Kat's 4 Dogs - Sunshine Coast

30/11/2025

If you’re working through reactivity with your dog, one of the most important things you can do is help them practice being around other dogs in a calm, neutral state.

Once you’ve put in the foundation work at home — building a healthier relationship, creating structure, setting clear rules and boundaries, and establishing real leadership — the next step is absolutely crucial: getting out into the real world.

Avoidance doesn’t move you forward. Hiding from other dogs won’t get you or your dog over the line. Progress happens through controlled exposure with the right guidance.

That’s why regular meet-ups, training walks and structured pack walks are so valuable. They give you a safe environment to practise, to be coached, to strengthen your handling skills, and to help your dog learn that being around other dogs doesn’t have to mean reacting.

This morning’s pack walk was another perfect example — calm dogs, great results, meaningful conversations, helpful check-ins, and so much growth for both humans and dogs.

Consistency, exposure, leadership. That’s how you change your dog’s world.

06/11/2025

Now this is the best form of doggy day care!

Most humans would think this is boring, lacking excitement but this is the best thing you could do for dogs. What you practice is what you become.

Love this!

26/10/2025

Pack walk mornings along the Noosa River hit a little different 🌊🐾

Most of the dogs you see in this video have a history of reactivity or big feelings about the world. That’s exactly why Kats 4 Dogs exists. My mission is always the same: help dogs become neutral, calm, relaxed, respectful, well-mannered companions who feel safe moving through life.

Pack walks are one of the most powerful ways we make that happen. The pack gives dogs a chance to:

• Practice fitting in and functioning as a team
• Understand where they belong without needing to take control
• Work through real-world distractions together
• Build confidence by doing hard things in a supportive group
• Learn structure and follow guidance instead of following impulses

There is something truly special about the power of the pack. When dogs feel balanced energy around them, they settle into success. They don’t have to be the loud one, the scared one, the pushy one, or the police officer of the world anymore. They just get to be… dogs.

Every time we walk like this, I see them thrive. That’s the magic. ✨
Calm dogs. Clear minds. Big growth.
One river walk at a time.

24/10/2025

🎥 What You’re Seeing In This Video Matters

This setup might look familiar to anyone who has visited a busy dog park, dog beach, or doggy daycare. A bunch of dogs all cranked up with excitement, racing around, unable to regulate themselves. Humans often see this and think it’s brilliant because “my dog loves it here.” What is actually happening is a dog pushed into level-10 arousal where good decisions simply don’t exist.

One of the top reasons I see reactivity and aggression develop is repeated exposure to this exact kind of chaos. Many of the dogs that come to me with behavioral issues have just come off dog beaches, dog parks, or have been regulars in daycares that don’t manage arousal.

Here’s the thing. An association gets created:
• Arrive at the place
• Immediately skyrocket into frenzy mode
• Practice poor behavior over and over again

That excitement might look harmless on the surface. The fallout can be anything but harmless:
• Fights
• Being bullied or bullying others
• Sudden reactivity toward certain dogs
• Heightened anxiety outside these environments

A lot of owners never get told when something goes wrong. They don’t hear about the scuffles. They don’t hear if their dog is the one being removed due to aggression. They don’t hear if their dog is the one getting targeted. Because transparency doesn’t always support business.

You deserve transparency. Your dog deserves safety.

If your dog is spending time anywhere in a group environment:
✅ You should be allowed to watch your dog for an hour or two
✅ You should have visibility to the spaces they’re in
✅ You should never be told you aren’t allowed to see what happens “out the back”

Your dog’s wellbeing should never be a mystery.

Controlled, calm social experiences build confidence. Chaotic ones build problems.

If you’re unsure what your dog is actually experiencing in group play, start asking questions. A responsible facility will welcome them

23/10/2025

This is a crucial read! If you truly understand the impact on your dog, you may start to shift your behaviour in order to help them thrive.

Many dogs greet their owners with intense bursts of energy.
Jumping, spinning, barking, and racing around in circles are all signs of overwhelming arousal. To us it can appear as pure joy and affection.

However, this behaviour is often driven by stress and anxiety.
The body releases adrenaline and cortisol which limit clear thinking and self control. The dog is not choosing a happy greeting they are simply overwhelmed with emotion.

These high arousal responses also trigger other stress related hormones such as norepinephrine and ACTH. These chemicals further increase vigilance and emotional intensity making it even harder for the dog to regulate their behaviour.

This emotional overload does not occur only during greetings at the door. The same intense anticipation may appear when getting ready for a walk, waiting for meals, expecting treats, seeking affection, or seeing other dogs during walks. Any moment the dog looks forward to can become overwhelming if they lack the skills to stay calm.

Over time this constant heightened state can lead to behavioural issues. Separation related problems, reactivity, frustration, intolerance, fearful and aggressive behaviour, poor impulse control, and difficulty settling inside the home.

What looks cute in the moment may actually reflect a dog that is struggling to feel safe and stable in daily life.

All dogs benefit from developing impulse control. Without it their world can feel chaotic and emotionally overwhelming.

By teaching calm greetings and calming anticipation we support emotional balance and confidence. This allows dogs to enjoy the moments without feeling out of control.

If you live in Hanoi and would like guidance on helping your dog feel calmer and more stable visit my website for information on how I can support you and your dog through this process.

If you are outside of Hanoi please seek a qualified trainer who specialises in behavioural concerns and uses a balanced approach to behaviour rehabilitation.

It is so important that we learn to truly understand our dogs rather than relying only on our own emotional interpretation of their behaviour.

By recognising how they actually feel and helping them remain calm we support the development of a more emotionally resilient psychologically stable and confident dog.

22/10/2025

Are You Promoting Pulling on the Lead Without Realising It?

Many people unintentionally reinforce pulling on the lead simply by allowing their dog to get what they want while doing it.

For example —
If your dog pulls towards another dog, and you allow it, you’re reinforcing pulling.
If your dog pulls towards a person to say hello, you’re reinforcing pulling (and likely excitement).
If your dog pulls to do a wee, have a drink, get to the beach, or go anywhere at all — and you allow it — you’re reinforcing pulling.

Every time your dog pulls and gets rewarded by reaching what they want, that behaviour becomes stronger.

A calm, structured walk begins long before you even pick up the lead. It starts with the energy and routine you set at home. A dog that lives with clear rules, structure, boundaries, and calm leadership at home will walk far better on the lead than a dog that lives in chaos or inconsistency.

If you sometimes allow pulling and sometimes don’t, you’re teaching inconsistency. So think about slowing your dog down, setting the tone before the walk even begins, and being clear about what behaviour you’re reinforcing.

The calmer your dog is in every area of their life, the more focus and control they’ll show in high-distraction environments.

18/10/2025

This is such a powerful post about narcissism — and to be clear, I’m not saying this because I work with narcissists.

My reason for sharing it goes beyond that. What really stood out to me is how much this relates to what I see every day in my work with people and their dogs. So many owners feel guilt or worry when it comes to setting boundaries — whether that’s crate training, creating structure, or simply saying “no” when someone wants to pat their dog.

There’s this constant pressure from others — friends, family, even strangers — about how you should be with your dog. And when you don’t fit their expectation, judgment often follows.

But here’s what I want you to remember: this is your life, your dog, your relationship. No one else gets to interfere. The boundaries you set are not up for public approval.

This video from Dr. Ramani is such a powerful insight into narcissism — and as someone who lived in a narcissistic relationship for over half my life, I deeply relate to what she shares. I’ve had to remove people from my life who I now recognise were narcissistic, and I know how uncomfortable authenticity can make others feel. Realness can be confronting — because it exposes what others might be trying to hide.

And the truth is, you don’t need permission to live the life you want to live. It’s crucial that you embrace who you are — your values, your instincts, your truth. You don’t have to move with the herd. You can make your own decisions and stand proudly by them, even when others don’t agree.

So, whether you’re someone recovering from a narcissistic relationship or simply someone trying to live authentically — including with your dog — I hope this message helps you breathe a little easier.

If someone judges you for how you raise, guide, or protect your dog, that judgment says everything about them and nothing about you.

17/10/2025

Boundaries are not optional — they’re essential.

Whether it’s with people or with dogs, boundaries are what keep you balanced, calm, and respected.

In life, setting boundaries with friends or family is about honouring your own peace. You are not responsible for how others react to your boundaries — their discomfort or disapproval says more about them than it does about you. Your job is to stand firm, not to explain or apologise.

With your dog, it’s no different. Boundaries are how we create structure, safety, and trust. Whether it’s in your home or out on the street, clear, consistent boundaries help your dog understand what’s expected — and in turn, help you maintain harmony.

Boundaries are a form of love. They protect your energy, build respect, and create stability in every relationship — human and canine.

17/10/2025

🐾 Building Trust, Not Tension 🐾

This is Romeo — my calm, steady boy — helping little Frank learn that other dogs don’t always mean chaos or conflict.

Frank has struggled with reactivity outside the home and aggression towards dogs inside the home. Here, you can see Romeo lying peacefully while Frank is in his crate with the door open — a big step toward comfort and coexistence.

Moments like this are where real progress happens — calm energy, patience, and trust. 💛

17/10/2025

This couldn’t be more true!!

The progress you can’t see is STILL progress.

The effort, the consistency, and showing up - it all stacks up behind the scenes.

Most people give up right before things start to turn. They mistake the invisible progress for no progress at all.

But not you. You know you’re inching forward with every small action you take, with every tiny promise you keep with yourself.

Keep going and keep showing up ❤️

You’ve got this.

16/10/2025

🔇 Why Bark Collars Are Cruel — and Why They Should Be Banned

Bark collars are often seen as a “quick fix” to a barking problem — but the truth is, they’re nothing more than a band-aid that covers up the real issue.

If your dog is barking excessively, there’s always a reason behind it — stress, insecurity, frustration, lack of boundaries, or confusion about leadership. When you put a bark collar on your dog, you might silence the sound, but you’re not addressing the cause.

What actually happens is your dog still wants to bark — because mentally and emotionally, nothing has changed. You’ve only suppressed the behaviour, not resolved it. That suppression creates more stress, confusion, and anxiety, because your dog is being punished for expressing the very emotions that you, through your current structure and relationship, have helped shape.

In most cases, you’ll start to see deferred behaviours appear. Because the dog can no longer bark, the stress and frustration have to go somewhere — so it may start to escape, dig, destroy, pace, or become neurotic. Physically, you may even see your dog’s body respond with skin rashes, ear infections, hot spots, or other health issues. There is always going to be a consequence when we suppress a problem instead of resolving it.

True behaviour change doesn’t come from pain, fear, or suppression. It comes from clear leadership, consistent rules, and healthy boundaries that help your dog feel safe, understood, and calm.

Bark collars don’t teach calm — they teach fear.
And that’s why they’re cruel.

13/10/2025

🧠 Why Trying to “Burn Out” Your Dog Is Fueling the Fire

One of the most common misconceptions I see as a behaviourist is the belief that if your dog has behavioural issues — reactivity, anxiety, overexcitement, or poor impulse control — the solution is simply more exercise.

Longer walks. More play. More fetch. More “wear them out” time.

But here’s the reality — you’re not calming your dog down, you’re conditioning them to need more.
You’re building a dog with higher endurance and stamina, not a calmer, more stable mind.

Physical exercise has its place, but it’s not the answer to behavioural balance.
What truly changes a dog’s state of mind is mental work — teaching stillness, creating structure, enforcing boundaries, and building impulse control.

Think about it: a dog that can hold a place or a down for 10, 15, even 20 minutes is mentally exhausted.
That’s where the transformation happens — in the quiet, not the chaos.

Anyone can excite a dog. That takes no skill at all.
But creating a dog that can switch off when you need it to, that takes leadership, patience, and consistency.

If you want real change, stop focusing on burning energy — and start focusing on building calm.