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# Bright Spot Dog Training

positively unique solutions

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](http://www.kathysdao.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Welcome to Kathy Sdao's Blog](http://www.kathysdao.com/welcome-to-kathy-sdaos-blog/)

## Pages

- [Home](http://www.kathysdao.com/) - Illustration by Lili Chin Kathy has been passionate about animal training ever since she quit a good job to move halfway around the world to train dolphins at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory at the University of Hawaii. Now, 40 years later, she offers her expertise as an applied animal behaviorist to dog owners in
- [In-person Consultations](http://www.kathysdao.com/in-person-consultations/) - Kathy offers private behavior consultations for families seeking help with their dogs in Tacoma & Gig Harbor in Washington State (and surrounding communities). She addresses concerns that include aggression toward family members, strangers or dogs; problems on walks; separation anxiety; fears and phobias; house-training; destruction and barking. As of January 2026, Kathy is accepting new
- [Zoom consultations](http://www.kathysdao.com/zoom-consultations/) - In-person consultations are best. Kathy believes that meeting the family and observing the dog's behaviors first-hand provide important information. But in cases in which geography makes this impossible or the dog's behavior makes this too risky, Kathy will offer a consultation via Zoom. The initial 90-minute Zoom consultation for a new client is $390. $90 of
- [Behavior Consultations](http://www.kathysdao.com/behavior-consultations/) - Please choose from the drop-down menu either in-person consultations (for clients in Tacoma/Gig Harbor Washington) or Zoom consultations.
- [Seminars & Conferences](http://www.kathysdao.com/seminars-workshops/) - Want to learn about science-based training while having fun and meeting like-minded friends? Please consider attending one of Kathy's live seminars (no dogs in the audience, just people) or workshops (some attendees bring dogs to train). Or learn from Kathy, along with other in-demand teachers, at an extraordinary conference such as ClickerExpo.
- [About](http://www.kathysdao.com/about/) - Kathy Sdao is an applied animal behaviorist. She’s spent 33 years as a full-time animal trainer, first with marine mammals and now with dogs and their people. As a graduate student at the University of Hawaii in the 1980s, she was part of a research team that trained dolphins to solve complex cognitive puzzles. She
- [Contact](http://www.kathysdao.com/contact/) - Thank you for your interest in my services. I'm accepting new clients on a limited basis. I'll respond to your contact form within two business days, barring emergencies. So if you don't hear back from me by then, please check your spam folder. Also, please tell me where you live.
- [Recorded Webinars](http://www.kathysdao.com/recorded-webinars/) - What Not to Pair: Changing the Value of Reinforcers & Punishers Changing Behavior by Arranging Antecedents In Other Words: Extending Non-violence to Clients & Colleagues Beyond Food: The Premack Principle Leash Aggression May the Force Be With You...Or Not "But My Dog Isn't Food-Motivated" Caring for Old Dogs' Behavioral Needs Learning Theory: A Review (Part
- [Testimonials](http://www.kathysdao.com/testimonials/) - I hope it's okay to use this contact form to let you know how glad I am that I took your Happy Pills [from Fenzi Dog Sports Academy] workshop last year. One of my dogs has been recovering from TPLO surgeries (one on each side!) and has been on a lot of medication. Teaching him to
- [Treat Recipe](http://www.kathysdao.com/treat-recipe/) - Healthy Dog-Treat Recipe Meatloaf Treats: (very easy; Kathy’s favorite) 1 lb ground beef or turkey, hi-fat (15-20%), drained of excess liquid (Don’t use lean meat; the treats will be too crumbly.) 1 beaten raw egg ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese In a large bowl, mix together the egg & cheese, then use
- [Organizational Consulting](http://www.kathysdao.com/organizational-consulting/) - Kathy has been a consultant for many training organizations and businesses including Guide Dogs for the Blind, Susquehanna Service Dogs, Tennessee Task Force, Summit Assistance Dogs, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Texas Hearing & Service Dogs, Paws'itive Teams Service Dog & Therapy Dog Programs, Canis, Canine Craze, Parc Aquarium du Quebec and Sumner Veterinary Hospital. These consultations most often occur on-site, with
- [Book & Videos](http://www.kathysdao.com/books-videos/) - BOOK Plenty in Life is Free (2012) Buy from DogWise (paperback) Buy from DogWise (eBook) Buy from Amazon (paperback) Buy from Amazon (kindle) New! Audiobook/videobook with Kathy narrating & commenting VIDEOS: On-demand video produced by Karen Pryor Clicker Training The Seductiveness of Shock (2018) "But My Dog Isn't Food-motivated" (2018) We Just Have to Dish: Science,
- [Articles](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/) - Here are some of Kathy Sdao's articles on training various animals, from walruses to dogs to primates, and some articles about Kathy. Enjoy! All rights reserved. Please ask Kathy before reproducing in any way. Please link to the articles rather than copying content to your site. Thank you. Training Philosophies & General Advice • Organic Training
- [Forget About Being Alpha](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/forget-about-being-alpha-2/) - In their book “Made to Stick,” Chip and Dan Heath detail the characteristics that make an idea or explanation “sticky.” According to their analysis, stories that are simple, unexpected, and concrete capture our imagination and get lodged in our brains. Many urban myths, they point out, are ideal examples of this phenomenon. One perfect example
- [Stir Crazy (about Kathy's dog Nick)](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/stir-crazy-about-kathys-dog-nick/) - Originally published in The Clicker Journal in 2003 I love words. Puns, etymologies and obscure definitions fascinate me. A virginal NY Times Sunday crossword is nirvana – one of my own personal jackpots. So I was surprised that I had never before considered the original meaning of the term “stir crazy.” But now I have.*
- [Five Tips for Avoiding a Behaviorist](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/five-tips-for-avoiding-a-behaviorist/) - Many personal budgets are extra-tight. Since appointments with an animal behaviorist can be pricey, let me share a few suggestions for inexpensive ways you can promote better behavior in your dog. Use your dog’s food productively. Every kibble you pour into your dog’s bowl is a lost opportunity. That bit of food could be used
- [What Not to Pair: The Consequence of Mixing Consequences](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/what-not-to-pair/) - Since 2003, I’ve been privileged to be on the faculty of Karen Pryor’s outstanding ClickerExpo conferences. So far, we’ve held twenty-six of these events in which several hundred people and their dogs gather for three days of lectures and workshops about all aspects of clicker training. Included is an hour-long panel discussion; six faculty members sit on
- [Organic Training](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/organic-training/) - I was pulling weeds in front of my house recently when a neighbor stopped to chat. He asked why I was wasting energy gardening “the hard way.” Mind you, this man’s yard is immaculate. Putting greens look shabby compared to his velvet emerald lawn. When I first moved to my neighborhood, I coveted this perfection.
- [More on Teaching a Reliable Recall](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/more-on-teaching-a-reliable-recall/) - In a previous article, I described how to start building a reliable recall. Practicing many easy trials using exciting rewards and a finger-target your dog can touch with his nose will create a strong foundation for this essential behavior. To achieve a response from your dog that’s dependable in the midst of real-life distractions, though,
- [The First Steps to Teaching a Reliable Recall](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/the-first-steps-to-reliable-recall/) - Ask ten dog trainers to name the most essential behavior a dog should learn and nine of the ten are likely to answer, “a reliable recall.” Coming when called — dependably, despite distractions — saves dogs’ lives and owners’ sanity. Dogs who master this skill lead fuller and freer lives too, because they have the
- [When Good Walruses Go Bad](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/when-good-walruses-go-bad/) - One of the most memorable questions I’ve been asked on a job interview was “So, how comfortable are you training walruses?” It was 1990. I was sitting in a conference room at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. I’d flown there the previous night on a red-eye from Hawaii, where I was
- [Preventing Door-Dashing](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/preventing-door-dashing/) - I received a call last week from a distraught woman. She reported that Sparky, her shepherd mix, refused to come when called. When pressed to describe situations in which this problem occurred, she said Sparky had “snuck out the door” twice, and each time had jumped the low fence to chase the neighbor’s llamas. No
- [Learning To See](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/learning-to-see/) - For years, I taught students in my dog-training classes that the most vital skill they’d need to develop was timing. Timing your marker signals (e.g., clickers) to pinpoint a dog’s desirable behaviors and timing your rewards (e.g., food treats) so that they occur immediately after a dog’s desirable behavior vastly improves the efficiency of training.
- [Leash Aggression](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/leash-aggression/) - When interviewing clients so I can create behavioral profiles of their dogs, one key question I always ask is, “Do you enjoy walking your dog?” I know from experience that people will be more successful in achieving their training goals if they walk with their dogs for at least 30 minutes -- preferably longer –
- [Leash Aggression](http://www.kathysdao.com/leash-aggression/) - When interviewing clients so I can create behavioral profiles of their dogs, one key question I always ask is, “Do you enjoy walking your dog?” I know from experience that people will be more successful in achieving their training goals if they walk with their dogs for at least 30 minutes -- preferably longer – most
- [Husbandry-Training Classes for Dog Owners](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/husbandry-classes-for-dog-owners/) - This is the last of a three-article series about training dogs to perform husbandry behaviors (i.e., any actions that facilitate grooming and veterinary procedures). I’ll assume that the previous articles have convinced you that real benefits accrue from investing time in this type of training. The practical training tips offered in the second article might
- [Husbandry How-To's](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/husbandry-how-tos/) - In a previous article, I wrote about the importance of investing time and energy into training our dogs a solid repertoire of husbandry behaviors; that is, behaviors that make the dogs’ future grooming and veterinary visits safer and easier for everyone concerned. Now let’s focus on some specific training tips that can help us --
- [How to Find a Great Dog Daycare](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/how-to-find-a-great-dog-daycare/) - Published in the Seattle Times in July 2012 Question: I think my dog would benefit from spending time with other dogs in day care. But I’m concerned about finding the best facility for her. I’ve scouted some places, but they aren’t meeting my expectations: too many dogs, not enough employees to watch them. Some places
- [Good Manners for Dogs & People in Off-Leash Parks](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/good-manners-for-dogs-people-in-off-leash-parks/) - Published in the Seattle Times in October 2012 Up-front admission: I stopped taking my own dogs to public off-leash parks several years ago, after a particularly traumatic incident at a local dog-park. I witnessed bullying so extreme and unprovoked it shocked me. I expected bloodshed – mine. The nasty behavior came from a woman who
- [Healing the World, One Job at a Time](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/healing-the-world-one-job-at-a-time/) - Originally appeared in the St. Leo Parish (Tacoma, WA) weekly bulletin in 1999 In her best-selling book “A Return to Love,” Marianne Williamson points out the value of viewing our careers as opportunities to teach the message of salvation. In her view, every business is a “front” for a church and our role in any
- [Position Statement on Use of Shock Collars](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/position-statement-on-use-of-shock-collars/) - I feel deep compassion for dog owners who believe that shock collars are a reasonable option for their pet. In their eagerness to solve a behavior problem, they ignore the fact that these collars are, at minimum, painful, and in many cases, torturous. Electric shock is a uniquely dangerous form of punishment because it’s invisible
- [Get a Handle on your Training](http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/get-a-handle-on-your-training/) - Here’s a sampling from my current client files. Note the common thread. A sweet sharpei who, in order to have his nails trimmed, has to be anesthetized by his veterinarian A cairn terrier who was “diagnosed” as having a serious aggression problem by a groomer who insisted on completing a trim despite the dog’s obvious
- [Video: DVDs & streaming content](http://www.kathysdao.com/video-dvds-streaming-content/)
- [Book](http://www.kathysdao.com/book/)

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