How To Build Real World Skills With Your Dog

On this episode of the Fresh Patch Podcast, we welcome celebrity dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert Nicole Ellis, alongside her well-trained dog Rossi.

Nicole is as a Los Angeles–based trainer who works with everyday pet parents as well as high-profile clients, including celebrities and entertainment professionals. Her mission is simple: help people build better relationships with their dogs using positive reinforcement training.

She also shares that her work extends beyond training pets at home, she trains animals for film, television, and commercial work, and is the author of Working Like a Dog, a coffee table book highlighting working dogs in action.

From Shelter Dog to Career in Dog Training

Nicole explains that her journey didn’t start as a planned career path. Like many dog lovers, she simply grew up deeply connected to animals. Her turning point came after adopting a shelter dog who was initially fearful and uncertain about the world. Through training, that same dog eventually transformed into a confident animal capable of doing therapy work, traveling, and even participating in production shoots.

That transformation shifted everything for Nicole. What began as personal curiosity turned into a professional calling, helping other dog owners experience the same bond and behavioral breakthroughs with their own pets. She emphasizes that training isn’t just about obedience; it’s about creating a deeper relationship where dogs feel safe, understood, and included in everyday life.

Certifications, Learning, and the Evolving World of Dog Training

Nicole shares that her training approach is a blend of hands-on experience and formal education. She holds certifications including CPDT, training through the Karen Pryor Academy, and Fear Free certification.

She explains that Fear Free training is centered on reducing stress and fear in veterinary and animal care settings. Instead of force or restraint, animals are taught through positive association, consent-based handling, and calm environments. This can include treats, toys, calming pheromones, and even exam rooms designed to reduce stress.

Nicole highlights that continuing education is required to maintain certifications, which helps trainers stay current as science and animal behavior research evolves. She also makes an important point: certification isn’t the only measure of a good trainer. Real-world results, experience, and communication skills matter just as much.

Fear-Free Vet Visits and Changing How We Care for Animals

One of the most impactful topics discussed is the Fear Free movement in veterinary care.

Nicole explains that fear-free practices aim to reduce anxiety during vet visits by changing the environment entirely. Instead of cold exam tables and stressful restraint, some clinics use floor exams, yoga mats, treats, toys, and slower, more patient interactions. The goal is to reduce fear responses that can affect not just behavior, but also medical outcomes like bloodwork and stress hormones. Nicole describes how this approach transforms vet visits from something dogs dread into something far more manageable and sometimes even positive.

She also shares how this philosophy aligns with her broader training approach: teaching animals through trust, patience, and positive association rather than pressure or fear.

Real-Life Dog Training, Working Dogs & Unexpected Moments

Nicole’s career expanded as she began working in film, television, and with high-profile clients in Los Angeles. She explains that much of her growth came through results and word of mouth, when clients see real behavioral improvements, they naturally share their experiences.

She also discusses the diversity of working dogs she has encountered through projects like her book Working Like a Dog, including police dogs, scent detection dogs, therapy animals, and medical donor dogs.

One memorable story involves her own dog Maggie, who was trained in scent work. During a hike, Maggie was able to locate Nicole’s lost phone the next day by tracking her scent, an unexpected real-world application of training that was originally designed for competitions. Nicole emphasizes that consistency is the real key to training success. Short, regular training moments throughout daily life are far more effective than long, intense sessions.

Life With Fresh Patch: Travel, Apartments & Everyday Use

Nicole also shares her long-term experience using Fresh Patch, calling it a practical tool she has relied on for years in multiple situations.

She first began using it when she didn’t have access to grass in her yard, especially while fostering puppies or working in environments where outdoor potty access wasn’t ideal. Over time, it became a staple in her household. She explains that Fresh Patch has been especially useful in rental homes, during wildfire displacement, and while traveling. In hotels and cities like Las Vegas, it provides a convenient solution for dogs when going outside isn’t easy or safe due to heat, distance, or logistics.

For senior dogs and puppies alike, it offers consistency, reduces stress, and helps maintain potty training routines in unfamiliar environments. Nicole also notes that dogs naturally understand it as a designated potty area, which makes training simpler for owners. In her experience, dogs often transition easily between Fresh Patch and outdoor grass.

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