Your ClientNostics Coach

DogNostics and the certification program ClientNostics were founded by Niki Tudge, a Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant with extensive experience in corporate roles.

Along with Niki’s business degree and MBA from Oxford Brookes University, she is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, an HCITB TS1, TS2 & TS3 certified people trainer, and a certified Facilitator and Project Manager. Niki is also a Certified Transformation Specialist, a niche credential that helps individuals focus on change and transformation.

Her background includes director-level positions in Fortune 500 companies, executive management, operational leadership, talent development, people training certification, customer service delivery, and financial and business operations.

Niki is also the Founder of The Pet Professional Guild, the only force-free pet professional association in the United States, and The DogSmith, a national and international dog training and pet care business. 

Niki has a unique mix of business experience, dog training and behavior skills, a background in excellent customer service, certification as a trainer of trainers, and extensive consulting experience with professionals across various parts of the Pet Industry.

Niki combines these essential skills and experience to create several unique systems and programs for pet professionals. Many of these were previously exclusive to DogSmith business owners until 2025, including On Task Skill Coaching and MTR. DMAIC is Niki’s proprietary program, a method for analyzing problem behaviors and developing systematic behavior-change plans, based on Niki’s extensive experience and certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt. 

Niki is passionate about the pet industry and is on a personal mission to raise standards through mentoring, educational leadership, and unwavering dedication to force-free, ethical training.

Education & Credentials

Training and Development, Business Leadership & Coaching Experience:

1. Florida, 2005 to 2007 – Regional Training Director for a collection of  Luxury Hotels & Resorts.
2. Hawaii, 2000 to 2002 – Director of Operations and  Director of Six-Sigma. Multi-million dollar project management for a leading fortune 500 company
3. Hawaii, 2003 to 2005 –  Director of Operations for a Five Diamond Resort
4. The Caribbean, 1990 Regional Training Consultant at Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados, Pegasus, Jamaica, Forte Hotel, Guyana, and Forte Grand Hotel, Egypt.
5. Southern Africa,1999 Business Consultant and Project Manager, Travel Industry and Game Reserves, Gauteng, South Africa, and Nigeria.
6. The Middle East 1994 Business & Management Training Consultant in Cairo, Jordan, Cyprus & Abu Dhabi.

University & Business 

• HND Hospitality Management
• BA, MBA Oxford Brookes University
• Certified Project Facilitator, The Acuity Institute
• HCITB. Certified People Trainer  TS1, TS2 &TS3
• SH&R Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
• ISSA – Certified Transformation Specialist 

Accredited by The Pet Professional Accreditation Board

• Professional Canine Behaviour Consultant – Accredited, Pet Professional Accreditation Board
• Professional Canine Trainer – Accredited, Pet Professional Accreditation Board

The University of Vermont

• Pet Doula Certificate

Companion Animal Science Institute.

• Diploma of Animal Behavior Science and Technology (Dip ABST) with distinction
• Diploma of Dog Training and Behaviour Consulting (Dip DTBC) with distinction

HCITB Certifications

• Certified People Trainer – HCITB
• Business Mentor & Coach

Health & Wellness   Credentials

• CHI Certified Walking & Running Coach
• ISSA Certified Elite Trainer
• ISSA Certified Nutritionist
• ISSA Certified Running Coach

Pet Industry Qualifications and Credentials

• PCBC-A, AABP CDT, AABP CDBC, Dip, ABT.Dip, CBST, PCT-A.
• Pet Care Services Association CPCT CAPCT
• Behavior Works – Living and Learning with Animals for Professionals Certification
• College of Scent Dogs – Canine Scent Instructor

Author

• Author Pet Training and Behavior Consulting: A Model for Raising the Bar to Protect Professionals, Pets and Their People
• Author: People Training Skills
• Author: Get Coaching Now
• Author: Big Training for a Small Business
• Author: The Kids Comprehensive Guide To Speaking Dog

Current Positions

• Founder & President, DogSmith Services Inc
• Founder & President, The Pet Professional Guild
• Founder of DogNostics Education

Published Articles on Dog Training, Dog Behavior Consulting & Business Coaching:

• Barks From The Guild – Industry Trade Magazine for the Pet Professional Guild
• Pets & Their People – Pet Owner Publication
• Monthly Pet column, Walton Sun Freedom Link Newspaper
• Coastal Style Magazine, regular contributor, Pet Column
• Walton Sun, Pet Column Dog Talk
• Coastal Pets Contributor
• CARE Community Animal Rescue Publication
• Pet Butler Newsletter Monthly
• Bay Families with Dogs Website
• Alaqua Animal Refuge publication
• Expert Author Ezine
• New Barker Magazine
• Southern Child Magazine

The DogSmith Has Been Featured in the Following Publications:

• Walton Sun newspaper, Sept 2007
• Panama City News Herald Newspaper June 2007
• New York Times Newspaper September 2006
• The Niceville Advertiser, June 2007
• West Hawaii Today, October 2002
• Coastal Style Magazine 2007
• 850 Business Magazine 2008