Cat Harbord

Hello! Thanks for taking the time to read my bio. I'm Cat Harbord, the founder and Chief Behaviour Geek at ImPAWsible Possible here in Calgary.

A bit about me: My journey into the world of professional dog training began in 2007 when I started a dog running and walking business in SW Calgary. This sparked a deep curiosity about dogs — a desire to understand who they are, what drives them, and why they do all the cute, fun, confusing (and sometimes exasperating) things they do. It also ignited a passion for the human-canine bond.

In 2009, life took me on a detour that ultimately led to the founding of ImPAWsible Possible, and my official shift to dog training and behaviour consulting.

Over the past 15+ years, I've been relentlessly pursuing a deeper understanding of dogs and the human-canine relationship. I never could have imagined the twists, turns, rugged terrain, and breathtaking vistas this adventure would take me on. This journey has led me to develop a purpose-driven approach to dog training that flips the script, seeing behaviour from the dog’s perspective rather than the observer’s. I have been fortunate to collaborate in this part of my journey with my colleague, Brian Fleming and with the support of researchers from around the world.

My late dog, Mouse (the cute dog in the photo), played a pivotal role in shaping my path as a dog trainer. Mouse was a long-term shelter dog I rescued in 2011 from the Bow Valley SPCA in Canmore. He challenged me in ways I never anticipated, pushing me to rethink everything I thought I knew about dog training, behaviour, and if I'm honest, the fundamental nature of reality. Through my journey with Mouse, I discovered that successful dog training isn’t about checklists, protocols, or “fixing” behaviors — it’s about truly seeing and understanding one another, working as a team, and growing through life’s challenges together.

With more than 15 years of experience in working with puppies, therapy dogs, aggression, reactivity, and complex cases, my approach combines cutting-edge science with real-world practice. I hold a Diploma in Canine Behaviour Sciences and Technology, am a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant and Family Dog Mediator, and have earned certification in Systems Thinking and Leadership through the Cabrera Research Lab at Cornell University. I'm also a member of the International Association for Perceptual Control Theory.

I'm a proud Canadian, born and raised on the West Coast, and have called Calgary home since 1999.