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WELCOME! Hi! My name is Mary Harwelik. Welcome to Peaceable Canines! I am located in Union County, New Jersey. Training and working with dogs is my passion, and I am thrilled to be able to offer my services to owners throughout Union County and beyond. HOW I GOT STARTED: I've owned dogs literally my whole life - they have always been my love, my passion. At the ripe old age of 6, I visited the Seeing Eye Foundation in Morristown, NJ. This was my first exposure to any sort of "dog training" and I was intrigued. The first thing I did when I got home was put a harness on my old Doberman mix, Pooky, and attempt to "train" him to follow hand signals and to lead me around the yard. The first dog I officially trained was a shelter-adopted terrier mix, in 1985. This dog, Cherry, went on to earn her CGC certificate and a CD title through New England Obedience News. I've been training dogs ever since. Each new dog that came into my home - most rescues with severe behavioral issues - was an opportunity to learn from and grow with. I took classes, classes, and more classes. Trained every dog I could get my hands on. What began as a hobby quickly morphed into a full-blown obsession and what would later become a profession. EVOLUTION OF A TRAINER: When I began training, the typical method used involved a choke chain, physical force, and infliction of pain to get dogs to behave. All the trainers I initially worked with used these methods, and in fact, scoffed at the idea of using food in training. It was certainly a taboo back then. In 1997, I brought home a dog that would end up developing severe animal aggression issues. The "traditional" training techniques that I had always used just weren't cutting it, and even the pro trainers I was working under at the time could’t get this guy under control. No one was offering me any real solutions, so I was forced to find a solution on my own. I began exploring, reading, talking to people. And it was during this time that I started learning about the science of operant conditioning and it’s application, clicker training. I had hit a brick wall with the current method I had been using, so I gave clicker training a shot. Experiencing this new method was life changing. The results were there, sure. But there was something deeper than that. The communication gap that had always existed between species suddenly didn’t seem so wide. I found the relationship between dog and human was vastly improved – instead of relying on the popular pain-infliction, dominance and fear-inducing tactics to get compliance, I was working WITH my dog, we were learning together, experimenting, and enjoying the process together. I had to share what I was learning, this wonderful method that could vastly improve the lives of dogs and help them live in greater harmony with their people. I had been taking clients off and on professionally for years, but in 2006, I launched Peaceable Canines, dedicating myself to teaching people how to train dogs using a positive, pain free method. EXPERIENCE: Between the time I first began training Cherry and opened up Peaceable Canines, I have worked under the tutelage of 6 professional trainers and assisted/apprenticed under 4. I have found my way in and out of the show ring, in both obedience and conformation events. I have also worked as a dog and cat groomer, am an experienced rider, having trained/shown horses in hunt seat and Western pleasure, and have volunteered with and been hired by several rescues/shelters. I've spent the majority of my life handling a wide variety of animals (including horses, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and marine animals) and this has been of tremendous value. The experiences I've had with these animals have helped shape me into the trainer I am today. Over the course of a lifetime, I have immersed myself in the study of dog behavior. Since the late 90’s, I have been obsessed with the science of learning theory and the practical application of operant conditioning techniques using the clicker. I routinely attend seminars, strive to learn from other trainers, and keep abreast of the newest developments in this fascinating field. In 2003, I earned an Associates Degree in Psychology. In 2004, I became a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator. I am a certified reiki practitioner for both animals and people. And in 2007 I passed the CCPDT exam and became a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. To view my official resume, please click here! MY FOCUS: Obviously teaching people how to train and live harmoniously with their dogs while spreading the word on clicker training is my main focus. Dog-wise, I work with all breeds and ages. But Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes hold a special place in my heart, and I consider myself a Pit Bull “specialist”. Rescue and shelters dogs, with the special baggage they carry into their new homes, is also a targeted demographic. When I work with dogs with behavioral issues, I take a holistic, natural approach – addressing the whole dog, not just his or her “bad” behavior (which oftentimes is just a symptom, anyway). I use and promote reiki and other energy therapies, flower essences, and other “alternative” means to help a dog achieve balance and restore harmony in the home. MY MOTTO: “When you think positive, the PAWSabilities are endless!” For more information, see Peaceable Canines featured HERE. |
ABOUT THE TRAINER |
Qualifications
Please see complete professional profile HERE. |
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Enlightened training for every dog. (tm)
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| Mary Harwelik, and her AmStaff Luca. |