The Story Behind Cosmic Dog Training
Lafayette's Own Certified Dog Trainer
Cosmic Dog Training started with Koda, a rescue dog whose severe separation anxiety nearly cost him his life. His recovery changed everything. Founder Kathleen Valentine discovered games-based concept training while looking for answers, and never stopped. What started as a solution for Koda became a career, and ongoing education. Games-based training worked for Koda. It has worked for many families since.
Meet The Family
Kathleen Valentine
Founder, Head Trainer, Behavior Specialist
“Every dog has potential. My job is to help you uncover it through science, play, and connection.”
Kathleen Valentine is a certified Pro Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist with advanced credentials from Absolute Dogs. Her career took an unexpected turn when her family adopted Koda, a rescue dog with severe separation anxiety who could not be left alone. After other methods failed, she found games-based concept training. The results were immediate, and the positive reinforcement approach made sense to her on every level. Today Koda can be left at home for any length of time and often prefers his crate.
During her five years of study, she traveled to the UK twice to train directly under Lauren Langman and Dr. Tom Mitchell, the founders of Absolute Dogs and Help! My Dog, and continues to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Canine Behaviour through Canine Behaviour College.
Building on that foundation, Kathleen helps families find joy and confidence with their dogs. She trains alongside her husband Phillip and their four dogs, two rescues and two border collies. Working with her own dogs every day keeps her skills sharp and her empathy real.
When she is not teaching classes or private sessions, she is out hiking Colorado trails or diving into the latest dog behavior research.
Phillip Valentine
Training Assistant & Marketing Lead
Phillip has been a dog person his whole life. Growing up around farms and animals of all kinds gave him an intuitive understanding of animal behavior that translates naturally to dogs. Kathleen would say he has a gift for it.
At Cosmic Dog, he manages the marketing and design side of the business and trains the dogs at home daily using the same games-based methods. He is the proud dad of Koda, Leo, Arrow, and Fabulous.
Koda
The original. Koda’s transformation from a dog who couldn’t be left alone to a confident, settled companion is the reason Cosmic Dog Training exists. These days, he’s happiest on a hiking trail or snuggling on the couch.
Leo
Leo joined the family as a foster and never left. This sweet, sensitive Shiba-Inu/Shar Pei mix came with early fears and insecurities that deepened Kathleen’s passion for training. He and Koda became an inseparable pair. He’s gentle, silly, and happiest sitting in the sun, taking in the world he used to fear.
Arrow
Arrow is a high-energy Border Collie who came to Colorado from Kathleen’s trainers in Devon, UK, a Devon Gem. He’s passionate, focused, and toy-obsessed, and is working toward becoming an agility competitor. He is charming, with frisbee as his first love.
Fabulous (Fabi)
Fabi is a relative to some of the dogs at Absolute Dogs in the UK and the family’s first service dog in training. True to his name, he brings enthusiasm to everything he does. Fast-paced adventures are his favorite, and he is our only dog who is affection motivated.
Client Success Stories
Certificate and Education Explanations
Kathleen’s core certifications are from Absolute Dogs, founded by world champion trainer Lauren Langman and Vet Behaviorist Dr. Tom Mitchell. In addition to these credentials, she holds specialized badges in specific breeds and behavior challenges.
Pro Dog Trainer
This knowledge-assessed certification from Absolute Dogs confirms Kathleen’s understanding of modern, science-based dog training. It covers advanced concepts in canine behavior, learning theory, and games-based training strategies..
Geek
The Geek program explores advanced behavioral science and practical training systems, with specialized modules on reactivity, emotional regulation, and concept-building.
Genius
Building on the Geek program, Genius covers advanced handler mechanics, behavior problem-solving, and cutting-edge research applications, helping trainers apply nuanced techniques in real-life situations.
Naughty But Nice
NBN focuses on dogs who are sweet at heart but struggle with real-world challenges like reactivity, fear, or anxiety. It gives trainers specific tools to help these dogs become more resilient, calm, and focused.
Ongoing Education
Kathleen continues to pursue advanced certifications in agility, fitness, scent work, and breed-specific behavior. She is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in Canine Behaviour through Canine Behaviour College, founded by Dr. Tom Mitchell.
About Absolute Dogs
Absolute Dogs is a UK-based dog training organization built on the principle that concept-based, games-based training creates real behavioral change. With over 300,000 owners trained across 113 countries, their approach is recognized worldwide. Their Pro Dog Trainer certification is knowledge-assessed and internationally recognized.
About Help! My Dog
Help! My Dog was founded by Dr. Tom Mitchell, a veterinarian, trainer, and behavioral scientist, who also founded the Canine Behaviour College. In the United States, dog training has no regulatory body, meaning anyone can claim to be a trainer or behavior specialist. Canine Behaviour College offers the only Ofqual-regulated Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour (Canine), recognised internationally and regulated by an independent department of the UK government. It is the program Kathleen is currently pursuing.
Cosmic Dog Training Center in The Happy Beast
Kathleen’s Cosmic Dog Training Center is located inside The Happy Beast pet store in Lafayette, Colorado. The space is purpose-built for group classes and private training sessions, with everything needed to work with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and behavior challenges.