Dog Training Press

Our graduates and team members have had many positive achievements we’re proud to share. CATCH Founder David Muriello, CPDT-KA, SDC, has appeared as a dog trainer and behavior expert on television, at conferences and in print.  Highlights include the Rachael Ray Show, Discovery Channel, Live with Regis and Kelly, and training work for Milk Bone, Target, and NYC celebrities. CATCH and David Muriello also appear as experts for the Petco Foundation, Petfinder, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, and in Dog Fancy Magazine. The work of CATCH Academy and our graduates have been featured in the newsletters of industry leaders such as dog*biz and Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education. Here are a few of our appearances…

Rachael Ray Show, ABC-TV

David joined Rachael Ray for a fun and informative episode about which breeds would be the best match for a family with children. David’s Border Collie, Flash, joined him for this segment which he co-produced, bringing several clients and their dogs along to showcase a great variety of breeds.

“We’ve been ‘shopping around’ for dogs and we’re really not quite sure what kind of dog would fit our family,” the Maley family tells Rachael. So David Muriello helps this family of five make the big decision about which pup would make the best fit. While Rachael bribes the dogs to behave with liver biscotti, David shares the pros and cons of five popular breeds.”

Featured Speaker at APDT 2020 Conference

CATCH Founder and School Director, David Muriello, was invited to present as a featured speaker for the 2020 APDT Annual Conference. The APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) is the world’s largest professional dog training community and is unwavering in its support of science-based methods of training and behavior modification. David delivered two talks with training demos, one on how to handle aggression in multi-dog households and the other on successful training with your clients that have kids.

Multi-Dog Magic
David Muriello, CPDT-KA, SDC
Bringing a new dog into a home with one or more dogs can easily create high stress and bloody battles over resources. Trainers need to understand the many factors we can control that will lead to harmony between the dogs. In this presentation, David will share the story of how he integrated a new dog into his family where 10-year-old dog Hazel (who doesn’t always like other dogs) had been solo in the home for nine years. We will discuss the approach to creating a positive relationship between the dogs and review fascinating videos of their interactions and David’s training processes.

You Want Me to Train Your Kids to Train the Dog?
How to go from nervous/frustrated to playful/effective when working with kids
David Muriello, CPDT-KA, SDC
Families with kids are one of the most common and profitable client types for dog trainers, but teaching the whole family can be surprisingly complex and challenging. In this presentation, we’ll talk about how to help families raise great dogs by seeing the situation through their eyes and using proven techniques to get buy-in from each family member. We’ll also discuss how to make it less nerve-racking, and more fun for you as a trainer.

CATCH Graduate Publishes Second Book

Winner of 2019 Best Book: Training or Sports by the Dog Writers Association of America

In 2019, CATCH graduate Kate Naito published her second training book, which went on to be named Best Book: Training or Sports by the Dog Writers Association of America! Her first book, BKLN Manners: Positive Training Solutions for Your Unruly Urban Dog, was published in 2018.

Play Your Way to Good Manners:
​Getting the Best Behavior from Your Dog Through Sports, Games, and Tricks
Kate Naito
Play Your Way to Good Manners shows you how to approach your dog’s manners training as a collection of cool tricks, exciting sports moves, and interactive games, changing your dog’s attitude from “I have to do it” to “I want to do it.” Kate Naito, CDBC, CPDT-KA, MS, and Sarah Westcott, CPDT-KSA, have drawn extensively from techniques used in canine sports, games, and trick training, and applied them to a positive-reinforcement manners training program that you and your dog can easily follow. Available to purchase on Amazon

BKLN Manners: Positive Training Solutions for Your Unruly Urban Dog
Kate Naito
Kate utilizes clever management techniques and adaptations of positive training strategies to help you transform your dog from unruly to urbane. Chapters are organized to identify a common dog behavior problem, and then offer both management and training solutions to make it “stop.” BKLN Manners™ tailors its solutions to include urban challenges: dodging chicken bones on the sidewalk, counterconditioning on crowded streets, neighbors’ noise concerns, and many others. Available to purchase on Amazon

APDT Chronicle of the Dog Magazine:

Splicing and Service Dog Training

CATCH Founder and School Director, David Muriello, was featured in the Winter 2020 edition of the Chronicle of the Dog. His article highlights a conversation with Veronica Sanchez of Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coaching about the concept of splicing and how it relates to training service dog tasks.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

“DM: The pen hold definitely took some patience, but I love that moment when you realize that ‘he’s getting it’ and that you’re
going to see the full understanding come in the next couple of sessions. I’ve been doing this thing (perhaps I’ll call it splicing?) where I ‘see-saw’ back and forth between two behaviors or concepts that I want the dog to ‘combine’. For example, with the hold, he kept wanting to ‘do something’ with the object (ex., toss it, chew it, or start walking around with it). So I would set the object aside and do several reps of Wait (Stand Stay) and Down Stay to bring the concept of ‘stillness’ to the forefront of his mind, and then immediately bring the object and go back to several reps of Wait and Stay, then work on the hold with the object again. And back and forth… back and forth.”

The Chronicle of the Dog Magazine is available to APDT members, a group of dog enthusiasts and professional trainers dedicated to education in our growing field.

Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach is a service dog trainer certificate program developed by Veronica Sanchez M.Ed. CABC, CPDT-KA, an expert in service dog training. The program is for experienced professional pet dog trainers who would like to learn how to train service dogs.

CATCH Grad & US Army Veteran appears on “Ready, Set, Pet” and

Delivers Compelling TEDx Talk

David Shade, CCDT is a CATCH Graduate and CATCH Mentor Trainer. He also served in the Army for 4 years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. While serving a tour overseas in Afghanistan, he was awarded for valor and received The Purple Heart. Since graduating from CATCH, David has built an impressive and successful training company, At Attention Dog Training, which uses only positive reinforcement training methods.

David has written articles for well-respected publications in the industry, he has been featured on the TV show “Ready, Set, Pet”, a segment on The CW’s “One Magnificent Morning” program, and he has presented a compelling TEDx talk sharing his story and how veterans and dogs can save each other.

A few words from David:

“Each phase that I had completed in the CATCH Master’s Program had just exponentially increased my understanding and skills when working with dogs. Every time I had learned something new, I would practice with my own dogs before taking it out into the real world. The results have been incredible whether it’s obedience, understanding dog behavior, or observing dog body language. Furthermore, I have learned to see dogs more as individuals and have learned to look at the world from their perspective. This is especially helpful when dealing with a dog that requires some form of behavioral modification.”

“If it wasn’t for CATCH, my business would not be as successful as it is today. Additionally, my business and my attitude for dogs would not be truly force-free if I had not gone with CATCH. I am so thankful that I chose the right program and how it has affected my attitude and understanding towards dog training.”

Watch David’s 2020 TEDx Talk below.

2020 Professional Education Presenter:

One-Day Workshops for Animal Welfare Professionals

CATCH School Director, David Muriello, was once again invited to present a (sold out!) one-day workshop at the renowned St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center. The St. Hubert’s Professional Education series brings valuable educational opportunities to shelter/rescue personnel at rock-bottom cost to participants.

Part 1- Making Multi-Dog Magic – Instead of Conflict
David Muriello, CPDT-KA
David will enhance this topic calling upon his experience with the recent integration of a new dog into the family where the resident canine has been 8 years solo in the home. Learn the training exercises and management tips that will enable you to assist adopters and fosters with successfully introducing newcomers into households where one or more dogs already reside.

Part 2- Training for Conversation and Situation
David Muriello, CPDT-KA
Done with the word “command” yet? It’s been part of the brand of dog training for decades and it’s taken for granted that basic obedience behaviors are called commands, but what does that imply? Unrealistic expectations for one thing, but it is also dumbing down the dogs. Dogs are much smarter (and more loveable) than a robot to which you give commands in order to get what you want. You can actually talk to dogs about it. David will show you how. This session will explore how conversational training can be more fun for both human and dog, producing the powerful results the trainer wants. Warning – David may not use many cues (modern term formerly known as commands)! Together you’ll look at training for real-life situations instead of that pretend obedience competition in your head that you were probably never planning to attend anyway!

CATCH Graduate is Interviewed for the Cooperative Paws

Service Dog Education Newsletter

Sophie Amphlett is a Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach in Wilmette, IL. In addition to being an SDC, she graduated from the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Master Class with Distinction.

Tell us about your dog training business.

“I own NorthShore Canine Academy where I offer force-free, fear free, reward-based training. I focus on teaching dogs the everyday life-skills that set them up for success as loved and cherished family members.  In addition to basic manners, I teach tricks and scent games. I also do behavior consultations and help families implement plans to modify challenging behavior problems.

I recently began offering service dog coaching, including guiding clients who are choosing a dog for service work.”

Excellent work, Sophie, you make us proud!

2019 Professional Education Presenter:

How to Train Great Dogs – But Have Realistic Expectations

CATCH School Director, David Muriello, teaches a one-day workshop to a packed room at the renowned St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center. The St. Hubert’s Professional Education series brings valuable educational opportunities to shelter/rescue personnel at rock-bottom cost to participants.

Why Should Dogs Listen to Us People?
David Muriello, CPDT-KA
Why don’t they all walk nicely on leash, why don’t they always come when called, why don’t they…? In fact, why should they listen to us at all? (Good news, there are good reasons to follow our lead.) Join us as we explore How to Train Great Dogs by understanding how dogs really think and learn.

Through discussion and live demonstration examples with the shelter dogs, David will teach you simple concepts that will make a big difference to shelter staff and new adopters! We’ll explore questions like:

What are the best training methods for fast and long-lasting results?
What is a motivator and what is NOT a motivator though we might think it is?
What are the biggest mistakes dog owners make that destroy the bond, cause dogs to ignore them, or even worse, to become fearful or aggressive?
Why does a newly adopted dog present a special training opportunity – even if it’s not a puppy?

Watch a recording of this live seminar on Facebook!

2018 Professional Education Presenter:

What Garbage Dumps Tell Us About The Natural History Of Domestic Dogs

CATCH School Director, David Muriello, teaches a two-part seminar at the renowned St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

Garbage Dumps
David Muriello, CPDT-KA
Back in 2009 David journeyed into the garbage dumps of Mexico City with a small group of dog trainers led by renowned animal behavior expert Dr. Ray Coppinger. The team was there to study the behavior of dogs living among people in the “villages” of the landfill. This eye-opening experience gave them a glimpse into the process by which wolves likely evolved into dogs. David will share photos, videos and research from one of the most unique places he’s ever had the opportunity to study dogs. The essence of our beloved pets can be seen in the freedom enjoyed, and challenges faced, by the dogs in the dump and the information enhances our understanding of our canine friends.

Greetings = Play or Conflict
David Muriello, CPDT-KA
When two dogs greet you can expect one of three basic outcomes: play, conflict, or disinterest. Why are greeting skills so important and what determines which direction the interaction will go in? In this session, you’ll study the signals and behaviors that dogs exchange when they first meet. Being able to handle dogs and read their behavior in the moment of greeting can be a hugely helpful skill for all shelter staff who want to learn more about the social skills of the dogs in their care. With video and live dog-to-dog interaction we will take our understanding of dog-to-dog interactions to the next level.

Presenter at NAPPS 2016 Annual Conference

CATCH Program Director Team Manager, Kelly Chludzinski, presented two topics at the 2016 National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Annual Conference. NAPPS is the only national, non-profit, professional pet sitting association dedicated to raising and abiding by industry standards. Kelly delivered two talks, one on handling skills and making smart equipment decisions, and the other on behavior and body language observation and analysis.

Body Language and Behavior Certificate Program
Kelly Chludzinski, BS
Reading and understanding behavior and body language is one of the most important skills that a pet sitter, walker, or handler can have in order to keep the dog and the public (not to mention the handler!) safe. This certificate program covered how to see the details in dog body language, vocalizations, greetings, play, social hierarchies, arousal/stress/fear/aggression, and how to identify yellow and red flags and make smart decisions.

Pros Have Great Handling Skills & Make Good Equipment Decisions
Kelly Chludzinski, BS
This presentation covered how to use leash handling and your body language in order to ramp up handling skills both on and off leash. It also included understanding the pros, cons, risks, and rewards of different types of collars, leashes, harness, headcollars, and how to make smart decisions for each dog depending on their behavior and body type.

Fetch Find Newsletter:

CATCH Students Help Shelter Dogs Find Forever Homes

Fetch Find highlights the work of CATCH students who hone their training skills while helping shelter dogs to overcome behavior issues and learn manners.

From the article: “CATCH Academy’s founder and director, David Muriello, writes about the joy of seeing his students and shelter dogs succeed during the course of their Spring 2015 on-campus training session. In this post in the CATCH On! blog, you can see how dogs with poor kennel presentation and behavior become model canine citizens during the course of their work with CATCH’s trainers-in-training. (Watch the videos – it’s pretty impressive!)”

Association of Professional Dog Trainers Magazine:

Client Communication Can Make or Break You

The APDT published a feature article by CATCH School Director, David Muriello. This article provided key tips for how to enhance your dog training services and make your schedule more efficient using smart, modern client communication techniques.

Here’s an excerpt: “How many times have you been asked the same questions by dog owners? What about tips and remedies — how many times have you explained the same steps for things like crate training, housetraining, etc.? Rewriting the same things, repeating yourself, demonstrating the same techniques over and over — all that is fine when you are in separate sessions for different clients. That’s what you get paid for. But, when someone asks you to explain something a second or third time after class has ended, or via phone/email in between private lessons — repeating and rewriting in those scenarios is a waste of your time… It’s time to call upon your knowledge base to start
doing the work for you.”

The Chronicle of the Dog Magazine is available to APDT members, a group of dog enthusiasts and professional trainers dedicated to education in our growing field.

Petfinder & Petco Foundation Adoption Options Speaker

CATCH School Director, David Muriello, was a featured speaker for several years at the nationwide Adoption Options series presented by Petfinder and Petco Foundation. Adoption Options is a free, educational workshop series that connects animal welfare professionals and volunteers with leaders from the industry and each other. In the process, it has brought thousands of us together to address challenges head-on and further our shared mission of finding more homes for adoptable pets. David presented in many different cities over the years, from San Francisco CA and Dallas TX to Tampa FL and Wichita KS.

Training Shelter Dogs
David Muriello, CPDT-KA

Animal welfare professionals are always looking for the best ways to provide quality of life for the dogs in their care and to increase their chances of finding each dog a great forever home. This workshop will enhance your skills as a handler and trainer, making the dogs in your care safer, smarter” and more likely to be adopted. You will also learn about temperament through training — how to identify key behaviors that reveal a dog’s personality (while you train) and help you match dogs with the best possible owners. Live demonstrations will be presented with local shelter dogs that are unknown to David, so we can all learn together about personality assessment and how to make training decisions “on your feet” in real time.

 

Canine Behavior Decoded, Dog Fancy Magazine

By Lynn M. Haner

CATCH Founder David Muriello was interviewed and quoted throughout this feature article about how to train different dog breeds based on their unique behavioral tendencies.  He also co-created a series of breed behavior quizzes that was featured on dogchannel.com at the time this issue hit the newsstands. CATCH can also be found in the October 2012 issue of Dog Fancy, and was just interviewed again for the July 2013 issue, featuring tips on how to build your bond with your dog through training.

Click Here to Read the Article (David’s quotes highlighted in yellow throughout)

Pet Boarding and Day Care Magazine:

Dog Fights – Protect Your Reputation and Revenue

Pet Boarding and Day Care Magazine published a feature article by CATCH School Director, David Muriello, about how to prevent and manage dog fights in order to protect your business’ reputation and revenue.

Here’s an excerpt: “The simplest and most obvious predictor of fights is excitement level (or arousal level). This means the level of intensity in behaviors like running, jumping, bumping, wrestling, and vocalizing. When I ran a day care, our managers were trained to envision excitement level on a scale of 1 to 10 and to never allow the dogs on the play field to escalate past a level 6. This simple rule is much easier than looking for the early signs of when a bite is coming or trying to distinguish between play and a fight in the making. The rule is don’t let the dogs get overly excited. Period.”

The Dog Pro Monthly Minute by Dog*Tec

Resource in the Spotlight – CATCH Canine Trainers Academy – Spring 2013

Thousands of people in the dog care industry have succeeded by using dog*tec (now dog*biz) for the best in business support products, academies, and expert consultation. CATCH was proud to be featured as dog*biz’s Resource in the Spotlight this March. Here’s the excerpt from their publication:

“We’re always on the lookout for new schools and programs for dog pros. CATCH has been open for just over a year now, and we’ve been hearing great things from their students. The courses have a strong focus on behavior in addition to hands-on training and handling techniques.  Studies are designed with online, book, and video material so you can complete coursework from wherever you live, at whatever pace suits you. A personal program director, who’s an experienced dog trainer, supports each student throughout his or her studies, and all courses come with the option to work hands-on with a local mentor trainer, which includes skills evaluations to earn higher level certificates. CATCH also offers courses a la carte—a great way to build your education one step at a time, or to find out if CATCH is right for you. There are programs for those interested in entering the training profession, as well as for experienced trainers seeking continuing education. Learn more at www.CatchDogTrainers.com”

The Annual “My Dog Loves Central Park” Country Fair

Best in Park Events hosted by CATCH Canine Trainers Academy

From the Central Park website: Mark your calendars, and don’t forget to bring Sparky (on leash, please)! Central Park Paws, a program of the Central Park Conservancy, invites dogs and owners of all ages to celebrate Central Park’s vibrant dog community and promote responsible stewardship of the Park at our 10th Annual My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair.

This event features:
BEST IN PARK DOG EVENTS – Led by David Muriello of CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
Dogs and owners can show off their responsible Park behavior in three rounds during the day, each featuring a different behavior skill. Winners will be named Best in Park Dogs.

Classroom Comfort, Dog Fancy Magazine

By Lynn M. Haner

David was interviewed and quoted for his expertise on socialization for dogs in puppy and basic obedience classes. He shares a story about a worried Yorkie owner and describes why he believes it is invaluable to teach dogs of all shapes and sizes in the same classroom.

Click Here to Read the Article

Milk Bone, National Magazine Ad

David’s Border Collie, Flash, was featured in Milk Bone’s “Wuttagoodoggy” ad campaign. When David and Flash first walked on the set, Flash was so scared of the giant cameras and lighting gear that he turned around and walked right out of the room! A little embarrassed (but not afraid to sprint after his dog), David chased Flash down and brought him back in front of the cameras. He soon got Flash smiling. Once they started playing with squeaker balls and performing tricks, everything was a-okay. Look at those beautiful white teeth! (On the dog, not the guy.)

Down in the Dumps Over Dogs, APDT Chronicle of the Dog Magazine

By Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA

David joined an amazing team of dog behavior experts led by Dr. Raymond Coppinger to study dog ethology in the garbage dumps of Mexico City.  A wonderful article by Terry Ryan included research that was led and compiled by David.  To learn about the ecology of the dump, the team interviewed the workers who lived among hundreds of dogs that also made their living in the land of garbage.

You can view David’s graphs with data by clicking here.

Enjoy David’s video and photos of the dump dogs at the CATCH On! blog.

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DOGGEDLY PURSUING ADOPTION, The Star Ledger

Professional trainer helps canines put best paw forward

By Patrick Jenkins, June 2004

David’s work volunteering to train shelter dogs is covered in this wonderful feature story about how adoptable rescues can make fabulous pets. Patti Sapone’s beautiful photography captures a younger David in action.

Click here to read the article directly on the Star Ledger’s website.

A Regis and Kelly Top Dog, The Star Ledger

By Patti Sapone, May 2004

David’s dog, Eli, became a finalist in Regis and Kelly’s Mutt America competition! Eli’s tricks included “Fly,” where he would demonstrate an amazing vertical leap, and “Shut the Door,” where he would go and shut the bedroom door when David was too lazy to get off the couch and do it himself.

Click here to read the article directly on the Star Ledger’s website.

Tux the Therapy Dog Visits Children at Linwood Middle School

Some press is fabulous even when it’s not a public media splash. This is one of many notes from the thankful students who got a visit from David and one of his clients – Tux, the wonder therapy dog. Tux and David showed off a bunch of tricks and taught the children the right way to approach and pet a dog they’ve never met before. Needless to say, the kids were in heaven and Tux adored all of the attention.

Learn More:

Read our Dog Trainer Success Stories

Discover everything that is included with the CATCH program tuition