Chelse Wagner, CBCC-KA CPDT-KA

Certified Behavior Consultant

Education: 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” Program

Certifications: CBCC-KA CPDT-KA

Chelse is a certified behavior consultant, trainer and teacher whose versatility, expertise and empathy make her unique in her field. What sets Chelse apart is her ability to relate to and enjoy working with both dogs and humans. Chelse has always been passionate about animals and started her professional career in sheltering in 1994, working for the Dane County Humane Society. 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 over 25 years experience training group classes and working privately with clients to address behavior problems in dogs. Chelse specializes in behavior modification cases, and was one of a very small number of individuals who was personally mentored by Dr Patricia McConnell. Her specialties include aggression, anxiety, and phobias as well as helping clients find ways to enrich their dog’s lives through training and play.

Chelse’s personally owned and loved many different dogs over the years including Greyhounds, Aussies, Border Collies and a Golden Retrievers. She has also trained many of her own dogs for scent work, obedience and agility. But what she enjoys most is working with her dogs on training so that they can hike together and enjoy the great outdoors in dog friendly spaces.

Positive training with positive results!

For more than 10 years Dog’s Best Friend Training has been a meaningful part of life with our Berners – beginning with calm, beloved Healy and continuing with young,”spirited”(also beloved!) Cara!

Positive reinforcement and individual guidance for both dog and human are integral to the many thoughtful and diverse classes offered. Together with indispensable one to one counsel from Chelse Wagner, DBF has provided the skills and confidence not only to raise well mannered and affectionate companions but to engage them with their humans in activities they love!

-Peggy Lee

Dog’s Best Friend Training is a tremendous resource for pet owners. My dogs and I have taken numerous classes and I’ve found the trainers to be very professional and understanding of the dogs’ and owners’ individual training needs. In addition, I’ve had several individual consultations with Chelse Wagner. She is an excellent trainer and animal behaviorist, and has a wonderful rapport with animals with varying temperaments. My dogs and I have greatly benefited from the expertise and training at Dogs Best Friend.

-Mary Sesto

I’ve been attending classes at Dog’s Best Friend with my dog, Rookie, for almost three years now. I started out in puppy socialization classes, obedience, and am now in the advanced competition agility class. I have only good things to say about the instructors at Dog’s Best Friend. They are supportive and positive, tailoring the instruction to each dog/handler’s needs. Because of their knowledge and experience, they do not have a one size fits all approach. They help each team build a solid relationship and foundation – no matter what your individual goals are. I also appreciate the fact that they stay abreast with emerging training methods and share that knowledge with their students. They are always progressing so that their students can also. Thank you Dogs Best Friend Training!

-Diane Poole

I owe all of you at Dog’s Best Friend Training a great big THANK YOU for all you have taught me since I started attending your classes two years ago with my Lab Guiness. When I adopted Guiness he was 6 months old. He was an easy going, happy pup without a care in the world. Your classes were a wonderful way for Guiness and me to develop our bond and we both had a lot of fun. When Guiness turned 1 1/2 years old and went through a fear stage. I found myself faced with a situation I had never faced before, living with a dog that at times was very unpredictable. Trainers Chelse and Lisa came to my rescue and taught me so much more about training a dog than I could ever imagine. They gave me the confidence and taught me the skills so that I could help Guiness overcome some of his fears, all while providing him with a positive learning environment and loving home.

-Sue Williams

Thirteen years, two dogs, and numerous classes later, I’m here to testify that the teachers at DBF are superb and compassionate, the courses are everything that a dog owner needs, and the results for me were one dog who was a masterful tricks performer and the other who went from the dog of many challenges to a focused, well-behaved, and loving K-9 citizen. We could not have done it without Aimee, Chelse, and the rest of the DBF staff!

-Fran Breit and Frieda

I adopted my dog Biggie from the Dane County Humane Society in December. I enrolled him right away with Dog’s Best Friend Training, starting with the Beginner Obedience class. Since then, we have taken classes all the way up through Advanced Obedience. We have also taken Agility 1 through Competition Agility 1 classes. All the instructors are very knowledgeable and helpful (and have loads of patience which was needed, at times, with Biggie!) I have thoroughly enjoyed taking classes with Dog’s Best Friend and highly recommend them for training your dog!

-Diane Wagner

If any one is interested in training and understanding your dog I highly recommend Dog’s Best Friend. No matter what the situation they are there for you — be it through email or phone, they will address any of your concerns. I am very happy with the training I’ve received. The results that you see with your dog are amazing. I’m looking forward to taking my classes at Dog’s Best Friend. Thank you so much Aimee, Chelse and Lisa for everything!

-Carol Mahlik

The staff at Dog’s Best Friend have always been available to answer small questions and even have come to see us for a home visit after our puppy starting veering down to visit the road. They are truly an amazing resource.

-Jacquelyn Mitchard