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Experience/Credentials:
My name is Mary Swinyer. I live & work on the peninsula in the bay area of northern California.
I have always lived with 3-4 dogs at a time (not counting boarders or fosters), from a variety of breed groups. I grew
up with a Cocker Spaniel, a Dachshund, a Greyhound & an Irish Setter. At 11 I acquired my very
first *own* dog, a 1/2 Afghan-hound named Abacus. I trained Abacus according to demonstrations I'd seen. During
& after high school I worked as a veterinary assistant. When I moved in with my husband, he had a GSD/Keeshond
mix named Brandy & we acquired an Australian Shepherd mix named Orphie. I got involved in formal obedience
training in 1990 when we adopted our puppy mill Golden, Mokie from Peninsula Humane Society. By 1992 I was assisting
& instructing group classes with Belmont Hills Dog Training Club. I began attending educational training &
behavior seminars, including speakers such as Dr. Patricia McConnell, Sue Sternberg, Trish King, John Rogerson, Dr. Wayne
Hunthausen, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Pat Hastings, Roger Abrantes, Brenda Aloff, Pia Silvani, Patty Ruzzo, Steve White,
Nichole Wilde, Turid Rugaas, Bob Bailey, Kathy Sdao, Terry Ryan, Pamela Reid, Judy Howard, Denise Fenzi, DD Anderson,
Bridget Carlsen, Bernie Brown, etc.. I put obedience, agility & now rally, working & temperament titles
on my own dogs. The next addition was our first Malamute, Radar, who was certified as a therapy dog in 1994
& visited fascilities for 9 years. Then our stray Border Collie mix Flash came to us in February 1995.
I started tracking with my Golden in 1997 & she passed her certification examination in 1998. I continue to
explore other canine sports, including earthdog, carting/sledding, backpacking, freestyle & most recently, nosework.
I wish there were more hours in a day & days in the week!
I've had articles appear in a variety of Malamute publications. I volunteered
to answer training & behavior questions for Best Friends Animal Society from 1997 until they closed their
network in 2012. I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers & passed the certification exam
offered by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in 2003. I renewed my certification in
2006, 2009 & again in 2012. I've been instructing Pets In Need Canine College group classes in Redwood City
since 1993. In 2007 I added indoor Rally classes at Java Dog Training Center in Redwood City, sorry to lose Java in
2013. In 2010 I added Rally classes at San Mateo Pet Supply in Redwood City & in 2013 I added nosework classes.
I have experience with shy, submissive, fearful, reactive, high drive, independent & status-seeking dogs.
Rates & Services:
Please contact me for current rates & to check my availability for private, in-home
training or behavior counseling.
Saturday mornings & Monday evenings I instruct group classes through Pets In Need
Canine College in Redwood City (outdoors on grass).
Thursday mornings I instruct group Rally & Nosework classes at San Mateo Pet Supply
in Redwood City (outdoors on asphalt, fully fenced).
Please contact me for more information.
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Methods/Philosophy:
Training should be fun, stregnthen the animal/human bond, as well as providing mental
stimulation, building confidence & teaching self control. While my methods are strongly based in positive reinforcement,
I am not opposed to fair, appropriate correction, especially when dealing with serious behavior issues. I consider myself
a common sense or balanced trainer rather than an extremist.
It is our responsibility to provide our dogs with the calm, confident, fair, non confrontational
leadership, guidance & boundaries they crave & thrive on. Structure & clear, consistent rules
builds confidence & security. Too much freedom/privileges or the need for decision-making causes a great deal of
stress in our dogs.
| Smooth Fox Terrier, Scandal. |
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| Karen Hudson, Family Tails Photography. |
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