Understanding dogs and cats better: Steffi Luderer's recipe for success in Rathmannsdorf

Understanding dogs and cats better: Steffi Luderer's recipe for success in Rathmannsdorf

In Rathmannsdorf near Bad Schandau, 33-year-old Steffi Luderer has made a name for herself with her passion for dogs. Her journey to becoming a dog trainer began when she adopted her Rottweiler-Boxer mix, Freya, who needed special attention due to her anxiety. To better understand the causes of Freya's fear, Luderer sought help from an experienced dog trainer. This experience inspired her to enter the dog training industry herself.

In 2016, she received her certification as a dog trainer from the veterinary office after previously studying biology. She took her first steps in this area by organizing hikes for dogs and their owners, which later led to individual coaching. Since 2022, Luderer has been offering her courses on a newly designed site that was formerly an inn in Rathmannsdorf. Here she has created a training area with a course, outdoor areas and a training room. Luderer personally takes care of the maintenance of the grounds and the organizational matters of her courses.

Behavioral problems and their causes

Behavioral problems in dogs are common and can put a significant strain on living with your four-legged friends. According to a study by the Federal Association of Practicing Veterinarians, around 70% of dogs in veterinary practices show behavioral problems, ranging from fearfulness to aggression to constant barking. These problems can be triggered by various factors, including loud noises, unfamiliar environments, or negative experiences. Steffi Luderer attaches great importance to root cause research in her training sessions and wants to help dog owners better understand the needs of their animals, as many owners often do not know what their dog breed needs.

From her experience, Luderer knows that many dog ​​owners treat their animals roughly, which she doesn't ignore in such situations. “A dog’s training and socialization are crucial to its quality of life and behavior,” she explains. In particular, positive reinforcement, in which good behavior is rewarded, is an effective method for changing animal behavior and strengthening the bond between humans and dogs. Desensitization and training attention and focus are also important strategies that Luderer uses in her training.

Looking into the future

In addition to dog training, Steffi Luderer also offers mobile cat care and cat behavior therapy. She has already successfully introduced the clicker method to train cats. But that's not all: Luderer plans to open her own pet boarding facility in the near future in order to be able to better serve her customers and their animals. In her free time she looks after her son, Freya, the cat Charlie and two rabbits, all of whom are part of her animal family.

With her “Pfoten Forum”, which starts on July 26, 2023, Luderer wants to create a platform for animal lovers. This is where dog lovers can meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other. Steffi Luderer is convinced that collaboration between owners and trainers is crucial to mastering behavioral problems and increasing the animals' well-being. Their philosophy aims to recognize and promote the individual potential in every dog ​​in order to enable harmonious coexistence.

For further information on behavioral disorders in dogs and their effects on coexistence, interested readers can visit [deine-online-hundeschule.de](https://deine-online-hundeschule.de/blog/2024/09/11/ Behaviorsstoerungen-beim-hund/). hundeo.com also provides valuable insights into dog psychology that can help dog owners better understand the behavior of their four-legged friends.

In a world where dogs are often considered man's best friend, it is even more important to connect both sides and promote understanding for each other. Steffi Luderer is well on the way to achieving this goal.