Catherine Steinke, CPDT-KA, of Sensible K9, LLC, began training puppies in 1978 for a guide dog organization. She has helped select and train dogs for service to the disabled or the deaf, as therapy partners, in search and rescue, for hunting, as pet companions and for performance sports. She has titled dogs in AKC Obedience and USDAA Agility. Her passion is training pets and their people!
Catherine has 11 years professional instructing experience, teaching group classes and private lessons for pet owners. A former veterinary technician, she has instructed Purdue University Veterinary students in canine behavior and puppy class development. She has volunteered as a consultant to Indianapolis Zoo, instructing keepers in training their charges for performance and husbandry behaviors. She has trained llamas, donkeys, horses, goats, cats and people. (She is not telling which is the most difficult!)
Catherine is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and an Approved Evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program. She is also a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, having passed an extensive written professional exam.
Catherine finds sensible, family-friendly solutions for dogs and their owners.
Summer 2010 -Spring 2011 Educator, Curriculum Author. Wisdom Builders, LLC. Developed and instructed 24-week Canine Unit Studies for 2nd-3rd grade and 4th-7th grade homeschooled students using literature, science, math, history and geography. Completed detailed review of over a hundred juvenile fiction and non-fiction dog-related books. Course includes live demonstrations of clicker training a dog.
June 2010 SpeakerHoosier Canine Training Network. "Puppy Greetings; A photo-essay of one puppy's experience meeting 7 different dogs." Educated and facilitated discussion among a group of professional dog trainers about canine body language and the effect different signals had on a puppy's willingess to engage in social contact following greetings.
2009 Author.Clean Run Magazine May’09 “Out and About With Your Puppy: Thinking Ahead for Agility”.
March 2009 SpeakerDog Scouts – Carmel, Indiana. Instructed one-hour group workshop on desensitization techniques, how-to trim nails, empty anal sacs and prepare your dog for the grooming skills badge.
2008 - present Puppy Class Curriculum Developer/Author/ Instructor. Developed and currently instruct a weekly, rolling curriculum for two groups of puppies at Michigan Road Animal Hospital. Published owner’s training manual (Sensible Puppy Notebook) for use during and following course, which owners are reading and reporting as useful. Lead monthly guided field trips to various locations, instructing owners how to overcome fearful situations and make the most of real-life training.
1999 – present Dog Training Consultant, Owner, SensibleK9, LLC. Instructing clients through private lessons in puppy manners, socialization and problem prevention, dog obedience training, problem behavior rehabilitation, behavior managment, puppy acquisition and dog-dog relationship issues. Provided written notes for clients after every lesson. Developed forms for canine behavioral history, temperament evaluations. Handled all basic accounting, marketing, website development.
1999- present Homeschool Educator. Choose/create and implement curriculum for pre-school through sixth grade, including reading, writing, math, science, history, geography, and crafts for two students. Reviewed multiple curricula prior to selection of annual choices. Networked with multiple homeschool families to learn what styles of curricula are easy to use.
July 2005- Nov 2007 Humane Society of Indianapolis/ Independent Contractor; Class instructor. Instructing groups of clients in problem prevention, basic obedience, management and training using positive methods. Also instructing group classes in advanced pet obedience, therapy dog, click-a-trick. Assisted with development of "Levels" program for adult-dog pet classes and Puppy Manners class.
2004-2006 St.Vincent Hospital Volunteer: Therapy Dog Handler. Providing animal-assisted therapy for patients, family members and staff by using specially trained and Delta Society registered golden retriever.
2003- 2004 College Park Church; Volunteer AWANA Storyteller. Weekly instruction of 70three- to five-year-old children in Bible truths and applications. Skills needed: creative story-telling, interactive style, dynamic presentation and lots of charisma!
1999-2001 Indianapolis Zoo; Volunteer Consultant. Instructed keepers and interns in the principals and techniques of operant conditioning through one-on-one practical sessions with a variety of species (llama, horse, goat, vulture, yak, dog, cow) to enhance animal husbandry and performance behavior.
1998-1999 Purdue University Veterinary Behavior Clinic; Animal Behavior Technologist. Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Luescher, DMV, PhD, and as Purdue’s first Animal Behavior Technologist: developed the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital ABC Puppy School, instructed veterinary students and veterinary technician students in animal behavior & training, canine development, learning theory and puppy class curriculum. Assisted in the organization and instruction of the first DOGS! Course (a five-day seminar in Canine Behavior, Problem Behavior Rehabilitation, Operant Conditioning and Puppy Class Instruction) for dog trainers and veterinary technicians. Instructed behavior clinic clients in the use of the Gentle Leader, using counter-conditioning and desensitization to stop unwanted behavior, using positive reinforcement methods (both luring and operant conditioning) to promote desired behavior. Conducted follow-up phone calls and appointments and implemented behavior protocols as directed by Dr. Luescher. Also, informed clients about proper canine and feline management with regard to behavior training. Developed unique feline feeding system, currently being recommended for behavioral benefits. Involved in the supervision and training of technician students to volunteer and intern support for the clinic. Instructed students in and performed client bereavement counseling.
1998 Indiana Veterinary Technician Annual Conference, Purdue University; Speaker. Presented a 1-hour lecture: Puppy Class Development in a Veterinary Practice to several hundred attendees.
1997 Phi Kappa Phi Research Presentation. Prepared and presented original undergraduate research, regarding the attachment of owners to their canines, in an academic setting.
1997 Developed and Instructed a 2-day workshop for dog trainers on developing, managing, conducting a successful dog training business.
1997 STAR Dogs Services; Co-Founder. Instructed, coordinated and developed volunteer Animal Assisted Activities /Therapy program, the first in Missoula, MT. Provided expertise and encouragement to volunteers. Assessed multiple sites for AAA/T use and coordinated with site staff for the utilization of many AAA/T volunteers.
1995-1998 Missoula Humane Society; Volunteer Instructor. Instructed staff and volunteers in the rehabilitation and training of shelter dogs to promote adoptability.
1994-1996 Missoula Parks and Recreation; Volunteer speaker to schools and children’s groups about canine training and dog handling.
1993-1998 Perfecto! Canines Unlimited; Owner, Instructor. Developed curriculum for instruction to clients and their dogs in basic and competitive obedience, problem behavior rehabilitation, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and Delta Society Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy. Provided private lesson instruction including written plans. Managed all daily business operations including advertising, accounting, reception, scheduling, purchasing, contractual agreements for five years.
1991-1993 PawsAbilities Assistance Dogs; Instructor, Coordinator, Assistant. Instrumental in the selection and training of hearing and service dogs for people with sensory and mobility impairments. Involved in the development and implementation of selection and training strategies for shelter dogs and purpose-bred puppies. Assisted in the development of client instruction manual. Matched clients with trained dogs. Trained clients in the use of their new partners. Handled post-placement training and evaluation of teams. Recruited, coordinated and supervised volunteers in dog training, fundraising and public relations. Screened and selected golden retriever puppies for use, acting as sole representative for PawsAbilities. Wrote puppy raising manual and instructed puppy raisers in early training and socialization.
1991-1993 Firewind Training Kennels; Trainer. Trained dogs in a variety of disciplines, including obedience, Schutzhund, police and hunting. Assisted instruction of group obedience classes for puppies and adult dogs. Fed, exercised, groomed and medicated kennel dogs.
1990-1991 PawsAbilities Assistance Dogs; Volunteer. Obedience-trained dogs and assisted with the specialty training of assistance dogs for hearing and mobility support.
1988-1989 Dog Obedience Instructor. Taught private lessons for friends and held small group obedience sessions.
1986-1988 Search and Rescue Training. Trained two dogs to search for victims using air-scent techniques in wilderness, avalanche, disaster and water. Passed 40-acre wilderness SAR dog test.
1986-1996 Titled four dogs (German Shepherd Dog, golden retriever, Australian Shepherd and Airedale Terrier) in American Kennel Club Obedience Competitions. Also handled one dog in conformation events (Newfoundland).
1980-1990 California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) and Wilderness Finders (WOOF); Volunteer. Directed obedience sessions, tested potential search and rescue (SAR) dogs, instructed teams in basic SAR techniques. Assisted in countless SAR practice sessions for teams in training under the direction of my mother, a respected regional trainer.
1986 Fremont Animal Hospital; Animal Health Technician. Treated hospitalized and critical emergency-room dog, cat and bird patients under the supervision of five veterinarians.
1984-1986 Sunrise-Cirby Veterinary Clinic; Animal Health Technician. Assisted veterinarians and acted as receptionist, exam room support, surgical assistant and animal caretaker.
1978-1984 Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.; Volunteer Puppy Raiser. Raised, socialized and obedience-trained four puppies for professional training in seeing-eye dog work. Assisted in same with my brother’s puppy. Performed multiple fund-raising and public relations functions. Competed and won many 4-H puppy raiser events.
EDUCATION
2009 "It's Okay to Say NO!" 1 1/2 day seminar by Pia Silvani. Instruction on incorporating punishment into a behavior modification plan, clicker training, dog training strategies, client communication and more.
2009 “Breeding Better Dogs” 2-day seminar by Carmen Battaglia. Instruction on genetic and non-genetic potential, assessment of canine structure and gait, evaluating bitches and dogs based upon heritable tendencies, developing planned breeding program.
Fall 2008-present Participant at HoundTable – monthly meeting of Indianapolis area dog training and behavior professionals. Discussions include case studies, equipment, techniques, client communication skills and debriefing of seminars attended.
2008 Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Conference, Louisville, KY.*. Attended 2-day professional conference and workshop with hands-on applications.
2007 Humane Society of Indianapolis Conference: Terry Ryan. Attended 1 ½ day conference.
2006 Humane Society of Indianapolis Conference: Pia Silvani. Attended 2-day conference.
1998 APDT Mini Conference, Applications-Oriented*, St. Louis, MO. Attended 2 day conference. Won the "My Dog Can Do That" Contest with my own Australian Shepherd.
1998 Indiana Veterinary Technician Fall Conference. Attended 2-day conference.
1998 APDT Training People and Dogs, 5th Annual Educational Conference.*, Valley Forge, PA. Attended 3-day conference.
1997 University of Montana; Bachelor of Arts – Psychology (3.9GPA) Completed undergraduate-level research in the attachment of owners to their dogs before and after an AAA/T training program. Designed and conducted research on Canine Greeting Behaviors. Completed coursework in Animal Behavior and Research Methods. Developed curriculum for, facilitated a 1-credit Freshman-level course for 25 students.
1997 APDT Training People and Dogs 4th Annual Educational Conference*, Memphis, TN. Attended 3-day conference.
1997 Indiana Veterinary Technician Fall Conference. Attended 2-day conference.
1997 APDT Pre-Conference Seminars, Memphis*, TN. Attended "Pro-active Aggression Management" and "Premier Gentle Leader" courses, one day each.
1996 Delta Society 15th Annual Training Conference*, Phoenix AZ. Attended 4-day conference, including "Delta Animal Handler Instruction Course (for AAA/T), and "Delta AAA/T Site Assessment Course."
1995 Food, Fun and Focus, Spokane, WA. Two-day competitive dog obedience seminar by Patti Ruzzo.
1993 Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs; Wisconsin. Seven-day personal tutorial from founder and Training Director, Lynn Thorpe.
1993 San Francisco SPCA Hearing Dog Program; San Francisco, CA. One-day tutorial in the selection and training of shelter dogs as hearing dogs.
1992 Missoula County Adult Education. Completed two-month course in writing for children.
1987-1990 Solano Community College, California. Completion of general education courses in preparation for advanced undergraduate studies.
1984-1985 Western Career College Animal Health Technician Program. Graduated from 11-month curriculum including one month, full-time externship training in a veterinary hospital. Earned California AHT license from the California State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. (Equivalent to Indiana RVT)
1980-1990 CARDA and WOOF, CA. Personal instruction from a variety of experienced trainers, including my mother, in selecting, training and handling search and rescue dogs.
* APDT/ Delta Conference speakers that I have learned from include Ian Dunbar, Suzanne Clothier, Gary Wilkes, Turrid Rugas, Kathy Sdao, Leslie Nelson, Sue Sternberg, Trish King, Linda Tellington-Jones, Ted Turner, Suzanne Hetts, Patricia McConnell, Daniel Estep, Terry Ryan, Deborah Jones, Pia Silvani, many more.
HONORS
1997 Graduated University of Montana; Bachelor of Arts with High Honors
1996 and 1997 McNair Scholars Program Scholarship. Awarded twice -this extensive scholarship is to encourage first generation university students to complete undergraduate research in preparation for graduate school admissions.
1995 University of Montana Phi Kappa Phi Member. Invited as a junior (top 5% of junior class); Presidents Honor Roll, GPA 4.0
1987-1990 Solono Community College Dean’s and Presidents Honor Roll GPA 3.96.
1984 Full-tuition scholarship to Western Career College, Carmichael, CA.
Many other scholarships and awards.
HOBBIES
Therapy Dog Handler Recertified 6-year old golden retriever and first-time certified 1-year old Vizsla for use as Delta Society Pet Partner AAA/T dogs.
Agility Competitor. Earned USDAA Performance 1 “Snooker-” and P1 "Standard" title with Sancho, a 5-year old golden retriever.
Scrabble Player, competing in registered NSPA clubs and occasional tournaments. Host weekly Scrabble club for tournament-level players.
