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About Us...
My name is Shawna Swanson and I established Maverick Dog Training in 2000. For 5 years prior to that, I apprenticed with Lori Milroy of All American Academy of Dog Training and was a District Training Manager for Animal Behavior & Training Associates (the company that trains through Petco stores). I began Maverick Dog Training as a hobby business in hopes of helping owners understand their dogs, enjoy their time with them, teach them basic commands and solve behavior problems. I got my first Rottweiler, Maverick, in 1994 and began training with him immediately (a MUST with the breed and strongly recommended with ALL dogs!) -- he was a fast learner and a joy to work with! I competed with him at a couple AKC obedience trials and got one leg of his CD (Companion Dog) before deciding that competition wasn't for me (at that time!). I dabbled in agility, protection, and tracking with him, but mainly focused on creating a pet that was comfortable in all situations and well behaved around all types of people and animals. I fostered many rescue Rottweilers over the next ten years, doing some basic training with all of them, and also opened up my home to a stray Chow Chow, Destiny, that is still with me, although slowing down a bit as she nears eleven years old. In 2001, I was offered an incredible opportunity to live overseas in Eritrea (Eastern Africa) for six months to do administrative work for a "seawater farm" and to integrate dogs into their security program on the farm...I had a friend stay with Destiny and took Maverick with me. It was an incredible experience for both Maverick and me, and when I came home I had a puppy that I'd helped raise over there shipped to me. Panza is now 5 years old and enjoying her life in the United States! Unfortunately, I lost Maverick to cancer in October 2002 - a devastating loss for me, but a loss that opened up a new chapter in my life. After an intense search for a new pup to try and live up to Maverick's legend in my life, I finally found my new canine soul mate -- Legend came home in April 2003 and found his way right into my heart. He also led me to my new passion -- dog shows! I train and compete with Legend in AKC and UKC conformation, Seiger conformation, AKC obedience and Rally-O, some Schutzund (tracking and obedience), carting, herding, and tracking. He is also a registered therapy dog and is in training for Search and Rescue . Although I compete with my own dog, my focus for Maverick Dog Training is basic pet obedience -- just helping people live in harmony with their dog and getting the most out of that relationship. |
| Maverick, 3 months old December 1994 |
| Maverick, Destiny, & Mollie Spring, 1998 |
| Panza April 2003 |
| Legend April 2003 |