Tina McCain

Certified Master Dog Behaviorist / Trainer

Tina brings her life’s passion of dogs together with proven training techniques that will provide “professional education for your pet and your family.”

Training Expertise and Distinction

Tina has been successfully training dogs for nearly 30 years. She is a graduate of a Georgia accredited Post Secondary Dog Trainer’s Vocational institute. After six years of comprehensive training, Tina graduated in 1998 as a Master Dog Behaviorist / Trainer. Currently, she is one of only three graduates in Georgia with a Master Dog Behaviorist / Trainer certification.

Tina’s extensive experience in “all breed” dog training includes:

• Obedience training
• Puppy training
• Diagnosis of and training to overcome behavior and aggression issues
• Trick training
• Off-leash training
• AKC competitive obedience training
• Conformation training

Tina utilizes The Gentle Leader, The Gentle Leader Easy-Walk Harness, and the Premier training collar as part of her training programs. She neither advocates nor uses choke or prong collars.

Experience and Activities

Tina owned and trained her Labrador Retrievers for over 20 years, and for the past 12 years, she has shown her West Highland White Terriers to achieve their AKC competitive obedience championships, AKC Canine Good Citizen certifications, and conformation championships.  

Tina is the founding President of the Westie Club of the South, sits on the board of "The Westie Foundation", is a member of the "Association of Pet Dog Trainers", and she is an approved American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Tina successfully restructured a Westie Rescue program, and with a staff of 20 volunteers, rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed 45 Westies in 18 months. She has worked with a local canine service organization, training dogs for assistance to the physically challenged.

MerryMac Dog Training

Tina has owned and operated MerryMac Dog Training and Nutrition Center for seven years.  During that time, she has grown the business from in-home private lessons to a full-service training business that operates in 1,800 square feet of prime storefront. She prides herself in personal customer service and training methods that are both humane and effective. 

Tina’s professional dog training skills, coupled with her comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a dog’s mind and personalities, enables clients to effectively train pets so that both can life together happily and obediently. 

Professional Education

Tina graduated at the top of her class at a State of Georgia Accredited Post Secondary Education Dog Trainer’s Academy 

• 480 hour Dog Educator / Trainer program
• 250  hour Internship Dog Educator / Trainer program
• 480 hour Master Dog Educator / Trainer program

Certification highlights include:

• Puppy behavior and related problems
• Puppy temperament testing
• Beginner level obedience instruction
• Intermediate level obedience instruction
• Advanced level obedience instruction
• Behavior diagnosis and modification
• Aggression problems
• Off-leash training
• Trick training
• Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing
• AKC obedience rules and regulations
• AKC breed history and identification
• Training equipment evaluation
• Pet / owner counseling
• Group class instruction
• Private lesson instruction
• In-home lesson instruction

Tina's professional, compassionate training methods, combined with a keen understanding of dog minds and personalities, will allow you to successfully train your pet so that you can live together happily and obediently