Steven Cogswell
VSA-CDT (In-Person with Distinction), FDM, Cert. SAPT™
Choosing a dog trainer can involve wading through an overwhelming mishmash of letters and philosophies. It's a huge decision, one we dog trainers don't always make easy for you. Adding to the confusion, dog training is a completely unregulated industry in Colorado. Anyone can legally charge money as a dog trainer, regardless of education and experience. It truly is buyer beware.
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And ... speaking of education and experience, here's my story. I hope it will help you decide if PPD might be a good choice for you and your dog(s).
Training Philosophy
At Practically Perfect Dogs, training starts with a simple idea: dogs do dog things.
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Dogs bark, chew, dig, chase, sniff, jump, and explore. These are normal dog behaviors, not signs that your dog is trying to be stubborn, dominant, or give you a hard time. More often than not, they're simply being dogs in a world designed for humans.
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My job is to help bridge that gap. As a Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer, I use positive, force-free methods grounded in current behavioral science. Rather than focusing on what we don't want dogs to do, we'll spend our time teaching them what to do instead and making those choices rewarding and worthwhile.
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If we work together, I'll never ask you to frighten, intimidate, or intentionally cause pain to your dog. Instead, we'll focus on building skills, meeting needs, improving communication, and creating practical solutions that work in everyday life for both ends of the leash.
Experience
My path into the dog world started as a volunteer at the Dumb Friends League in 2018. What began as helping adopters find good matches quickly grew into a passion for understanding behavior, strengthening relationships, and helping dogs succeed in their homes.
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While volunteering, I completed the 663-hour canine massage program at the Lang Institute of Canine Massage and later joined DFL's Head Start program, providing one-on-one positive training for shelter dogs. During my four years at DFL, I worked with nearly 400 dogs, each one teaching me something new about behavior, communication, and the incredible individuality of dogs.
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In 2021, I enrolled in the Victoria Stilwell Academy and completed both the online and in-person programs, earning my VSA-CDT certification in 2023. Since then, I've continued expanding my education through advanced coursework in behavior, reactivity, welfare, and canine cognition.
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Most recently, I spent two years as Volunteer Coordinator at Riverdale Animal Shelter, a large municipal animal shelter serving the Denver metro area. In that role, I helped develop and update training programs for volunteer dog walkers, collaborated with the behavior team on advanced handling curriculum, and supported hundreds of volunteers working directly with shelter animals.
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Today, my goal is simple: help people and dogs understand each other better. Whether we're working on everyday manners, navigating behavior challenges, or simply building a stronger relationship, I use practical, positive, and dog-centered approaches that fit both ends of the leash.
Education
It is an exciting time to be in the world of dog training. Science is doing its exponential thing and the field is exploding with new discoveries. As such, ongoing education is a must in order to stay current. Luckily, I am an ongoing education junkie. Here's a brief list of my educational endeavors:
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Shelter Zones Approach -- Victoria Stilwell Academy -- June 2026
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Reactivity Master Class -- Maia Huff-Owen, instructor, Victoria Stilwell Academy -- February - March 2026
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2026 Dog Behavior Conference, Victoria Stilwell -- April 2026
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Reactivity for Professionals -- Victoria Stilwell Academy -- March 2026
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2025 Dog Behavior Conference, Victoria Stilwell -- April 2025
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Trauma Informed Pet Professionals, Assessed Practitioner -- ABK Pet Behaviour, Daniel Shaw July 2023 - February 2024
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2024 Dog Behavior Conference, Victoria Stilwell -- April 2024
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Fear Free Shelters Graduate -- Fear Free Shelters -- August 2023
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VSA In-Person Track Graduated with Distinction -- June 2022 - June 2023
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The Resilience Rainbow, Behavior Vets (Dr. Kathy Murphy & Bobbie Bhambree) -- June 2023
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2023 Dog Behavior Conference, Victoria Stilwell -- April 2023
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Rocket Recall, Lisa Waggoner -- December 2022
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L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course -- November - December 2022
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Harmonious Walks: Redefining Loose-Leash Walking, Nancy Tucker-- October 2022
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Julie Naismith's SA Pro Trainer™ Program -- April - July 2022
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Aggression in Dogs Master Course, Michael Shikashio CDBC -- June - July 2022
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2022 Dog Behavior Conference, Victoria Stilwell -- April 2022
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Victoria Stilwell Academy of Dog Training & Behavior -- July 2021 - February 2022
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Geek Week 2021, Pet Professional Guild -- November 2021
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The Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop II: Meds, Moods, & Modification, Dr. Chris Pachel DACVB, CABC & Michael Shikashio CDBC -- November 2021
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CAMambassador, Canine Arthritis Management -- March - April 2021
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PPG 2020 Virtual Summit - Celebrating The Pet Rescue Resource! -- April 2020
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BRAVE - Essential Coping Strategies for Every Dog, Victoria Stilwell -- March 2020
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Dumb Friends League: Basic Dog Walking, Learning Theory, Head Start -- December 2019
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Re-think Trigger Stacking, Sarah Fisher -- November 2019
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K9 First Aid and CPR -- June 2019
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Lang Institute of Canine Massage -- June 2018 - June 2019
Miscellaneous
I'll finish up with a few odds and ends. As I have mentioned, I am certified by the Victoria Stilwell Academy as a positive dog trainer and a member of the Pet Professional Guild. I am a Lang Institute Certified Canine Massage Provider, CAMadvocate, and member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. I am fully insured both as a dog trainer and as a canine massage provider.
I share my life with three practically perfect rescue dogs Jasper, Gerald, and Fritz; and an unquestionably perfect cat, Jett.
