About

Katie has been involved in rescue for the past 8 years and has fostered upwards of 50 different dogs frequently more than one at a time. Each one of those dogs has been a learning opportunity.

Katie has shadowed and worked with many different trainers studying various methods and styles.

At 802 K9 Training we understand that dogs are genetically preprogramed by nature. We individually evaluate those genetic drives and work with them to bring out the best in your dog. We train using a scientific approach with an emphasis on cooperation and play.

In 2021 Katie took her education to the next level by investing in continuing education through Ivan Balabanov’s internationally acclaimed course Training Without Conflict. Covering K9 training history, learning environment, application, psychology, genetics, motivation, intelligence and emotions in learning.

At 802 K9 training the learning is never “done” Katie is consistently participating in Training Without Conflict summits and seminars to give our clients the most up to date information.

The dog training world is complicated, difficult to navigate. At 802 K9 our goal is to help clear up the confusion and deliver to our clients individualized and personal advice on how to achieve their goals.

At 802 K9 we evaluate the whole picture.

We help you identify your dog’s triggers and assess their environment to teach you how to best set them (and your self) up for success. We look at how your dog is interacting in the home, out in public, with family members, strangers etc. Dogs have many primary reinforcers including food, affection, play, sniffing etc. We help you see what is rewarding to your dog and how we can use their genetic drives to control and guide them in the right direction. Additionally, we also evaluate how you may be inadvertently rewarding undesired behavior. Changing or influencing the appropriate behavior in our dogs is accomplished 80% by how we live our day to day lives with our dogs and 20% by the active training we do with them. Typically small changes in your daily life can make a big difference.

How We can Help

Loose leash walking, leash reactivity (barking at other things while on leash), separation anxiety, puppy training. Reliable off leash recall, E- Collar training, muzzle conditioning. Head trainer Katie is an avid mountain biker and hiker. Imagine being able to take your dog hiking and have reliable recall and control over your dog…. We can help you with that. Imagine taking your dog for a walk and they are calmly walking next to you…. We can help with that. Imagine having guest over and not panicking about the dog jumping on Grammy…. We can help with that. You get the idea.

We come to you

Often times the most challenging dogs out in public are the best-behaved dogs in group class or at a facility. It is easy to get a dog to “sit” or “down” in an empty room, or one with familiar dogs. The challenge is working around competing reinforcers, try and get that same dog to “sit” or “down” in an unfamiliar environment. We hold our training sessions in locations that are most conducive to successful completion of final goals. Typically, we will master basic skills in your home, or our fenced in yard and proof at local parks and trails. (Additional charges apply for travel outside Chittenden County VT)

We can not wait to start working with you and your dog (s) to help them be the best they can be. Clear communication and working with your dogs genetics is what it is all about.

As a Training Without Conflict Certified Trainer my goal is to guide your dog’s genetically programed behavior into desired behavior.