Mary Alverson Dogs

10/25/2024

Building drive with tug.

10/23/2024

This morning's lick mats for the dogs. Peanut butter (xylitol-free - check your labels!!), carob chips, wild blueberries, banana and a little coconut oil. These can also be popped in the freezer to make them last longer.

10/19/2024

10/15/2024

Second Basic Training Class now added on Wednesday nights! The next start date is 10/30. Only a few spots left!

09/28/2024

We're soaking wet, but had a lovely morning regardless. With only 5 splashes this season, her first ever, Harlow earns her Dock Junior title today!

09/22/2024

Tricks x 2. 😁🥰

09/21/2024

They never believe me when I say "all gone" 😂

09/18/2024

The label "dog trainer" is a bit of a misnomer. I use it because it is industry standard and in general people understand what I mean in a broad sense when I say "I am a professional dog trainer".

Technically, I am a teacher of humans, and my subject matter happens to be dogs and their behavior. Yes I offer some services where I take your dog into my home and train him/her myself but ultimately my goal is to teach YOU, the human in the equation, to understand, manage, and teach your own dog.

Right now I am in the middle of a wonderful applied ethology course and working to earn my Family Dog Mediator certification. I love that label: Family Dog MEDIATOR. Because it is more descriptive of what I do: step in and mediate the relationship between dogs and people, helping everyone understand each other better and live more harmoniously. I am more about teaching humans to manage and care for their dog, and teaching necessary behaviors, as opposed to coming in and just saying DO THIS THIS THIS and it'll stop the problem (if it were only that easy!)

Many people come to me with "problem" dogs and the issue is less the behavior and more a lack of understanding of the nature of the dog, and lack of management. Easy fixes are often achieved with just a slight tweaking of the dog's daily life, and implementing easy management changes, setting up the environment so the dog can succeed. If a behavior is causing strife and harming the relationship, I take that seriously and want everyone's needs to be met - that means the dog's as well. A lot of behaviors are normal dog behaviors and we just find them problematic. You cannot train out hardwired, dog nature. But we can find ways to mitigate issues and redirect the dog into other appropriate outlets for species-specific behavioral needs.

But it's all about the human learning to relate to the dog and how to have a better relationship with him/her. How I work might not be for everyone - sometimes things are a quick fix, but more often than not, changes and improvement take time and commitment. If you are looking for a way to live harmoniously with your dog, understand him/her better, and solve dilemmas you are having, I would love to work with you!

Send a message to learn more

09/18/2024

The Oct 7th Basic Class is now full. Stay tuned for the next announced start date! I'd love to have you and your dog in an upcoming class. 😊

09/17/2024

Walks for enrichment, exercise and for teaching loose leash walking skills are a big part of day training. Sadie and I enjoyed our walk today on this warm later-summer day.

09/17/2024

Sadie is here for Day Training! Time for some work, fun and fitness!

09/16/2024

09/16/2024

Basic dog training classes starting soon in Garwood NJ.

*NOT JUST ANOTHER TRAINING CLASS* 😊

Why you need this class!

🐾 You haven't taken a class with your dog before

🐾 You've taken a class but aren't happy with the results.

🐾 You want to be able to communicate with your dog and understand how dogs learn

🐾 Solving basic dog issues at home is something you want to do

🐾 Your dog needs to learn basic behaviors like sit, down, stay, leave it, no-jump, leash manners, attention and more

🐾Your dog can do the basics already but not around distractions and isn't reliable

🐾You want to learn science-based, force free methods to help you train your dog the right way and have fun doing it!

👉🏻 Register here, spots very limited:
https://madogs.as.me/oct7basicclass

09/14/2024

Tomorrow from 12p to 3p at CB Pet Market in Garwood, we will have Meet the Trainer. Mary Alverson will be here answering any questions. She has over 25 years of experience and is a great resource to use, so make sure you bring your questions. She will help you in any situation and give fantastic advice. Please do not miss out on this great opportunity. Hope to see you there.

09/09/2024

Time to brush up on your dog's manners and behavior skills for the up coming holiday season! Join me for a fun 6 week class! Starting soon, spots are limited.

👉🏻 https://madogs.as.me/oct7basicclass

Reach out with any questions, I'd love to help you and your dog reach your behavior goals.

And join me for a free event on Saturday at CB Pet Market in Garwood from 12-3: Ask the Trainer!

09/03/2024

I'm now offering full day, DAY TRAINING in my home! For a variety of issues/behaviors! I'm very excited to be able to offer this to my clients with flexible drop-off and pick-up times.

I am only offering FULL DAY because this is the most advantageous to your dog and to make sure you are seeing results.

Spots are very limited, please contact me via email or DM for more information. [email protected]

$100/day (drop off between 7-8 or 9-10; pick up is 4-5 or 5-6 to accommodate busy schedules).

This is NOT glorified daycare - your dog will receive extensive one-on-one training with me, lots of enrichment and exercise, and only short periods of downtime in a crate or pen, when the DOG is asking for a break.

08/27/2024

Playing around with Premack and cues as rewards to mitigate prey drive and improve latency.

08/15/2024

Hey everyone, please follow the new Pup Up Instagram page on all things puppy! This is a collab with Inna Krasnovsky and we have some great stuff planned!!

https://www.instagram.com/pupupllc?igsh=cGliYzlpM243aGtz

08/15/2024

I have one free virtual consulting session left this week, DM me if you are interested in scheduling!

07/25/2024

We call it "his dock diving face" 😂 he makes it a lot

07/24/2024

She's obsessed with the water, and happily jumping from the competition dock. A little water training goes a long way 😀

02/20/2021

Practicing "orbit". We just started this behavior. I'm teaching it with a lure. Rumor is really good at following lures and was already comfortable with backing up. I will put this on verbal cue shortly. I'm still fine tuning it and don't want to add the cue too early.