Trainers & Philosophy

Our Misson

The Kinetic Canine is devoted to helping develop the relationship between dog and owner through pet manners and dog sports.  Dogs were originally bred for specific jobs, and although today’s dogs are primarily obtained as companions, they still need exercise and mental stimulation.  It is our hope that by providing positive outlets for energy in a fun way that promotes bonding between dog and owner, that more dogs will stay in their homes, leading happy, productive lives as members of the family.

Training Philosophy

There are as many ways to train dogs as there are people and dogs, meaning that although there are recognized techniques and strategies that work for most dogs, each dog-handler team comes as an individual with specific needs and a unique relationship.

Dogs and humans learn best in an atmosphere free of fear and pain.  Classes do not use techniques or equipment that rely on causing the dog pain or fear.  Training should be fun for both dog and handler!

Dogs and humans learn best when new skills are broken down into small, achievable goals that gradually build upon each other.  Success breeds more success and success breeds confidence!

About Our Trainers

Elizabeth Bryant, CPDT-KSA

Elizabeth is the owner and lead trainer of The Kinetic Canine.  She teaches puppy classes, Basic & Advanced Obedience, as well as AKC Novice & Open Obedience, Treibball and flyable classes, in addition to doing private behavioral work.  Elizabeth has been in the dog training field for over 14 years.  She began her career as a volunteer foster trainer for Texas Hearing and Service Dogs while obtaining a B.S. in marine biology at Texas A&M University, teaching basic obedience and beginning service dog skills to the dogs in her care.

Upon graduation, Elizabeth moved to the United Kingdom, where she was a trainer for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.  In 2004 she moved back to the United States, and began teaching pet obedience at PetsMart in Austin.  In 2007, she struck out on her own and began teaching private lessons in people’s homes, and The Kinetic Canine was founded in 2009. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge and Skills Assessed.  Additionally, she trains and competes with her dogs in flyball, Rally obedience, and agility.

Cathy Cobb, CPDT-KA

Cathy teaches Tracking for Fun! and co-teaches the Introductory Freestyle class.  Cathy is the owner, manager, and lead trainer for Austin Dog Sports and has been a board member and the Training Advisor for Texas German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue since 2005. After teaching group and private basic obedience and CGC classes, she found her first love in the Rally ring. She currently competes with 2 of her adopted GSPs in AKC Rally and Obedience, tracks for pleasure and trains in freestyle.  She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Courtney Keys

Courtney is the newest addition to The Kinetic Canine team!  She
began apprenticing here early this summer after deciding to make the
move from journalism to dog training.  An avid agility fan and TDAA
agility judge, she has begun teaching parts of Basic, Intermediate and
Advanced Obedience with the goal of teaching these classes
independently in the fall.
Courtney discovered her love for positive training and dog sports
when she adopted her dachshund Thor. He now has more than a dozen
agility titles in six different venues, and his AKC junior earthdog
title too. In addition to her two other rescue dachshunds, Courtney
has a Cardigan Welsh corgi, Francine, who competes in agility and
rally and is in training for obedience. Courtney believes that dog
training should be nothing but fun. She loves the thrill of teamwork
and the bond that training gives her with her dogs. She hopes to pass
that passion on to her students!

Catherine Powell

Catherine joined The Kinetic Canine last fall as an apprentice instructor and is now teaching the Rally Novice class, as well as Rally drop-ins.  She has been training and trialling in Rally with her crew of rescue Irish Setters ever since she discovered it was her passion.  Her attention to detail and sense of humor make her a rigorous, but enthusiastic instructor for new Rally teams intending to compete, or for pet owners looking to take their basic obedience to a higher level.  She is also a member of K9X, training in agility, and has a special interest in rehabilitating reactive dogs.

Susan Ramsbottom, RVT, CPDT-KA

Susan teaches the Introductory Conformation & Handling class.  Susan has been training dogs for over 40 years – starting with 4-H, Junior Showmanship program, then moving into the AKC breed, obedience, rally, and agility rings.  She has trained and handled a number of dogs that have gone on to finish their Championship titles, and has experience with Dobermans, Pointers, English Springer Spaniels, and Manchester Terriers, amongst others.  Susan currently works at Texas Hearing & Service Dogs as a Senior/In-Home Trainer.  She is a member of APDT, is a Registered Veterinary Technician, and has her TAGTeach Primary certification.