Training Both Ends of the Leash.
About
Cecilia Mathivet, VSA-CDT
Cecilia is a VSA certified dog trainer and founder of Unleashed!, a Taiwan-based training and hiking business. Her training philosophy is based on kindness, understanding, and confidence-building for both ends of the leash. She strongly believes in the benefits of time in nature for both dogs and their humans, and strives to find safe and creative ways for dogs to express their natural behaviours.
Cecilia has been working with dogs in Taiwan since 2017, previously as a rescue volunteer and boarding facility manager, and now as a trainer and hiking guide. Having worked with hundreds of ex-street dogs, she has a deep understanding of the challenges faced both by these dogs and their families after adoption. She has helped dozens of extremely fearful, feral dogs come out of their shells and adapt to life in our human world, and taught their guardians how to develop a strong, secure bond with these special animals.
She also helps dogs connect with their natural habitat by organising daily group hikes in the mountains surrounding Taipei.
Cecilia is a dog-mum to two wonderful Taiwan dogs: Arak, a street-born stray full of savvy and cunning, and Balagan, a wild-born mountain dog who has learnt how to thrive in a human environment.
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Credentials & Training Methods
Cecilia is a graduate from the Victoria Stillwell Academy, a year-long intensive certification programme for dog trainers.
In 2025, she completed Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs mastercourse.
Cecilia uses only positive, force-free methods. There is no place for fear, intimidation, pain or bullying in her work.
She sees each dog as an individual, with their own unique combination of genetics, past experiences and environment. Only by taking these different facets into account can we truly understand the root cause of their behaviour, and positively resolve the issues their families are facing.
Cecilia's positive and confidence-building approach is not only applied to dogs, but also to their humans. Her goal is to empower dog guardians to be the best trainers and advocates for their four-legged family member.
Services
Training
Volunteer Work
Training
Everything from puppy training to complex behaviour modification plans, using scientifically-proven positive methods.
Hikes
Volunteer Work
Training
Off-leash group adventures for your pup, or bespoke training sessions in nature for you and them.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer Work
Volunteer Work
Free consultations and training advice for rescue organisations and low income families. Contact me for more info.