ABOUT

PHILOSOPHY

By design, Nicole Rathje is the sole owner and operator of Walk Hike Play.  Every dog that joins the Walk Hike Play program attends two or more days a week and most stay on for several years.  While the dogs enjoy walking and socializing together, Nicole treats each dog as an individual and differentiates her approach to meet each of their unique needs.  She provides clarity, consistency, and compassion to every dog in her care. 

EXPERIENCE

Nicole is a certified canine behaviorist and certified dog trainer.  She has fifteen years of professional dog handling experience. Prior to working with dogs, Nicole was an elementary school teacher in Los Angeles, CA for several years. She loved teaching, but in 2010, Nicole left the classroom to complete her master's degree and picked up a part time job as a dog walker. This quickly turned into a new career path as Nicole fell in love with spending her days hiking packs of dogs through the hills of Los Angeles. She spent five years working for and learning from her boss and mentor, Teresa Apollo.  

In October 2015, Nicole relocated to Kirkland, WA. Nicole opened WALK HIKE PLAY LLC and over the last ten years, WALK HIKE PLAY LLC has grown and evolved, yet at its foundation has stayed true to its heart which is to build long lasting and enduring relationships with clients and the community.  

When not working, Nicole enjoys hiking with her 15 year old rescue dog, Abby, and volunteering on the Dog Behavior Team at Homeward Pet Adoption Center. 

Qualifications & Certifications

• Licensed. Bonded. Insured
• M.A. in Education
• CBCC - KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed)
• CPDT - KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed)
• Aggression in Dogs Master Course Certification by Michael Shikashio CDBC
• Learning Environment Genetics Self - Family Dog Mediator Certification by Kim Brophey CDBC
• Pet First-Aid/CPR Certification
• Canine Good Citizen Evaluator for the American Kennel Club
• Fear Free Pet and Shelter Program Certification
• Volunteer on the Behavior Team at Homeward Pet Adoption Center
• Dog Trainer Foundation Certification from the International Association of Canine Professionals
• Participated in the Oregon Tails "Jentle Method" leash handling 3 day seminar 
• Audited "The Tom Davis Experience" behavior modification 2 day seminar
• Completed Dogs Playing For Life webinar series including: 
  • "Fancy Footwork: Practical Handling and Training Solutions For The Entire Shelter"
  • "Playgroups: The Why, What, And How"
  • "DPFL's Approach To On-leash Reactivity"
  •  "Stranger Danger! Advocating For And Advancing Your Human-Reactive Dogs",
  • "The Impact of Playgroups: Saving Lives While Prioritizing Quality Of Life"
  • "For Dog's Sake, Can You Stop That? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements For Humans"
  •  "Handling Fractious Dogs In Shelter Settings" 
• Attended The Modern Ethical Dog Training Conference which included the following lectures: 
  • "How To Build Trust Through Protected Contact" by Frantisek Susta
  • "From Correction To Connection" by Alex Capra
  • "Reading The Alert: Transforming Canine Aggression To Friendliness Through CAT" by Kellie Snider
  • "Dog-Dog Problems On Leash And In The Home" by Jean Donaldson
  • "Deep Connection: Dogs Mirroring Our Needs And Emotion" by Magdalena Simeckova
  • "Understanding Dog Behavior Through Neutral Observation, Including Common Misinterpretations" by Katja Kraub
  • "How We Learn: An Introduction To Behavior Analysis And Training" by Susan Friedman
  • "Interview With The Daughter Of B.F.Skinner" by Julie Skinner Vargas
  • "Resource Guarding And Body Handling: Technique And Case Study" by Jean Donaldson
• Completed the ASPCA's webinar: "How To Communicate Shelter Animal Behavior Clearly"
• Completed the ASPCA's webinar: "How To Encourage Good Behavior In Shelter Dogs"
• Participated in The Healing Pack's 4 week Catalyst Program: Energy Mastery 
• Completed The Good Dog Model For Solving Behavior Problems Course by Sue Alexander CBCC-KA of The Dog Trainer's Crucible 
• Participated in The Healing Pack's 4 week Catalyst Program: Embodied Leadership
• Attended The Barkey Lungey Dog Conference Hosted by The Denise Fenze Academy which included the following Lectures: 
  • "The Dopamine Dive -Using The Dopamine Box For Behavior Work" by Karen Deeds
  • "Reactive To Relaxed: The Look At That Game" by Kim Palermo
  • Unraveling The Role Of Frustration in Dog Reactivity" by Dr. Sophie Liu
  • "Management vs Training: Is It Management For Life?" by Dr. Amy Cook
  • "Changing Feelings: Is It Even Possible" by Irith Bloom
  • "Barkey And Lungey To Calm And Confident; Using Pattern Games And Arousal Mobility" by Sara Brueske