diff --git a/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py b/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py
index 7e45633a7..79e437983 100644
--- a/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py
+++ b/src/epplibwrapper/errors.py
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ class RegistryError(Exception):
     def should_retry(self):
         return self.code == ErrorCode.COMMAND_FAILED
 
+    def is_session_error(self):
+        return self.code is not None and (self.code >= 2501 and self.code <= 2502)
+    
     def is_server_error(self):
         return self.code is not None and (self.code >= 2400 and self.code <= 2500)
 
diff --git a/src/registrar/admin.py b/src/registrar/admin.py
index 56f1c093a..a7e03cf75 100644
--- a/src/registrar/admin.py
+++ b/src/registrar/admin.py
@@ -311,7 +311,17 @@ class DomainAdmin(ListHeaderAdmin):
             obj.place_client_hold()
             obj.save()
         except Exception as err:
-            self.message_user(request, err, messages.ERROR)
+            # if error is an error from the registry, display useful
+            # and readable error
+            if err.code:
+                self.message_user(
+                    request,
+                    "Error placing the hold with the registry: {err}",
+                    messages.ERROR
+                )
+            else:
+                # all other type error messages, display the error
+                self.message_user(request, err, messages.ERROR)
         else:
             self.message_user(
                 request,
@@ -328,7 +338,17 @@ class DomainAdmin(ListHeaderAdmin):
             obj.revert_client_hold()
             obj.save()
         except Exception as err:
-            self.message_user(request, err, messages.ERROR)
+            # if error is an error from the registry, display useful
+            # and readable error
+            if err.code:
+                self.message_user(
+                    request,
+                    "Error removing the hold in the registry: {err}",
+                    messages.ERROR
+                )
+            else:
+                # all other type error messages, display the error
+                self.message_user(request, err, messages.ERROR)
         else:
             self.message_user(
                 request,
diff --git a/src/registrar/models/domain.py b/src/registrar/models/domain.py
index b0bf00082..d34db2a84 100644
--- a/src/registrar/models/domain.py
+++ b/src/registrar/models/domain.py
@@ -635,13 +635,29 @@ class Domain(TimeStampedModel, DomainHelper):
         """This domain should not be active.
         may raises RegistryError, should be caught or handled correctly by caller"""
         request = commands.UpdateDomain(name=self.name, add=[self.clientHoldStatus()])
-        registry.send(request, cleaned=True)
+        try:
+            registry.send(request, cleaned=True)
+            self._invalidate_cache()
+        except RegistryError as err:
+            # if registry error occurs, log the error, and raise it as well
+            logger.error(
+                f"registry error placing client hold: {err}"
+            )
+            raise (err)
 
     def _remove_client_hold(self):
         """This domain is okay to be active.
         may raises RegistryError, should be caught or handled correctly by caller"""
         request = commands.UpdateDomain(name=self.name, rem=[self.clientHoldStatus()])
-        registry.send(request, cleaned=True)
+        try:
+            registry.send(request, cleaned=True)
+            self._invalidate_cache()
+        except RegistryError as err:
+            # if registry error occurs, log the error, and raise it as well
+            logger.error(
+                f"registry error removing client hold: {err}"
+            )
+            raise (err)
 
     def _delete_domain(self):
         """This domain should be deleted from the registry
diff --git a/src/registrar/tests/test_models_domain.py b/src/registrar/tests/test_models_domain.py
index 9aaac7321..edfce293c 100644
--- a/src/registrar/tests/test_models_domain.py
+++ b/src/registrar/tests/test_models_domain.py
@@ -634,7 +634,11 @@ class TestAnalystClientHold(TestCase):
             Given the analyst is logged in
             And a domain exists in the registry
         """
-        pass
+        super().setUp()
+        self.domain, _ = Domain.objects.get_or_create(name="security.gov")
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        super().tearDown()
 
     @skip("not implemented yet")
     def test_analyst_places_client_hold(self):