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Compassionate Service Dog & Dog Training
Fun, Effective, Positive & Trustworthy Training for over 20 years.
About Kathlyn's Professional Dog Training Services
Quality Experienced Service
Hello and welcome to my site.
My name is Kathlyn, and I go by Kat. I am dedicated to supporting dog owners and other dog trainers in achieving success. Growing up, my family and I took great pleasure in rescuing and rehabilitating pets, as well as lending a helping hand to those less fortunate than us. As a toddler, I was always captivated by animals; it felt as though they sensed that I understood them. When I was nine, my family lived with my aunt and uncle for a year, who had a lot of land and many animals. This period in my life helped me discover a deeper connection with animals. I became eager to know how their brains and bodies worked. I spent every day with the animals, and that experience proved invaluable when I later became a trainer at SeaWorld.
My journey to becoming a trainer at SeaWorld was a serendipitous one. I was pursuing a degree in marine biology and, while in college, I struggled to pass the math requirements. I decided that if I became a trainer at SeaWorld, I could expedite the process by working from the inside. I wanted the job there so much that I created a vision board focused on getting the training position. After my interview, I received a call from the director informing me that I was one of 300 candidates selected for the job. I was chosen to work as a trainer at SeaWorld in San Diego for the show "Pets Rule." During my time there, I learned how to rescue and rehabilitate a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, pigs, ducks, exotic macaws, and pigeons. Karen Pryor and Ian Dunbar trained me. I trained these animals to perform behaviors on stage independently, without the presence of a human. A couple of years later, I left SeaWorld and launched my own dog training company. While establishing my business, I started collaborating with a South African trainer, and we operated a West Coast K9 business. Our first endeavor involved training a service dog for a well-known author. During this period, I also began working with local humane societies to train and rehabilitate dogs on their behalf, to prevent euthanasia. I helped educate numerous volunteers at these organizations throughout the county by facilitating free workshops.
I am incredibly honored and appreciative that over the past 20 years, numerous reputable service dog companies, famous people, and high-profile clients worldwide have reached out to me and requested my assistance, opening their homes and lives to me. I was invited to take charge of training dogs to save lives in the ocean as the head trainer for the nation's only canine water rescue team in 2010. I'm so passionate about what I do that word of mouth has brought me most every client. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing people—many of whom start as clients before evolving into friends and family.
I love every aspect of training dogs, including finding the right service dog, teaching basic obedience, search and rescue, scent training, and task training to help people manage their disabilities. In 2011, I moved to Colorado. I worked in a therapy dog program at two hospitals in Colorado. At the Air Force base in Colorado Springs, I had fun teaching dogs to detect bombs and narcotics. I had fun performing search and rescue missions. My unwavering commitment to helping people and their dogs has gained recognition and reached a global audience. I've been interviewed several times regarding laws about service dogs and their presence in public schools. Currently, people have been taking advantage of my three-month service dog training program. I am also running a class once a month in person for trainers who want to learn hands-on experience, as well as for owners who want to learn how to be a part of the service dog training with their own dog. I love helping other trainers learn how to have a more successful business and leading community Q&A workshops. I collaborated with renowned bike manufacturer SRAM in 2016 to increase office efficiency by allowing staff members to bring their dogs to work. Allowing employees to bring their dogs to work has been shown to increase productivity as both employees and dogs are happier. In 2023, my family and I moved to Washington State, where I currently provide Q&A workshops that are free at the Spokane libraries (in-person or virtually). I give speeches nationwide to staff members of doggie daycare centers, shelters, and rescues to help them understand dog psychology. As a community member, I believe it's essential to provide a forum for these discussions, as they benefit both dog owners and the community at large by enhancing our understanding of canine behavior. My training philosophy is positive, emphasizing rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, or play. However, I fade out treats as quickly as possible because the outcome is that the dog learns to make decisions based on consistent guidance. This approach focuses on teaching dogs what to do instead of punishing unwanted behaviors. The goal is to build a strong bond and trust between the dog and the trainer through a positive learning experience. I love supporting you. I enjoy training other trainers to become service dog trainers. I have a strong enthusiasm for it that originates from my heart.
- I am a certified Sea World Trainer
- I have a BA in Early Childhood Education
- I am a Certified Behavior Therapist
- International Association of Canine Professionals
- AKC CGC evaluator for 20 years.
- Clicker Training Certified by Karen Pryor