About Us
The founder of 802 K9 Training, Katie, has been involved in rescue for the past 8 years and has fostered upwards of 50 different dogs. Each one of those dogs has been a learning opportunity. Katie has shadowed many dog trainers, studied different techniques, and learned about many training methods.
At 802 K9 Training we understand that dogs are genetically pre-programmed 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.
Education
In 2021 Katie took her dog training education to the next level by investing in Ivan Balabanov’s internationally acclaimed course, Training Without Conflict. The TWC method considers each individual dog’s training history, learning environment, application, psychology, genetics, motivation, intelligence and emotions in learning.
At 802 K9 training the learning is never “done”. Katie regularly participates in Training Without Conflict summits and seminars to give our clients the most up to date information.
The dog training world is complicated and difficult to navigate. You’ve likely felt frustrated or confused trying to figure out how to help your dog and bring peace to your home. 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.
Our Process
At 802 K9 we evaluate the whole picture.
First, we help you identify your dog’s triggers and assess their environment. With this information, we teach you how to best set them (and yourself) up for success. We look at how your dog is interacting in the home, out in public, with family members, strangers etc.
Next, we find your dog’s valuable reinforcement. 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
Whether you’ve got a brand new puppy in your home or an old dog that needs to learn some new tricks, we can help. We have experience with training many different behaviors like:
Leash pulling
Leash reactivity (barking at other things while on leash)
Separation anxiety
Reliable off leash recall/teaching your dog to come when called
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 guests over and not panicking about the dog jumping on Grammy…. We can help with that. You get the idea.
At-Home Dog Training – We Come to You
Often, 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; trying to 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)
Hear From Our Happy Customers
“Kate was incredible with our 90 lb Rottweiler/Akita/German Shepherd mix. Our dog has had leash aggression, but after an hr and a half session he was literally a different dog. Some trainers in the area are just looking to scare you into thinking your dog is Cujo. Kate diagnosed the issue and had a solution. We’re looking forward to being able to walk our dog in peace! Thanks !”
-James,2024
“Katie is the best. She has helped educate me so much in being the best dog owner I can be, build my own confidence in situations, as well as my dog’s. My dog was struggling with confidence around other dogs after some bad experiences, and now he runs with Katie’s pack on Mondays. Our life has upleveled with Katie’s direction. I cannot recommend her enough to others seeking a better understanding/life with their dog. She is real, honest, to the point, and a “no-fluff” trainer as I call it - not selling you on “solutions” but rather treating each dog as an individual and reaching goals in the way that makes sense for them/their life.
Ranger is Katie’s biggest fan. Nobody else we’d trust like her! And I know when he boards with Katie and JP, he will be loved like if he were home and provided with outlets and structure like he would if he were with us. 12/10 recommend!”
-Jennifer, 2024
“Our black lab mix, Pepper, absolutely loves Kate and so do we! Kate has taught us how to be better dog owners and has taught our girl how to be the best dog we could imagine. We worked through leash reactivity as well as off-leash recall with Kate, and now our girl loves to go on hikes both with and without the leash. No more barking at other dogs or not coming when we call her, Pepper now fully listens to us. Plus she goes back to see Kate every week for some wonderful adventure time with her group of buddies, coming home to us nice and tired. Thank you Kate for showing us all of the potential our dog had!”
-Hannah, 2024
We cannot 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 dog’s 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.
