Kate Connick

Kate Connick founded Courteous Canine dog training in 1991, forming Courteous Canines LLC in late 2000. In addition to working with riding and racing horses, her background includes volunteering in an animal shelter where daily she met with the plight of homeless dogs and cats. Her formal education involves human nature, however. Kate has a Master's Degree in forensic psychology. Her business allows her the best of both worlds in being able to coach not only dogs but their human partners.

Kate is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Port Chester Obedience Training Club, and Contact Agility Club. She was among the first Certified Pet Dog Trainers, is an evaluator for Therapy Dogs International, and she tattoos dogs for identification through Tatoo A Pet. She is the former volunteer webmaster of the Northeastern Boxer Rescue website. She has spent numerous hours volunteering her time to visit psychiatric patients with her own certified therapy dogs, as well as participating in a Reading to Rover program with children at a nearby library. She is American Red Cross certified in pet first aid.

Kate formerly taught beginner and "for fun" agility classes at Port Chester Obedience Training Club in White Plains, NY. She now seasonally offers fun agility classes outdoors via the Town of Bedford Recreation Department at their beautiful dog park. She also instructs group obedience classes through Inter-Village Continuing Education in Ardsley, NY (formerly in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY), as well as through Larchmont-Mamaroneck Continuing Education. Kate previously instructed obedience at Cara Na Madra Dog Training in Greenwich, CT and agility at Bandilane School for Dogs in Stamford, CT. Much of her business involves housecalls and private training throughout Westchester County, New York, and surrounding areas.

Kate's own dogs are trained in obedience, agility, pet-facilitated therapy, carting, canine water sports, and advertising work. . . but first and foremost, they are beloved pets. She has lived with a variety of dogs including a mutts, rescued boxers and terriers. She currently shares her home with a Scottish terrier, a Cesky terrier, a boxer, and a gloriously quirky-looking mutt.

Kate's philosophy is simple. Use consistency, positive reinforcement, sensible leadership, and a sense of humor to shape your dog into the most enjoyable companion he can be.