My Experience at the CATCH Canine Academy Level 2 Workshop

In October 2018, I had the opportunity to attend the CATCH Canine Academy Level 2 Workshop, an intensive week focused on working dog behavior cases. Hosted at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, this workshop was an invaluable hands-on experience that further enhanced my dog training skills.

This marked my third consecutive year participating in a CATCH week-long, in-person workshop at St. Hubert’s. In previous years, I attended the Professional Dog Training Skills Workshop (2016) and the Body Language, Behavior, and Problem-Solving Skills Workshop (2017). Additionally, earlier in 2018, I successfully graduated from the CATCH Master Class training program, solidifying my foundation in professional dog training.

A Week of Hands-On Training

The workshop was structured in a collaborative format, pairing each participant with different trainers throughout the day.

For the week, I was primarily assigned to two shelter dogs, Damion and Bruiser, both of whom were awaiting adoption. While I worked with several other dogs during the workshop, Damion and Bruiser became my main focus. Each had specific behavior challenges that we aimed to address through customized behavior modification plans.

Addressing Behavioral Challenges

Damion and Bruiser, like many shelter dogs, exhibited behavioral issues that could impact their chances of finding a forever home. Our goal was to identify the root causes of their behaviors, develop effective strategies, and implement training steps to improve their responses.

• Damion struggled with leash reactivity, making it difficult for potential adopters to take him on walks. Our focus was on desensitization techniques and positive reinforcement to gradually reduce his reactions to external triggers.
• Bruiser exhibited fear-based responses, particularly around new people. We worked on confidence-building exercises, using treats, toys, and structured interactions to help him feel more secure.

Throughout the week, we closely monitored their progress, making adjustments as needed. By the end of the seminar, both dogs showed noticeable improvements, which would significantly increase their chances of getting adopted.

Learning from Expert Instructors

In addition to working with our assigned dogs, the workshop was facilitated by three experienced instructors. These instructors patiently guided us through each step of the training process. Mornings typically began with classroom discussions, where we analyzed case studies and discussed key behavioral concepts. These sessions provided valuable theoretical knowledge that we could immediately apply during our hands-on training sessions.

Having the opportunity to receive direct feedback from seasoned professionals was one of the most valuable aspects of the experience. Their insights helped refine my techniques, troubleshoot challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of canine behavior.

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

By the end of the week, every dog we worked with showed progress and improvement. This helped to reinforce the effectiveness of science-based training methods. Seeing Damion and Bruiser become more confident and responsive was incredibly rewarding, knowing that these changes would enhance their adoptability and quality of life.

Attending this workshop was an amazing learning experience. I would highly recommend it to both aspiring and professional dog trainers looking to refine their skills. The combination of theoretical learning, hands-on practice, and expert mentorship makes it a standout program in the field of dog training.

For anyone passionate about helping dogs and making a difference in their lives, the CATCH Canine Academy workshops are an exceptional opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to the welfare of animals in need.