Meet Our Dog Trainer

certified dog trainer Cathy Madson and her Welsh Cardigan Corgi SookieCathy Madson

MA, FDM, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP

Cathy Madson became a dog trainer in 2008, but she likes to think that her career began when she was six years old and a stray wandered into her yard and became her first dog companion. She shares her life with her partner and his 10-year-old son, who adores their two Welsh Cardigan Corgis, Sookie and Fozzie Bear. Cathy loves to geek out at dog behavior and training conferences, and when she's not working, you can usually find her paddle boarding, reading, or knitting.

As a dog trainer and canine behavior consultant, Cathy strives to help humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust and clear communication through force-free dog training methods. With over 13 years of experience working with dogs in shelters, dog daycares, grooming salons, group classes, and private companion dog training, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs and on a wide variety of behavioral challenges. She believes that preventive and proactive training is key to helping dogs live a happy, well-adjusted life with their family.

Beyond companion dog training, her specialties include canine separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and dog aggression. She teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane in Bellevue, Wa. 

Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, earning both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Family Dog Mediator, Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and a training professional member of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She's also a member of the Dog Writer's Association of America.

Schedule a One-on-One Coaching Session with Cathy Check out Cathy's Puppy Essentials Workshops
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Want to see Cathy's coaching style? Watch her in action in a recent Yappy Hour event, where she talks all about how to get our dogs to stop jumping on people: