Kat the Dog Trainer

08/06/2025

🚨 Puppy Parents —Read This Before You Panic! 🚨

Around 6–18 months old (and up to 2 years for big breeds), your sweet, well-behaved puppy will likely hit… ADOLESCENCE 😅 Think “teenager phase” — hormones, big feelings, selective hearing, and a sudden case of “I forgot how to sit”.

You might see:
🐾 Ignoring cues they know
🐾 More energy + zoomies on steroids
🐾 Pulling, jumping, testing limits
🐾 Distraction by… literally everything

Why it’s happening:
✔ Hormones & brain changes (even if fixed)
✔ Impulse control still developing
✔ Confidence growing = more boundary testing

What to do:
✅ Keep training short, fun, & consistent
✅ Reward the behaviors you do want — every time
✅ Add mental enrichment (puzzle toys, sniff walks, training games)
✅ Manage their environment to prevent bad habits

Hang in there — it’s just a phase, and the work you put in now will pay off for years. 💪🐶

07/29/2025

Big news! I’m teaming up with Zoom Room to open a brand new dog training facility in Ahwatukee—and it’s going to be HUGE for the local dog community. 🐾

We’re talking puppy classes, obedience, agility, tricks, scent work, therapy dog prep, AKC titles, supervised play, and an indoor dog park.

Share this with your dog friends—let’s spread the word! 🐶💥

07/08/2025

Some days it’s fear and reactivity rehab… other days I’m teaching a tiny floof to ring a bell when nature calls. We celebrate all wins here! 💪 🙌 🥳

06/25/2025

Park’s Out, Lowe’s Is In
Because I’d rather train in a real-world space like Lowe’s than charge you more for a rented room no one needs.

06/06/2025

Re*****on’s mom reached out to set up an in-home session to help him work through his overexcitement.

Yesterday, we focused on a long-standing issue: his inability to settle. Re*****on struggled to relax—restless, anxious, and always on the move, even in the comfort of his own home. He’s a high-energy dog who has a hard time self-regulating. Since calm wasn’t coming naturally, we focused on giving him the tools and structure to help make it possible.

After just one session, this 8-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer is now choosing to settle on his own. That’s a huge shift.

His family has worked with other trainers in the past, including e-collar methods, and they’ve got a one-year-old toddler at home—so calm isn’t exactly built into their environment. But now that they have the tools and clear steps to follow, Re*****on is already making great progress.

It’s a reminder that meaningful change is always possible, no matter the dog’s age, breed, or past. Huge thanks to his family for letting me share a piece of their story.

05/15/2025

Handling and grooming shouldn’t be a struggle. It’s never too late to work it into your routine. Need support? I can help make it something your dog doesn’t just tolerate—but actually enjoys.

04/26/2025

Today, I went on a hike/walk with one of my training clients to get a real feel for their daily routine with their dog. During our time out, we even spotted a coyote! Taking the time to understand the full picture helps me support them in the best ways possible.

Find yourself a trainer who cares enough to really get to know you and your dogs — it makes all the difference.

03/07/2025

Big news! I finally got a booking app, so you don’t have to wait for me to sort through my chaotic inbox to schedule your dog training sessions! Now you can book anytime, 24/7—because let’s be real, I was not keeping up.

I appreciate all of you for sticking with me as I make things easier! Can’t wait to help you and your pups.

Book here:

Square Bookings Flow

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!

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