About Us
What It Means To Train Happy
We believe in a positive reinforcement training approach that emphasizes using dogs' motivators to create enthusiasm for learning. Our goal is to create happy, healthy, and well-behaved dogs using a fun and compassionate approach to dog training. Our Happy Dogs trainers are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest research in canine behavior and training techniques so that can trust that our team will be guiding you and your dog with evidence-based methods.
Our Story
Piper M Novick, the founder, and owner of Happy Dogs Training, embarked on her journey in dog training in 2009 when she discovered dog agility with her sheltie, Happy. This sport ignited Piper's passion for dog training as she enjoyed the challenges and teamwork required. In her early teens Piper shadowed under trainers and worked other jobs, including pet sitting and dog walking, all while building her training business. And she focused on advancing her education in the industry to offer her own clients comprehensive and evidence-based training programs.
In 2019, Piper rebranded as Happy Dogs Training LLC. The name was chosen to pay tribute to the dog that started it all, and to reflect Piper's commitment to training with positive reinforcement and non-coercive methods.
Since then, countless wagging tails and smiling owners have helped us reach where we are today. The passion and enthusiasm for dog training that sparked Piper’s ambition still fuels her every day to help owners create a happy and healthy life for their dogs. This mission is shared by all trainers on the Happy Dogs’ staff who strive to help owners understand and communicate effectively with their dogs.
Meet The Training Team
Piper M Novick, CDBC, CPDT-KA, ABCDT
She/Her
Owner & Training Director
Piper M. Novick, the founder of Happy Dogs Training, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a proud graduate of Animal Behavior College. With a lifelong passion for working with dogs, Piper's professional journey began in the world of dog sports, particularly agility. As a successful competitor, she has trained and titled seven of her own dogs, competing at top national and international tournaments. This experience has given her a unique skill set that she integrates into her training programs, making them practical and effective for the everyday dog.
Piper is deeply committed to educating dog owners and training dogs through a force-free, compassionate approach. Her dedication to her clients and their dogs is evident in every interaction, and she continuously challenges herself to expand her knowledge in behavior, dog training, and business development to enhance her career and improve the client experience.
Over the years, Piper's focus has evolved from teaching basic life skills and agility to addressing complex behavior issues such as aggression, multi-dog conflict, resource guarding, and reactivity. Her work as a behavior consultant has highlighted the critical importance of preventive dog training. She encourages dog owners to invest in solid foundational training to prevent issues before they arise.
At the heart of Happy Dogs Training, Piper's philosophy emphasizes that dog training is much more than teaching obedience; it's about fostering strong, healthy relationships between dogs and their owners. This belief shapes every program she creates, ensuring that both dogs and their humans thrive together
- Certifications & Associations
- Experience & Specializations
- Agility Accomplishments
- Learn more about Piper
Piper M Novick, CPDT-KA, ABCDT
Certifications:
CDBC - Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed
ABCDT Animal Behavior College Certified Trainer
AKC Canine Good Citizen and Star Puppy Evaluator
- Pet CPR and first aid Certified
Professional Associations:
APDT Professional Member
Pet Professional Guild Member
CATCH Academy Mentor Trainer
ABC Mentor Trainer
International Association of Behavior Consultants
Dog Training Experience:
- 10+ years working professionally as a dog trainer
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12+ years of competitive dog agility experience
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Extensive hands-on work with behavior modification cases
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Experience evaluating and designing training plans for complex behavior challenges
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Skilled in coaching both new and experienced handlers
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Background in working with families, including dogs and children
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Comfortable training in a variety of environments: home, city, trail, group classes, and private sessions
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Successfully titled dogs in AKC Canine Good Citizen, Advanced CGC, Urban CGC, and AKC Trick Dog
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Coached clients and dogs in preparation for local and national-level agility tournaments
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Experience training and raising sport puppies
Specializations:
Behavior Modification & Complex Cases
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Arousal regulation and overexcitement
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Reactivity: barking, lunging, growling
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Fence reactivity and barrier frustration
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Resource guarding (people, objects, food, space)
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Fear-based behaviors and general anxiety
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Noise sensitivities and phobias
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Inter-household pet conflict and multi-pet dynamics
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Safe and successful integration of new animals
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Relationship-building and trust restoration
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Human-directed and dog-directed aggression
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Behavior evaluations and customized training plans
Lifestyle & Everyday Skills
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Off-leash reliability, trail manners, and recall
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Living with dogs in small spaces (apartment/city life)
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Family-focused training: Dogs and kids, dog & baby prep
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Life skills for cooperative, low-stress home behavior
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Integration into active or outdoor lifestyles
Sport & Skill-Based Training
- Agility: International coursework, skills for national-level tournaments
- Ring readiness: focus, arousal management, ring stress solutions
- Sport puppy foundations and raising a confident canine athlete
- Coaching for new handlers and junior competitors
- Trick training and specialized task training
- AKC titles: Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Advanced CGC, Urban CGC, and Trick Dog
Agility Accomplishments:
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Selected as a Junior European Open AKC/USA Team Member (2017), representing the U.S. on an international stage
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Competed as a European Open AKC/USA Team Member (2016) representing the U.S. on an international stage
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UKI National Championship Games Finalist (2015)
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AKC Junior National Champion (2013)
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Earned Masters-level titles with multiple dogs in both AKC and UKI venues
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Competed at national-level tournaments with multiple different dogs
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Colorado ICE Rookie Champion – 24” division (2024)
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Top 10 placements at the UKI US Open (2024)
More About Piper:
Outside of training, competing, and entrepreneurship, Piper is passionate about living a purposeful life. She follows a plant-based diet and enjoys the freedom of van life with her dogs. Health and fitness are central to her lifestyle; she has been a long-time CrossFitter and Olympic lifter, and she is also an avid rock climber and hiker. Her full-time focus is supporting the Happy Dogs team in both North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Colorado, where the shared mission is creating happier lives for dogs and their owners.
Piper lives full-time in a campervan, driven by her addiction to travel. She spends her time out west, operating the business remotely in North Carolina and Wisconsin while serving clients in her home state of Colorado. Piper shares her adventurous life with her three dogs: Gracie, Kale, and her Border Collie, Bee.
Nadja Torling
She/Her
Agility Instructor
Nadja’s journey into the world of dogs and canine sports began in 2001 with the arrival of her first dog, Henry. That connection sparked a lifelong passion for understanding and working with dogs. She began her professional path with a year-long apprenticeship under a respected dog training instructor known for using exclusively positive reinforcement methods. From there, Nadja launched her own training business, where she led group classes focused on foundational manners, socialization, and essential life skills for dogs and their humans.
Her expertise and thoughtful approach led to her being recruited to develop and lead the dog training program at a large pet boarding facility. Over the course of four years, she built the program from the ground up, helping countless dogs and their owners build strong, trust-based relationships. At the heart of her work has always been the belief that dogs thrive when they are given guidance through kindness and consistency—leading to more freedom and joy in their lives.
In addition to her training career, Nadja has spent many years working in the veterinary field, which deepened her understanding of canine health and behavior. Alongside her professional work, she has actively trained and titled her Bernese Mountain Dogs in a variety of sports, including agility, rally, obedience, conformation, and draft work. Her hands-on experience in multiple disciplines gives her a well-rounded perspective and deep appreciation for the capabilities of working dogs.
Recently, Nadja has returned full-time to dog training, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, real-world experience, and a renewed passion for helping dogs and their people thrive. She continues to stay current on the most progressive, evidence-based positive training methods, and finds true joy in watching the bond between dog and human flourish through learning and teamwork.
Certifications:
- Pet CPR Certified
Dog Training Experience:
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10+ years of hands-on experience teaching group classes and private lessons
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Former owner of a dog training business focused on manners, life skills, and puppy socialization
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Lead trainer at Best Friends Pet Care, where I developed and taught group classes at multiple levels
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Certified CGC Evaluator; taught and administered Canine Good Citizen prep classes and testing
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Currently training and competing in obedience, rally, agility, and draft with Bernese Mountain Dogs
Specializations:
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Puppy development & early socialization
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Manners & life skills for family dogs
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Foundational and advanced “obedience” training
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Group class leadership across multiple levels
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Canine Good Citizen prep & testing
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Private behavior consults for common issues
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Introducing and training dogs for dog sports
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Building trust-based relationships through positive reinforcement
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Communicating with dogs using AAC buttons (FluentPet/Hunger For Words systems)
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Competitive obedience
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Rally obedience
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Agility training and trialing
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Conformation (occasional handling support)
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Draft work, including brace team work
Dog Sports Accomplisments:
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Earned multiple AKC titles in Obedience, Rally, and Agility
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Earned multiple BMDCA titles in Draft Work, including Brace Draft Team
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Successfully trained and titled four Bernese Mountain Dogs across multiple dog sports
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Earned a Working Dog Award, showcasing excellence in rally, obedience, agility, and draft
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Achieved a Brace Draft title, highlighting teamwork and precision with a second dog
Emma Gross
She/Her
Pet Care Specialist
Emma began her pet-sitting career over 11 years ago in Telluride as an extension of her garden care business, Emma Grows Organics LLC., where she helped clients design, establish, and maintain organic vegetable gardens. As many of her gardening clients traveled, they began asking Emma to care for their homes and beloved pets while they were away. What started as an additional service quickly grew into a loyal client base built on trust, reliability, and compassionate care.
Caring for animals has always come naturally to Emma. She loves getting to know each pet's unique personality and making sure they feel safe, happy, and loved while their family is away. Whether it's long walks, playtime, belly rubs, or simply providing companionship, Emma enjoys building meaningful connections with every animal she cares for.
Emma understands that every pet has individual needs and takes the time to learn each family's routine, including feeding schedules, medications, allergies, behaviors, and any other special considerations. She believes that attention to detail and consistent, thoughtful care help both pets and their owners feel comfortable and confident while they're apart.
For Emma, the most rewarding part of pet care is the bond she builds with the animals. She treats every pet as if they were her own and looks forward to creating lasting relationships with both pets and the people who love them.
Benah Stiewing, CPDT-KA
She/Her
Office Admin & Virtual Trainer
Benah discovered her passion for agility in 2012 and has been actively training and competing ever since. As she delved deeper into the sport, she developed a fascination with the intricacies of canine behavior and communication, with a particular emphasis on relationship building and reward-based training methods.
Through her studies with leading trainers from around the world, Benah gained valuable insight and experience, and began taking on clients in 2015. By helping her clients understand their dogs' needs and communicate more effectively with them, Benah has been able to create stronger bonds and happier relationships between dogs and their owners.
With her expertise in canine communication, Benah has successfully competed in multiple dog sports, achieving titles in agility, dock diving, trick dog, and disc. Her primary focus, however, remains agility, where she has competed at the national level.
Benah is dedicated to helping her clients experience the joy and fulfillment of a deeper connection with their dogs. She finds great satisfaction in watching teams develop more effective methods of communication and achieve new levels of engagement and fun. Benah lives in Chatham, NY, with her Border Collies and cat.
Certifications:
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer Khowledge Assesed CPDT-KA
Dog Training Experience:
- 10+ years of hands on dog training experience
- 7+ years working professionally as a dog trainer
- 10+ years of competitive experience in Agility
Specializations:
- Puppy training, raising a well rounded companion
- Leash walking + advanced Heelwork for obedience or rally
- Shy or fearful dogs + confidence building
- Basic manners and obedience
- Behavior Modification: Reactivity + multi-dog conflict
- Herding breeds
- Managing multi-dog households
- Muzzle training
- Recall training + off leash hiking
- Snake avoidance
- Trick training & specialized skill/task training
- Agility: Foundations, Beginner coursework, Learning the basics, Skill building, Masters handling, advanced coursework, Strong verbal cues, raising a sport puppy, new handlers/introduction to sport
Agility:
- Masters titles in USDAA, UKI, and AKC
- 10+ years of competitive experience
- National level competitive experience
Other:
- Titles in AKC Trick Dog
- Titles in NADD Dock Diving
