Transform Your Pup's Behavior Today!
AKC Puppy Courses
Train your own dog to become a Service Dog
Positive Reinforcement Techniques.
Get to know the AKC Evaluator Trainers
Nikolett is the proud owner of Naughty to Nice Dog Training, and her passion for animals began in her childhood. Growing up in Greece, she was deeply moved by the sight of so many stray animals and longed to bring them all home. These early experiences sparked her determination to educate the public on how to transform pets into well-mannered, lifelong family members.
Right after high school, Nikolett started working at Petco in the infirmary, where she cared for sick animals and nursed them back to health. Driven by her desire to learn more about animals, she took classes in animal health and became an Avian Specialist. Her educational journey continued, leading her to earn her A.A. and A.S. degrees and eventually become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Nikolett spent over 11 years working at a local veterinary hospital, where she educated pet parents on topics such as behavior modification, dog training, nutrition, oral care, and overall pet health. She also performed external surgeries and provided recovery care for patients.
Her passion for canine education led her to become an AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and she transitioned to training dogs full-time. She specializes in helping dogs pass the prerequisites to become service dogs, teaching both dogs and their owners essential skills for success. Nikolett is committed to ongoing education, attending annual courses on animal nutrition, behavioral modification, and canine medicine.
With a wealth of experience since 2004, Nikolett has trained over 7,000 dogs of all sizes, from teacup breeds to giants. Her love for animals extends beyond training, as she also volunteers at local animal shelters, evaluating and training animals to improve their behaviors before adoption..
Nikolett’s family began with two pups: a half Pit Bull, half Rottweiler rescue named Spartan, who quickly became her four-legged shadow. He was rescued from Oakland, and after months of training, Spartan passed the Canine Good Citizen test, proving to be a loyal and devoted companion. Along with Spartan, they also have an Aussiedoodle who keeps the family active and engaged. With two kids in the mix, they soon realized they needed more animals to complete their family, continuing to grow their bond with pets and deepen their love for animals.
Recently, Nikolett’s family welcomed an Anatolian Shepherd named Poppy, who loves patrolling the property and keeping critters at bay. Alongside Poppy, they have a new addition—a loyal and protective Anatolian Shepherd pup named Theo, who has quickly bonded with the family. All of their pups will be going through training to become Certified Canine Good Citizens, ensuring they are well-mannered and ready to be the best companions possible.
Lil Bobby, our new rescue, found us just two days before Christmas. He survived a cold night in 30-degree weather, seeking shelter with our chickens until we discovered him the next morning. We rushed him to the vet, where we learned that at only five weeks old, he had six different intestinal parasites. Thankfully, after treatment, Lil Bobby is now parasite-free and settled into his forever home, where he’s surrounded by love and care.
In addition to their dogs, Nikolett’s family also adopted two kitties, Buffy and Garfield, who have a unique personality and act more like dogs than cats. With their faith, their children, and their animals, Nikolett and her family find even more purpose and joy in their everyday lives, creating a loving and lively home filled with companionship and meaning.
Angela began working with Nikolett in 2011, and from that moment, she knew she had found her calling. Growing up in Greece with Nikolett gave Angela a firsthand look at the lack of knowledge surrounding animal care and training. She quickly realized that she wanted to help pet owners better understand their dogs' needs and teach them how to incorporate their pets into the family.
Angela holds an A.A. degree in Liberal Studies and Early Childhood Development. With 13 years of teaching experience, she found fulfillment in working with children. However, her passion for animals led her to transition into dog training. As an AKC evaluator and certified dog trainer, Angela has worked with dogs of all sizes, from tiny pups to giant breeds. Her background in education has equipped her to help pet parents train their dogs with confidence, knowing their pets will become lifelong companions.
Her love for animals began at age ten when her family adopted a poodle. Soon after, she got her own Pomeranian, Nala, and later moved on to larger breeds, including German Shepherds. As a child, she quickly learned how to train these working, protective breeds. The German Shepherd she had was not only amazing but also a big cuddle bug with the children. As an adult, Angela found herself drawn to the Boxer breed, and today, she and her family have a wonderful Boxer named Diesel. Diesel brings boundless joy to their home, especially with his energetic love for playing fetch with the kids.