Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Kate Witkowski CPDT-KA

Hi there! My name is Kate and I have been working in the animal care field since 1996. I started as a teenager working at boarding kennels, then dog daycares, veterinary hospitals and it all led me to dog training. I began as an apprentice in 2007 under two amazing women that had years of experience and I learned positive reinforcement methods and techniques. It wasn't long before I was teaching my own puppy and beginner obedience classes.

In 2012 I began training at a boarding kennel that offered board and train programs and classes focusing on reward-based training. I became the training manager there and in 2014 I met the requirements to become a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I have had wonderful experiences working with owners and their dogs and I continue to keep my certification current by attending seminars and on-line courses.

I enjoy training with puppies and dogs of all ages and find great fulfillment helping under confident, reactive and shy dogs find their way.

I share my home with my husband, Steve and our 3 dogs, Norrie, Korben and Hopper.

Choosing the Right Dog Trainer for You and Your Dog

Experience matters and I am proud to be a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the CCPDT since 2014. My ultimate goal is to help owners learn to communicate with their dogs in order to build a better relationship for all.

For more information on choosing the right dog trainer for you, please click on the link below:

https://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/how-to-choose-a-dog-trainer/

LIMA: Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive

"LIMA is an acronym for the phrase “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive”. LIMA describes a trainer or behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective. LIMA adherence also requires consultants to be adequately educated and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is used."

Continue to read about LIMA by clicking the link below:

https://www.ccpdt.org/about-us/least-intrusive-minimally-aversive-lima-effective-behavior-intervention-policy/

Services

Private Pawsitive In-Home Training Sessions First training sessions are done in or around your home and typically last 60 to 90 minutes. Follow-up training sessions can be 30 to 60 minutes.

Puppy Enrichment Training & Socialization (P.E.T.S.) Teaching puppies is one of the most rewarding parts of my job! I love to help owners create a happy and fun training program for their puppy where they not only learn good manners, but they build confidence, too.
- Some of the puppy behaviors we'll work on include:
  - Potty training
  - Crate training
  - Impulse control
  - Mouthiness/ Play-biting
  - Barking
  - Proper greetings/ Jumping
- Some cues and exercises we'll work on include:
  - Name recognition
  - Sit and down
  - Leash manners
  - Drop-it AND Leave-it
  - Coming when called

Adolescent & Adult Dog Training One of my biggest joys in dog training is working with owners that have "teenagers" or adolescent dogs. After 6 months of age, dogs can begin to develop a mind of their own and it is so important to continue training. Naughty, attention-seeking and reactive behaviors can damage the relationship you want to have with your dog. Troubleshooting these behaviors is what I can help with! Let's teach your dog what we'd like them to do to create a happy and respectful home life.
- Some of the behaviors we'll work on:
  - Impulse control
  - Confidence building
  - Focusing around distractions
  - Reactivity to other animals
  - Reactivity to humans
  - Proper greetings/ Jumping
- Some cues and exercises we'll work on include:
  - Leash manners
  - Coming when called/ Introduction to Off-leash
  - Drop-it AND Leave-it
  - Off
  - Stay

Private Pawsitive Out and About Training Sessions These training sessions are done outside of the home; at parks, dog friendly businesses and dog friendly events. Sessions are typically 30 to 90 minutes.

Semi-Private Pawsitive Training Sessions These training sessions offer the ability to train around other dogs and work on basic obedience cues and skills like coming when called, loose leash walking and polite greetings. It can be with a relative's dog, a friend's dog or another client's dog. These training sessions have 2 to 4 dogs, In-Home or Out and About, 30 to 90 minutes.

Pawsitive Outings These outings allow me to take your pup to dog friendly locations, like parks and stores, to have a fun and enriching time. You receive updates after each outing.

***Dogs must have had a private training session prior to signing up for this service.

Pawsitive Adventure Training Sessions (PATS) These sessions allow me to take your pup to dog friendly locations, like parks and stores, to practice basic manners, polite greetings (if appropriate), leash skills, recall, confidence building and work on reactivity behaviors. You receive updates after each session to know all the details and progress your pup makes.

**Dogs must have had a private training session prior to signing up for this service.

Pawsitive Neighborhood Walks

*Please reach out for more information on this service.

Pawsitive Pack Walks! (For owners and their dogs)

This is a group walk for owners and their dogs to enjoy time outside and get in some socialization and training. This is NOT a doggy play-date. This is a chance for overstimulated, overexcited, shy, nervous, under confident and/ or reactive dogs to get outside with zero judgment from the Pawsitive Pack!

***Dogs must have had a private training session prior to signing up for this service.

*Please note that private and semi-private training sessions are done in your home or community.

**I do not use Electronic training collars (E-collars)/ Shock collars.

Service areas include Southern New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley

Not sure you are within the area? No problem! Please email me with your location.

For pricing, please submit a request form below.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
&
Behavior Modification

Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Fear Certified Professional

Kate Witkowski CPDT-KA

Choosing the Right Dog Trainer for You and Your Dog

Services

Let's Get Started!

Send me a brief description of why you are looking into training for you and your dog. I will contact you to schedule a free phone consultation to go over more details on your dog and answer any questions you may have (including availability and pricing).

Photo Gallery

Reviews

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training&Behavior Modification

Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Fear Certified Professional

Kate Witkowski CPDT-KA

Choosing the Right Dog Trainer for You and Your Dog

Services

Let's Get Started!

Send me a brief description of why you are looking into training for you and your dog. I will contact you to schedule a free phone consultation to go over more details on your dog and answer any questions you may have (including availability and pricing).

Photo Gallery

Reviews

Let's Be Social!

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Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
&
Behavior Modification