Why Choose
Mother of Beasts?

MEET THE EXPERT: HEAD TRAINER & FOUNDER

MOTHER OF BEASTS: WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SAN DIEGO DOG TRAINERS

Welcome to Mother of Beasts K9 Training, where expertise meets genuine passion! We are incredibly proud to introduce our founder and head trainer, Mary, a dedicated professional devoted to the art and science of canine performance and behavior. San Diego’s top dog trainer is here for you.

Mary isn’t just a trainer; she is an accomplished competitor who has reached the pinnacle of multiple dog sports, translating that championship-level discipline and understanding directly into the customized dog training programs we offer.

She has also studied dog behavior under experts in the dog training world including The Institute of Applied Canine Behavior-Member (Jo-Rosie Haffenden), STSK9 (Nino Drowaert), Susan Garrett (Home School the Dog/Recallers), Fenzi Dog Sports Academy (Denise Fenzi/Petra Ford/Amy Cook, PhD/Jessica Perry-Hekman, DVM, PhD, etc…) Training Without Conflict (Ivan Balabanov), DKA For Dog Trainers-Member (Dave Kroyer), Method K9-Member (Stephanie Vichinsky), The Scentsable K9 (retired police K9 handlers), the head training decoy for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the head trainer for the San Diego Humane Society (retired), and many others.

If other trainers you’re looking at can’t name their credentials up front, they likely don’t have them.

Mary has been involved in rescuing and training dogs in danger of euthanasia from high kill shelters since 2004.

DOG SPORTS AND TITLES ACROSS THE SPECTRUM

Mary’s team has trained in and/or competed in Schutzhund, barn hunt, agility, dock diving, Fast Cat, lure coursing, obedience, protection, and footstep tracking. This diverse competitive background provides a unique, well-rounded perspective that is rare in the training world. Mary understands the precision needed for competitive obedience as well as the drive required for high-speed sports, all while maintaining a balanced, trusting relationship.

Mary’s team has successfully competed in and/or attained placements, ribbons or titles in every sport they have entered. Mary’s team hold the prestigious IPO BH-VT obedience title in Schutzhund through the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, which is recognized internationally by the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

Mary is also a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

Serving San Diego County with in-home training, including La Jolla, Encinitas, Chula Vista and Del Mar.

FOUNDATION & PHILOSOPHY: BUILDING A BOND THAT LASTS

While titles in competitive dog sports showcase an ability to achieve absolute precision and drive, Mary’s core philosophy is rooted in Relationship-Based Training.

THE BULLETPROOF PUPPY PROGRAM

The earliest weeks and months are the most critical time in a dog's life. Mary specializes in puppy programs focused on:

Trust and Communication: Building a language of mutual respect where your puppy views you as their consistent, positive, and most valuable resource. We focus on reading canine body language to ensure your puppy always feels safe and understood.
Confidence Building: Utilizing positive reinforcement and carefully structured socialization to create resilient, well-adjusted adult dogs who are comfortable and confident in a wide variety of environments and situations. We aim to make your new puppy “environmentally bulletproof”. This means training them to remain calm and unfazed by intense external triggers such as fireworks, backfiring engines, and sirens.
Life Skills:Establishing the foundations of loose-leash walking, reliable recall, crate training, and house manners using short, fun, and highly rewarding sessions that set your puppy up for a lifetime of success.

ADVANCED BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TRAINING

Mary's extensive experience and deep understanding of canine psychology allow us to tackle complex behavioral challenges with empathy and science-based strategies. We don't just mask symptoms; we address the underlying causes of behavior.
Our methods rely heavily on positive reinforcement and, when necessary, balanced training. Structured behavior modification techniques, including:
Counter-Conditioning and Desensitization: Systematically changing your dog's emotional response to triggers (like other dogs, strangers, or loud noises) from fear/anxiety to calmness and neutrality.
Functional Analysis: Identifying the "why" behind an unwanted behavior to create a sustainable and effective training plan that teaches the dog an appropriate replacement behavior.
Commonly Addressed Issues: Reactivity (leash lunging/barking), resource guarding, fear-based aggression, separation anxiety, and chronic excessive barking.