Katka Working Dog Training LLC

04/12/2026

My working boys 🐾

Left to Right:

Stark - 17 month old German Shepherd, Single Purpose Narcotics K9 in Training

Xerxes- 4 year old German Shepherd, certified Search and Rescue K9, my newer SAR dog and Stark’s dad.

Zuko - almost 6 years old Belgian Malinois, certified Search and Rescue Tracking K9, my experienced boy.

I love these boys so much. 🧡🧡🧡

04/11/2026

When we are doing detection:
obedience to odor > obedience to the handler

Can’t forget which end of the leash is the dumb one 👆🏻

04/11/2026

“Beginners want to work on intermediate, intermediates want to work on advanced, the advanced work on basics”

This is where you fine tune the basics. Body language, markers, commands, relationship. It all can be improved through working for food.

I noticed since I started a full time job on top of running my business that my basics just weren’t as sharp as they used to be. I was getting sloppy on reward delivery, slow on markers, and inconsistent with commands and follow through. So I’ve gone back to the basics- “perfect practice makes perfect” as an early mentor always reminded me.

And working dogs for food gives me that daily discipline to go practice. He has to eat, I have to get better, he has a ton of things to learn, I have a ton of things I can teach him. There’s so much benefit to both sides.

The positive impact on our relationship is significant. He’s better behaved and easier to handle too.

I highly recommend working your dog for their meals to improve your skills, their skills, and your life together.

Some things I’m working on with Stark using his meals:

Obedience, muzzle, box work for odor/proofing, targeting with nose and paws, eye contact, recall, off leash, dumbbell hold, focused heeling, Dick Staal tracking foundation / article indication, and so much more.

03/29/2026

XERXES AUS DER ASCHE

My goal for Xerxes is to produce exceptional Search and Rescue K9s.

Xerxes is a larger male with strong genetic tracking behavior and high hunt drive with super environmental confidence. He is a proven stud who passes his dependable off switch on to his offspring.

Xerxes is a biddable dog, he is trustworthy in all aspects of life and is truly my easiest dog. He is safe around cats and small animals, and he is neutral with both people and dogs even if a dog is being reactive towards him. Xerxes always gives 110% in his work and is a very honest dog on the track. He is sensitive to his handler yet loyal to odor. When I taught him to track for search and rescue the tracking part came naturally, all I had to do was teach him how to give negatives.

Xerxes’ personality is very playful, goofy, fun loving. His curiosity and willingness to learn new things always shines. Like most German Shepherds he is stoic and serious around strangers, giving the impression of being “all business”. Xerxes is neutral but leans social in most settings. He is great at the vet and groomer. He’s a dog who I know I can hand the leash off to just about anyone and know that he will be well behaved and sweet.

Xerxes truly stamps himself on his offspring. Xerxes has sired several pet litters and a few working pups. My goal is produce more tracking dogs in search and rescue.

Xerxes pedigree includes some of my favorite dogs, including his father, Panter Z Gemera, Wabi Vikar, Karn vom Fegelhof, Bolle Ja Na Ka, Jaro Ja-He, and of course Ellute von der Mohnwiese.

Please reach out for more information.

Thank you to Work Your Dog | GRAPHICS FOR BREEDERS for creating this stunning banner!

03/20/2026

03/01/2026

K9 LOBO UPDATE:

Lobo’s new handler says he’s doing amazing. He’s fitting right in at home and doing fantastic on all of his tracks. He should be well on his way to a tracking certification and on to serve his community as a Search and Rescue K9 in Nez Perce County, ID.

02/28/2026

Congratulations to the Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Police Department on your new narcotics K9 Kilo! Kilo and his awesome handler graduated handler school yesterday. The future is bright for these two 🙌🏻

02/28/2026

Gator is a former shelter dog that I pulled from a shelter in Washington state this last summer- how rewarding it is to see these dogs go on to have fulfilling careers as working K9’s.

01/22/2026

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you know that I see your messages and voicemails coming in. I will be returning them as soon as I can on weekends.
I am currently attending training and my availability Monday-Thursday for the next 5 months is extremely limited.
Please be patient with me and please avoid sending repeated messages.

01/13/2026

He did so well! And despite it being a sight run he stayed very close to ground odor and gave very natural clear negatives.

01/11/2026

🥳👏🏻 THE MOMENT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!

Congratulations Sarah on your new Search and Rescue Tracking K9 LOBO 🎉🐺

Lobo will be training to serve his community in Nez Perce County, Idaho as a tracking/trailing k9 with his amazing handler, Sarah.

Lobo has been searching for the right home for nearly his whole lifetime, and I’m absolutely stoked that he gets to do what he loves most (tracking) with a handler who has amazing tracking experience and natural skill.

Congratulations Sarah and Lobo!!