Meet Our Trainer
Head Trainer – Christina Niels
For Christina Niels, working with dogs has never just been about training—it’s about understanding them.
With more than two decades of experience, Christina has dedicated her career to helping dogs and their people learn how to communicate, trust, and truly enjoy life together. Her approach centers around building harmony between you and your dog, focusing on the relationship first and the behaviors naturally follow.
Christina believes that when dogs are given clear guidance, enrichment, and positive reinforcement, they are far more likely to succeed. Through engaging training games, practical exercises, and thoughtful coaching for owners, she helps transform everyday challenges into opportunities to strengthen the bond between dog and human.
Throughout her career, Christina has worked with dogs of all personalities—from energetic puppies to sensitive, fearful, or reactive dogs who simply need patience and understanding. Her experience in rescue and rehabilitation has given her a unique perspective on behavior and the importance of meeting each dog where they are.
At Golden Retreat Ranch, Christina’s goal is simple: to help create a relationship between you and your dog that feels balanced, cooperative, and enjoyable for both of you. Training should feel less like a chore and more like a partnership—one where both ends of the leash are learning and growing together.
Qualifications
CPDT-KA – Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Knowledge Assessed)
IAABC-ADT – Accredited Dog Trainer through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Member of APDT – Association of Professional Dog Trainers
AKC STAR Puppy & Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Christina continues to pursue ongoing education in canine behavior, including topics such as fear rehabilitation, stress in dogs, and improving outcomes for behaviorally challenged animals.
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