COSMIC DOG TRAINING

Science-Backed Dog Training. Real Behavior Skills

Dog Training in Lafayette, CO

Smiling dog hiking off-leash at the Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado.
Smiling dog hiking off-leash at the Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado.

Built on how dogs actually learn

Dog Training in Lafayette, CO

Smiling dog hiking off-leash at the Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado.
  • Your dog’s leash pulling turns every walk into a battle
  • They bark, lunge, or lose it when they see other dogs or strangers
  • You’ve tried corrections and commands, but nothing sticks
  • Your dog jumps on everyone, ignores you, or just won’t settle
  • You love your dog but sometimes wonder if it will always be this hard
  • You’re not sure where to start

None of this means your dog is broken. A behavior specialist can show both of you a better way.

Games-based concept training is built on the latest research in behavior science. Short, fun training games rewire how your dog responds to the world, building skills for everything from reactivity and anxiety to everyday manners.

Positive reinforcement is at the center of everything Kathleen does. It builds trust, strengthens the relationship between you and your dog, and creates changes that actually hold up in real life.

Kathleen Valentine is a certified Pro Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist, trained and certified by Absolute Dogs and Help! My Dog. Their methods have helped over 300,000 dog owners worldwide. She has six years of experience working with dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, and is completing a bachelor’s degree in Canine Behaviour. Every session starts with understanding the whole dog, not just the behavior.

“Every dog has potential. My job is to help you uncover it through science, play, and connection.” — Kathleen Valentine

Client Success Stories

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Excellent67 reviews
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Nolan Ales
8 September 2026
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Kathleen is very knowledgeable and has helped me with my 3 year old labradoodle. The class sizes are smaller so that she can address each dog's needs individually; at the beginning of each class, she specifically asks about how each dog did during the last week, and tailors the class to teach what is more pressing/useful. She focuses on developing a better relationship between each person/dog pair, and gives the tools to continue training at home
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Stacey Maida
25 August 2026
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+0
Kathy has been a godsend to me and my pup, Sunny. She has given me practical tools that have set me and Sunny up for success. In just a month’s time, the difference is incredibly noticeable. She is accessible, provides great feedback and has helped me as a dog owner in ways I never thought possible. She is always on time, she gives me homework and leaves great notes I can lean on in between our sessions. She has really helped me think differently about the way I interact with my dog and I’m incredibly grateful for her!
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Christina Kumler
24 August 2026
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If your dog has a behavior that needs love, support, and training, this is absolutely your gal. We didn't need "basic training" or even reactive leash training. Our dog wasn't exactly reactive, she is anxious and then has a hefty alert bark, with the occasional protective bark over our new baby when a human enters the house. Through Cosmic Dog, we have been able to support our loving girl to live in her calm headspace and be much less attentive/high alert to her surroundings. Thankful to have this training and support. Kathleen speaks dog.
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mallery clouse
18 August 2026
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Cosmic Dog Training has been a wonderful experience. Kathleen was not only able to help me better understand my dog's breeds and how they interact while being trained but how to work with my neurodivergence to gain better results on my end as the trainer! Highly recommend
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Stacey Bernstein
22 July 2026
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+2
Kathleen has been so helpful teaching us how to develop and solidify our relationship with Fiona, our sweet Staffy who sometimes does not make the right decisions. Her approach is direct, rewards focused, and effective! We highly recommend Cosmic Dog Training - big issues, small issues, Kathleen has the expertise to help.
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Camryn A
16 July 2026
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I could not recommend Kathleen enough! We asked for her help setting up our new border collie mix rescue puppy for success after noticing that she was hesitant about the world. Kathleen's tips have been life changing for our dog and for us! So happy that we found Kathleen when we did.
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Tracie Kinnear
12 July 2026
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We cannot say enough amazing things about Kathleen at Cosmic Dog Training! Finley has gained so much confidence, and we’ve learned so many valuable skills in the Life Skills class. Kathleen makes every class fun and engaging, and we genuinely look forward to going each week. We are so grateful we found her and already plan to continue with more classes once this session ends. We would recommend her to anyone!
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Jonathan Blaze
5 July 2026
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Such a great help and an awesome person! Kathleen walked us through what we were doing and what we should be doing with amazing clarity! She’s helped my brother and I with so many questions for our boys and has no problem explaining it to whoever’s involved. Well loved by pets and parents 👏🏽
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Mary Scott
26 June 2026
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+3
Kathleen is in that top tier of professionals who performs their role as a vocation & not just a job. She communicates sometimes complex concepts clearly & with humor & passion. She has a patience & tempo that is easy to want to emulate (I think we’re calling that co-regulating in pop-psychology). The photos are of my 18 month old at an outdoor patio restaurant, snuggling with a 5yo that he just met, using his chaos box to have his dinner (that’s one of the fun activities we learned in one of our classes) & knocked out after a find-it exercise with cinder blocks at home (another enrichment exercise we learned in 1of our classes). You would not regret working with Kathleen & her creative, light-hearted approach to dog trainings. Highly recommend! 🥇
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L J Anonymous
2 June 2026
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Kathleen was so good at reading the stress level in my dogs and helped me help them to be comfortable in my home.
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FAQ

Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page for a full list.

Cosmic Dog Training is based in Lafayette, CO, and serves Boulder County and the northern Denver area, including Louisville, Broomfield, Erie, and Westminster. Virtual training is available anywhere.

Yes. Puppy training classes in Lafayette are available for dogs under six months. Classes build confidence, focus, and real-world skills using positive reinforcement, with the goal of preventing behavior issues before they start.

Both are available. Group classes are great for building foundational skills alongside other dogs in a structured environment. Private training is better suited for specific behavior challenges, owners who prefer personalized attention, or dogs who do better working in their own home or out in the world.

Most dog training focuses on teaching commands and managing behavior. Games-based concept training develops the underlying skills, like disengaging from distractions, settling calmly in new environments, and choosing to check in with you rather than react to the world.

Every session at Cosmic Dog Training includes a behavior assessment, so Kathleen understands what is causing your dog’s behavior. From there, a training plan is built around your dog’s specific triggers and history rather than a standard curriculum.

Science-based dog training applies current behavioral research to how dogs learn. The focus is on positive reinforcement, emotional well-being, and building real skills, rather than punishment or corrections. Kathleen holds advanced certifications from Absolute Dogs and is completing a bachelor’s degree in Canine Behaviour through Canine Behaviour College, keeping her training methods current with the latest research.

Yes. Positive reinforcement is one of the most well-researched training approaches available. It builds trust and lasting behavior change without fear or punishment, and it works for dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments.

Yes. Every training session starts with an assessment of what’s driving your dog’s behavior. For reactivity, anxiety, fear, or aggression, Kathleen builds a plan around your dog’s specific triggers and needs. Severely reactive dogs often do better in private or virtual sessions than in a group setting. If you are not sure which is the right fit, a free phone consult is the best place to start..

Free Phone Consult