Wendy S. Katz
History
Wendy has been training dogs since the age of ten and has been committed to using force-free methods since 1998. She began teaching dog training in 1999 as an apprentice and started her first independent training business in 2005. She has participated with her dogs in service projects and group activities including nursing home visits with a certified therapy dog.
Training Philosophy
Wendy believes in using positive reinforcement methods that are both effective and enjoyable for both the dog and the owner. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong bond between the dog and owner through training.
Services
Wendy offers a variety of services, including:
- Private puppy training: Personalized and force-free training for puppies, covering topics such as biting, house training, leash walking, and crate training.
- Private manners training: Tailored training for dogs of all ages, focusing on common behavior problems such as jumping, pulling on the leash, and barking.
- Problem solving: Help for dogs with behavior issues such as fear, anxiety, aggression, and reactivity.
- Enjoyable Walks: Coaching to help dogs who bark and lunge at other dogs learn to relax and cope with distractions in public.
- Harmony in the Home: Training and coaching to help families introduce new pets or fearful dogs into their homes peacefully.
- Training for Health Care and Grooming: Teaching dogs to cooperate with essential grooming and health care activities, such as nail trimming, ear cleaning, and medication administration.
Certifications
Wendy is a certified dog trainer with the following credentials:
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP #63199)
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI)
- Fear Free Professional
- Family Dog Mediator
Specializations
Wendy specializes in:
- Puppy training
- Manners training
- Problem solving for dogs with behavior issues
- Fearful dogs
- Reactive dogs
- Aggression
- Training for health care and grooming
Training Methods
Wendy uses positive reinforcement methods, which focus on rewarding desired behaviors. She avoids punishment-based training methods, as these can be stressful and damaging to the dog-owner relationship.
Customer Reviews
Wendy has received many positive reviews from her clients. Here are a few examples:
- Spencer for Gus: We worked with Wendy in-person and via teleconference once the world events dictated our new normal. We couldn't be happier with the results we've had. Would recommend to all friends and family without hesitation.
- Lynn for Leah: Wendy has been guiding me and my GSD pup since Leah was a baby. Leah is almost three and we love our Zoom training sessions with Wendy. GSDs are big, strong, intelligent and full of energy. Wendy has taught me how to live happily in harmony with my dog, creating win-win set ups, and how to channel and redirect my dog's energy, not squash it...
- Georgeann for Marie: Private puppy lessons were perfect to get my puppy & me on the right track. The individual sessions were phenomenal, and tailored for our needs. When we had a stressful week with our puppy, Wendy helped us to resolve the issue. Wendy is wonderful with dogs (and people). She is a great listener and super understanding and respectful of individual needs. We have greatly benefited.
- Kelly for Roman: Wendy is a calm and knowledgeable presence in the sometimes chaotic world of having a puppy!
- Lauren for Dibbs and Mango: I appreciate Wendy's common sense approach to dog training. Her training methods are easy to understand and very effective.
- Peggy for Gracie, Sawyer, Nikki and Rusty: Wendy has done an amazing job with our pack of unruly pups! I seriously did not think they would be trainable! In a matter of a few weeks, she is making a nice transformation...with very little help from me and in a very busy and chaotic home!
- Kayla for Ginny: I honestly cannot say enough good things about Wendy. My dog Ginny is sensitive and very spirited, making for a rather difficult combination...I love Wendy's 'fear free' approach...I truly don't know what we would have done without Wendy, and we wouldn't trust anyone else with our girl! If you want expert help for all levels from a kind, gentle, non-judgmental soul, go with Wendy.
- Alex for Ellie: Wendy is amazing at what she does. I contacted her about 3 months ago for help with my golden retriever puppy's anxiety and fear-aggression...it was clear that she is passionate for helping dogs. She truly cares...we received some basic behavioral training as well as tips and tricks for making the world a little less scary. She is incredibly responsive to texts and emails, offers excellent advice, and always follows up with resources (videos, links, etc.). I could not be happier that we have chosen to train with Wendy, and recommend her to anyone.
- Annie for Toski: Wendy is so helpful, we highly recommend! We rescued a VERY undersocialized dog who was a flight risk and terrified of any human - so bad we had to keep a leash on her at all times for her first few months with us because we couldn't get close enough to her to put it on. But Wendy helped us overcome this hurdle and many, many more! Now our dog is a happy, confident dog...she is extremely comfortable with my family and me. And we're able to give her all the pets and love she deserves.
- Lindsay for Bob: ...working with you allowed us to appreciate Bob's complicated/unknown past and fully accept that he's not at all the same as his older brother. We are very grateful for the understanding and the skills you taught us.
- Jessica for Aubrey, Tugg and Barkleigh: 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.
- Esther for Potter: Thank you for your amazing knowledge...giving me the confidence to teach Potter to be a well-behaved dog.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
