Nicole Wiebusch , Faculty (Rally Obedience, Obedience)
Main info
Nicole Wiebusch CPDT-KA (she/her) has been active in dog sports for over 25 years. What began with 4-H quickly grew into a lifelong passion for dog sports. Her first golden retriever, Tucker CDX RAE MX MXJ, was her “crossover dog”—the one who showed her the power of positive reinforcement training and set the foundation for everything that followed.
Her second golden retriever, Toby, became an extraordinary partner, earning multiple high-level titles across sports. In obedience, Toby achieved a UDX2 and OM3, retiring just 30 points short of an OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) due to physical limitations. He also earned an RAE in rally, won the large Advanced Rally classes at two different Golden Retriever National Specialties, and collected numerous High in Trial and High Combined awards along the way. Toby, who passed in 2021 at 15 years and 8 months, taught Nicole to embrace the joy of the journey and never failed to make her laugh in the ring.
Nicole’s third golden, Strive, is her first female and a true standout. She is a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America’s (GRCA) Obedience Dog Hall of Fame and a RACH (Rally Champion) with many High Triples and High Combineds to her credit. Strive also produced an outstanding litter that earned her the GRCA Outstanding Dam title. Today, she happily trains and competes with Nicole’s oldest daughter in rally, obedience, agility, and 4-H.
Excel, Strive’s puppy and Nicole’s fourth golden, earned his RACH in 2024. He has been a teacher in his own right, helping Nicole refine her understanding of life skills, reward markers, and the importance of relaxation in training. Nicole recently handed over Excel’s leash to her youngest daughter, who now happily competes with him in 4-H, rally, and agility.
Rise is Nicole’s youngest golden. He earned his Trick Dog title at 16 weeks and is currently training for obedience, rally, and agility.
In 2008, Nicole founded Golden Paws Dog Training LLC, where she teaches both pet owners and dog sport enthusiasts using positive, reward-based methods. She has been an instructor at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy (FDSA) since 2019, teaching obedience, rally, and foundation classes. In addition, she is a CPDT-KA, a Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog evaluator, a Professional Member of the APDT, and leads her local 4-H Dog program.
Nicole lives in northern Minnesota with her husband, three children, five dogs, and four horses. When she’s not training dogs, she enjoys hiking, photography, and spending time with her horses.
Learn more at www.goldenpawsdogtraining.com or email Nicole at nicole@goldenpawsdogtraining.com.
Nicole Wiebusch's current and upcoming courses
RA310 From Good to GREAT! Increasing Your Rally Scores
Increase Your Rally Scores with Confidence
RA330 Skills and Signs for Master Rally
Did you know you can go from novice to the master class in just 9 runs? It happens so fast!
FF320 Stays Without Frustration
Imagine asking your dog to stay, and instead of cycling through sits, downs, spins, paw lifts, barking, or a dozen other behaviors, they simply... wait. They understand that your silence isn't confusing. They aren't anxiously guessing what comes next. They know that remaining still is the job, and they can do it with confidence instead of frustration.
Why choose us?
We offer a variety of online training solutions designed to help you and your furry friend achieve success
Our testimonials
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I've taken a number of classes by a number of instructors at FDSA. I appreciate how well they overlap, and that the message is often the same despite who's teaching.The FDSA online site is so great! Not complicated; it has been easy to use. I am really impressed with Denise's mission to bring into her Academy absolutely top-notch instructors! Plus, I really love the 3-tier options for her students! With these options, the online courses are affordable for everyone that is interested in improving their dog training skills and building the best relationship with their dog(s) -- whether they do, or plan on doing dog performance sports, or just want to spend time with their dog and have a well-trained dog ... a dog that is a wonderful representative to the community at-large....all achieved with positive training methods! The depth of knowledge that i am getting from the classes I am taking is invaluable. It has opened a door to training and overall learning for me that I wouldn't be able to get elsewhere. I am in a power wheelchair and finding transportation to classes is often difficult for me. These online classes have given me the guidance I've needed to stay focused and motivated to work with my dog.
Read all testimonialsIf you live in an area where finding an appropriate positive based class is a struggle then I strongly urge one to sign up with the Fenzi Dog Sport Academy. The on line instructors I have had thus far have been outstanding. Their dedication to their students shines thru and the learning one achieves surpasses many classes that I have taken in other schools. I recommend and prefer the gold level however I have also taken a bronze level course and was satisfied with what I learnt.
Read all testimonialsFeedback was always timely, helpful, and supportive, and I was very happy with the format of this class. I can't wait to enroll in more. I just wish there were more hours in the day to train.
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