Bikes, skateboards, neighborhood dogs and busy sidewalks can turn an ordinary Encinitas walk into a challenge. Mother of Beasts K9 Training helps you build the skills your dog needs for the places you actually go—not just for a quiet training session.
I’m Mary, a professional dog trainer, and I work one-on-one with dogs and their people in Old Encinitas, New Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Olivenhain. I help with reactive and aggressive dogs, new puppies, and everyday obedience. You train directly with me, and we start in your home. No hand-off to an assistant, and no one learning on your dog.
A narrow path, a passing skateboard or another dog rounding the corner can change a walk in seconds. We work on attention, leash handling and creating space. You get a practical plan for your routes, the distance to keep and what to do when a distraction appears.
Encinitas Community Park offers room to work on focus and leash skills with distance from distractions. The off-leash dog park is not where we start a reactive dog’s training.
Other potential settings include Cottonwood Creek Park, Oakcrest Park, Scott Valley Park, Glen Park, Leucadia Oaks Park, Las Verdes Park and Wiro Park. The right choice depends on your dog, current access rules and any training permissions required. We select a suitable setting together rather than expecting every dog to cope with the same environment.
Cardiff State Beach offers opportunities to practice real-world leash skills: walking past distractions, settling and staying focused around people, surf and other dogs. We choose the timing and distance for your dog. A reactive dog may begin somewhere quieter before building up to beach work; I will explain at the assessment when that makes sense.
Barking, lunging, growling, guarding or snapping can make everyday life stressful. We start with your dog’s history, triggers and a safety plan—not by putting your dog into a situation they cannot handle. My six-week behavior modification program includes six weekly private lessons for $1,200.
You learn leash handling, distance management and practical skills for your own walks. We build the foundation at home, then introduce suitable real-world distractions at your dog’s pace. Learn more about reactive dog training and behavior modification.
Anyone can teach a puppy to sit. My Bulletproof Puppy package goes beyond commands. It is designed to help prevent fear-based reactivity by building confidence through carefully paced introductions to the sights, sounds, textures, surfaces and smells of the world.
Your puppy learns about unfamiliar people, everyday noises, movement, handling and new environments without being overwhelmed. We also work on house manners, bite redirection and early obedience. The goal is a puppy who can navigate real life with confidence—not just sit for a treat.
The eight-week program builds foundations that can reduce the risk of future behavior problems; no program can guarantee that a dog will never become reactive. Puppies in this package can start without a separate assessment. Explore the Bulletproof Puppy Program.
Loose-leash walking, recall, focus, stays and impulse control should work beyond your living room. My six-week private obedience program includes six weekly lessons for $1,200. We practice at home first and build toward appropriate neighborhood distractions. See private obedience training.
Adult-dog programs begin with a 90-minute in-home assessment ($250). We discuss your dog’s history and your goals, observe safely, and decide on a practical plan. Puppies enrolling in the Bulletproof Puppy package do not need this separate assessment.
You are present and involved in every session. I do not offer board-and-train: you learn the skills your dog needs from you in everyday life.
Adult-dog programs begin with a $250, 90-minute in-home assessment. The Bulletproof Puppy package can be booked without a separate assessment.
Aggression and reactivity are my specialties. Tell me about any bites or close calls before we meet so we can plan safely. We start with management and suitable low-distraction work, rather than exposing your dog to a busy environment before they are ready.
The six-week behavior modification and private obedience programs are $1,200 each, following the adult-dog assessment. Visit the Programs page for service details and the Puppy Program page for puppy information.
No. Training is private and owner-present. You learn how to work with your own dog.
Usually not while we are building foundations. Uncontrolled approaches from other dogs can overwhelm a dog who needs space. We choose a setting where we can manage distance and distractions.
Along with Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Olivenhain, I serve Solana Beach and Del Mar, subject to travel availability.
Text 619-800-5884 with your neighborhood and what you would like help with. If you prefer to call, please leave a voicemail. You can also use the contact form or email mfp@MotherOfBeastsK9Training.com.