Kat the Dog Trainer

04/30/2024

ISO Naturopathic Doctor recommendations! Go!

04/04/2024

Doing life with a well-trained doggo? Life's just better!

Share your favorite life pics with your furry friends! 📸🐾

03/10/2024

To my dedicated training clients and beloved canine companions,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your patience and understanding during this transitional period. Recent life changes, including my transition to my new PetSmart location in Chandler, have unfortunately caused significant delays in my response times over the past few months.

As some of you may already know, I will no longer be offering services at the Tempe location. Instead, I'll be exclusively providing training services at the Chandler location, conveniently situated off Gilbert and Loop-202.

In addition, I've made the tough decision to scale back my training services as I embark on a new role as a financial auditor. This change will allow me to achieve a better work-life balance, aligning with my daughter's schedule, which is incredibly important to me.

While I'll continue to offer group and private training services on a limited basis, please bear with me during this transitional phase. I'm still in the process of transitioning away from my Tempe location, so things may be a bit uncertain for a while.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding ❤️

Kat the Dog Trainer

01/08/2024

So proud of these two today! Visits to the vet can be chaos! Being in close proximity to improperly trained animals that are sick, injured, or stressed can be stressful for everyone involved, including your pet!

Training & properly socializing your dog can help both of you navigate these situations with ease ❤️

Shout out to the team at Tempe Pet Clinic! Thank you for always taking such great care of my pups!

12/12/2023

I have just 3 spots remaining for this upcoming Trick Class in Tempe!

$159 for 6-weeks!

This class is NOT available online! Sign up in-person or over the phone only!

480-282-9016
6426 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85283

11/19/2023

Does your dog like to jump on people? Here are some helpful tips to reduce their jumping!

11/17/2023

Teaching your dog to “shake” is cute, but did you know it also has some helpful benefits? Here’s how to teach “shake” and some of the added benefits to teaching this to your dog!

11/15/2023

Want to improve your dogs recall? Here are some helpful tips to improve your dogs “come when called” cue!

11/14/2023

I’m looking for a third trainer to join my team in Tempe!

No previous training experience is required, I’m focused on finding the RIGHT candidate for the position! This is an entry-level dog training position with paid training.

10-15 hours per week (1 weeknight, 1 weekend day), with the possibility for more.

Please reach out to me with any questions!

11/13/2023

Does your dog love to bark? Here are some helpful tips to reduce their barking!

11/08/2023

If you have a new puppy OR you’ve been procrastinating getting your dog into training, here’s your chance! Puppy & Beginner group classes are ONLY $99, this week only! If you don’t need this deal, I guarantee you know someone that does! You know who they are 👀🤔

I’m now offering services at TWO locations!
Gilbert & Germann (South Chandler #1191)
McClintock & Guadalupe (Tempe #3016)

You can view my class calendar(s) here:

https://services.petsmart.com/training?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADiLNNlsSuPxxD2udxqaOY6ynFFbS&gclid=CjwKCAiA3aeqBhBzEiwAxFiOBih5yyzWJNkIgBk7vN0SdmTeCtGDqi5tuu8cgqeeo3xpsVfuOMPIIRoC_rEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

10/06/2023

October Training Offers!
$25 off any Training Package
$10 off any PRIVATE training class!

10/03/2023

FLASH SALE ALERT ‼️ $25 off ANY 6-week Class! Including upcoming Trick Class, Brain Games and Therapy!

09/24/2023

Now is a great time to go rescue your new best friend!

09/24/2023

They have a mind of their own 🤣🤣

07/02/2023

What a great read!

https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/dog-training-aversives?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR05HsF2GkSg0tUnkEv00HCUN_-VtgG_jCGmZA8G9Yv4gYiqXV9Oh0PzRLI_aem_ARxorD5EIEZEpKqQJk-3c9OyURoaoviNzp-PQpyJzzNymMZl6ke7DdJfwGIDcFKq7zM -aversives-work

Find out why force-free dog training is better for your dog and why you should avoid balanced training techniques or tools like shock or prong collars.

06/21/2023

06/19/2023

Broly gets nervous around other dogs. Now that this handsome fella has completed his basic obedience training, he’s on to reactivity training to help him feel more safe and secure in the presence of other dogs!

If your dog struggles with reactivity on leash (barking, lunging) reach out to schedule your free evaluation!

05/29/2023

Some helpful tips to teach your dog to ‘come when called’!

If your dog ever gets away from you, you need to have a cue that will get them back to your side. Kat, an Accredited Trainer with PetSmart, gives dog trainin...

05/25/2023

Some great tips to a calmer dog!

If you want calm, REWARD calm. It is really that easy.

Simple......yes.
Does it work........yes.
Is there a bit more to this ?
A little, but it really can be as easy as just "catching" them when calm and rewarding.
It helps to have a mat or place.....BUT if there is constant redirecting back so they "relax" ....it misses the point completely.

This is capturing natural relaxation.
Times when your dog is doing absolutely nothing.

Make sure they are actually calm though.

Some key points with this.
* When you first start to do this your dog will likely follow you straight after you give the treat.....just ignore that (I know that may sound uncomfortable for some to ignore a dog following but it is important). This all helps to give clear messages of "when you relax good things happen".
*Have treats or a (non squeaky) chew toy on you. If you go to the kitchen cupboard to get the treat, your dog will make that connection with the cupboard and just get up the second they hear the cupboard open.
*Keep movements soft and calm when you reward. Walk a little softly over and pop the treat down between their paws....AS you walk away.
*A small "good" or "yes" is great when giving the reward but avoid anything which can be viewed as excitement coming from you.

Over time (and sometimes just a day or two).....you will start to notice the following.
Your dog will actually start lying down more.
Your dog may start to lie on their mat/place more.
Your dog feels more comfortable relaxing.

Your dog knows this is a behaviour you like to see and good things happen when they show this.

Keep your energy natural, light and calm.

Let me know how you go with this....it WORKS !

04/17/2023

Old dogs CAN learn new tricks 😉

I had a great time working with Sydney Leroux and her tiny pup!

How adorable is Penelope?! ☺️

04/03/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Puppy, Beginner & Intermediate graduates!
Don’t wait to enroll your pup in their next training class! April and May classes are filling up.

Upcoming Intermediate & Advanced Level Training classes:

Advanced Level Training
Saturday 4/8/2023 @ 1pm
Sunday 4/30/2023 @ 12pm

Intermediate Level Training
Sunday 4/23/2023 @ 10am
Thursday 4/27/2023 @ 8pm

Enroll here 👇

Make sure to select the 5-star Tempe location!
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dog training at PetSmart includes classes for all levels and ages! Our accredited dog trainers teach positive reinforcement techniques in a fun, interactive environment.

03/25/2023

I had an incredible time working with these *adoptable* shelter pups from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) for some training videos. These dogs had ZERO formal training and made tremendous improvement in just the few hours we spent with them. A true testament to the importance and value of training your dog using positive reinforcement training methods❤️

If you are interested in welcoming a new furbaby into your home, I would strongly recommend one of these 4 amazing pups. Please consider sharing this to help them find their forever homes!

02/24/2023

Pumped to join forces with Sydney Leroux and Lonnie Walker on some dog training content today!

02/13/2023

Possibly one of the biggest insults to our dogs is the idea that we need to get in their faces in order for them to gather more information.

Dogs live in a world of scent. We can’t even begin to imagine what that may look like. But what we know for sure is invading their space is likely to make them feel less comfortable, rather than more.

01/24/2023

Dogs typically offer great signals to each other when playing, but if one dog struggles at reading those signals it can cause some big issues.

There are MANY disengagement signals dogs give during active play, here are some of the more common ones!

Please note: These signals also appear at other times, including during play, and may simply mean they are interested in a scent, itchy, or just yawning.

If your dog struggles to read signals well, you can help them by intervening in play when you notice these signals in other dogs.

01/22/2023

I’ve got 2 spots left for Therapy Class!
1/28/23 @ 11am
6 week class, $169
Link in comments!