Dogs and Kat

Dogs and Kat offers a comprehensive range of training programs designed to meet various needs. Their Group Dog Training Classes are held in-person at their facility, featuring small class sizes and covering puppy manners, basic and advanced family dog manners, and specialty classes like “Relaxed Rovers” for reactive dogs. They also offer sports and fun classes such as Agility, Rally, Nosework, and Tricks. Group classes typically meet once per week for one hour, with durations varying from 1 to 7 weeks depending on the class.

Private Dog Training Sessions provide flexible, one-on-one instruction either in the client’s home or at the Dogs and Kat facility. These sessions are tailored to individual dog needs, addressing specific behavior issues, puppy nipping, or general manners. Behavior Counseling is also available for more complex issues like resource guarding, shyness, separation anxiety, and aggression, with initial consults and follow-up packages.

Online Dog Training is offered via video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, Skype) for both private lessons and behavior counseling, allowing clients to train from the comfort of their home. Zoom sessions include a recording for client reference. Additionally, Dogs and Kat is launching a “Puppy Day School” program, described as an exclusive private puppy training service.

Pricing Summary

Dogs and Kat offers various pricing structures for their training programs. Group classes range from $50 for a single-session class like “No Jumping Class” to $295 for a 7-week “Beginning Agility” class. Puppy Manners & Positive Play Class is $200 and includes 4 free supervised puppy play sessions. Supervised Puppy Play Sessions are $20 for non-clients and $10 for current/formerly enrolled pups, with 4 free sessions included in puppy class enrollment.

Private lessons are available at $190 for in-home sessions or $160 at their facility, with discounts offered for training packages. Online private lessons are $120 for a 1-hour session, and online behavior counseling sessions are $160 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Behavior counseling initial consults are $255 for in-home or $225 at their facility. Behavioral packages are available, such as an initial consult plus 3 follow-up one-hour sessions for $797 (in-home) or $689 (at facility), representing a 10% discount. Individual follow-up sessions are $210 (in-home) or $180 (at facility). All training packages must be used within a 6-month period.

Dogs and Kat is a dog training business that offers experienced, science-based, and positive dog training. They provide a variety of services including group dog training classes, private dog training, online dog training, and puppy day school. They have been serving Nashville, Franklin, Belle Meade, and surrounding areas for over 20 years.

Their philosophy is based on trust and understanding, making training fun for both dogs and people. They use research-based, positive training methods that reward appropriate behaviors and teach alternatives to inappropriate ones, avoiding fear, force, pain, or intimidation. They believe training should be fun, humane, and effective, leading to happy dogs and happy people.

Dogs and Kat has been voted Nashville’s Best Dog Trainer 5 Years in a Row and has been “Training Through Trust since 2003.” They operate out of a 3000 square foot, super clean, insulated, and well-ventilated facility, prioritizing safety with virucidal disinfectants.

The team includes Certified Professional Dog Trainers like Kat Martin Ray, who has over 20 years of experience and specializes in behavioral issues such as aggression, reactivity, and anxiety. Kat holds a degree in psychology with a focus on behavior modification and animal learning, and has over 900 hours of education in animal behavior. Dogs and Kat is noted as the first and longest-running facility in Nashville to offer group classes for reactive dogs.

Accomplishments

Dogs and Kat has been recognized as Nashville’s Best Dog Trainer for five consecutive years. The business has been operating since 2003, accumulating over 21 years of experience in dog training. Their trainers are Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA).

Kat Martin Ray, the primary trainer, holds a BA in Psychology with a focus on behavior modification and animal learning, and completed an internship in canine behavior and training. She has over 900 hours of education in animal behavior and is committed to continuous professional development. Kat is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is also an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and has volunteered in leadership with Animal Rescue Corps. Kat specializes in all behavioral issues, particularly dog-dog and dog-person aggression and reactivity, and Dogs and Kat is noted as the first and longest-running facility in Nashville to offer group classes for reactive dogs.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Dogs and Kat, clients can register for group classes directly through their website’s class registration page. For private training, online training, or behavior counseling, clients are encouraged to contact Dogs and Kat to schedule a session. If unsure which service best fits their needs, clients can reach out for guidance. Vaccination records are required for admission to the first class or session.