Herding Lessons with Mary Alice

 

Molly is not currently taking new lessons, but luckily her talented daughter Mary Alice has recently returned from Colorado and has time slots available for new clients!

 

Biography: 

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Mary Alice Wisecarver has been training and trialing herding dogs for over 15 years. She competes in a multitude of venues including AKC, AHBA, ASCA and USBCHA with various breeds. She is also a judge in both AKC and AHBA.

Mary started her herding career relatively young at the age of 7 years old. Through the years she proved age doesn’t matter as she competed both as a junior handler as well as regular classes with great success. In ASCA Mary truly shined and received a multitude of awards including the number one junior for 10 years in a row and competing in the ASCA Nationals Finals multiple times and finishing in the top 5. In AKC Mary has obtained two Herding Champions on her Border Collies and the Herding Excellent title with her Australian Shepherd with countless high in trial and high combined awards with a multitude of breeds.

 

Natural progression led Mary to start training and trailing others dogs professionally. This vastly increased the breeds she trained which continued to teach her about the different temperaments of dogs and training techniques. Mary believes in continued education and still attends clinics and learns from other competitors. 

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Schedule and Pricing: 

Mary is currently giving lessons weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and about every other Saturday.  Other lesson dates may be available occasionally but will not be consistent. The typical weekly lessons are regular and recurring. Once you choose a time slot you will likely keep it until you choose otherwise and another slot becomes available. 

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Instinct Testing ($30) - Instinct testing is the first step for dogs that have never seen livestock before or need more work and confidence before taking a full lesson. This is a half hour session and your dog will work once (possibly twice) for a very short period of time depending on your dogs ability. The trainer will take your dog in for you and you will only join in the ring if your dog needs the encouragement and help from you. There is no training involved in an instinct test, it is simply meant to gauge your dogs interest and abilities so we can asses your dogs talents and what class might be best for your dog moving forward.

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Private Lessons ($60) - This is a A private 45 minute session with one dog working two times for approximately 15 minutes each time, depending on your dogs ability. You may choose to work your dog yourself or have me work and train your dog for you. If you have multiple dogs, you can schedule a full session for each dog or split one session between two dogs. If you choose to split the session between two dogs that would mean each dog will work once for approximately 15 minutes instead of twice. 

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Group Lessons ($45) - This class has a total of three dogs in an hour and a half session. Dogs work twice for about 10 minutes each, depending on your dogs abilities. To join a group lesson you must be consistent with the weekly date and time and you must not miss any more than one session in a month.  If you have two dogs that you would like to have full sessions, you must book two sessions within the same hour. If you would like to split one session between two dogs you can but that would mean each dog would work once for 10 minutes instead of twice. It is required that your dog has had a previous instinct testing and recommended that you take a private lesson before booking a group class.

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Cancelation Policy:

I understand that life happens as do cancelations, but please limit your cancelations as much as possible as it can affect my schedule greatly. If you must cancel, please notify me at least two days before your lesson. If you cancel less than two days in advance, you will owe half of your lesson cost. Also, if you have a highly desired time and cancel more than three times in a three month span you may loose your time slot and be moved to a less desirable time. If a cancelation is made because of weather or other uncontrollable factors, there will be no fee or penalty. 

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Contact Mary:

Still have questions? Feel free to contact me! Text me at (928) 499-4629 with your information and questions.  

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FAQs:

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Farm Etiquette:

Please remember that Double M Stockdogs primary facility is also the home to Mary, her dogs, and her livestock. Here are a few things to consider while on Double M property to make your experience safe and fun:

 

• Always ask and check with Mary before coming to the property. A time must be scheduled.

• Please treat the property and livestock with respect

• Clean up solid waste after your dog 

• Keep dogs on lead at all times unless instructed otherwise

• Please be courteous to other dogs or individuals on site

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Remember to have fun and ask questions!