Kat the Dog Trainer

02/25/2025

Simple ❓ So simple and so important✅
Transformative.
Bond strengthening.
Instructional.
Deepening connections and understanding for you both.
If you are new to rewarding the behaviour you want to see more off....there are a few pitfalls with this.
Number one would be rewarding at the exact wrong time (very easily done).
🔵Your dog may jump up to get the rewards as you deliver them (you may be rewarding the jumping...which can be repeated).
🔵Not physically prepared to reward and missing the perfect time...then rewarding much later than you should.
🔵Not recognising that NOT barking when another dog does IS rewardable.
🔵Ignoring when they start to make great choices
Give it a go....it can change everything.
This dog training graphic is available from https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-reward-what-you-want-repeated?srsltid=AfmBOoqZ3qxXdgxWoGkWWe6oyTeqgtrcXRfmW1qQ0QSRnMIi-K4aWmnA

02/22/2025

I don’t usually focus on recording client progress, but I had to share this. Just a month ago, Kota was highly reactive and couldn’t be within 70 yards of another dog without fixating, whining, barking, pulling, etc. Now, after just a few sessions, Kota can stay calm and relaxed with two dogs just a few feet away. We’ve still got some work to do, but the progress they’re making is huge. A little patience and practice truly make a difference. Grateful for the incredible dogs and clients I get to work with every day!

02/11/2025

Tired of your dog constantly pulling on walks? Struggling with distractions and feeling like every outing is a challenge? Or maybe you haven’t started leashing training yet, this is the class for you!

In this one-hour Bootcamp, you’ll teach your dog to check in with you despite distractions, reduce leash pulling and frustration, and build a solid foundation for reliable leash-walking skills.

Please share and join me in my effort to provide high-quality training at an affordable price!

01/28/2025

Helping people and their dogs is more than just work or a “side gig” for me—it’s my passion project. I’m committed to providing affordable, quality training solutions that truly make a difference.

My mission is to:
•Strengthen the bond between dogs and their humans.
•Reduce the number of dogs returned to shelters due to behavioral issues.
•Make training accessible to everyone, no matter their budget.

Transparent Pricing:
• 30-minute private sessions: $25
• 1-hour private sessions: $50
• 1-hour in-home sessions: $75 (within 10 miles of 85042; trip charge applies beyond).
• Group classes: Coming soon!

This is about creating better relationships and improving the lives of both dogs and their owners.

01/21/2025

THIS! 👇👏

Whoa there ❗
All of this is habit forming (for you and your dog).
How should dogs actually meet each other ?
Are they dragging you towards another dog? Are they staring, panting and digging in to drag you closer and closer.....finally getting there and something suddenly changes 💥
Let's take that tension off the lead.
There will be some videos in the comments which can help.
Number one.
Lower the excitement before the walk even begins !
Number two.
Look at a better way for dogs to meet each other !

This dog training handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-remove-the-tension-to-remove-the-tension?srsltid=AfmBOoqw2gitjxroSoyFC6S99o2G-64oBgtifLO_BOv4blFSLQ-7azXW

01/17/2025

After 18 incredible years, I am no longer affiliated with PetSmart, and I’m excited to fully embrace my passion for dog training in new and exciting ways 🐾✨. This change marks the start of something bigger, and I’m so grateful for the journey that brought me here. Bigger things are coming—stay tuned! 🐕❤️

12/26/2024

🎄🐾 Did your family grow over the holidays with a new puppy or rescue? Or maybe your New Year’s resolution is to finally tackle some training goals with your current dog? I’m here to help!

I’m offering private dog training sessions at a discounted rate:
🐕 $25 for 30 minutes
🐾 $50 for 1 hour

📍 Sessions are held outdoors at Waggoner Park:
1050 E Carver Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284

🗓️ Available times:
• Thursday & Friday: 2 PM - 4 PM
• Saturday: 9 AM - 12 PM

These sessions can help with:
✔️ Reactivity
✔️ Basic obedience
✔️ Problem behaviors
✔️ Leash walking
✔️ Increasing reliability with distractions

Whether you’re starting fresh with a new pup or working on long-overdue goals with your beloved companion, I’m here to support you in building a better bond and a well-behaved best friend.

Let’s make 2025 the year your dog shines! 🐶✨ Message me to book your session today! 📩

Other days & times can be arranged!

12/26/2024

For everyone that has welcomed a new family member or are helping out your local rescue at this time of year.....
Too much too soon WILL cause issues.
It is a really common occurrence with newly adopted dogs.
Congratulations on your new dog.
I know you want to take them to the beach, the pet store and your café....however can I ask for a few minutes so I can explain just what your dog has gone through.....and why you need to take the next few weeks SLOW.
Your new dog has had it's whole world turned upside down.
They don't know you.
They don't know if they can trust you.
They don't know if they are with you for an hour or forever.
They may have been in various scary places.
Other houses, rescues, the pound and likely ALL of these in the past few days or weeks.
Your dog has stress hormones surging through their brain, they are STRESSED....they need to decompress, they need STABILITY in their environment and from you.
They need time with you and their new environment.
They need to know that the tree outside may rustle against the house and that's OK.
They need to know that those normal creaky noises in your house are OK and that at 3.45 the neighbours bang their door shut.
They need to know when it rains that tapping sound is OK.
They need to know that when the door opens they won't be moved somewhere else again.
They need to trust that YOU are safe even when you have had a bad day, you will still give them food and that they can close their eyes around you.
You know what your good intentions are with your new dog, your dog however has NO idea what is happening.....only that everything has changed and it is scary.
They do NOT need other new environments yet. Take it SLOW.
Dogs that have just been adopted need TIME. There is no need to rush out the next day and take them to all the places you want to go with them.....They need the opposite.
Let them decompress, let them inspect a new area of your house or yard every day or two. Walk them up and down outside your house for a few days (and only there), let them sniff, and sniff some more. Let them p*e freely.....it may be boring for you, but not for your dog. They need to know what is happening around them and they learn that through their nose, eyes and ears.
They NEED this.
They need to learn to TRUST you.
The long walks can wait, the café will still be there in a few weeks and you can visit the pet shop alone until they are ready.
Your bond together is the MOST important thing to concentrate on right now.
You will never regret taking it slow and it can save your dog and yourself from making the very same mistakes that can lead to people rehoming in the first place.
All the very best with your new dog.

11/02/2024

We had a great time at the AAWL 5k event today! Happy to see some familiar faces!

09/11/2024

A reminder to practice your Emergency Recall

08/03/2024

Make sure to give your pups frequent breaks during training sessions to help avoid frustration & over training!

…. and don’t forget to reward their hard work!

07/30/2024

I’ve never trained a gator, but I can help you train your dog 💁🐕😂

07/28/2024

The new puzzle feeder is a hit! ❤️🐕

07/19/2024

A stuffed Kong or similar rubber treat dispenser offers your dog a fun, mentally stimulating challenge! Freezing it extends the fun and can help alleviate teething pain, prevent separation anxiety, and improve house manners!

I recommend having multiple so you can prepare and freeze several at a time- so they're always ready when you need them!

07/08/2024

THIS! 👇
Play is play. Socialization is CALMNESS around dogs.

Socialisation. Yes, there really is such a thing as "over socialised".
Play is NOT socialisation.❌
Play is a separate and important skill.✅....but it isn't socialisation.
What is socialisation ?..... Calmness and acceptance of the world.
What it isn't......over excited, scared, hyper, wary behaviour or PLAY.
I know that seems like a big statement to make for some people but society has some strange ideas of what socialisation is.

That doesn't mean dogs and puppies shouldn't play, it simply means one of the FIRST things they need to learn in life is not go to that place of extreme overarousal at the sight of a puppy. Puppies need to learn how to be accepting of dogs in general....then play can be added as a separate skill.

Calmness and acceptance IS socialisation.
Play is play.
Two completely separate things.

Dogs and puppies are a very small part of having a socialised dog. An important small part... but a very small part in a much bigger picture.
The word socialisation seems to be associated with play and that is a big issue with new puppy guardians/owners.

How you let other dogs meet yours and how your dog meets other dogs forms patterns of behaviour.
The more these dogs have over excited, over aroused and hyper behaviour around other dogs...........the more they understand this IS exactly how to meet dogs....and that is really problematic for many dogs.

True socialisation is acceptance and calmness in ALL the world has to offer.
Everything you encounter in everyday life...is exactly what you need to expose your dogs to.

Little and often
Positively and calmly......and you are well on your way to a well socialised puppy or dog.

They don't need to go to that hyper excited behaviour when other dogs are near.

They can be calm, assess the situation and choose to play and interact if they wish.....

That is true socialisation.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

07/08/2024

Those late night thoughts 🥴

07/02/2024

Some easy things you can add in now with your reactive dog.✅ Changing a dogs emotions takes time and effort. There are lots of steps (and EASY steps) you can take to help your dog with how they view triggers. ✅
If you have a reactive dog, I know just how much effort you are already putting in.✅ There may be something in this graphic which you may have never thought about.
It can be a frustrating process, stressful and sometimes a slow process too, but when you first see those improvements it is a great feeling.
A feeling of "WOW, I CAN actually do this"...and you can ! ✅
When your dog starts to understand too....that is another reason to celebrate.

There are tough day ahead too though, and that is absolutely OK.
Nothing is perfect.
Something that isn't talked about much with reactive dogs is how our own emotional state can either help or hinder a dogs progress.
Our clients are encouraged to breathe, relax, and drop those shoulders when doing this work and it helps enormously.
After 3 deep slow breaths their dogs own stress level has reduced.
Dogs sense our emotions.
They can sense how stressed we are....and walking a reactive dog can be stressful.

Breathe....Relax and trust that you CAN do this.✅

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.