Katka Working Dog Training LLC

11/27/2025

Happy Adoptaversary to Apollo! I foster failed Apollo 2 years ago today and he’s turned out to be the best helper dog any dog trainer could ever want.

Good boy Apollo!

11/05/2025

▪️🐾 Detection days with K9 Lieke and K9 in Training Stark

🔵 K9 Lieke just recently graduated detection school through the Idaho State Police and has already had her first few street finds! Congrats to her handler Joel for putting in the work. You guys are going to go far and the city of Spirit Lake is lucky to have you both.

🟡 And K9 in Training Stark is NOT associated with a police department yet and is just shy of one year old. He’s really starting to put the pieces together in narcotics detection. He is my personal dog and he is not for sale.

11/04/2025

I have a great client who is looking for a home for their foster dog. She is a super well behaved GSD x Border Collie mix. Please message me if interested and I’ll send you her number.

From the owner: “This girl is looking for a home. She’s very well-trained, loves kids, and is really sweet. She was neglected in the past so she takes her time warming up to new people. If you have the heart for fostering/adopting a dog that is a rescue, pls contact me for more info. We are fostering to keep her out of the shelter system. Info: Female, 4yo, spayed, GSD/Border Collie.”

09/10/2025

I have a client who has a 4 year old spayed GSD x Border Collie mix in need of a home. She’s very well behaved and VERY well trained, just doesn’t get along with female dogs. Please message me if you know anyone who may be interested.

08/13/2025

K9 GATOR 🐊

K9 Gator is the new kid on the block here at Katka K9, he is being trained as a single-purpose narcotics k9 for a local agency.

K9 Gator is a former shelter dog with a bright future ahead of him!

07/01/2025

Hollenhund Urco Von Nine Realms “STARK” | 7 months.

My baby is growing up so fast and I’m super happy with how he’s maturing. He’s exactly what I wanted to get out of Xerxes and Herja- calm, full, firm grips on the sleeve, high confidence, aloof with strangers and he’s a natural in IGP. Conformationally he’s exactly what I wanted so far- Herja’s structure and movement with slightly longer legs and a more developed rear from dad.

I can’t wait to see how he continues to mature!

Thank you to Kelly Lewis for the lovely photos from our IGP seminar last Sunday with Helper Eric Costa.

07/01/2025

‼️🥳 PUCK HAS FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME! 🎉

Our sweet adoptable boy is adoptable no longer and he gets to live his best life locally with some really cool people on 20 acres with 5 other dog friends.

Thank you to everyone who has been rooting for him along his journey! From nearly un-adoptable due to his fear and reactivity of humans, to ADOPTED. I’ll miss this boy and I’ll definitely be visiting frequently. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥹🥹🥹

06/27/2025

Here’s how I describe socialization when I’m explaining it to my clients:

When we are socializing young dogs and puppies, we are showing them the world, rather than showing the world, them.

The old fashioned way of socializing has always been to put the dog on a leash and make them accept pets from strangers and accept interactions with strangers dogs. This is an outdated method.

What do I mean by that? I mean that we can build a great deal of confidence in young dogs or even underexposed adult dogs, by allowing them to see people, dogs, things, but not letting those things into their space/put pressure on them. The old way of socializing puts your dog in a corner and doesn’t allow them to make space if they are uncomfortable. On the other hand if your dog is overly excited about people they aren’t learning boundaries with people and before you know it they are dragging you up to everyone in public. The shy dog will become reactive and potentially eventually a bite risk because they have found that the most effective way to make space when they are uncomfortable is to bark, growl, and lunge at strangers and dogs.

So when I am “socializing” a dog, I’m taking them in public and letting them watch the world go by. I’m not allowing dogs or people to put unfair pressure on them. Each time they see a person, dog, cart, vehicle, strange object, etc. and they turn from it to give their focus to me, I mark and reward. I don’t let people in their space, I don’t let dogs in their space. I’ll write another post on how to introduce new people and dogs because I know some folks will come for me in the comments.

Happy Training!

06/26/2025

🌻 Have I helped you with your dog? Please consider leaving a google review! Thank you 😊

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.