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Trainer Bio: Wendy S. Katz
KPA CTP #63199, CPDT-KA, CCUI, Certified Fear Free Professional
My goal is to help my clients achieve harmonious, enjoyable lives with their dogs. Isn’t that what we dream of when we adopt a puppy or dog?
Having adopted most of my pets from shelters and rescue groups, I’ve experienced many of the problems and frustrations that my clients face. I know how good it feels to see a frightened dog gain confidence and to see a reactive dog learn to walk peacefully past another dog instead of barking and lunging.
I love helping my clients share that experience of success. 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 and have been committed to using force free methods since 1998. I began teaching dog training in 1999 as an apprentice and started an independent training business in 2005. I’ve participated with my dogs in service projects and group activities including nursing home visits with a certified therapy dog.
I became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner in 2013. As part of this experience, I added cat training to my repertoire. I obtained my CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed) certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (an independent certifying body) in 2019, a Fear Free Professional certification in 2019 and a Control Unleashed Instructor certification in 2023. i"ve also obtained advanced training in puppy training and helping aggressive dogs. I continue to hone my training skills by participating in workshops, webinars and conferences.
With a Ph.D. in biology, I've also worked for 40 years in biomedical research, most recently in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. I enjoy the synergy between my training in biological science and the evidence-based approach to pet training that I learned through Karen Pryor Academy and my continuing education.
Learn more about why I train the way I do on the Training Style page.
Continuing Education
2022
Course: Neurobiology of Toxic Stress - Kristina Spaulding Ph.D.
Conference: ClickerExpo Live Online
Aggression in Dogs
Control Unleashed Conference 2022
Dogs with Big Feelings
Webinars: Resilience in Dogs - Dr. E’Lise Christensen, Dr. Kathy Murphy, Bobbie Bhambree
Constructional Aggression Treatment - Lauren Novack, Kellie Snider MS
2021
Course: Separation Anxiety - Moira Hechenleitner DVM, CSAT
Workshop: Shelter Playgroup Alliance 2-day workshop on dog play interactions - Mara Velez MA, CPDT-KA
Conference: ClickerExpo Live Online
The Lemonade Conference
Webinars: Fear Free Nail Care - Fear Free Pets CEU
Understanding Declaw Salvage Procedures - Nicole Martell-Moran DVM, MPH, DABVP
2020
Course: Living and Learning with Animals - Susan Friedman Ph.D.
Workshop: Enrichment, 5-Day Workshop - Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA; Emily Strong CDBC, CPDT-KA,
SBA
Webinars: Deep Dive: Sensory Integration, Neville's Story - Kathy Murphy DVM, Ph.D., E'lise Christensen
DVM; Bobbie Bhambree CDBC, CPDT-KA
Introduction to Behavior Meds - Jennifer Summerfield DVM
Behavior Meds Part 2: Beyond the Basics - Jennifer Summerfield DVM
Incorporating Enrichment into a Behavior Modification Plan - Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
Recognizing Pain in Dogs - Debbie Gross Torraca DPT, MSPT, Board-Certified Clinical Orthopedic
Specialist Emeritus
Adolescent Behavior and Development - Chris Pachel DVM, DACVB, CABC
Introduction to Pattern Games - Leslie McDevitt MLA, CDBC, CPDT
Leash Aggression - Jessica Wheatcraft CDBC CPDT-KA
Dog to Cat Aggression - Katenna Jones SCM, ACAAB, CCBC, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Using Enrichment to Treat Aggression - Emily Strong CDBC, SBA and Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-
KA, SBA
Conference: Aggression in Dogs Conference
The Lemonade Conference - IAABC and FDSA
2019
Certifications: Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed;
Certified Fear Free Professional
Conference: Clicker Expo 3-day conference - Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Course: Aggression in Dogs Master Course - Michael Shikashio CDBC
Webinars: "But my Dog is Not Food Motivated" - Kathy Sdao MA, ACAAB
Sound-sensitivity - Jessica Hekman DVM Ph.D., Deb Jones, Ph.D., Amy Cook Ph.D., Jennifer
Summerfield DVM
2018
Course: Concept Training - Ken Ramirez
Workshops: Shaping with PORTL - Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz Ph.D. and Mary Hunter MS
Your PORTL to Stimulus Control - Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz and Mary Hunter
Webinars: Exploring Canine Attachment Behavior - Lauren Thielke MS
Advances in TAGTeach - Theresa McKeon
2017
Course: Cat Behavior Consulting - Katenna Jones MS, CDBC, CCBC, CPDT-KA
Webinars: The Power of Choice - Irith Bloom CPDT-KSA, CDBC, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP
How to Organize a Kittengarten - Paula Garber
Trauma in animals - Patricia McConnell PhD
Psychological Trauma and PTSD in Dogs - Franklin D McMillan DVM
Cat Behavior & Cognition: Using science to increase cat welfare and strengthen the human-cat
bond - Kristyn Vitale Shreve PhD
2016
Course: How to Work Aggression Cases A-Z - Mike Shikasio CDBC
Conference: Clicker Expo 3-day Conference - Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Webinars: Feline Destructive Scratching - Francine Miller ACDBC
Quality of Life for Cats and Dogs - Patricia McConnell PhD, Amy Marder VMD,CAAB and
Stephen Zawitowski PhD
Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Approaches - Jean Donaldson
Training for Health Care - Laura Monaco Torelli KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CPBC,
TAGteach Level 2 Complex Tools and Behavior Chains - Ken Ramirez
The Cat Behavior Continuum - Margaret Slater DVM, PhD
2015
Conferences: Clicker Expo - 3-day conference I
AABC 2-day National Conference
Webinars: Consulting and Teaching Skills - Ken Ramirez
Managing Dogs in a Group Setting - Kathy Sdao ACAAB
The Biology of Socialization - Jessica Hekman DVM, PhD
2014
Course: Puppy Start Right for Instructors - Kenneth Martin DVM, DACVB and Debbie Martin CPDT-KA,
KPA CTP, LVT, VTS (Behavior)
Webinars: Improving behavior in the veterinary clinic - Melissa Spooner LVT, KPA CTP
Kitty Kindergarten: Creating the New Improved Cat with Early Socialization - Sophia Yin DVM
2013
Certification: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner





