CANIDAPT: MORE THAN A NAME
can·id
/ˈkanəd/
noun
1. a mammal of the dog family (Canidae).
a·dapt
/əˈdapt/
verb
-
make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify.
-
become adjusted to new conditions.
"Can adapt."
This is our philosophy with dogs, with people, with life.
We can adapt our own behaviours and help our dogs adapt theirs.
We can adapt our training to accommodate humans of different abilities and learning styles.
We don't make dogs or clients do things, we facilitate learning.
Force-free isn't a style of training, it's an attitude. A way of life.
It's about getting curious and finding answers.
It's about working together, as a team.
About Kate
Kate Peterson Koch
CPDT-KA CSDT-2 LFDM-BR LFDM-W
Accredited Mantrailing Global Instructor
Founder & Lead Trainer
Kate (she/they) is originally from St. Louis, Missouri (USA) and has trained dogs in a professional capacity since 2007. Her dog training interests include solid basic foundations for puppies and adults, scent detection, cooperative care, and training service dogs. Adjacent to training, Kate is a qualified service dog evaluator in the province of Alberta (as a member of TLC Training & Consulting) and is passionate about accessibility in dog training as well as supporting team relationships between handlers and their dogs.
She holds a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed) designation as well as a CSDT-2 (Certified Sport Dog Trainer - Level 2) certification from Ford K9, an internationally renowned professional and sport detection training school. In 2023, Kate became an accredited Mantrailing Instructor through Mantrailing Global. In 2025, Kate became licensed by Family Dog Mediation in the Breeding and Working divisions, demonstrating specialty knowledge in both breeding and working dogs. Kate currently serves as the President of the Alberta Dachshund Club and is an active NASDA judge (J00212).
Kate has competed in earthdog, barn hunt, racing/coursing and rally obedience over the years, and currently competes in NASDA with her dog Shirley, who is the first basset hound to achieve versatility titles in the organization. Additionally, Kate has owner-handled her miniature longhaired dachshund, Disco, in conformation, and competes in NASDA with Disco and her standard longhaired dachshund, Hoopla. Kate and her dogs are also currently active in CKC Sprinters. Learn about the dogs of Canidapt here.
Kate is a longtime educator with a people-first, positive reinforcement approach to teaching. She attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Oberlin, Ohio) and Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri) and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with a minor in Music Theory. She taught piano and classical voice full time for many years and can still be found playing piano or accordion (sometimes) and singing, mainly to her dogs.
Kate is a member of the Alberta Force Free Alliance (AFFA), Pet Professional Guild, and Doggone Safe™, as well as a member in good standing of the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).