• Engage students are encouraged to enroll as early as possible but must be enrolled before November 4. Early enrollment provides you with more learning time!  
• Excel students must be enrolled before October 27 to allow time to start training and submit videos for feedback from the instructor in the discussion forum before the first LIVE class on November 4. Please note that there are only 8 Excel spots.

LIVE stands for Learning that's Interactive and Virtually Engaged. As a student in a KPA LIVE class, you will experience a unique learning environment where interactivity and engagement are key. You will have the opportunity to receive coaching personally or observe as others get coached. You will witness the decisions that create training breakthroughs, ask questions directly, or benefit from the insightful questions posed by other participants. The interactive and community-oriented nature of the class ensures that every participant always has the best "seat" in the house! 

KPA's LIVE class offers a unique integration of three learning components: 

•  A week-by-week curriculum, meticulously crafted by each instructor, ensures that students know exactly what to expect each week. 
• Real-time weekly classes conducted over Zoom that include real-time training, video review, student coaching, as well as Q&A. 
• An online class discussion forum that offers a platform for students to connect with one another, share training videos, and access instructor feedback.

This distinct combination of elements sets the LIVE learning experience apart, further complimented by KPA’s exceptional LIVE class instructors. Not only are they skilled trainers, but they also excel at teaching classes in real-time, online settings.  

Select LIVE classes also include the opportunity to earn KPA's SkillCheck designation assessment in a skill or protocol.

This LIVE class includes:

• Four real-time LIVE classes conducted over Zoom.
• Access to the on-demand curriculum, which consists of video lectures and weekly exercises.
• A class discussion forum where you can share videos, ask questions, get feedback, and interact with fellow students! All students will also be able to view the instructor’s feedback on Excel-level students' videos as well as the responses to their questions.

As soon as you enroll, you get access to the complete week-by-week curriculum; the weekly real-time classes are recorded in case you miss a class or want to review them; the discussion board opens approximately two weeks before the first real-time Zoom class. You have access to the course curriculum and class recordings for a year.

Both the Engage and Excel experiences include the weekly LIVE virtual class, the integrated step-by-step curriculum and recorded lectures, fun hands-on training exercises, and the class discussion forum where you can view the instructor’s comments and responses to questions, share your training progress videos with the community, and/or cheer on your classmates!

In the Excel experience, you are one of only eight students (maximum) actively coached by the instructor throughout the course.  

For more details on the Engage vs. the Excel experiences, see the Engage or Excel Experience? FAQ below or this detailed side-by-side comparison.

This class is designed for trainers and cat lovers who have an understanding of positive reinforcement training basics, clean mechanics, and familiarity with the use of markers and reinforcement.

The skills taught in the class help to fill your positive reinforcement toolbox when working with cats, dogs, or any other species. The behaviors and fun practice exercises give your cat a full, fun foundation for training. Week by week, you build on that foundation to create fun and flashy behaviors.

If you are working with a cat that is already familiar with general training, that's great! If your cat is new to training, that is perfect as well! The first Unit of this class gets everyone training their cats the same way that Melissa begins to work with cats for film and television projects.

If you don't have a solid foundation of positive reinforcement training skills and knowledge but are curious and motivated about cat training, you are welcome in the class, but should sign up as an Engage student.

Trainers with solid training fundamentals and the time for the weekly training sessions with their cat can consider either an Excel or an Engage class slot. Trainers with less experience or with limited time for weekly exercises with their cats should enroll in the Engage experience.

Pick the experience that's right for you!

• Trainers with less experience or with little time for the weekly exercises with their cat should prioritize enrollment in the Engage experience.
• Trainers with solid training fundamentals and the time for the weekly training sessions with their cat can consider Excel or Engage enrollment. If you are considering the Excel experience, please also note the specific criteria for this class (see FAQ: Is This Class Right for Me/My Cat?).

For the Excel experience, active participation is critical to both your experience and the experience of other students. Kindly keep up with the lessons, work closely with your instructor, record and post videos of your training progress, ask questions, and come prepared to participate in the weekly LIVE classes over Zoom. 

For all students, enrollment includes access to the course curriculum and class recordings for a year; each of the four LIVE format classes will be recorded and available for self-study after each class. 

The Engage experience includes the four real-time Zoom classes where you watch, see, and hear the LIVE virtual class and participate in Q&A. Additionally, you will receive the weekly step-by-step curriculum with Melissa’s engaging lectures and hands-on training exercises. Moreover, you will have access to the class discussion forum where you can share your video submissions with the community. In this forum, you will also be able to view other students' video submissions and benefit from Melissa’s written feedback on Excel students' videos, as well as her written responses to students' questions.

For Excel students, the class is limited to a maximum of eight actively coached participants. During the LIVE virtual class, you will have the opportunity to practice with real-time coaching from Melissa. In addition to the live classes, you will also receive feedback on your practice videos and have your questions answered on the class forum during the intervals between sessions. The course offers an integrated step-by-step weekly curriculum consisting of Melissa’s lectures, instructional videos, and assigned training exercises. 

Compare the Excel and Engage experience (summary table).

You'll learn to train your cat right from the start, teach your cat amazing tricks, see your cat's hidden talents, and set up both of you for even more learning in the future.

To begin, you'll learn to use well-timed reinforcement and thoughtful antecedent arrangements. They are the CATalyst for training behaviors fit for the silver screen—thus the name of this course! Plus, training with your cat will add a new and fun dynamic to your relationship. For more details, see the description of each week's curriculum above the FAQ.

If you are an active trainer, this course will enhance your training skills whether your go-to species is dogs, birds, rabbits, or a more exotic species! Training a variety of species is an incredibly efficient way to build your training skills. In this course, you'll use luring, targeting, capturing, and shaping with an animal that may be less socially motivated than many animals you have encountered.

In this class, you'll be thinking outside the box (even though many cats prefer to stay in the box!)

This class will be eligible for CEUs from the following organizations:

• Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
  • CEUs Excel: 20-25
  • CEUs Engage: 10-15
• The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
  • CEUs Excel: 20-25
  • CEUs Engage: 10-15
• The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC):
  • CEUs Excel: 12-22
  • CEUs Engage: 6-10

Please note that the range of CEUs awarded by each organization is provided as a guide. The finalized CEU credits will be communicated to all enrolled students.

The six-week, four-unit class includes three major components: the online curriculum (video lectures + weekly exercises), the online discussion forum, and the weekly virtual LIVE class.

The online discussion forum opens on October 28, allowing Excel students to start submitting videos of their initial training for review immediately for feedback from the instructor.

The LIVE classes will take place online via Zoom on Saturdays for two hours, starting at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern, on the following dates: November 4, November 11, November 18, and December 2. If you are unable to attend a virtual class, don’t worry; the LIVE classes will be recorded and made available approximately 24-48 hours after the class.

NOTE: There will be a week break between Zoom sessions 3 and 4 to account for Thanksgiving and to allow students additional time for training.

*Please note that it may take up to 48 hours from registration for Excel students to receive access to the student portal.

To participate in the class, you'll need the following:

All students:

• A computer or device with high-speed Internet access.

Excel students (those seeking personalized feedback):

• A camera (laptops have cameras) for LIVE class video conferencing. This setup is similar to what is needed for Zoom meetings or Google Hangouts, etc.
• To share videos of your training sessions with the instructor for feedback, you will need:
• A camera or phone to record the video and a way to obtain a good angle and stabilization (e.g., tripod, gimble, helper)
• The ability to edit your videos to fit the maximum allowable time. You can submit up to five minutes of videos or 4 total videos per unit. 
• The ability to share a link to your video on a private channel on YouTube or Vimeo. The video itself cannot be hosted within the discussion platform
• A clicker or distinct sound to mark good behavior.
• Training treats that your cat enjoys (Melissa suggests several in her Unit recordings and cats also love our On Cue training Treats!).
• Consistent Access to a cat for training.
• The ability to train your cat consistently is essential. 
• Any items or props necessary that are required for the tricks and skills. Most items are easily found around your house. Marks can be books, pieces of plywood, pieces of yoga mat placed on sturdy objects, or other flat and mobile surfaces

Engage students are welcome and encouraged to follow along with or without their cat (or dog) and will still gain a significant amount from the class content. All students will have access to the entirety of the class content and to the recorded Zoom meetings for one year after enrollment.

Our Train Your Cat! course is a wonderful course and an entirely different student experience. Both the CATalyst LIVE course and the Train Your Cat! course will add joy and fun to your life together with your cat. Here are the major differences:

Train Your Cat! is an on-demand course that you can start anytime and work through at your own pace. It is designed for self-study and does not come with instructor support or coaching. The course has a broad scope, learning goals, and material coverage and includes sections on reducing many behavior problems common with cats. Train Your Cat! is for any cat guardians who would like to build a better relationship with their cats, have some fun, or help reduce unwanted behavior. No previous training experience is required. Students have access to the course for one year.

CATalyst! with Melissa Millett is a KPA LIVE group class. It has defined start and stop dates. The class is open for enrollment for a few weeks, spots are limited, and the class lasts approximately four weeks.

This LIVE class features real-time teaching and coaching from top cat trainer and coach Melissa Millett, four LIVE group classes over Zoom with Melissa, an online class forum for sharing practice videos and feedback, and Melissa's weekly curriculum that ties it all together. If you miss a class, fall behind, or want to go back and review, the materials and class recordings remain available to you for a year from the start of enrollment.

The CATalyst class is focused on teaching your cat fun behaviors, even amazing ones. Through that process, you sharpen your training skills, amaze your friends and clients, strengthen your bond with your cat, and provide healthy mental and physical stimulation for your cat. 

This class is designed for trainers and cat lovers who have an understanding of positive reinforcement training basics, clean mechanics, and familiarity with the use of markers and reinforcement. The skills taught in the class and the fun practice exercises give your cat a full, fun foundation for training. Week by week, you build on that foundation to create fun and flashy behaviors. There are two enrollment options for this class. Compare and choose the experience that is right for you.

Great question! Like most things, the more you invest the more you will gain! However, on a weekly basis, you should plan to:

• Attend the LIVE classes held over Zoom on Saturdays at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern. Each class will last approximately two hours.
• Prior to the LIVE class, watch the approximately 60-minute weekly skills video.
• Prior to the LIVE class, allocate time for practicing the weekly behaviors or setting up weekly exercises.
• Excel students should spend approximately 90 minutes per week, spreading it out over the week, for training
• Build in time for videography. Excel students can submit videos of their practice sessions and/or weekly plans to the instructor for written feedback via the class forum. Limits: Up to five minutes of video in total per unit, with a maximum of four submissions and four written training plans. Video submission and training plans must be shared by 2:00 pm Pacific/5:00 pm Eastern on the Thursday before the LIVE class meeting.
• Engage students, to get the maximum benefit from this class, it is recommended that you allocate as much time training/preparing as the Excel students do. However, there is no requirement.
• Follow, and contribute to, the discussion forum at your leisure.

The weekly LIVE classes are recorded (full video). Recordings will be available in the student portal approximately 48 hours after the class. Excel-level students must attend the weekly LIVE class to receive real-time coaching.

The LIVE classes meet online over Zoom on Saturdays for two hours, starting at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern, on the following dates: November 4, November 11, November 18, and December 2.

Once you have registered, your class fee is non-refundable.

The full curriculum is available to you upon registration. All classes and the curriculum are recorded and available for a year.

If you wish to be an Excel student, remember that spots are limited to 8 students. Please be sure that you are able to participate before you register. We are not responsible for Internet-connection or other issues that interrupt your training.

Engage Students: $199

Excel Students: $399

See pricing and compare experiences