Why choose certified dog trainer Wendy S. Katz?
KPA CTP #63199, CPDT-KA, CCUI, FDM, Certified Fear Free Professional
Compassion, Experience, Commitment
Harmonious, enjoyable life with our dogs. Isn’t that what we dream of when we adopt a puppy or dog? I'm here to help you attain that goal.
Having adopted most of my pets from shelters and rescue groups (and raised two puppies), I’ve experienced and overcome many of the problems and frustrations that my clients face. It feels great to:
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see a crazy adolescent blossom into a sensible, mannerly adult,
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help a rude foundling become a model citizen,
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foster confidence in a dog who's afraid of the world,
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teach a reactive dog to walk peacefully past another dog instead of barking and lunging.
Helping you share that experience of success energizes me. I get a special kick out of hearing clients report that neighbors and family commented on the improvement in their dog!
I’ve been training my own dogs since the age of ten (though attempting to have the lab mix pull me in my little red wagon suffered some engineering glitches) and have been committed to using force free methods since 1998.
I’ve experienced the social pleasures of participating with my dogs in service projects and group activities including nursing home visits with a certified therapy dog.
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Life with dogs brings joy and fulfillment in many ways. I'm committed to helping you and your dog get the most out of your lives together.
About Wendy's Credentials and Background
1999: Apprentice trainer
2005: First independent training business
2013: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
2019: CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed)
From the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (an independent certifying body.
2019: Fear Free Professional certification
2019: Aggression in Dogs Master Course
2023: Control Unleashed Instructor certification
2023: Family Dog Mediator credential
I've also received advanced training in helping puppy guardians and helping aggressive dogs. I continue to hone my training skills by participating in workshops, webinars and conferences.
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With a Ph.D. in biology, I worked for many years in biomedical research. I enjoy the synergy between my training in biological science and the evidence-based approaches to pet training that I learned through Karen Pryor Academy and my continuing education.
"Wendy is an incredible resource and fabulous dog trainer. I myself am a biologist and it is clear that Wendy keeps up with the latest on best practices for effective dog training...She is friendly, approachable, knowledgeable, and absolutely worth working with."
Bee in my Bonnet for Sunny
Training Style
Empowering animals to choose cooperation
​We bring dogs into our lives to be our friends and partners - why then would we use pain or intimidation to change their behavior? Moreover, research shows that punishment-based training is linked with 2-3 times increased risk of developing aggression towards family or strangers (Source).
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Therefore my approach to behavior change adheres to standards of practice and codes of ethics shared by three leading accrediting organizations: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and Karen Pryor Academy.
In practical terms, this typically entails:​
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Ensuring that wellness needs are addressed.
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Using reinforcement and arrangement of the environment to
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teach and encourage desired behaviors
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minimize opportunities for and desirability of unwanted behaviors.
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I aim to fulfill your need for safety, peace and order, while considering the innate needs of your dog, dictated by their genetic heritage and unique history.
Why ethical trainers don't provide guarantees
The ethical codes of my professional associations forbid offering a guarantee of outcomes.
Why is this?
Long lasting behavior change relies on many factors, including:
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The health and innate characteristics of the dog,
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The commitment of household members to cooperate with the training and management plan,
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Unforeseen changes in health or environmental conditions.
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Guarantees of outcomes within a specific time frame typically rely on behavior-suppressing techniques that are detrimental to the wellbeing of the dog.​
My promise to you
I am committed to providing you and your dog relief as soon as practicable and providing the best foundation for long term success.
Cassie's Story - My path to humane training
We met through a card on the pet store bulletin board: “Free lab, needs big yard.” When 9-month-old Cassie entered my world, her exuberant approach to life covered me with bruises. Nevertheless, we forged a deep bond through our adventures together and the pleasure I took from her joyful nature.
I immediately started training her using the traditional methods I had learned as a child: pushing and guiding her into position. Once I thought she knew what to do, failures to perform were enforced by jerks on her choke collar.​
I was surprised by what happened and what failed to happen. She did learn the basics of obedience, but it didn’t make her ballistic behaviors go away. She still lunged and jumped, but in an anxious way. What went away was her joyfulness. She started to look sad and worried much of the time. Training wasn’t fun for either of us.
Then someone gave me a book about clicker training. We took a break from “real” obedience and just learned some tricks together. Cassie’s joy returned and in time we were able to re-learn heeling, retrieving and so much more. She performed even a seemingly boring behavior such as “go to your mat” with gusto {see it in action).
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Using the old way of training, she refused to take an object from my hand. Taught with the clicker, she would carry anything I gave her, and retrieve whatever I pointed to.
Her favorite game was “find the keys.” (see it in action) She trained me to put my keys away as soon as I got home, because if I absent-mindedly set them down, she would fetch them!​
When I adopted a fearful undersocialized Rhodesian Ridgeback I also found that reward based training is highly effective for breeds of dogs that previously were thought to be untrainable. ​
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My cats taught me that they excel at learning tasks and love it! (see my cat Mira learning to get on her "stay-station without dawdling)
Cassie carrying a basket of candy in the Christmas parade
​​A growing body of evidence shows that reward based training is more effective, better for your pet and better for your relationship compared to training that incorporates punishment.
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In particular, it is the approach recommended by veterinary behaviorists for pets with behavior issues such as aggression, anxiety or fearfulness (see the position statement by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists).
My joy is to share this way of training that enables our pets for enjoyable partnership.
"We loved our experience with Wendy! She was super calm and knowlegeable. We were given great attention and many tools that will help us continue to help our dog be a better behaved pet! Highly recommend. It was fun!"
Tara for Chewy
Inclusivity Statement
I respect the unique selves, abilities and behavior styles of my clients and their dogs. I welcome guardians of every age, race, gender identity, ability, socioeconomic status and neurodiversity. I strive to treat humans and dogs with respect and welcome feedback so I can learn to do better.
Continuing Education
2023
Certification
Course
Webinars
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Control Unleashed Instructor
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Family Dog Mediator
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Resilience Rainbow Tour - Dr. Kathy Murphy, Bobbie Bhambree
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Stress and the Social Brain - Dr. Kathy Murphy
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Using Social Interaction as a Reinforcer: What the data tells us about when and how to use it - Dr. Erica Fuerbacher
2022
Course
Conference
Webinars
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Neurobiology of Toxic Stress - Kristina Spaulding Ph.D.
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ClickerExpo Live Online
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Aggression in Dogs
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Control Unleashed Conference 2022
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Dogs with Big Feelings
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Resilience in Dogs - Dr. E’Lise Christensen, Dr. Kathy Murphy, Bobbie Bhambree
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Constructional Aggression Treatment - Lauren Novack, Kellie Snider MS
2021
Course
Workshop
Conference
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Webinars
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Separation Anxiety - Moira Hechenleitner DVM, CSAT
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Shelter Playgroup Alliance 2-day workshop on dog play interactions - Mara Velez MA, CPDT-KA
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ClickerExpo Live Online
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The Lemonade Conference
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Fear Free Nail Care - Fear Free Pets CEU
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Understanding Declaw Salvage Procedures - Nicole Martell-Moran DVM, MPH, DABVP
2020
Course
Workshop
Conference
Webinars
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Living and Learning with Animals - Susan Friedman Ph.D.
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Enrichment, 5-Day Workshop - Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA; Emily Strong CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
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Aggression in Dogs Conference
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The Lemonade Conference - IAABC and FDSA
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Deep Dive: Sensory Integration, Neville's Story - Kathy Murphy DVM, Ph.D., E'lise Christensen DVM; Bobbie Bhambree CDBC, CPDT-KA
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Introduction to Behavior Meds - Jennifer Summerfield DVM
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Behavior Meds Part 2: Beyond the Basics - Jennifer Summerfield DVM
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Incorporating Enrichment into a Behavior Modification Plan - Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
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Recognizing Pain in Dogs - Debbie Gross Torraca DPT, MSPT, Board-Certified Clinical Orthopedic Specialist Emeritus
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Adolescent Behavior and Development - Chris Pachel DVM, DACVB, CABC
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Introduction to Pattern Games - Leslie McDevitt MLA, CDBC, CPDT
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Leash Aggression - Jessica Wheatcraft CDBC CPDT-KA
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Dog to Cat Aggression - Katenna Jones SCM, ACAAB, CCBC, CDBC, CPDT-KA
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Using Enrichment to Treat Aggression - Emily Strong CDBC, SBA and Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-
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KA, SBA
2019
Certification
Courses
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Conference
​Webinars
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Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed;
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Aggression in Dogs Master Course - Michael Shikashio CDBC
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Certified Fear Free Professional
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Clicker Expo 3-day conference - Karen Pryor Clicker Training
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"But my Dog is Not Food Motivated" - Kathy Sdao MA, ACAAB
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Sound-sensitivity - Jessica Hekman DVM Ph.D., Deb Jones, Ph.D., Amy Cook Ph.D., Jennifer Summerfield DVM
2018
Course
Workshop
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Webinars
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Concept Training - Ken Ramirez
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Shaping with PORTL - Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz Ph.D. and Mary Hunter MS
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Your PORTL to Stimulus Control - Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz and Mary Hunter
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Exploring Canine Attachment Behavior - Lauren Thielke MS
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Advances in TAGTeach - Theresa McKeon
2017
Course
Webinars
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Cat Behavior Consulting - Katenna Jones MS, CDBC, CCBC, CPDT-KA
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The Power of Choice - Irith Bloom CPDT-KSA, CDBC, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP
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How to Organize a Kittengarten - Paula Garber
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Trauma in animals - Patricia McConnell PhD
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Psychological Trauma and PTSD in Dogs - Franklin D McMillan DVM
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Cat Behavior & Cognition: Using science to increase cat welfare and strengthen the human-cat bond - Kristyn Vitale Shreve PhD
2016
Course
Conference
Webinars
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How to Work Aggression Cases A-Z - Mike Shikasio CDBC
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Clicker Expo 3-day Conference - Karen Pryor Clicker Training
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Feline Destructive Scratching - Francine Miller ACDBC
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Quality of Life for Cats and Dogs - Patricia McConnell PhD, Amy Marder VMD,CAAB and
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\Stephen Zawitowski PhD
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Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Approaches - Jean Donaldson
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Training for Health Care - Laura Monaco Torelli KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CPBC,
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TAGteach Level 2 Complex Tools and Behavior Chains - Ken Ramirez
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The Cat Behavior Continuum - Margaret Slater DVM, PhD
2015
Conference
Webinars
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Clicker Expo - 3-day conference
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IAABC 2-day National Conference
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Consulting and Teaching Skills - Ken Ramirez
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Managing Dogs in a Group Setting - Kathy Sdao ACAAB
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The Biology of Socialization - Jessica Hekman DVM, PhD
2014
Course
Webinars
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Puppy Start Right for Instructors - Kenneth Martin DVM, DACVB and Debbie Martin CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, LVT, VTS (Behavior)
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Improving behavior in the veterinary clinic - Melissa Spooner LVT, KPA CTP
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Kitty Kindergarten: Creating the New Improved Cat with Early Socialization - Sophia Yin DVM
2013
Certification
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Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
What our clients are saying
"I can't thank you enough"
“Thank you so much for graciously helping ease our transition with bringing Aubrey home. Your patience and calmness were so important to helping us realize we can all coexist as a family. I think of you often when Tugg is doing well with Aubrey. She is already mobile at six months and you having helped us introduce the dogs to Aubrey at such a young age has made her mobility less stressful on him. “
Jessica for Tugg and Barkleigh
“Thank you for your amazing knowledge..."
"... giving me the confidence to teach Potter to be a well behaved dog.“
Esther for Potter
Ready to sign up? Still have questions?
You can connect with me via my contact form using the button below
Credentials and professional affiliations
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