A white curly-haired dog, possibly a poodle or poodle mix, running on a grassy field with small white flowers and a blurred dark background.

Welcome to Performing Paws, North Georgia’s premier destination for professional dog training and personalized dog boarding. Our private, secure, 4.5 acre property is nestled in Dawsonville, GA, offering a calm and distraction free environment where dogs can learn, play and relax. To ensure a safe, low stress experience for the dogs in our care, our home/facility is completely private and open strictly by appointment only. We proudly serve dedicated pet parents throughout Dawsonville, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Alpharetta, and Jasper who want the absolute best for their four legged family members.

A light brown puppy with a blue collar sitting on a dark surface against a dark background, looking upward.
Two dogs, one dark brindle and white, and one light cream, playing tug with a blue rubber ball in a grassy outdoor area.
A black and white puppy sleeping peacefully on a brown plaid blanket.

Board & Train

Any questions? No problem.

Text Anna: (678) 356-9330

Or send her an email at performingpaws@gmail.com

Located on the Dawsonville/North Forsyth Line

Services
A woman with long blonde hair and a sleeveless gray top crouches on grass, holding three Belgian Malinois dogs with tan and black fur and alert ears, in front of a wooden fence.
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Meet the Trainer

My name is Anna Schwartzenberger, and animals have been a lifelong passion of mine. I began my journey with dog sitting and farm sitting at the age of 14, driven by a goal to save up for my first car. After high school, I pursued a career as a Veterinary Technician, where I gained extensive knowledge in animal behavior, medicine, and care. However, my true calling led me to transition from the medical field to focus on working with dogs and their owners to create well-behaved, happy canine companions.

In 2015, I welcomed my first Belgian Malinois, Ranger, into my life. Together, we embarked on a journey in IGP training and French Ring sports, honing skills in personal protection and advanced obedience. Throughout this journey, I had the privilege of working alongside and learning from a diverse range of handlers and trainers. This experience taught me that even dogs of the same breed are unique individuals, each with their own learning style.

In addition to training for IGP and French Ring, I actively compete in Nose Work, Dock Diving, Conformation Showing, FastCat, AKC Rally Obedience and AKC Utility Obedience. These competitions have further sharpened my skills and deepened my understanding of precision training. They also provide an opportunity to showcase the bond and trust that I've built with my dogs through consistent, balanced training.

Over the past nine years, I have developed a keen understanding of how different dogs learn best. My training approach is a balanced combination of positive and negative reinforcement. Initially, I use free shaping to teach each behavior, ensuring that the dog fully understands the command. Once the foundation is solid, I raise the standards and apply corrections when necessary. This approach creates dogs that are not only obedient but also confident and content, as they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.

Group of six people and a German Shepherd dog standing on a winners' podium outdoors, with trees in the background. The people are smiling and wearing casual athletic clothing, with some holding the dog, positioned on the first-place winner's podium marked with the number 1.
A woman walking a Belgian Malinois dog outdoors in a grassy area, with a plant in a pot in the foreground and a blurred background of trees.
A woman in a burgundy sleeveless top and gray pants smiling while holding a leash attached to a Belgian Malinois dog. The dog stands confidently beside her. There is a green ribbon, a sign that says 'GROUP 3', and several ribbons and awards in front of them. The background is a colorful, abstract painted backdrop.