Kim Rinehardt is
the K9 Educator
Kim has loved animals for as long as she can remember, so it’s probably no surprise that she’s been immersed in the world of dogs for her entire adult life. Kim has worked professionally with animals for well over three decades, and even in her spare time, she has chosen to involve herself in hobbies that revolve around dogs. In addition to training, her animal skills and work experience resume include professional dog grooming, dog and cat anesthesia-free teeth cleaning, tattooing for pet identification, and recreational and swim therapy work at a canine physical rehabilitation center.
In her spare time, she’s trained, competed, and won awards with multiple dogs in a variety of dog sports. This naturally led to being asked to coach others, and after a while she segued from competition training to companion animal training and behavior modification. It didn’t take long for this to become a full-time venture. After having worked as a professional dog trainer for more than a decade, in 2010 Kim successfully completed the process to become certified as a CPDT-KA, through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.
Because she believes that you should never stop learning, Kim pursues continuing education whenever possible. She attends lectures, seminars, and conferences, as well as reading numerous texts and periodicals, in order to stay current with the most up to date science and information about animal behavior.
In addition to working with one on one with people and their pets, Kim has also been asked to speak on a variety of topics at veterinary hospitals and dog clubs. Over the years, she has fostered several rescue animals, which is just one of the ways she donates her time. expertise, and efforts to various animal-related causes. Some of the organizations she’s worked with include The Rescue Train, The Bill Foundation, GRCGLA, Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue, German Shepherd Rescue, and Best Friends Animal Society.
Along with her good friend and fellow trainer Laura Bourhenne, Kim has created a podcast series called “Doggie Dish Broadcasts,” to help people better understand, and live in harmony with their canine companions. In these podcasts, they discuss a variety of dog related topics, including dog behavior and training concepts, safe and responsible dog handling, and essential methods of pet dog advocacy.
In her own words, here’s what Kim has to say about helping people with their dogs:
“It’s been said, ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’
Well I do love my job, although I cannot in all honestly say that it’s never felt like work.But I do feel incredibly lucky to be instrumental in creating a deeper understanding, and more harmonious relationship between pets and their people.
When I can help people to better communicate with their canine companions, and when I can help dogs to better understand and live successfully with their human best friends, I know I’m doing exactly what I was always meant to do.
I can’t think of a more fulfilling way to spend my time.”
Client feedback about Kim:
“I came to Kim in an act of desperation. The relationship with my two-year old dog was difficult at best, and I didn’t know what to do. The most disturbing behavior was my dog’s lashing out at other dogs without provocation.
The past three months have been revelatory. Kim has shown me how we got to where we are. I stress “we” because Kim has helped me to see how my decisions/indecision during training left my dog without support.
In these past few months Kim has shown me how to work through layers of behavior, but most importantly how to become a trustworthy leader, and that is giving my dog the confidence to make successful decisions. Together we are becoming a team.!
Kim’s ability to recognize the dynamics of a relationship and provide feedback followed by tools is remarkable. I have learned as much about myself as I have about my dog. Just terrific!”
—Donna Williams & Surf