Meet your Indianapolis Area Dog and Puppy Trainer

Catherine Steinke, BA, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed
AKC Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy Evaluator
Association of Pet Dog Trainers Member

Telephone: (317) 727-9015
Email: Catherine@SensibleK9.com
 

EXPERIENCE

• March 2011. Delta Society Pet Partner. Completed 20-step therapy dog test to earn certification renewal with 3 year old Vizsla.


• February 2011 to Present. Sensible Pet Sitter Creator and Instructor. Authored, published and presently promoting and instructing unique seminar for teen-aged youth to learn how to start a pet sitting business. www.sensiblepetsitter.com


• November 2010. Speaker. Pike High School Honors Psychology Classes. Discussed academic learning theory and its application in the real world of dog behavior counseling. Presented an hour lecture to four groups of students including live dog-training demonstrations of operant conditioning, lure-reinforcement training and behavior management techniques.


• Summer 2010 - Spring 2011. Educator, Curriculum Author. Wisdom Builders, LLC. Developed and instructed two 24-week canine unit studies for 2nd-3rd grade and 4th-7th grade home-schooled 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 and a variety of hands-on projects for the students.
• June 2010 Speaker. Hoosier 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 willingness 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. Speaker. Dog 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: Student Guide) 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 situations when puppy is fearful and how to 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 management, 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, initial website development and business writing.


• 1999 - present. Home-school 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. Participated in cooperative home education with other families.  Education through seminars and books on learning styles and instructional techniques to reach people with various learning modalities.


• 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 developed and instructed group classes in advanced pet obedience, therapy dog, click-a-trick and sport-dog (review of freestyle, rally, agility and competitive obedience). 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 70 three- to five-year-old children in Bible truths and applications. Skills needed: creative story-writing, 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, interactive 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 priorities.


• 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 Dog Trainer. 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. Obedience Competitor. 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.


• 1977 - 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.

• March 2011. Attended 4 days at Clicker Expo, Chicago. Workshops included Creativity and the Science of Thinking by Karen Pryor; Aggression Treatment and Context and Concept Training Copy Cat? Copy Dog! Ken Ramirez; Component Training: Piecing Together Success by Alexandra Kurland; An Ounce of Prevention: Training that Heads Off Behavior Issues by Emma Parsons and Helix Fairweather; Crosstrain! by Michelle Pouliot; Top OTCh: Skills for Top Obedience by Cecilie Koste.


• 2010. Attended Red Cross First Aid for Dogs Certification Seminar.


• 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 Hound Table – 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 included Animal Behavior and Research Methods. Developed curriculum for and 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, detailing positive reinforcement methods.


• 1993. Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs; Wisconsin. Seven-day personal tutorial from founder and Training Director, Lynn Thorpe, regarding service dog training.


• 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. Many hours spent as training “victim”, learning the intricacies of scent work.

• 2009. Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers. Passed professional exam, earning the title of Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed.


• 2008. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants; Became Associate member, having completed an extensive written application reviewing experience in 5 Core areas.


• 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.

• Therapy Dog Handler. Experience qualifying and visiting with two golden retrievers, an Australian Shepherd and a Vizsla as Delta Society Pet Partner AAA/T dogs.


• Agility Competitor. Earned USDAA Performance titles with a golden retriever.


• Author and Speaker.  Actively competing in writing contests and engaging speaking opportunities to educate other canine training and shelter professionals.


• Scrabble Player. Competing in registered National Scrabble Players’ Association clubs and occasional tournaments. Coaching home-schooled, competitive student Scrabble team to 3rd place at 2009 Indiana State Championship and to 1st place at the 2010 and the 2011 Indiana State Championship tournaments