Kat's Animal Training

Different strokes for different folks. Kat was one of many cards that I had picked up. She called and we talked. Then, she really over stepped your boundaries about the only reason for the call. I am not interested to ensure a continous job. She was a real sour apple of the bunch.

After adopting a stray dog that had wandered into the neighborhood, it became obvious that although she was basically a sweet animal, she had some bad habits associated with being on the streets for an extended period of time. Also, she quickly developed extreme separation anxiety. Not being a "dog" person, I soon realized that I was going to need some professional help to learn how to handle her and to deal with her bad habits and the separation anxiety. Kat Elder to the rescue. In a matter of a few weeks using a no-nonsense approach, she was able to accomplish all of the goals that were established during her first visit - not only dealing with the behavioral issues but equally important helping me to master the basic skills needed to handle a very spirited and energetic animal. My dog is now every bit the joy to be with that I hoped she would be, and I owe it all to Kat. Well worth the investment in time and money.

Last year I became a first-time dog owner of a Miniature Labradoodle and was referred to Kat by a friend who had used her more than 12 years ago. She came with a high recommendation and I was not disappointed! She was great - Kat taught my dog the basic obedience commands and transferred them to me in a matter of 6 weeks - She was very friendly and always punctual as well as reliable and trustworthy (i wound up giving her a key to my house so she could work with the dog while i wasn't home) My dog also loved her and i can't recommend her highly enough - I would definitely use her again.

Kat is Great! I adopted two male dogs. About 2-3 years old. An Austrailian Shepherd and a Lab-Mix. They were monsters! I couldn't walk them. They tore up my yard and sprinkler system. They would tag team me. Every time I went outside the Lab would jump on me and knock me down. Once down the Shepherd would pull my shorts off and then start pulling my shoes off. I am telling the truth. This would happen daily. I asked my vet if they knew of a trainer. They gave me Kat's number and my life has changed! Jack and Kerby-Cooper LOVE her! And now, I love my Lil' Love Bug Boys. She has taught them so many tricks and good doggie manners! She taught ME what to do. That is the most important part. She gave me the tools to handle them.

I adopted a rescue dog. I quickly found out that he had severe separation anxiety. He did not even know how to climb stairs. It was a big ajustment for us and the cat too! Kat was always patient and professional. She always took my paniced calls and calmed me down about the transition of adopting a dog. She never gave up on us and I now have a happy, healthy and well adjusted dog. Strangers always stop me to tell me what a "happy, well mannered dog" I have. Also, Kat was sensitive to my budget and was efficient with both of our times. I found Kat through my Vet and would highly recommend her.

While Kat seems like a very nice person, she was completely unable to help me. During the initial visit, I answered her questions and she observed my dog for about an hour. She said the inital visit takes 2 hours, and I was so disappointed when she insisted on wasting a second hour basically repeating what we had already covered. Of course, she bills by the hour, so not only did she steal my time, but my money as well. In addition, she offered very little advice, and the few recommendations she made she did not have personal experience with- they were recommendations she had read about on the "internet". (I asked her about her success rate and she said, "well I don't know anyone who has tried this, but lots of websites really recommend it") If I am paying upwards of $100/hr for an expert, I want someone with experience, who will not waste my time just so she can bill me for being at my house. I also do not think she listened well, as I found myself repeating information over and over again. And.... on top of all of that... she never followed up with me. I hate to be harsh because Kat is definitely a compassionate animal lover, but a poor listener, ineffective trainer, and a dishonest business person. I DO NOT RECOMMEND HER.

Kat does great dog traning. Very effective and done with kindess and positive re-inforcement, not harshness. She trained my female Rottweiler "Zoe" eleven years ago, my bullheaded English Bulldog "Mr. Bruno" four years ago, and settled down our new Husky puppy Ms. Bella, within just a few hours recently. Kats training method really works.

You can teach an old dog new tricks. Kathy did an excellent job training our 8 year old boxer and me. He was very responsive to her positive methods of reinforcing behavior. She is quite knowledgeable about pet behavior and was very pleasant to have in our home.