Marla Nicoll has combined her passion for animals and love of teaching to bring you unrivaled pet care and dog training as The DogSmith of Brazoria County. Committed to improving the animal-human relationship and reducing the number of homeless pets, Marla will tell you when you call to request one of her incredible services, “I want to help you have a stronger, happier, healthier and safer relationship with your pets.” And when it comes to animal rescue Marla “walks the walk.” Not only has she brought many rescued animals into her family home, but as an advocate for rescue dogs, Marla is the author and illustrator of the children’s book Getting Lucky. She uses this book to promote shelter animal awareness and to raise funds for local animal shelters.
A native Texan, Marla grew up in the Houston area, graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in education laying the perfect foundation for her DogSmith business and her first career as an elementary school teacher. She and her husband Harold adopted their first dog Molly, an Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix, who they insist is more human than dog. Which is probably for the best since Molly joined two rescue cats already in their forever home.
Marla continued to teach elementary school after the family moved to Michigan where she earned a Master of Arts degree. She also began taking obedience classes with Molly, both learning quickly that this training partnership would become an important part of their life. While in Michigan, Marla and Harold rescued their second dog Lucky, a German Shepherd/Husky mix, from certain death at a kill shelter.
The growing family’s next move took them to Maryland where Marla continued to teach and where she began her own specialized studies with Animal Behavior College including programs in pet dog training and dog grooming.
A final move brought the family full circle back home to Texas and Marla’s DogSmith business where she completed a rigorous curriculum including certification as a Pet Care Technician and Pet First Aid First Responder. As with all DogSmiths, Marla continues her education and professional development in a wide variety of advanced pet care and training courses. Her comprehensive training and pet care skills, including broad theory coupled with practical expertise, provides you and your pet family members with the unrivaled care and training you expect for the pets who share your life.
There is simply no one better to care for or train your pet than a DogSmith certified trainer and pet care technician knowledgeable in all facets of animal behavior, physiology, first aid, force-free training and care. The DogSmith of Brazoria County is your essential source for dog obedience training, private dog training classes, dog behavior counseling, group training classes, latch key dog training, puppy socialization classes and a selection of pet care services including in-home pet care, pet sitting, dog walking, pet waste cleanup and overnight pet sitting. The DogSmith of Brazoria County convenient service areas include: Alvin, Angleton, Bonney, Brazoria, Brookside Village, Clute, Damon, Danbury, Freeport, Hillcrest, Holiday Lakes, Iowa County, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Liverpool, Manvel, Oyster Creek, Pearland, Quintana, Richwood, Surfside Beach, Sweeny, and West Columbia.