Transforming Behavior By
Certified Nose Work Dog Trainer in Alabama
Helping Owners Have Fun With Their Dogs
I’m Julie Madden, owner of Dog Talk with Julie. I live in Jacksonville, Alabama with my husband Tom, and our two dogs, Mocha and JD. I’m a certified nose work instructor through the National Association of Canine Scent Work®.
I’ve had companion dogs my whole adult life, but my journey into nose work began with my black German Shepherd, Mocha. I got her as a puppy in 2011. She became very dog reactive at about a year old. It was difficult for me to control her on walks, and beyond some basic obedience training, I didn’t know what to do to change her behavior.
In 2013, I signed up for a Canine Good Citizen class, but had to drop out after two sessions. With a crowded ring, 12 dogs, and handlers, Mocha’s reactivity clearly showed she was going to be a Canine Bad Citizen. I got a partial refund for the class, and thought, “What can I do with this?” In checking the training schedule, I noticed a new class called K9 Nose Work® and it said even reactive dogs could participate.
I signed up, without much hope. I never dreamed it would change the course of Mocha’s life, and mine. It helped transform Mocha by giving her a job, burning energy, and building trust between us. I decided to become a certified nose work instructor and completed the program in September 2017. I’ve been teaching nose work classes in Anniston and Jacksonville since then.
Mocha passed away in June 2023. She was my first nose work dog. Leo, our sable GSD who died shortly before Mocha, was my second. Young Lab mix JD became my third nose work dog. And Sky, a small German Shepherd who we got a few months after Mocha’s passing, will be my fourth.
Nose work made such a difference for Mocha that I remain committed to offering classes in this exciting new activity. I want to help other dog owners experience joy with their dogs in a safe and fun environment!
Helping Owners Have Fun With Their Dogs
I’m Julie Madden, owner of Dog Talk with Julie. I live in Jacksonville, Alabama with my husband Tom, and our two dogs, Mocha and JD. I’m a certified nose work instructor through the National Association of Canine Scent Work®.
I’ve had companion dogs my whole adult life, but my journey into nose work began with my black German Shepherd, Mocha. I got her as a puppy in 2011. She became very dog reactive at about a year old. It was difficult for me to control her on walks, and beyond some basic obedience training, I didn’t know what to do to change her behavior.
In 2013, I signed up for a Canine Good Citizen class, but had to drop out after two sessions. With a crowded ring, 12 dogs, and handlers, Mocha’s reactivity clearly showed she was going to be a Canine Bad Citizen. I got a partial refund for the class, and thought, “What can I do with this?” In checking the training schedule, I noticed a new class called K9 Nose Work® and it said even reactive dogs could participate.
I signed up, without much hope. I never dreamed it would change the course of Mocha’s life, and mine. It helped transform Mocha by giving her a job, burning energy, and building trust between us. I decided to become a certified nose work instructor and completed the program in September 2017. I’ve been teaching nose work classes in Anniston and Jacksonville since then.
Mocha passed away in June 2023. She was my first nose work dog. Leo, our sable GSD who died shortly before Mocha, was my second. Young Lab mix JD became my third nose work dog. And Sky, a small German Shepherd who we got a few months after Mocha’s passing, will be my fourth.
Nose work made such a difference for Mocha that I remain committed to offering classes in this exciting new activity. I want to help other dog owners experience joy with their dogs in a safe and fun environment!
