Kat Stevens Dog Training

01/08/2025

“Place” is a cue I don’t even want to teach your dog tbh

01/06/2025

Why yes my dog would LOVE to say hi, but I’m still going to say “no thank you” and move on. Why?

1. Because I want my dog to learn that every time we see people it doesn’t mean it’s a party for him. I’d like him to continue his focus on us together as a team and not create conditioned excitement and expectation every time we are approached by someone.

2. Because I don’t know what saying hi means to you. Will you politely touch him? Will you allow him space to move away if he wants? Will you put your face too close to his? I don’t want him to have a negative experience so I’m going to avoid that by continuing our walk.

3. Because maybe I feel overwhelmed or stressed in public places and conversations with strangers may make me uncomfortable, so even though you’d like to talk and meet my dog, I’m protecting myself too.

4. Because we’re in a rush and have to get something done quickly.

5. Because I said no. Even social, sweet, friendly dogs and their handlers have every right to say “no” to a request to meet and be touched by people. This shouldn’t just apply to reactive, worried or bubble space dogs. Dogs are not public property, and saying “no thank you” to touching my dog shouldn’t be regarded as rude or unkind, any more than if a stranger asked to hold my baby.

Please normalize hearing “no” OR even better, normalize ignoring more dogs in public. Let them carry on with their handler and admire them from a far. It would do a world of good for dogs and humans everywhere, trust me.

- Helen St. Pierre

12/22/2024

🎅Happy Holiday week to those who celebrate. If you need a last minute gift certificate for a dog loving human- please reach out today!

🎁You can buy a gift certificate all year long in any amount-just ask! Virtual support is available to any dog, anywhere on Earth. 🌍

🎄KSDT is “open” this week with some limited hours on Tuesday 12/24. I will be “closed” on Wednesday 12/25.

🚨If you are in urgent need of dog behavior support this week, please email [email protected] with the word, “URGENT” in the subject line.

📸 Riley, a very good ol’ boy 🌲

12/20/2024

12/20/2024

Welcome 7m old schnauzer, ALICE! All the schnauzer things! Barking! Sniffing! Shredding! Cute! 🐾 Excited to be supporting you during puppyhood.

11/29/2024

Thankful today for all of you. All of you who care enough about your dogs to be interested in giving them the best life possible. Thankful for all of you to invite me into your homes and lives. Thankful for the stories you all share with me. Thankful for everyone out here committed to being kind to dogs, & staying curious about them. Thankful for all your dogs who keep me laughing & keep me going. Thanks for being here this year 🫶🦮🐶🐩🐾🐕‍🦺

📸 Mack, Branch Manager 11.28.24

10/25/2024

🌹 TULIP

Tulip was one of my best and longest students this year. Her family and I connected before they even brought her home. We did every single puppy preparation we could. We got her transport person to visit her and take her for rides in a carrier before her trek to Michigan. We worked together every week for months after she came home.

👩‍🎓I’m proud to report TULIP is graduating from puppy stuff today. I’ve had so much fun learning with her and getting to know her family. Puppies are HARD work! Tulip has grown into such an adorable sweet and charming girl. I will consider her a friend for life.

10/11/2024

🐾 Brody and Layla met up with me to talk about fence frustrations. They know a puppy is moving in next door in a few weeks and their person wanted to be prepared with how to manage it.

🪴Brody and Laylas human had already done an awesome job of creating a secondary barrier in most of her yard using these large garden beds. I love this idea for those of you with dogs who are triggered at the fence line!

🦮 We also talked about triggers both dogs experience while on walks or when they see things out the window.
Brody and Layla are an adorable pair and I really enjoyed them

10/02/2024

🦇We are fully into spooky season! Halloween is a tough holiday for dogs. Holiday decorations can be scary for some dogs. BEWARE of things that move, make noise, or jump out as you pass them.

🚪If your dog is a door-dasher, the time to start thinking about how to manage trick-or-treaters is right now. Need help? Let’s chat

🍫 Have a dog who grabs stuff off counters/table tops or trash cans? Make sure you keep candy stashes out of reach! Counter surfing is a tough habit to break once dogs have history of success winning prizes in these places.

😱 My October calendar is nearly full and I am scheduling into November. I hate to jump ahead as I am always trying to live in the present- but if a holiday puppy is in your future, I highly recommend scheduling soon!

09/18/2024

Hangin with Mr Cooper ❤️ this small fry and I got together this week to discuss:
✅ gentle exposure to the world he now lives in
✅ potty training troubleshooting
✅ body language and how the young members of his household can become good “dog detectives”
✅ how to make mandatory confinement periods less stressful
✅ three new skills to work on

Puppyhood is a big undertaking! Even when you’re just a little guy.

If a puppy is in your future, the best time to reach out about training is BEFORE your dog comes home. Then I can help you be ready for this new phase.

🍟Thanks, Super Cooper!

#

09/15/2024

🎂 These two friends of mine had birthdays last week.

🎈 Happy 3rd bday to Tony and 2nd birthday to Fred

🍭 It’s a treat to see you both multiple times a week

09/11/2024

Please welcome, Mack! At 5 months old, Mack is already BIG fun. Mack has seen me for puppy support and is now a weekly walking buddy. I’m thrilled to be an activity and enrichment person for her. Is there anything more puppy-wuppy than this face? 🦮🐾

08/31/2024

My boy, Chips, had his first (& likely last) tube of the season yesterday. Who knew this nervous wreck would love water sports so much?

08/27/2024

In my neighborhood there are two attitudes:

1- How dare you throw dog p**p away in my trash can while passing by. I’m so affected by this that I have made this display to shame you. (But I guess thanks for saying “thank you” 🙃)

OR

2- Here is a neighborly p**p trash receptacle, please use it if it would make your walk better. Also here are some bags.

Which neighbor are you/would you rather live near? 🤔

Side story: I saw a neighbors dog p**p on my lawn recently and after I waved hello she asked if I had a spare bag and I gave her a whole roll (people like me have the supply 🤣)

**p **p **pbags

08/04/2024

🏄‍♀️ SUP dog?!

🍟 Chips wants everyone to know he’s doing pretty great in life these days and that he’s having a 10/10 summer. He’s not ready for it to end and neither am I.

🌊 Do you “lake” with your dog?

07/28/2024

It almost never happens- but I have walk spaces available and some opening this Fall! My walk spaces are highly sought after and I get an opening MAYBE once a year.

Could your dog benefit from more exercise and enrichment?