Dona Maria Baker, President      Masterful Dog Training, Inc.

Dona Marcham Baker has been involved with and intrigued by dogs for over 40 years, growing up in a family highly involved in raising and showing dogs.  Her interest was focused mainly on the training aspect and helping people with their dogs.                                                            

During Dona's tenure as President of South Shore Kennel Club she teamed up with Dr. SueEllen Mowcomber, a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist.  Together they started teaching Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Obedience classes.  Dona and SueEllen taught together for over ten years until Dona relocated to New Bern, North Carolina.  Dona was on call for the Norwell Veterinary Hospital doctors and provided specialized training for their clients' dogs, some of which were being treated for severe behavioral problems and some being treated with pharmaceutical therapy.  For some dogs, behavior modification for the dog and the owners is all that is necessary for success.  For some dogs, prescription medications and a precise training program was used.  Dona nows provides that same service for eastern NC veterinarians.

In September, 2006 Dona moved from Cape Cod, MA to New Bern, NC with her husband Douglas and their Labradors, Hurricane and MacArthur.     For many years Cane worked as Dona's demo dog accompanied her to hundreds of private trainings acting as a decoy for aggressive dogs and as a living example of how much obedience training can enrich your life and that of your canine companion.                  

Sadly in 2011, "Cane" passed away just before his 14th birthday.   Cane was the second generation of Labrador Retrievers bred by Dona and is dearly missed.   Dona held Cane for his first and last breaths of life.

Lucy came to us in 2011 and is the first Australian Shepherd in the Baker household.  She was an adolescent dog with behavioral issues and was adopted by us and is in training to become Dona's demo dog.

Dona currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New Bern Yacht Club and is Past President of the Trent Woods Garden Club.

Dona is a professional member of the Association of Canine Professionals and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.  These are two top organizations in the world for canine behavior professionals.  They hold annual conferences, seminars, webinars and communicate daily via interactive E-lists keeping trainers up-to-date on the latest news and methods in training dogs and counseling owners. 

As science is constantly evolving, so is the science of dog training and behavior therapy.

For more information, contact us at 252-672-5933 or click here Dogtrainer@suddenlink.net