A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a gray sleeveless top, crouching outdoors on grass. She is surrounded by three Belgian Malinois dogs, all with tan and black coats, sitting on the grass. The woman is smiling, and the dogs have their tongues out, with a wooden fence and trees in the background.
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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 ten 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.

Group of six people and a Belgian Malinois dog on a winners' podium with first place in an outdoor sports event, surrounded by potted flowers and green trees.
Two women stand on a podium with a black dog at a dog show. They are in front of a colorful horse-shaped backdrop and plants surround the stage. A sign indicates the event is for puppies 4-6 months old at the Lexington Kennel Club, August 2024.
A woman with long braided red hair wearing a sleeveless maroon top and gray pants, standing next to a Belgian Malinois dog at a dog competition. The dog is standing on all fours with a leash in the woman’s hand. There are ribbons and a sign indicating they placed in group 3, in front of them. The background is a colorful, abstract backdrop.
A woman in a pink shirt and shorts walking dogs in front of a wall with photorealistic images of huskies. In the background, a dog is jumping over a barrier.
A young woman with red hair tied in a braid, wearing a sleeveless maroon top, holding a large black dog with a curly coat in front of a colorful abstract backdrop. There are purple ribbons and a sign with the words 'Best of Breed' on a table with a red cover with a gold pattern.
A woman with blonde braided hair wearing a pink and black vest walking a Belgian Malinois wearing a muzzle on a grassy field with a potted plant nearby.
A woman with blonde hair in a bun, wearing a pink and black vest and black pants, standing outdoors on grass with trees in the background, working with a Belgian Malinois dog.
A dog jumping through a hoop of fire at a daytime outdoor event, with onlookers and spray water in the background.
Trainer in a pink vest and black pants standing on grass with a Belgian Malinois dog during training, overseen by a man in beige pants and a black cap.