you set attainable goals and design a training plan to reach those goals. Privates are available in packages of 3 and 5 with discounted rates. Sign up now!
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Certifications
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and a Certified Behavior Adjustment Instructor (CBATI)
Specializations
Agility, Scent Work, Tricks, Stunt Dog, Behavior Adjustment Training
Training Methods
Positive Reinforcement
Customer Reviews
When my young Havanese shut down in agility after the passing of my Papillon, I was devastated and concerned. I did not know what was wrong – if I had done something wrong in his training or something happened to him to have such and emotional impact. Lots of people had advise like crate him anytime he is not working with you or retire him from agility. However, I was not finding practical and adequate training help.
I was referred to Alicia and requested to work long distance with her to try and sort out what was going on. A whole new world of dog training opened up to me and my dog. Instead of my focus being on behavior performance and precision we changed to the emotional and social side of training. Alicia taught me how to listen to my dog and his needs and emotions. She helped me build a bond of trust through play, enrichment, consent, relationship, reinforcement, and delayed reinforcement. Alicia has shown me and my dog empathy. She has supported us and coached me through this emotionally difficult journey. I know better how to listen to my dog, and give him what he needs to consent to the games and activities I ask him to participate in. The value of what I’ve learned is immeasurable but what I can now bring to the relationship I have with my dog is evidenced in the trusting bond we’ve built. My dog is as honest as they come and gives his everything to whatever I ask, now I can give so much more to my dog.
