Smarty Paws Canine Coaching

About MaryKay

MaryKay Grahn brings her life-long love of dogs together with proven training that both you and your dog will enjoy. She is a graduate of Central Carolina College, where she received her degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and has been a licensed Veterinary Technician for 16 years with a valid license in several states. Her continuing education is focused on dog behavior and behavior modification.

Her vast experience with dog training includes puppy testing, obedience training, agility training, behavior modification — specializing in fear, social and aggressive problems. She also trains for AKC and UKC obedience and has several Delta Certified Therapy dogs of her own.

Her sensitivity to your dog’s personality and temperament, along with positive training tools, will help you and your dog to share a happy and obedient life!

EDUCATION

Central Carolina College, Sanford, North Carolina
Veterinary Medical Technology program included care of dogs, cats, lab animals and livestock at local school facility.

Professional continuing education
Focused on Canine Behavior and problem solving including medications used in Veterinary profession to aid in behavior modification.

EXPERIENCE

Employed as Licensed Veterinary Technician for 9 years following graduation from Central Carolina at small and large animal practices.

Employed as Behavior Consultant at Responsible Pet Ownership in Crestview, Florida. In-house training, group class instruction and private in-home consultations.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Border Collie Society of America
• Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers

OTHER

• Owns and trains four Border Collies, two horses and nine sheep.
• Actively competes in AKC, NADAC, USDAA  and DOCNA Agility
• Actively competes in AKC and UKC Obedience.

“I have been involved in dogs since I was four years old. While growing up in a military family, I had mostly mixed breeds, but also a few miniature Schnauzers. I was always teaching them tricks and grooming them. As a teenager, I also owned horses and was an avid Hunter-Jumper competitor.”

“I met my first Border collie when I was 15 and working at a large training facility in the Chicago suburbs. I was instantly attracted by the intensity of the breed and owned my first BC, Wilma, later that year.”

“While attending Veterinary Technician school in North Carolina, I continued to train mixed breeds and another Border Collie. I then became involved in the sport of obedience and also discovered herding.”

“After working as a licensed Veterinary Technician in private practices for the next 11 years, I began working in Behavior Modification with Responsible Pet Ownership Inc. of Crestview Florida.”

My current K9 family consists of:

Hob Nob Dodge The Rocket (Clemens), NA, NAJ, 2 year old Border collie who thinks he can fly!!!!  Earned his Herding Instinct test from AHBA in Jan 2008. Started his agility career in June 2009.

Hob Nob Milo Mcbaird(Milo) 4 year old Border Collie.

Hob Nob Perfect Copy (Ditto)  RN, MX, MXJ, CGC, EAC, OGC, EJC, RS-E, GS-O, JS-E,TN-O, SJA, ISA, IGA, ISLA, ITA.  JHD. Qualified for 2007 DOCNA Nationals. Finished Third overall on the West Coast, Fourth overall in the country.  7 yr old Border Collie.

Raisin’ a Righteous Rukus (Rukus) MACH Rukus CDX,  RE, HT, AAD, EAC, EJC, OGC, RS-E, GS-O, JS-E, TN-O, WV-E, SJA, ISLA, IGA, ISA. 
Therapy dog. Qualified for AKC Agility Nationals 2002, 2003. 11 yr old Border collie. Qualified for 2007 DOCNA Nationals.

Scout Clark (Scout)
AX, AXJ, HT
Passed to Rainbow Bridge Dec , 2008.. (Border Collie)

It’s Major Chaos! (Chaos) CD, NA, NAJ, HT,
Therapy dog. Retired.  Passed to Rainbow Bridge in February of 2007, at the age of 14.(Border Collie).