Training you to train your dog

Mary Leatherberry, CPDT, owner of GoodDog! Training, is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the largest pet dog training association in the world. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), a designation achieved by passing a comprehensive written exam and teaching over 300 hours as a primary instructor. There are currently 570 certified pet dog trainers in the United States, Canada, Singapore and The Bahamas. Less than a dozen trainers in New Mexico have earned the CPDT designation. All certified trainers must earn continuing education credits to keep their designation.

Mary completed Pat Miller's companion dog training internship program at Pat's training facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee (now located in Hagerstown, MD). Pat Miller is a nationally known dog trainer, the author of The Power of Positive Dog Training and Positive Perspectives; training editor of Whole Dog Journal; and the past president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Mary's dog training classes at the Santa Fe Community College are among the most popular of the college's Continuing Education classes. Her Ballroom Dancing for Dogs classes have been featured in the Santa Fe New Mexican, KOAT-TV, and the Santa Fean magazine. Prior to her association with the SFCC, Mary directed the dog training program at Petco/Santa Fe. The program consistently ranked in the top 5% among Petco's 500+ stores nationwide.

Mary is featured in three books: Citizen Canine, published by the American Kennel Club; Top Tips from Top Trainers, published by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT); and Play with Your Dog, by Pat Miller, published by Dogwise. She is a contributing writer to Paws for Applause, a publication of the World Canine Freestyle Organization. Mary and her terrier mix, Angela, compete at the advanced level in Canine Freestyle.