I’m a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Family Dog Mediator based out of Brooklyn, NY. I work with dogs of all sizes and ages to help improve their lives, and the lives of their people.
When it comes down to it, dog training is about relationship building. We cannot help the animals we welcome into our homes if we don’t understand them. That’s where I come in! I help bridge that communication gap so you can better understand your dog’s needs — and who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about your own needs on the journey as well.
I prioritize animal welfare, because unmet needs often produce behavioral challenges. As a trainer, it’s my job to help you understand the why behind behavior, and find sustainable solutions.
In addition to my certifications, I am also a graduate of CATCH Canine Trainers Academy (and now a mentor to CATCH student trainers), a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, I have completed the Michael Shikashio Master Class in Aggression, and I am the content creator behind @friendofthedog on instagram. I understand the value of staying up-to-date on scientific research regarding animal behavior, and showing up in community with other likeminded trainers, behavior professionals, and dog lovers.
The modern world is a very strange place for a dog. I’m here to help make sense of it all — on both ends of the leash.
Hi, I’m Madeline Pape (she/her)
And a little about Stanley…
Stanley is my senior boy, a completely blind pit bull. I’ve had him since he was about 6 years old, and he’s around 11 now (as of February 2026). He changed everything for me. I’ve always been a dog lover, but there’s something different about watching your own dog evolve and grow alongside you.
Stanley is overall a quite adaptable and resilient dog- he gets along with pretty much all dogs, though he isn’t very interested in playing. He’d prefer a nice little nose to nose, then nose to butt greeting, and then a casual stroll together. He loves people more than any creature I’ve ever met. Not to anthropomorphize, but I would say he has a quite optimistic view of the world.
His blindness certainly doesn’t get in his way. He still happily embarks in off leash time, and navigates the world with a sort of cautious eagerness and curiosity.
As Stanley got older and developed some arthritis he also developed sound sensitivity (this is not at all uncommon, there is often a correlation between pain and sound sensitivity). This would be fine in some environments, but we live in a neighborhood with lots of noise: sirens, city buses, and his nemesis: dirt bikes. There was a time when he wouldn’t go outside for more than a minute, and would try to bolt back inside as soon as I opened the apartment door.
With patience and empathy (and pain management, of course) Stanley has made massive improvements. We’re still working through this together, because sustainable behavior change is a marathon not a race, but I’m proud of him (and me) for his progress so far.
Stanley is an example of the importance of listening, and following your dogs lead.
