Nikki Ivey Announces Book "Four-Legged Ferrari" for Owners and Rescuers of Stigmatized Dogs

    NASHVILLE, TN, January 07, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With up to 75 breeds and mixes on major insurance companies' "restricted list," many dog owners and rescues are finding it difficult to save and/or live with certain breeds of dogs in the United States.

Author and professional trainer, Nikki Ivey, aims to assist those owners and rescues understand what it takes to help high arousal dogs live better lives through seminars, volunteer and owner training and a new book, Four-Legged Ferrari.

"The goal is to teach the public that though dogs originally bred for sport or work can be more stubborn than other breeds, all dog training can and should be positive and rewarding for both owner and dog," says Ivey, the owner of a Rottweiler.

Ivey adds, "I have experienced the difficulty many owners have with renting or buying a home as the owner of a 'stigmatized dog' myself. I want to teach people you can't run the energy out of a dog. We have to actually teach them real life manners, problem-solving skills and skills to be confident, fear-free dogs."

The book will discuss why certain breeds (i.e. pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Malamutes) are restricted, what breed-specific legislation means for rescues and owners, and how to properly train and socialize these breeds.

"Though my training methods and behavioral modification techniques don't change based on a breed, we can't hide from the fact there is a stigma against certain breeds. We also can't pretend certain dogs can't do more damage to a human or other dog based on their size and drive. We have to be proactive in socializing and training dogs, as well as teaching the public how to interact properly with dogs-regardless of breed."

Ivey will also explain the difference between fear-based aggression and viciousness, and why it important for rescues to focus their time and funds on dogs that can be rehabilitated.

Nikki Ivey is a professional trainer and behavioral consultant who has been training dogs and their owners for almost 20 years. Ivey uses positive training methods to clearly communicate expectations to dogs, and teaches them real life manners by allowing them to think for themselves. She has published multiple books for owners, businesses and rescue organizations, and offers regular seminars, in-home training and business consulting. In addition to teaching, Ivey has also been a handler for KlaasKids, Inc., the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Polly Center.

Four-Legged Ferrari is due to be released in February 2015.

For more information, visit dogspeak101.com or contact Britteny Watson at [email protected].

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