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Experience/Credentials:
My name is Mary Swinyer. I have always lived with 3-4 dogs at a time (not counting boarders
or fosters), from a variety of breed groups. As a child I lived with a black Cocker Spaniel named Patricia.
From the age of 10, I lived with a Dachshund (Olga), a Greyhound (Greta) & an Irish Setter (Heather). 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 (&
continue to attend!) educational training & behavior seminars. I put obedience, agility & now rally
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. I wish there were more hours
in a day & days in the week!
I've had several articles published in Hoflin's Alaskan Malamute Annual since 1997, as well as articles
(per request) in other Malamute newsletters (Canada, New Zealand, Southern California, North Carolina). In 1997 I was
invited to join the volunteer staff at Best Friends & continue to answer training & behavior questions as a moderator
on their internet forum. In 1999 I guest-hosted a training/behavior chat in a Maltese chat room. I am a professional
member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers & in November 2003 I took & passed the certification exam offered
by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I renewed my CPDT certification in 2006.
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.
Rates & Services:
Private, in-home training (obedience for pet or show) & behavior counseling on the San Mateo peninsula
in the bay area of Northern California is $100.00 an hour. I charge one rate for my time, rather than charging
a higher price for behavior problems. I find even basic training often involves evaluating & modifying behavior.
I come out for a minimum of an hour at a time. There is no minimum number of sessions required. We address what
you want to cover. The first consultation will give us a better idea of how many one-hour sessions we might need.
With some simple behavior issues, I may be able to give you all the "tools" you need in that first session to resolve the
problem on your own. I do not offer "package" pricing for a certain number of meetings, since each dog & owner
are individuals & there is no way to know exactly how long it may take to resolve an issue. $20.00 extra after
5pm or on weekends. Additional charge for distances over 10 miles.
Group obedience classes are through Pets In Need Canine College. Saturday mornings or Monday evenings
outdoors in Redwood City. $120 for 8 weeks.
Group rally classes are at Java Dog Training Center indoors (fully matted) in Redwood City. Currently
I am offering competition level rally on Friday afternoons. $120 for 6 weeks. Please contact me for more information.
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| Arwah & Scandal sharing a pup tent from Doggone Good (on links page). |
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Methods/philosophy:
I use positive reinforcement based training. This incorporates a variety
of possible rewards, including praise, food, petting, play/toys & clicker or secondary reinforcer/marker if desired.
My methods are both people & dog-friendly & get results. Training should be fun, it should strengthen the animal/human
bond. Other benefits include providing mental stimulation, building confidence & teaching control. I work
with all breeds. I myself have lived with submissive, insecure, shy/fearful, high-energy, independent, self-serving
& reactive dogs. Most of these dogs have gone on to earn advanced obedience & agility degrees.
I consider myself a common sense trainer who leans heavily toward the positive end of
dealing with behavior. I am not an extremist who never believes in saying 'no,' setting boundaries, even using correction
or restraint when appropriate. Everything has a balance in life, extremes don't work nor make sense. Consequence
is a real, natural part of life. It is our responsibility to provide our dogs with the calm, confident, fair, non confrontational
leadership & guidance they crave & thrive on. Structure & clear, consistent rules builds confidence &
security. Our relationship is the foundation for everything else with our dogs. Too much freedom/privileges or
the need for decision-making causes a great deal of stress in our dogs.
A bit more about me:
I am an admitted dogaholic. My life pretty much revolves around dogs. They are my
hobby & my life. First & foremost my dogs are part of my family. I enjoy spending time with my dogs &
the relationship/bond that advanced training builds. I appreciate both the similarities & differences in
breeds, groups & individuals. Travel is scheduled around & to include my dogs. Besides living with, loving,
training, showing, grooming, reading about, writing about, thinking about, dreaming about, shopping for & breathing
dogs, any hobbies are also linked to my canine addiction. I collect dog postcards, figurines, refrigerator magnates
& sledding related items.
I am NOT a computer wiz, which is why you don't find all the fancy bells & whistles on my website.
It's a free site through my ISP & thankfully they offer web-building-for-total-dummies!
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