About us
Alice & the Hounds
Alice Domenichini, PhD, IMDT, FFCP, CHWI
My name is Alice. I am originally from near Venice, in the North East of Italy. I graduated from the University of Padua and I completed my PhD studying how maternal genetics can influence innate behaviours and trained fish using the same principles we use in dog training with positive reinforcement. I grew up with large breed dogs (Dobermans, GSD crosses and Malamute crosses), and some of these dogs had “big emotions”. When I finally settled in Perth after I travelled all the way across the globe, transiting from New Zealand I discovered the beauty (and the training challenges) of a majestic breed, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and fell in love. Because of my dogs, I have decided to brush up my behaviour studies and become a qualified dog trainer with the goal to help dog owners share their best life and relationship with their dogs!
I have also been a Cancer Researcher for over 10 years, and that journey has led me to develop a project that combines my passion for dogs and research. So stay tuned for more on that.
Nikki van den Berg, Msc, CHWI
Nikki is originally from the Netherlands and brings to Trusty Tails invaluable animal handling and training experience, not just with dogs, but also with horses. Nikki’s gentle and compassionate approach fits perfectly with our ethical training approach.
Nikki is passionate about performance sports, she practices bouldering and calistenics and with her Rhodesian Ridgeback Mowgli she is involved in Scentwork, Hoopers and Dry land sledding with the Western Australian Sleddog Sports Association. In addition, Nikki practices horse jumping and eventing. Nikki’s primary focus is the human-animal bond, and fun without compromising on animal welfare.
Nikki is also a Qualified Canine Hoopers World Instructor and studying for het dog training qualification with the IMDT.
Nikki is loves applying modern and ethical dog training methods and capturing special moments thanks to her passion for photography. Roaming With a Lens Photography is her little business where she captures the beauty of animals and nature.
When not with animals or at the bouldering hall, Nikki works as a Research Assistant at The Kids Research Institute WA.
Willow, qualified good girl, WAAT Dogs Therapy Dog, Scentwork dog
Introducing Pawsistant Dog Trainer Willow. Willow and Alice met in February 2018. She was 2.5yo and it was love at first sight, Willow and Alice have immediately bonded and she has been by her side ever since. Together they are always ready for new adventures, Willow is an integral part of helping dogs with big emotions towards other dogs feeling safer. She loves every human that holds the leash and offers her a treat. Willow is a trustworthy learning companion as she accompanies Trainer Alice to many development courses and workshops and they love learning new things together.
Willow is a working Therapy Dogs with Western Australian Assistance and Therapy Dogs and she loves being a demo dog at WAAT Dogs very sought after Therapy Dog Courses, showing off all her cool tricks and then being cuddled. Willow also enjoys doing sports like Hoopers and Scent-work.
Ziggy, qualified Best Baby Boy, Hooper Dog, Scentwork dog
Introducing Pawsistant Dog Trainer Ziggy (Makhosazana Luena Dembe). Ziggy and Alice met in August 2019 when he was just 14 weeks old. Ziggy has always been a sensitive dog with lots of big emotions and he is the reason why we work with dog guardians that want to support their dogs with big emotions. As a Team, Ziggy and Alice have come a long way, and we am so grateful for everything this special dog has taught us. He is the dog that has really showed us the “Do No Harm” way of training and we will be forever grateful for this sensitive giant.
Ziggy loves doing Hoopers and Scent-work, as well as enjoying long sniffy walks with some very exclusive doggy and human frens. Ziggy is very selective in who he lets him in his inner circle, but when you are in, you know you’ve got a fren for life.
Ziggy is Trusty’s Puppy Socialiser for his calm “Gentle Giant” attitude towards baby puppy dogs. His working specialties are in the Fear Free areas of consent handling and cooperative care.
Mowgli, Trick Dog Advanced (DMWYD), Dry-land Sledding Dog Rookie of the Year (2025), Scentwork dog
Introducing Pawsistant Dog Trainer Mowgli. Mowgli can be described as the quiet achiever. Cool, calm and collected, until it’s show time. Then you see the beauty, brain and power of a dog that means business. An all rounder dog Mowgli is the only Rhodesian Ridgeback in Western Australia competing to achieve his Dry land sledding titles. Pulling his human on a scooter from 0-35km/h in less than 20sec Mowgli is power and grace in motion.
But thanks to his talented mum Nikki, this muscly boy has also achieved many Trick Dog Titles (DMWYD) and regularly practices Scentwork and Hoopers.
Mowgli and Nikki are one very special Team.
Like Ziggy, Mowgli is a gentle giant, sweet natured and always ready to help younger dogs who need to learn some appropriate social behaviour from a calmer dog.