Kat, Behaviour Tech

02/01/2024

Last weekend was Clicker Expo Live which I enjoyed from my couch, often joined by my dog Roland. A high point for me was the focus on making services more accessible, especially considering diversity and disability in mind. There are so many recordings I'm looking forward to watching (and rewatching!) - I'm glad I'll have access for the next year.

A business update - I'm slowly working my way through my waitlist and hoping to open up my bookings soon! Clients that I've met with in the past are still always welcome to book a follow-up, just shoot me an email.

And thank you for your patience while I am managing my own health and finding my "new normal"!

Image description: an ipad displaying a webinar, with a slide titled "ethical choice" along with a small black and white dog looking up at a handler who is sitting on a stool. Behind the ipad, a greater swiss mountain dog is sleeping.

01/11/2024

06/12/2023

🌞 Summer Break Announcement! 🐾

Hello, lovely pet owners! 🐱🐶

It's time for me to take a little break, recharge, and soak up the sunshine. ☀️ I will not be seeing clients during the Summer of 2023.

My services will resume in the Fall of 2023. Starting mid-August, I'll be opening up my calendar to current clients. New clients are welcome to join my waitlist now. Simply visit the link in my bio to secure your spot or go to www.katbehaviourtech.com

Wishing you and your pets a wonderful summer. See you soon!

06/12/2023

Official 2023 Community Voting Awards Platform for Ottawa, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

10/05/2022

As each holiday comes around the sundial, it presents new challenges for worried dogs. Halloween might not include backyard fireworks (yet), but it does offer surprises where dogs otherwise walk comfortably every day.

If you're not already walking your dog with a good treat pouch hooked to your waist, you might be missing a good opportunity to practice counter-conditioning skills. When you encounter any graves, ghosts, skeletons or jack o'lanterns, watch your dog's reaction. If you see any hesitation or concern, back away and offer food with a happy voice (you know the voice - the kind that brings neighbors to their windows with concerned expressions). The most important piece is to allow your dog to make his own choice about approaching.

It's not necessary to feed only approaches and curiosity. Feeding worry can also be very helpful.

If your dog is significantly frightened, leave and give it another go tomorrow; there are weeks to go for changing your dog's emotional response from fear to indifference (or, more likely, excitement about more cheese).

10/01/2022

08/05/2022

Won the gold this year! Thank you to everyone who voted!

Official 2022 Community Voting Awards Platform for Ottawa, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

07/29/2022

Voting ends July 31! I would be honoured and grateful for your vote!

Official 2022 Community Voting Awards Platform for Ottawa, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

06/22/2022

Kat, Behaviour Tech has been nominated again as a fave pet trainer through Community Votes Ottawa! If I get enough nominations then I can move on to the voting stage. If you have a chance, I would appreciate the nominations! It's one click, no sign in needed and I think you can "nominate" daily!

Official 2022 Community Voting Awards Platform for Ottawa, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

06/17/2022

Now booking Puppy and Kitten Kindergarten Classes starting the week of June 27!

Sign up for an amazing opportunity to give your newest addition the best start in life!

Book now to hold your spot: https://katbehaviourtech.as.me/

05/05/2022

*chef's kiss*

04/01/2022

My article on managing kids & dogs just came out :) Nothing revolutionary here but things that all parents of kids or dogs should be aware of!

02/14/2022

This this this!

Watch it at least twice and let it sink in, then spread the word ❤

From QI Series N, Ep.8 ‘Non-Sequiturs’ with & -

02/01/2022

True for your cats and dogs and many other species!

🐱 If your cat acts “guilty” when they’re caught doing something they shouldn’t, it is not because they know it’s wrong and genuinely feel guilty. It doesn’t matter what it is - peeing in the wrong place, jumping on the kitchen sides - anything!

🐱 It’s usually because they see you are cross and are looking to avoid your reaction. After a few times, they will expect to hear raised voices or hands shooing them away, so will look anxious (or “guilty”) before you even start.

🐱 Take the emotion out of the situation and think about why they’re doing it, whatever it may be! Once you know that you can figure out how to stop it.

01/17/2022

Consider making a donation to your favourite animal rescue today! I chose my local wildlife sanctuary because I know how expensive running a wildlife rehab can be and how difficult it is to get donations!

Today would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday. Inspired by her life-long passion to help animals, the encourages fans and fellow animal lovers to donate $5 or more to an animal organization in her name.

To help wildlife at RVWS, you can donate in honour of Betty at https://www.rideauwildlife.org/donate/tribute-gifts2/. A huge thank you to everyone who has already made a gift.

12/24/2021

Hope everyone stays safe this holiday season!

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ and SHARE: Holiday Emergency Services Update

2 emergency animal hospitals in Ottawa are currently CLOSED due to Covid outbreaks within their staff. Ottawa Veterinary Hospital remains open, but will close periodically based on case load and staffing availability.

Princess Animal Hospital in Kingston is a 24 hour hospital, however, they cannot sustain incoming cases from Ottawa as they are currently seeing an influx of cases from Gananoque through to Trenton due to a similar situation. They ask that anyone from the Ottawa area go to Montreal.
Centre DMV in Lachine is a 24 hour hospital
Centre Veterinaire Laval is a 24 hour Hospital

You can also use a televet service such as Vetster.com to see if your pet's condition warrant's a emergency visit.

Please be aware that all these hospitals will like have much longer wait periods than usual if they are taking an influx of Ottawa patients.

While all of this unfolds we ask that you be extra vigilant with your pets this year. Watch for toxin ingestion (chocolates, poinsettias, grapes, alcohol, meat runoff etc) as well as access to and ingestion of turkey bones, wrapping paper, tinsel, string, and other items that pose multiples risks. This is also probably a good weekend to abstain from any potentially injury causing activities.

We ask that you please be kind to the vets, techs, and support staff if you do have to take your pets in. They are under tremendous pressure and are doing their absolute best. We know that these are times stressful for everyone, unfortunately it is out of our hands and all we can do is offer our support and well wishes for a speedy recovery for all involved.

12/12/2021

Did you know....

Dominance is a huge concern for many pet parents..... but it's been debunked for decades!

The concept of dominance hierarchies in dogs has an interesting history. It's definitely a history that has captivated my attention - I've spoken about it at conferences, written articles and still talk to clients about it regularly.

The dominance concept isn't relevant to your relationship with your dog. Anecdotally, I would say that it is the single most destructive ideology to use with your pets. It is my personal goal to help pet parents, and the professionals who work with them, understand this and that there are better ways to communicate with your pets.

If you're interested in learning more, head over to Dr. Mech's website (one of the original wolf researchers): https://davemech.org/wolf-news-and-information/

There is also a wonderful synopsis written by veterinary behaviorist Dr. Ilana Reisner on this topic that I give to many of my clients called Moving Beyond Leader of the Pack.

12/01/2021

Tips and resources on how to train your dog, from the best training treats and books on dog training to how to train a fearful dog.

11/23/2021

😻
A nice relaxing, purr-inducing video to have the best interactions with cats!

Part of the International Cat Care and Ceva cat handling video series (owner)

11/19/2021

Your dog is allowed to say "no"!

11/12/2021

Excited to be presenting at the Veterinary Education Today conference tomorrow!

10/15/2021

Did you know that most senior or super senior (geriatric) cats suffer from osteoarthritis aka degenerative joint disease? 🤔

🐾Cats are experts at hiding pain and signs of chronic joint pain may not be obvious

🐾 Cat owners should look out for behavioural changes that may indicate their cat is uncomfortable
These include:

🐈Stiff or unsteady gait
🐈Stiffness when rising from sleep
🐈Reduced ability to jump up or down from furniture or when outside
🐈Reluctance to use the stairs or play
🐈Sleeping for longer periods or restlessness
🐈Favouring beds that are lower to the ground
🐈Difficulty grooming and poor or matted coat
🐈Avoiding interaction with humans
🐈Aggression towards humans - resents being touched or picked up (may growl, hiss or lash out)
🐈Aggression or changes in behaviour towards other animals in the household
🐈House soiling - episodes of missing the litter tray or soiling in unusual locations

If you suspect that your cat is showing any of the above signs then veterinary attention should be sought🩺

Although osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, it CAN be managed! 😺

Cats with osteoarthritis can be prescribed pain relief mediations such as anti-inflammatories (and other types of medication) by the vet to keep them comfortable
This can really improve their quality of life! 😺

Although there is little evidence available, some cats with arthritis may benefit from supplements or food containing omega 3 EFA's (essential fatty acids)

These should always be given under the recommendation of a veterinary professional 👍

It's also important to try to make your home as 'senior cat friendly' as possible if you have an older cat. This is so that your cat has easy access to all of its recourses 🐱

💚Veterinary nurses: If you go to www.catcare4life.org you can sign up to iCatCareforLife programme, which gives you access to lots of useful resources, including mobility, behaviour and environmental checklists

There are also health checklists for cat owners to download too!
🐈

References : Ellen Goldberg. M. (2017). A chronic look at pain in cats. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 32(3), 67-77.doi: 10.1080/17415349.2016.1269625

09/20/2021

We know better, so we do better.

(This can be a polarizing topic and we welcome kind debate on this page. Name calling, derogatory, and sarcastic statements will be deleted.)

09/15/2021

Reminder that your dog isn't trying to dominate you!

They are not being dominant they are being dogs.
It is up to you to teach them to do what you would like instead.
Sit to greet
Walk with a loose leash
Wait at doorways.

Modern animal training applies science not force.

09/09/2021

If you've ever tried to find a trainer for your pet then you likely know how difficult it can be to navigate through all of the different terminology, credentials and methods. Here's a great video that goes through what to avoid and what to look for when choosing a trainer.

Reading Time: < 1 minute Anyone can call themselves an animal trainer, and some claim to have credentials that aren’t worth the website they’re printed on. What can a pet owner do? In this video, you’ll learn how to spot the red flags that mean a trainer is likely to harm your pet and even dam...