Your dog behaves at home. Then you walk into the Village on a Saturday, and it all falls apart. Mother of Beasts K9 Training brings in-home, real-world dog training to La Jolla, built around the places you and your dog actually go.
I’m Mary. I specialize in reactive and aggressive dogs, behavior modification, puppy development, and obedience. Every session is with you present, so you learn to handle your own dog. I do not offer board and train.
You train directly with me. No hand-off to an assistant, and no one learning on your dog.
La Jolla is beautiful, and it is hard on dogs. Tourist crowds, tight sidewalks, outdoor dining, and wildlife all show up in a single walk. We train for those situations, starting at a level your dog can handle.
Depending on your dog’s needs, readiness, and where dogs and training are permitted, outdoor practice can include:
We do not start in the busiest setting simply because it is available. We choose the environment and distance that allow your dog to learn, then build from there.
If your dog lunges, barks, or growls at other dogs or people, walks can turn into something you dread. Reactivity is my specialty. We build a clear plan that starts at your front door and progresses toward busier environments at your dog’s pace.
For dogs with a bite history or guarding behavior, training starts with safety and management. We work on more manageable responses while teaching you to recognize triggers, create space, and guide your dog through everyday situations.
Training may include:
Tell me about any bite history before scheduling so we can arrange the assessment safely. You do not need to provoke or demonstrate the behavior for me to take your concerns seriously.
Anyone can teach a puppy to sit. Preparing a puppy for the world takes more.
My eight-week Bulletproof Puppy program is designed to help prevent fear-based reactivity by building confidence early—not simply teaching obedience commands.
Through carefully paced, positive exposure, we introduce your puppy to the sights, sounds, textures, surfaces, smells, people, and everyday activity they will encounter throughout life. We build curiosity and confidence without overwhelming them or forcing interactions.
For a La Jolla puppy, that can mean learning to walk comfortably on different surfaces, noticing bicycles without chasing them, hearing unfamiliar sounds without becoming overwhelmed, and settling while people pass nearby.
The goal is a puppy who can experience something unfamiliar, recover from surprises, and stay connected with you—not one who needs to bark, lunge, or retreat whenever the world changes.
Alongside that exposure, we work on:
No program can guarantee that a dog will never become reactive. But thoughtful early experiences and consistent guidance can help reduce that risk.
Puppies can enroll without the separate behavior assessment.
Want a dog who comes when called, walks more comfortably beside you, and can settle while you enjoy dinner on the patio?
My six-week obedience program builds practical skills, then helps you use them around everyday distractions. We work on recall, loose-leash walking, attention, stays, and settling.
We start where your dog can succeed and gradually increase the challenge. You learn how to practice between sessions so the training becomes part of daily life—not something your dog does only when I am there.
My current dog and I hold the internationally recognized BH–VT obedience title.
My background includes 20+ years working with rescues and training sport dogs, along with titles and placements across six dog sports, including first-place finishes and High in Class awards.
Yes. I provide in-home and neighborhood training throughout La Jolla, including the Village, La Jolla Shores, Bird Rock, Muirlands, La Jolla Heights, Mount Soledad, and the nearby UTC area.
Yes. Reactive and aggressive dogs are my specialty. We begin with your dog’s history and safety needs, then work in settings where your dog can learn without being overwhelmed. When veterinary or additional specialist support is needed, I will tell you.
No. Puppies can enroll in the eight-week Bulletproof Puppy program without the separate behavior assessment.
No. You are present for training so you learn to handle your dog and continue the work between sessions.
The initial in-home assessment is $250 for 90 minutes. Programs include the eight-week Bulletproof Puppy program, six-week behavior modification, and six-week obedience training.
No. We choose the starting environment around your dog’s comfort, safety, and ability to learn. Busier settings are introduced only when appropriate.
Yes. I offer private training in Pacific Beach, along with free pack walks at Crown Point Shores and free beginner leash-handling and basic obedience classes at Fiesta Island.
Ready for help with aggression, reactivity, puppy development, or everyday obedience?
Text 619-800-5884 with your dog’s age, your neighborhood, and what you would like help with. Prefer to call? Please leave a voicemail, and I’ll get back to you.
You’ll work directly with me—no hand-off to an assistant, and no one learning on your dog.