TRAINING

We are hosting training classes, sessions during daycare, and limited in home training clients.

We also recommend Brandy Westmore of Right Paw Forward for in home training.

THE PICKLES APPROACH

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LIFESTYLE

We’re here to make behavioral training work with your lifestyle. We mark undesired behaviors & help boost your dog’s confidence, to encourage the good behaviors you do want.

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BALANCE

Boosting your dog’s confidence and teaching your dog to manage their instincts & impulses can encourage them to self regulate and live a balanced life.

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PSYCHOLOGY

We use a positive psychology approach that’s tailored to what works best for your dog. This flexibility allows us to work with each dog on a deeper level that meets you and your furry soulmate where you’re at.

“Thelma has grown so much in her time at Pickle’s. Basic manners, leash etiquette and most importantly, socialization with other dogs and people. She looks forward to going and I look forward to how tired she is when she gets home! We love the Pickle’s Crew!”

— Christi & Thelma, the terrier mix

WHAT BEHAVIORS CAN WE WORK ON?

  • Our training philosophy is “Lets and Together”

    LETS We call our group training classes L.E.T.S. for Life Enhancement Training Series.

    TOGETHER Our goal is to train clients & their dogs to live harmonious lives so they can stay together, creating less 'shelter dogs'.

  • Focusing on trust and understanding with your furry soulmate is key to living a healthy life together. This is a great focus and refresher option for any dog owners, especially with puppies. Lets start your relationship off on the right paw.

  • Advanced obedience can make the difference between a dog that's well behaved at home and a dog that's well behaved everywhere you go. Lets teach your dog to be the dog everyone wishes they had.

  • Calmly walking down the street, listening to birds chirp, and smelling the spring flowers blooming is exactly how you and your dog should enjoy walks. Lets accomplish that together.

  • Shy and timid dogs are our favorite. Teaching your dog to no longer hold onto fears & to live a more enjoyable life is our passion. Lets accomplish a balanced life together.

  • Safety is the number one concern for all of us furry soulmate parents. That means teaching your dog to ignore food on the ground, teaching them not to jump on people, leash manners, and more. Lets customize this training for your dog.

  • Working on something specific with your pup? Get in touch to see if we’re a good fit to support you and your furry soulmate!

MEET YOUR TRAINERS

NIKKI JOHNSON A.P.D.T.

DOG BEHAVIORIST +
Chief Dog Officer of Pickles Playland

I have 15 years of experience as a dog behaviorist, specializing in training PTSD service dogs and rehabilitating dogs with fear based aggression.

Dogs are like puzzles - they have certain needs, preferences, and dislikes. Finding the balance to creating an engaging training environment for your dog will increase their confidence and reliably reduce unwanted behaviors. I've won multiple awards in the pet industry since 2015. Private sessions are 1-2 hours long and $200/session.

I do not offer training for tricks, agility, scent work, or search/rescue.

ISABEL CYR

Canine Behavioral Training Apprentice

Isabel is a dedicated and hard working behavioral training apprentice. She works diligently on learning multiple new techniques in her off time. Her apprenticeship has been side by side with Nikki Johnson, our lead behaviorist at Pickles. Come meet Isabel at our Redmond location for L.E.T.S. classes!

Aubrey Macy Pickles Playland dog trainer french bulldog frenchie

AUBREY MACY

Canine Behavioral Training Apprentice

Aubrey is a dedicated and hard working behavioral training apprentice. She works diligently on learning multiple new techniques in her off time. Her apprenticeship has been side by side with Nikki Johnson, our lead behaviorist at Pickles. Come meet Aubrey at our Kirkland location for L.E.T.S. classes!

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YOUR NAME HERE!

Canine Behavioral Training Apprentice

Do you love dogs, want to help people, have a need to learn, and want to be a dog trainer? We’re looking for 1 more canine behavioral training apprentice to join our team. Apply by emailing a cover letter and resume to PicklesPlayland@gmail.com.

WAYS TO TRAIN

GROUP TRAINING

  • Life enhancement skills such as

    Basic obedience
    Advanced obedience
    Proper socialization with people & other dogs
    Confidence
    Impulse control
    Leash manners
    And more

    Each L.E.T.S. class focuses on a specific behavior. We also work on kennel training as a form of “place” work and teach your dog to “calm” on request.

  • L.E.T.S. class can accommodate up to 10 dogs per session.

    L.ET.S. is only hosted when we have 4 or more attendees. Pre-registration for L.E.T.S is required, at least 1 week in advance.

    Cancellations/rescheduled sessions are non-refundable within 1 week.

LIFE ENHANCEMENT TRAINING SERIES (L.E.T.S.) Group training classes held every Tuesday at the Redmond Pickles Playland. Each class has a focus and secondary focus, to keep learning fun.

L.E.T.S. Group Class is only hosted when we have 4 or more attendees. Pre-registration is required.

Cancellations/rescheduled sessions are non-refundable within 1 week of class.

1:1 DAYCARE

  • These are 1 on 1 sessions that take place during your dog’s visit. When requesting your dog’s visit please add notes for the trainers about what behaviors you’d like us to work on.

    After session, you will receive an email with photos, information on how your dog did, what we worked on, and how to continue training at home.

  • 3 days advance booking is required
    Sessions are in 15min / $20 increments

Add a 1:1 session to your pup’s daycare or boarding visit at the Playland. They’ll get more personalized training than group training, with more flexibility and savings compared to private training!

Requires at least 3 days advance booking.

Cancellations/rescheduled sessions are non-refundable within 1 week of your dog’s visit

2023 CLOSURES

Daycare and events are closed for the dates listed below. Boarding on these dates will incur an additional $15 holiday fee