A Dance, Not a Duel: The Gentle Art of Motivational Interviewing

Come and explore a new model for communication, collaborating, and managing change through training and behavior programs.

Imagine your friend is stuck in a rut, maybe about exercising, quitting a bad habit, or finally cleaning out their garage that now resembles a modern art installation made of junk.

Your first instinct is to be a Cheerleader Captain. “You can DO IT! Just GO! What are you waiting for?! LET’S GO, TEAM!” Result: They feel pressured and annoyed.

Then you try being the Know-it-All Expert. “Well, actually, studies show that if you just follow my 17-step plan, you will achieve optimal results. Here’s a spreadsheet I made for you.” Result: They feel dumb and even less motivated.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is being a Change Detective. 🕵️‍♀️

You show up not with a plan, but with a magnifying glass and a cool hat. You’re not there to solve the case for them; you’re there to help them find the clues that are already there.

Your mission is to find their “Change Talk” – the little whispers of motivation they already have inside them.

Instead of being a bulldozer pushing them, you’re more like a collaborative road trip buddy.

• You don’t grab the steering wheel. They are the driver. It’s their car, their life.
• You’re the GPS. You ask, “So, where are we thinking of going?” not “You should be going to the gym.”
• You read the road signs back to them. You say things like, “So on one hand, you really enjoy sleeping in, but on the other hand, you mentioned you miss feeling energetic. Is that right?” You’re just holding up a mirror so they can see the situation more clearly.
• You celebrate their navigation skills. “Wow, it’s really cool that you’re even thinking about this journey. It takes guts to look at the map.”
• If they want to take a detour, you don’t freak out. You just say, “Okay, let’s explore this route. What’s down this road?”

Essentially, it’s the art of helping clients uncover their ambivalence regarding change. You cannot talk somebody into making changes with their pet and their life.  It’s a dance, not a wrestling match. You’re a partner, not a pusher. And you get to be the cool, curious detective who helps them discover their own inner superhero.

Learning Objectives

1. What Is The New Model – Understanding MI
2. Why Do We Need To Change – Step away from the fixed mindset
3. How it All Began – The history and science behind MI
4. The Core Principles of MI – The Spirit (PACE)
5. The foundational Skills OARS
6. The Process of MI – How to apply it
7. Identifying Change Language and sustaining language
8. When and How To Offer Information & Advice –
9. The Practical Application for Pet Trainers

Your Presenter: Niki Tudge – M.B.A, PCBC-A, CABC, CDBC SSA-CFT, Six Sigma Black Belt, HCITB TS1, TS2 & TS3 Certified People Trainer, Certified Facilitator and Business Project Manager.

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 programs such as On Task Skill Coaching and MTR. DMAIC is Niki’s proprietary program, serving as 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.