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David Adams

Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

Chelse Wagner

Dog trainer in Madison

#428 in United States, #12 in Wisconsin, #3 in Madison

United States

Madison

https://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com

Service areas:

Madison, WI and surrounding communities/rural areas. Remote, too.

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Certified Behavior ConsultantEducation: UW-Madison B.S. in Psychology and Zoology, Apprenticed with Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Graduate of Susan Friedman Ph.D.'s Living and Learning with Animal ProgramCertifications: CBCC-KA CPDT-KA Chelse has always been passionate about animals and started her professional career in sheltering in 1994, working for the Dane County Humane Society where she was responsible for implementing and directing their animal behavior department. While there, she helped staff and volunteers learn how to evaluated dogs to best determine what types of homes they should be adopted to and when needed develop individual training and behavior programs to make dogs more adoptable.Chelse began working for Dog's Best Friend Training in 1998. She has almost 25 years experience training group classes and working privately with clients to address behavior problems in dogs. Chelse specializes in behavior modification cases involving aggression, anxiety, and phobias as well as helping people find ways to enrich their dog's lives through training and play. She also has a soft spot for Greyhounds.Chelse's personally owned and loved many different dogs over the years including Greyhounds, Aussies, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers.

Certifications:

CBCC, CBDT

Dog training services include

  • Aggressive dog training
  • Deaf dog training
  • Reactive dog training
  • In home training
  • Off leash training
  • Puppy training

More info about Chelse Wagner's dog training:

I work with all kinds of behavior concerns including anxiety, reactivity and aggression. I also work with family who are just starting out with a new dog and want guidance. My clients are also supported in group training classes, if appropriate, run by Dog's Best Friend. I'm committed to using humane methods for dogs and their people!

Behavioral issue focus:

Reactivity (bark/lunge type behavior) to triggers (dogs/humans/cars/etc), aggression (a dog biting people/dogs/cats), cat/dog concerns, anxiety (separation/noise/generalized), struggling puppies (excessively mouthy/shy/unable to settle in their crate)

Dog training methods:

I start with assessing the background of the dog, the environment where the dog is struggling and the physical health of the dog (make sure that a vet has seen the dog recently and if not, encourage owners to have the vet assess the dog) . From here, I teach skills using positive reinforcement techniques in order to encourage alternative behaviors. I consider each dog, owner and their environment as an individual case so all cases get an individualized plan. After 20 years of doing this job, I have quite a few tools:-) Owners get a typed plan with their assessment.

Why I became a dog trainer:

To help people and dogs along with extreme interest in non verbal communication and how animals learn

My favorite part of being a dog trainer:

The times when dogs and their people are in sync and having a lovely conversation!

My #1 dog training tip:

If there's something your dog is doing that you want to change, start with keen observation about what is going on before and after the undesired behavior.

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Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

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