Meet Cat “Your Dog Trainer” Harbord | ImPAWSible Possible
Chief Behaviour Nerd & Founder
Hey, I’m Cat. Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant. Behaviour Technologist. Canine science nerd. Canine Translator (for humans).
Since 2009, I’ve been committed to bridging the gap between dogs and their people. My work is rooted in science, driven by a (slightly obsessive)curiosity, and designed for real life—with all of it’s messes, surprises, and beauty.
My journey didn’t start with credentials or research.
It started in 2007, with running shoes and wagging tails.
Back then, I was running Rocky Mountain Canine Adventures in SW Calgary, literally running, alongside dogs of every breed, age and size. From tiny terriers to enormous doodles, each one brought joy… and (oh so many) questions:
Why do dogs do (insert quirky or confusing behaviour here)?
What’s up with the rolling in mystery ick?
What do dog's really need from us?
Like a detective, I followed the questions wherever they led: books, mentors, conferences, late-night notes scribbled in the margins of notebooks. Over time, that curiosity grew into a career, and in 2009, ImPAWSible Possible was born.
The Dog Who Changed Everything
Every behaviour professional has That Dog. Mine was Mouse (see photo below).
Mouse came into my life after 6 months on the streets and 18 months in a shelter. He had many nicknames—Mufasa, Mouse-Mouse, Bronson (following the infamous barbed-wire incident), and a never-ending list of behaviour challenges including: separation anxiety, reactivity, aggression, hyperarousal and jumpy-mouthy behaviour to name but a few.
I thought I could “fix” Mouse.
Armed with books, boundless enthusiasm, and way too much confidence in my abilities, I dove in head first.
But Mouse had other plans for my life and career. He showed me that transformation doesn’t come from checklists or rigid training protocols—it comes from connection, trust, and deep listening. Mouse taught me to slow down, to meet him where he was, and to see the world through his eyes:
Not who I wanted him to be.
Not who the books (or the industry or the cultural narrative)said he should be.
Just… Mouse.
Mouse passed away in August 2024, at 15½ years old. He remains the inspiration for all of my work, and the reason I do what I do.
How I Work
Dogs are dynamic, complex systems—and so are we.
My work brings together science, systems thinking, and serious heart. I draw from:
Conflict studies
In practice, this involves the application of a proprietary, fluid, adaptive, and real-time approach to dog training and the human-canine relationship. No scripts. No rigid protocols. Just a collaborative process customized to the living system in front of me—you and your dog.
Credentials & Experience
Diploma in Canine Behaviour Science & Technology
Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (IAABC)
Certificate in Systems Thinking & Leadership – Cornell University
Member – International Association for Perceptual Control Theory
Thousands of client dogs supported, from puppies to complex behaviour cases
Mentor to professionals in Canada and internationally
I've also developed a theory of conflict and conflict resolution in the human-canine bond, that I will be co-publishing academically in the next little bit and, if I don’t get sidetracked, a book.
Where You Might’ve Seen Me
The Bitey End of the Dog podcast (2022)
APDT Conference 2024
L.E.G.S. in Motion 2025 (upcoming)
Behaviour, Eh? 2025 (upcoming)
I love and welcome any opportunity to speak publicly (despite being insanely introverted)! Contact me for booking information.
Beyond the Bio
I’ve called Calgary home since 1999, but I live outside whenever I can, with an iPod in one hand (playing a podcast or audiobook, of course!) and a coffee in the other.
I want working with dogs to feel less like “fixing” and more like growing something: a relationship rooted in curiosity, trust, and respect.
Whether you're raising a curious pup, navigating complex behaviour, or just wondering “why does my dog DO that?”—I'm here to help.
With science. With heart. With a love for the potential held in the human-canine bond.
Have a question or story to share? Let’s connect.
