My name is Katie Pettersen and I am a VSA certified dog trainer.  My company is called Hargy Hounds Training.  I have been involved with dog training for over 10 years now and during that time have helped many dogs become more settled and comfortable in our fast paced world.  The development and strengthening of the bond between dogs and their guardians is the most important part of my work and helping people achieve this is my goal.  My training uses 100% positive based techniques and incorporates the dog’s temperament, their needs and wants together with the needs and wants of the guardian.  With this information I develop individual training plans that address any issues, but also supports the dog’s development and confidence through the different stages of their life.  No two dogs are the same and each one has different needs and wants.

I have a lot of experience working with pups during their socialisation, juvenile and adolescence periods.  It is really important to guide pups and their guardians through these impressionable times as each developmental stage can bring different challenges that need to be carefully managed.  I suggest that guardians with young pups have a few private lessons with me at their home before attending group lessons so that I can give them support and talk through any concerns they have one on one.  Those that commit to owning a pup for the first time or those that haven’t had a pup for a while, can get a bit overwhelmed with different behaviours that occur, so having that support and encouragement helps them and their dog move confidently forward.   During the private lessons I discuss subjects such as play, how to strengthen the bond and developing trust between pup and their guardian, how to help their pup co-exist with other animals, also socialisation, obedience, diet, digging, chewing, biting and going through any other issues that are occurring at home.  It is beneficial for me to come to the guardian’s home for these lessons as I can see first hand the problems they are having and show them different management techniques to help them cope.  I also do a lot of private lessons with adult dogs whose guardians are struggling with certain issues.  

My group lessons consist of puppy school, beginners and intermediate classes.  The group lessons are not offered as a ‘course’, but are run every two weeks in Manjimup throughout the year.  These lessons are an important part of dog’s development as they learn how to interact with other dogs and become more comfortable around each other and other people while learning a variety of skills.  The lessons also teach guardians how to read their dog’s body language, how to support them during the different stages of their life and how to ‘troubleshoot’ any problems that arise. 

My self-development continues with me attending seminars, training courses and lectures so that I can keep myself up to date with any new studies and other information shared between dog trainers.