Hi, I’m mary, and I hold multiple certifications earned over my 35+ years working with dogs!

Choosing the right trainer is important. It is a commitment of your time and money, and I don’t take that lightly. I’d like to share some things about my methodology, credentials and how I work so you can make an informed choice that’s right for you!

Certifications I hold:

  • Certified Behavior Consultant - Canine - Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)

  • Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI

  • Canine Enrichment Tech - (DN-CET) - in progress

  • Certified SepAnx Pro - CSAP-BC

  • Family Dog Mediator (FDM) - in progress

  • Reiki 3

My experience:

  • Have owned dogs my entire life

  • Pit Bull breed advocate and expert - have owned and worked with the breed since 1994

  • Training dogs for over 35 years

  • Professional trainer for over 25 years

  • Past trainer for Liberty Humane Society

  • Past trainer for Best Friends Dog and Cat Adoption

  • Founder of The REAL Pit Bull Inc 501c3

  • Training & Behavior Director of The REAL Pit Bull Inc

  • Mentor and consultant of other professionals or those looking to get into the business

Sports I train & compete in & titles earned:

  • Scent work

  • Dock diving

  • Coursing

  • Obedience

  • Rally

  • Barn Hunt

  • Tricks

  • Multiple CGCs of varying levels

  • Multiple ATTs

  • Multiple Rally titles

  • Scent work titles

  • Multiple trick titles

My current dogs:

  • Rumor - AmStaff; ATT, RAIT, RN, TKA, DN, DJ, DS, CA, DCAT, VSWB, VHMD, CGCA, SCN, SSH, STCA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

  • Harlow - AmStaff; AKC/UKC Pointed, RN, RATI, TKI, BCAT, CA, CGC, ATT

Who i am 

and how it works at Mary Alverson Dogs LLC

I started training and showing dogs when I was very young, first in 4-H and then moving to American Kennel Club competition in my late teens. I began taking clients professionally for basic training and conformation showing when I was in my very early 20s, and I have worked either part time or full time as a professional trainer ever since.

My breed of choice is the Pit Bull (American Pit Bull/Staffordshire Terrier), and I have owned them since 1994. I compete in AKC conformation, scent work, lure coursing, dock diving, rally, obedience, barn hunt and others.

I have worked or currently work in the following capacities:

  • With Veterinarians

  • With Shelters

  • With Rescues

  • With Other Trainers/Schools

  • Act as Consultant and Mentor to Other Professionals

  • Work as Head Behavior Consultant for a Non-Profit (I founded The Real Pit Bull, Inc in 1997)

  • Chair for the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America (STCA) PR Committee

  • Member of Magazine Committee for the STCA

  • Work as Owner/Operator of My Business, Mary Alverson Dogs LLC

How My Business is Different From the Average Training Company

My philosophy when working with dogs and their people is to help find common ground - help the people understand the dog’s needs and wants and really getting to know who their dog is at the core, while also making sure that the owners are left with a dog they can manage and live with. I work using largely force-free methods, positive reinforcement, gentle management, and other dog-friendly techniques. I am not a tool-based trainer (in other words, I do not train dogs using choke chains, prong collars or e-collars), but utilize certain humane tools in order to keep dog and people safe while training is taking place (crates, gates, certain harnesses, leashes and muzzles as needed).

I do not compromise the mental or physical health of the dog in order to fit them into a certain mold. I help dog owners understand and appreciate the dog in front of them and then we work to achieve realistic goals with everyone’s wellbeing in mind. I am not the type of trainer who will offer a quick fix by merely suppressing behavior - we will get to the root of the matter taking into consideration the dog’s age, breed, background, and overall behavior.

My clients want to do the work, put the time in, really get to know and understand their dog, learn to enjoy the training process and how it helps them bond with their dogs, and integrate their dogs into their lives.

I am passionate about kid and dog safety, and teaching children how to be safe around dogs. School education is something I love to do (Rumor pictured here with a class after a presentation).

I love teaching tricks and earning AKC titles for Tricks. I am an AKC CGC and Tricks Evaluator and can help you teach your dog a variety of tricks as well as help you earn titles.