Professional DOG TRAINING SPECIALIZING IN
BEHAVIOR REHABILITATION AND AKC PERFORMANCE EVENTS
SERVING AUSTIN AND THE HILL COUNTRY of Texas
about us
Welcome to The Ranch for Canine Training. We are the Hill Country’s foremost training & behavior facility.
Our Mission: To build a better bond between you and your canine companion. We provide a complete approach to improving your world with your dog and your dog's mental and physical well-being. Our success is realized in proven lasting results.
Our Training: The foundation at The Ranch for Canine Training is based on years of experience, the understanding of canine behavior, and the application of canine learning theories. We use humane training methods with clear communication that make sense to both you and your dog. We are experienced, insightful, dedicated trainers aimed at helping both dogs and their owners.
Our Values: We believe that successful training, and behavior rehabilitation, is achieved by creating stronger relationships between dogs and owners. We help you train a happier, more confident dog, and to be the best owner you can be.
We do not compound problems by using inhumane or inappropriate training techniques.
We know that dogs thrive with clear communication, motivation, structure, patience, and practice.
The Ranch for Canine Training and Behavior offers Private Lessons,
Comprehensive Behavior Evaluations & Rehabilitation Programs.
Catherine is an AKC Evaluator and offers the AKC Companion Programs,
and a variety of Group Classes.
(Our group classes are on hold until they can safely resume.)
The Ranch for Canine Training
MEET YOUR TRAINER
Catherine O'Donnell, CPDT
Owner / Director of Training
With exceptional training skills (both human and canine) and keen ability to assess and rehabilitate problem behaviors,
Catherine O’Donnell, CPDT has established a sterling reputation as a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist.
She has developed a long proven relationship-based training philosophy
without the use of dated or inhumane training techniques.
During the course of her decades-long career, Catherine has trained with and been mentored by some of the nation's top trainers and behaviorists. Learning how to properly evaluate temperaments and successfully rehabilitate dogs sparked a passion in Catherine for canine behavior
and rehabilitation that has defined her distinguished career and improved the lives of dogs across the nation.
Catherine is a long-standing AKC Evaluator and conducts the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC), TRICK DOG, and STAR PUPPY programs.
Training is more than a career for Catherine, it is her life's devotion.
Catherine trains and competes with her own dogs in multiple performance events and platforms including
Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Sieger Shows, Dock Diving, and Therapy Dog Work.
She has competed with her dogs to national ranking levels and wins. If you ask Catherine, her own dogs are her best PR Team.
The Ranch for Canine Training and Behavior
TRAINING
A proper evaluation of your dog's temperament, his living environment, and your relationship is key to
understanding and solving problem issues. A 90-minute Comprehensive Behavior Evaluation is the first step toward a
happier, healthier relationship with your dog. Based on this, Catherine will tailor a training package for you and
your dog and will monitor your progress. Schedule Now
She will help you to bring out the best in your dog!
SERVICES
Private Training
Behavior Modification
• Aggression
• Fearfulness
• Puppy Socializing
• Pack Relationships
• Resource Guarding
• Recall
• House Manners
• Social Manners
Basic and Advanced Obedience
AKC Performance Training
Catherine is an AKC Evaluator
conducting the following programs and testing
Canine Good Citizen
CGC is a ten-skill training program that’s open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed–that focuses on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community.
The CGC title is also a prerequisite for many therapy dog certifications, as well as a great introduction to more advanced dog sports and activities. Some homeowners’ insurance programs even offer discounts for CGC dogs, and an increasing number of apartments and condos see CGC awards as a major bonus for becoming a resident.
Temperament Test
The Temperament Test was developed to bring focus and provide a meaningful evaluation to assess the temperament of our canine companions.
The ATT tests how a dog reacts to a variety of stimuli. Desirable traits are that the dog will be emotionally stable, inquisitive, cooperative, appropriately social for its breed, biddable and demonstrates the ability to recover from a startling situation in a reasonable amount of time.
In the ATT, dogs are tested in 6 categories of stimuli that include:
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Social
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Auditory
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Visual
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Tactile
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Proprioceptive (motion)
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Unexpected stimulus
Trick Dog
Tricks are the perfect sport for keeping your dog engaged, whether they’re new to trick title competitions or are a seasoned competitor. No matter what the weather is or where you are, you and your pup can practice skills anywhere — even in a small area like your living room. While you can buy or make elaborate props (and at the higher titles you do need to include props) tricks do not require large or elaborate equipment.
Tricks also help keep your dog’s mind and body conditioned during times of the year when you might otherwise be a little more sedentary and not able to make it to as many of your usual dog-related activities or sports
There are 5 Trick Dog titles to achieve
STAR Puppy
STAR stands for: Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner.
Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program.