Clear. Simple. Honest.
Each training plan starts with a consultation. We'll spend 60-90 minutes going over your dog's behaviour, your expectations, and any other factors that may be important.
Write your awesome label here.
Clear. Simple. Honest.
Each training plan starts with a consultation. We'll spend 60-90 minutes going over your dog's behaviour, your expectations, and any other factors that may be important.
Write your awesome label here.
Assess, Revise, or Modify?
Are you ready to invest in lasting change, or do you need to focus on your first priority?
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Assess, Revise, or Modify?
Are you ready to invest in lasting change, or do you need to focus on your first priority?
Frequently asked questions
Where do you teach?
I teach and consult worldwide online from rainy Halifax, Canada.
I don't offer in-person classes at this time.
I don't offer in-person classes at this time.
Do I have to do "live" video?
I can structure your lessons to your preference. If you (and your dog) are up for it, we can do real-time practice with coaching. If you (or your dog) feel shy, you can submit short training videos for review and we'll go over it together in our next lesson.
What methods do you use?
I use simple, effective methods that are practical in many situations. I teach behaviours and influence feelings through strategic timing and placement of rewards.
To encourage a behaviour that the learner isn't doing yet, I try to set up the training environment so the correct behaviour is more likely than other behaviours. If the correct behaviour is made easy, then the dog earns rewards early and often. The more they practice, the more they will want to do it again in the future.
Once the dog understands how to do the behaviour, I'll add challenges. We practice with distractions to prepare them for different of situations. When we're ready, we'll practice at different distances, in different places, for different stretches of time.
If it's useful, I might teach them a signal. The signal tells them when they can do the behaviour to earn a reward, and when they can't. That helps them understand when you prefer they do other behaviour.
There are other pieces to consider, but most of my training and all of my intended training follows this approach.
To encourage a behaviour that the learner isn't doing yet, I try to set up the training environment so the correct behaviour is more likely than other behaviours. If the correct behaviour is made easy, then the dog earns rewards early and often. The more they practice, the more they will want to do it again in the future.
Once the dog understands how to do the behaviour, I'll add challenges. We practice with distractions to prepare them for different of situations. When we're ready, we'll practice at different distances, in different places, for different stretches of time.
If it's useful, I might teach them a signal. The signal tells them when they can do the behaviour to earn a reward, and when they can't. That helps them understand when you prefer they do other behaviour.
There are other pieces to consider, but most of my training and all of my intended training follows this approach.
Will this training work?
Training, even excellent training, does not always work. No training plan can overcome medical conditions. No matter which methods or tools you might try, you may find yourself in a cycle of behaviour tracking, veterinary care, and regression. No ethical behaviour professional guarantees results.
If your dog has a sudden change in behaviour (for "better" or worse), you should consult your veterinarian. Even common conditions like yeast infections, allergies, or gastrointestinal upset, which can be difficult to notice at home, may profoundly affect behaviour.
If your dog's medical condition is chronic (long-lasting), you may benefit from professional behaviour support periodically throughout their lifetime. In North America, the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists can be a helpful resource.
If your dog has a sudden change in behaviour (for "better" or worse), you should consult your veterinarian. Even common conditions like yeast infections, allergies, or gastrointestinal upset, which can be difficult to notice at home, may profoundly affect behaviour.
If your dog's medical condition is chronic (long-lasting), you may benefit from professional behaviour support periodically throughout their lifetime. In North America, the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists can be a helpful resource.
Why online coaching?
I took my first online course with my reactive dog a number of years ago. At first it felt silly, but soon I noticed that my skills had improved more after a few weeks of video feedback than they had in years of practice!
Video is one of the very best ways to understand your own training. It's a lot easier to see how far you've come and where exactly you've been if you've been counting your steps! When you can see yourself, you can be yourself.
Video is one of the very best ways to understand your own training. It's a lot easier to see how far you've come and where exactly you've been if you've been counting your steps! When you can see yourself, you can be yourself.
How long does training take?
It's hard to give a simple answer. For some behaviours, you may get the hang of it after a month or two and find that you can maintain the new behaviour just fine! Sometimes, it can take longer. Some behaviours, like "counter surfing," can be more or less resolved with a simple change in your habits.
Most clients who start with a package choose to continue on a weekly or biweekly basis, usually working on new goals each month!
Most clients who start with a package choose to continue on a weekly or biweekly basis, usually working on new goals each month!
Office Hours
Virtual Lessons
Plans & Handouts
Specialty Services
01
Assertive Advocacy
Understand and communicate your dog's needs. Find your voice for the vet, groomer, and home.
02
Happier Husbandry
Say goodbye to being the bad guy with a tailored take on stress-less husbandry!
03
Reduced Reactivity
Master management, behaviour tracking, and essential life skills for reactive dogs.
04
Smooth Sniffing
Build confidence and flow with clear, simple scent work set ups, reward strategies, and patterns.
We finally got the help we needed and pinpointed one of my dog’s health issues thanks to [Kate's] recommendations and help!
Paula B. and Finley
Testimonials
Assertive Advocacy – Sheltie in Germany
Finley's parent says...
"Kate has helped me so much with my dog. I think they’re especially great because they can give explanations with varying degrees of scientific detail (from very basic to very detailed) according to your preferences and they’re incredibly creative with their solutions, looking out for human and dog welfare 🙌. Also we finally got the help we needed and pinpointed one of my dog’s health issues thanks to their recommendations and help!"
Write your awesome label here.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Assertive Advocacy – Finley, Sheltie, Germany
Write your awesome label here.
Finley's parent says...
"Kate has helped me so much with my dog. I think they’re especially great because they can give explanations with varying degrees of scientific detail (from very basic to very detailed) according to your preferences and they’re incredibly creative with their solutions, looking out for human and dog welfare 🙌. Also we finally got the help we needed and pinpointed one of my dog’s health issues thanks to their recommendations and help!"
Write your awesome label here.
Happier Husbandry – Jindo in Kuwait
June's person says...
"Working with Kate has been amazing. They always provide clear instructions which are broken down into manageable steps and feedback is given in such a way that celebrates successes. I’ve worked hard to listen to my dog and build a bond with her, but our training with Kate has taken that connection to another level. I appreciate the care and dedication Kate puts into their work and would recommend them to anyone looking for training with their pups."
Write your awesome label here.
Happier Husbandry – Jindo in Kuwait
June's person says...
"Working with Kate has been amazing. They always provide clear instructions which are broken down into manageable steps and feedback is given in such a way that celebrates successes. I’ve worked hard to listen to my dog and build a bond with her, but our training with Kate has taken that connection to another level. I appreciate the care and dedication Kate puts into their work and would recommend them to anyone looking for training with their pups."
Happier Husbandry – June, Jindo, Kuwait
Write your awesome label here.
June's person says...
"Working with Kate has been amazing. They always provide clear instructions which are broken down into manageable steps and feedback is given in such a way that celebrates successes. I’ve worked hard to listen to my dog and build a bond with her, but our training with Kate has taken that connection to another level. I appreciate the care and dedication Kate puts into their work and would recommend them to anyone looking for training with their pups."
Reduced Reactivity – Bill & Ted, Goldens, Hawaii
Write your awesome label here.
Bill & Ted's mom says...
"I really appreciate you for helping to expand what I know about things and the way you explain it so my brain feels satisfied knowing ALL the ways things are affected, helped, [or] supported by [veterinarians] really did put me at ease in making better decisions [and] advocating for my boys!"
Reduced Reactivity – Goldens in Hawaii
Bill & Ted's mom says...
"I really appreciate you for helping to expand what I know about things and the way you explain it so my brain feels satisfied knowing ALL the ways things are affected, helped, [or] supported by [veterinarians] really did put me at ease in making better decisions [and] advocating for my boys!"
Write your awesome label here.
Reduced Reactivity – Goldens in Hawaii
Bill & Ted's mom says...
"I really appreciate you for helping to expand what I know about things and the way you explain it so my brain feels satisfied knowing ALL the ways things are affected, helped, [or] supported by [veterinarians] really did put me at ease in making better decisions [and] advocating for my boys!"
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Smooth Sniffing – Border Collie in Oregon
Jed's guardian says...
"I think what I’ve trained independently the last year has been informed at least 9/10 sessions most prominently by what [Kate has] told me. Hire Kate! Truly has been one of the most influential people in how I think about my dogs, and I cannot recommend them strongly enough!"
Smooth Sniffing – Jed, Border Collie, Oregon
Write your awesome label here.
Jed's guardian says...
"I think what I’ve trained independently the last year has been informed at least 9/10 sessions most prominently by what [Kate has] told me. Hire Kate! Truly has been one of the most influential people in how I think about my dogs, and I cannot recommend them strongly enough!"
Write your awesome label here.
Smooth Sniffing – Border Collie in Oregon
Jed's guardian says...
"I think what I’ve trained independently the last year has been informed at least 9/10 sessions most prominently by what [Kate has] told me. Hire Kate! Truly has been one of the most influential people in how I think about my dogs, and I cannot recommend them strongly enough!"
Training Programs
Consultation
Assess Package – $400 CAD – one time:
Even professionals often have a hard time describing dog behaviour in objective terms. Clients usually need help.
If you feel lost because your dog's behaviour seems off, and you've already tried or don't know how to address the problem with other trainers, start here.
If you need help communicating with other professionals, or if you need additional support, reasonable follow-up communication is included in this package. That could involve email, a phone call, or video conferencing as your supportive advocate, if appropriate.
An ideal topic for this package is assertive advocacy. This package is intended to complement veterinary care or other professional collaboration, not replace it.
If you need help communicating with other professionals, or if you need additional support, reasonable follow-up communication is included in this package. That could involve email, a phone call, or video conferencing as your supportive advocate, if appropriate.
An ideal topic for this package is assertive advocacy. This package is intended to complement veterinary care or other professional collaboration, not replace it.
Add-on options:
Lessons
Revise Program – $715 CAD – first 4 weeks
With four weeks of structured guidance, you'll get a head start on building sustainable habits.
We'll start with a consultation, then warm up with exercises to hone your reward mechanics. If you think you know reward mechanics already, great! We'll breeze through them! In weeks 2, 3, and 4, we'll progress through a tried and true training plan with private lessons.
We'll start with a consultation, then warm up with exercises to hone your reward mechanics. If you think you know reward mechanics already, great! We'll breeze through them! In weeks 2, 3, and 4, we'll progress through a tried and true training plan with private lessons.
Lessons can be a great starting place for minor behaviour concerns and specific training goals. Most clients who start with lessons continue on a weekly or biweekly basis for several months, usually working on new goals each month!
Ideal topics: Happier husbandry; smooth sniffing; lifestyle and manners; learner's choice
Ideal topics: Happier husbandry; smooth sniffing; lifestyle and manners; learner's choice
Add-on options:
Coaching
Modify Program – $1135 – first 4 weeks
With four weeks of private lessons, custom written instructions, and on-call guidance, this program provides the highest level of support I offer. This "maxi package" is a truly full-service coaching plan.
While we'll set achievable goals together, in the big picture, this is a team-building program. You'll take away the proverbial noise to clarify your communication. From there, you'll simplify your path to success and set up checkpoints in your routine to keep you honest.
To provide the level of support my students deserve, this program is available on a limited basis and by application. There are no prerequisites.
Ideal topics: Happier husbandry; reducing reactivity; learner's choice
Ideal topics: Happier husbandry; reducing reactivity; learner's choice
Add-on options:
Contact
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