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.