Kat's 4 Dogs - Sunshine Coast

Kat's 4 Dogs - Sunshine Coast Dog Training & Behavioural Specialist
For all your dogs training needs! You will be surprised at how quick I get results.

Kat's 4 Dogs
Head Behavioural Trainer: Katrina Boyd
Dog Training and Behavioural Specialist. Weather you need a puppy program, obedience classes or help at home with barking, aggression, anxiety issues I can help.

09/10/2025

I want to take a moment to share something from the heart.

If you’ve worked with me, you’ll know that when I walk into your home, I walk in with purpose. From the moment I step through your door, I’m fully invested — in you, in your dogs, and in the transformation we’re working toward together.

My energy can be strong. My presence can be commanding. And sometimes, in that first session, it might even feel a bit intense. But that intensity comes from one place — passion. I go into a zone because I care deeply about getting the best possible results for you and your dogs.

When I’m working, I’m constantly assessing, analyzing, and processing everything I see — the body language of your dog, the tone of your voice, the energy in your home. I’m putting all those pieces together in real time to give you clear, practical steps that truly make a difference. It’s a lot to hold in one moment, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

Some people have described me as “strong” or “straight up.” And they’re right — I am. But what many come to learn over time is that underneath that strength is a deeply empathetic, caring person who just wants to see you and your dog succeed.

I give 100% in everything I do. There’s no halfway for me. You’re trusting me to help you and your dog, and I take that trust personally.

So, if our first session feels big — that’s because it is. It’s the start of something life-changing.
And if you’re patient with the process and with me, I promise — you’ll see exactly why I do things the way I do.

What you see is what you get. No pretending. No shortcuts. Just me — calm, honest, passionate, and absolutely committed to helping dogs and humans live better lives together. 🐾

Romeo with the amazing Dr Sarah Morton for his check up on his 14th birthday.He couldn’t be in better hands!Thank you to...
09/10/2025

Romeo with the amazing Dr Sarah Morton for his check up on his 14th birthday.

He couldn’t be in better hands!

Thank you to the phenomenal team at Prestige Vets.

🙌 🐾❤️

05/10/2025

WHY YOUR DOG WON’T RECALL (COME WHEN CALLED)

One of the most common frustrations I hear from owners is: “My dog just won’t come when I call!”
But before blaming your dog for not listening, it’s important to understand that recall isn’t just about training a single command — it’s about the entire relationship you’ve built with your dog. There are many moving parts that affect recall, and most of them start at home.

Let’s break it down 👇

🐾 1. Leadership, Rules & Boundaries
Does your dog live with clear structure inside your home?
If there are no rules, boundaries, or accountability, your dog learns that listening is optional. Recall begins with everyday respect and trust — not just what happens at the park.

🐾 2. Impulse Control & Stillness
Do you practice duration work, calmness, and self-control exercises?
These activities help develop your dog’s brain, improve focus, and strengthen the ability to think under pressure. A dog that can’t hold still or manage impulses at home will struggle to focus when distractions appear outside.

🐾 3. Too Much Love, Not Enough Leadership
Affection is wonderful — but when it’s all excitement, kisses, and fun, you create an overstimulated dog that tunes you out when you need calm focus. Balance love with leadership.

🐾 4. How You Handle the Outside World
When walking, are you allowing your dog to:
• Zig-zag and pull down the path?
• Greet everyone it sees?
• Meet other dogs on lead?
These moments reinforce distraction, not connection. A dog that learns to stay calm and focused on you in stimulating environments is a dog that will come when called.

🐾 5. Recall Is About Respect
When your dog ignores your “come,” it’s not a mistake — it’s disrespect. Not in a harsh way, but in a clear reflection that your dog values freedom or fun more than your direction. Building recall is about creating a dog that wants to come to you — not for food, not from fear — but from trust, confidence, and leadership.

💬 Bottom line:
If your dog isn’t coming when called, look at the whole picture of how you live together each day. Recall is earned through consistency, calm structure, and clear communication — not just a word you say once they’re off-lead.

04/10/2025

Respecting Space: It’s Not Just Polite — It’s Crucial

One of the biggest struggles I see as a dog trainer is when people allow their dogs to walk straight up into another dog’s space without asking.

Many of my clients are working through very real challenges — nervous, scared, overexcited, reactive, or even aggressive dogs. Some have recently rescued their dogs and are only a week or two into helping them adjust to their new life. For these owners, every walk is part of a careful training process, and every interaction matters.

When another person allows their dog to rush in uninvited, it can undo progress, create setbacks, and cause enormous stress — not only for the dogs but for the humans too.
Many of my clients also struggle with anxiety and find it hard to speak up, especially when met with rude or dismissive responses. But this is where respect and awareness from others make all the difference.

Not every dog is social. Not every dog is ready for contact. And it’s not your place — or your dog’s — to decide that someone else’s dog “should be fine.”

Think of it this way: walking your dog straight into another’s space without permission is like running up to a stranger and trying to pick up their child. It’s just not appropriate.

So, let’s normalise good manners.
Stay in your lane.
Give other dogs and owners space.
And most importantly, respect the requests of others — even if you don’t understand their “why.”

Because every dog and every human deserves to feel safe on their walk. 🐾

02/10/2025

✨ Why In-Home Training Before Group Classes Matters ✨

So many people rush straight into group classes with their dog, hoping for quick results. But here’s the truth: without first building the right foundation at home, classes can end up being ineffective, stressful, and frustrating for both you and your dog.

In a class, your dog is treated as part of a whole group. But every dog is different — with different needs, personalities, and challenges. That’s why the work you do at home is absolutely crucial. From the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, your dog is watching you. They’re learning from everything you do.

🔑 What creates real change?
• Leadership — who you are as a human, how you show up every day.
• Rules and boundaries that your dog can clearly understand.
• Threshold and impulse control training.
• Duration training that builds focus and calm.

Most people don’t practice calm with their puppies. They play endless games, thinking “burning them out” is the solution. But in reality, all that constant stimulation just adds fuel to the fire. The more you hype your dog up, the more hype they need.

Instead, focus on stillness, calm, and structure at home. That’s where your dog learns to think, make better decisions, and build self-control. Then, when you step into a group environment, your dog is ready. The foundations are there.

Think of it this way: we don’t send kids to school to learn manners. Those lessons start at home with their parents. School then reinforces that foundation and builds on it with reading, writing, and knowledge. It’s the same with your dog. Home is where the groundwork is laid — group classes should come after.

Start at home. Build the foundation. Then take it out into the world. That’s how you set your dog up for true success. 🐾

02/10/2025

✨ Transformation Update: Peach & Ziggy ✨

When I first started working with Peach and Ziggy (English Staffy), even stepping outside their front gate was a major challenge. Walks were a constant struggle — pulling, over-arousal with other dogs behind fences, and plenty of stress and anxiety for everyone involved.

Peach in particular struggled with major excitement issues, which made it really difficult to stabilise the pack. Ziggy, on the other hand, had intense territorial behaviours at home, overexcitement, and a lack of focus.

Through setting boundaries, creating leadership, and staying consistent, both dogs have made incredible progress. Peach has learned to find calm, Ziggy is showing more focus, and together they are now able to walk side by side with confidence.

A huge shoutout to their owner, who has done such an amazing job putting in the work every day — because without that commitment, none of this change would have been possible.

Today we even walked along the Noosa River — one of the highest-level distraction areas locally — and these two handled it brilliantly. 🎉 The video will give you all the information you need to see just how far they’ve come.

Six weeks on, Peach and Ziggy have gone from almost uncontrollable to happy, neutral dogs who are now ready to join our pack walks. There’s still work ahead, but their transformation so far is nothing short of inspiring. 🐾💛

28/09/2025

Today’s pack walk was a beauty!!

So proud of these owners all working hard to create neutral, well mannered dogs.

We finished off sitting in a busy public space having coffee.

Hard to believe this is the reactive dog pack walk.

So proud of Romeo and Charlie, both did so well in a HIGH level distraction camping environment over the weekend.Horses,...
21/09/2025

So proud of Romeo and Charlie, both did so well in a HIGH level distraction camping environment over the weekend.

Horses, cows, pigs, ostriches, and more.

I really love spending time with my boy on camping weekends..

This life, this place, this river – so much to be grateful for.
17/09/2025

This life, this place, this river – so much to be grateful for.

Brilliant!Maybe this is how I go about finding a new friend 😂😉
06/09/2025

Brilliant!

Maybe this is how I go about finding a new friend 😂😉

03/09/2025

It’s a lifestyle, forever practicing and having fun at the same time.

02/09/2025

🌟 Training Success – Sunny 🌟

Sunny, a 15-month-old Kelpie x German Shepherd, on my initial consult Sunny extremely anxious and highly strung. He was reactive to cars, trucks, buses, bikes, scooters, and other dogs — with loud trucks triggering the worst reactions.

Early on, his reactivity escalated to the point where he pulled his new owner, Sarah, off her feet during an outburst around cars and even displayed aggression. Daily life had become unsafe and walking was not an option.

Sunny’s first session was on the 5th of August. By his 3rd session, after transitioning to the e-collar, he was already able to walk past all of his previous triggers calmly and without reactivity.

This breakthrough has set him on the right path. Sunny will now progress to pack walks, where he’ll continue developing confidence, stability, and neutrality around dogs and everyday distractions.

A big credit to his new owners for committing to the process and giving Sunny the structure and guidance he needs. 💛🐾

Address

44 Tait Street
Tewantin, QLD
4565

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

0488908048

Website

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