About Us
Mariana Mekelburg
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With over a decade of hands-on experience, I specialize in helping dogs and their humans build stronger, more balanced relationships through thoughtful, customized training. My approach is rooted in patience, communication, and understanding the dog in front of me, no matter their background or behavior.
My journey began like many passionate trainers with my childhood dogs, Tim and Tika, who unknowingly started it all. I officially entered the professional dog world in 2011, providing pet care and later working in grooming, where I refined my ability to read canine body language and temperament across breeds.
Everything changed when my husband and I adopted Dexter, a pit bull mix from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter. Training him opened my eyes to the deep emotional intelligence of dogs and the power of a consistent, clear training approach. I went on to join Los Angeles Responsible Pit Bull Owners (LARPBO), where I became Lead Trainer. For 10 years, I worked with dogs experiencing a range of issues, from fear and reactivity to overexcitement and anxiety, helping them build confidence and control, and assisting owners in becoming effective, compassionate leaders.
Alongside training, I created a development program for aspiring trainers and led volunteer efforts in local shelters to prepare dogs for adoption. I strongly believe that when we train humans, we empower the dog.
My personal dogs have been some of my greatest teachers. From Little Dude, a reactive chihuahua mix who’s become my go-to demo dog, to Sloane, a senior American Bully who came to us fearful and left us in 2023 as the loving, confident dog she was always meant to be.
Now, our newest addition, Royales C’est La Vie “Chaos” Fue De L’Ame, AKA Chaos, brings a whole new energy to the pack. Chaos is a young Beauceron—goofy with a dash of spice—who thrives on adventure, whether it’s hiking, biking, playing tug, or socializing with his many dog friends. He’s curious, confident, and intense when it counts. Always up for something new, he’s quickly proving himself to be not just a working partner but a showstopper.
Through every dog and every experience, my mission remains the same: to meet dogs where they are, help them grow, and guide their humans to do the same, creating a lasting, stable bond that transforms lives.
Griffin Mekelburg
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Dogs have always been a part of my life, but I never expected dog training to become such a central part of my journey. For a long time, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take until my wife, Mariana, encouraged me to join her in the world of canine behavior. Her passion sparked something in me, and over the past 10 years, I’ve grown confident working with dogs of all breeds and temperaments.
Alongside training, I’ve been able to combine my love of technology with our mission, using photography, videography, and digital tools to help bring STABLE Dog Training to life and connect with more people in our community.
We’ve had to say goodbye to two of our incredible dogs, Dexter and Sloane, who will always hold a place in our hearts and whose spirits live on in our logo and everything we do. Little Dude continues to be our reliable sidekick and demo dog, and recently we welcomed Chaos, our Beauceron, into the family. He brings fresh energy and drive to our home.
My goal is to help people connect more deeply with their dogs and to bring Mariana’s effective, heart-centered training methods to more households through innovative and accessible platforms, starting with this very site.
The Faces of STABLE
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![A black and tan dog running on grass in a backyard, with a blue fence and trees in the background.]()
Chaos
Chaos is a young Beauceron with AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGC, CGCA, and CGCU titles, already making his mark in both the show ring and community. His accomplishments include multiple wins at the All-Breed Dog Show in Costa Mesa, including First Prize, Best of Opposite Sex, and Best of Winners. He’s also completed two Fast CAT runs and is on track to earn his BCAT title.
With his playful personality, curiosity, and high drive, Chaos thrives in active environments—whether he’s hiking, biking, or performing tricks at public events. As a proud ambassador of the STABLE lifestyle, he continues to showcase the value of structure, confidence, and positive engagement in training.
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![Small tan dog with white markings lying in green grass in a park, with trees and sunlight in the background.]()
Little Dude
Little Dude, a Chihuahua mix with CGC, TKA, and VSWB titles, is a small dog with a big presence. Once an active competitor in Nose Work, Lure Coursing, Agility, Dock Diving, and Frisbee, he’s now enjoying retirement while serving as a steady, trusted demo dog. With his calm confidence and experience, Little Dude helps support training sessions at STABLE, showing other dogs that success is possible with patience, structure, and heart.
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![Close-up of a happy brown dog with a black collar, showing its open mouth and teeth against a light blue background.]()
In Loving Memory: Dexter
Dexter, a dog with CGC, CGCA, and Do More With Your Dog Trick Titles, was the foundation of STABLE Dog Training. More than a companion, he was the inspiration behind the journey—an intelligent, driven partner who excelled in Bite Work, Nose Work, Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, Lure Coursing, and Agility. Though he’s no longer with us, Dexter’s legacy lives on in the values, methods, and heart of everything we do.
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![A happy white and brown dog with a blue collar resting on the edge of a swimming pool, with greenery and outdoor furniture in the background.]()
In Loving Memory: Sloane
Forever our full-time marshmallow and reigning champion of naps and snacks. Sloane’s gentle heart and quiet strength brought joy to everyone she met. She reminded us every day that with love, patience, and a cozy spot on the couch, even the most uncertain dogs can blossom. Her presence is deeply missed, but her impact lives on in the heart of STABLE Dog Training.
