Helping Pets Behave

We are working with Mary on a dog conflict issue we've been having between our boxer (Harper) and our goldendoodle (Bella). Mary has provided us with very helpful information and techniques that have really deescalated the issue. She has set up detailed plans for us prior to our meetings and sends a detailed summary after our meetings. We meet with Mary virtually due to our work schedules and distance. The virtual sessions are great! We've provided Mary with videos showing our dog's interaction with each other and the issues we've been experiencing. We feel these virtual sessions have been just as effective and informative as if we had met her in person.

Working with Mary at Helping Pets Behave is hands down the best thing I have ever done for my dog, Toby. Toby is a miniature poodle/miniature schnauzer mix, and is a bit anxious by nature. I got to the end of my rope with walking him. He would pull constantly, go wild for squirrels and other animals, and react to other dogs, matching whatever energy they presented. After working with Mary, Toby has improved exponentially. It's like walking a different dog. I'm no longer stressed about going out. I used to have moments of being close to tears, having tried things I read online and just couldn't make work. One of the most impactful things Mary did was teach me about how I was misinterpreting some of Toby's behaviors and how my actions were sending him a different message than I was intending. She worked with us to teach me strategies for how to walk, making sure I was comfortable with the techniques. She also sent very thorough summaries and instructions after our lessons. I now get compliments on what a good dog Toby is when we're out walking. We're able to go on walks in crowded parks with other dogs and people without any issue. I would HIGHLY recommend Mary's services. She is very welcoming and humanizes the whole process. She lifts owners up and equips them to help their dog live their best life. I fully intend on continuing to work with Mary on some more of Toby's less pressing issues in the future. Absolutely the best money I have ever spent!

We adopted a five-year-old Lhasa Apso last summer who came to us with a lot of anxiety and stress. Although he was sweet and had a lot of potential, there were times we honestly weren’t sure if we could keep him. Our veterinarian recommended Mary, and reaching out to her was one of the best decisions we made. She took the time to understand his background and behavior, gave us a tailored plan, and checked in regularly through Zoom and email. Even after just a few of her suggestions, the changes were remarkable. Our dog became much calmer and more trusting, and he’s now a happy, affectionate part of our family who truly feels at home. Mary’s expertise and ongoing support made all the difference for us. We’re very grateful and highly recommend her to anyone looking for help with their dog.

Mary has helped us with our dogs many times. Most recently, we adopted a puppy, and she has been an amazing help getting us into the right mindset for Moose. She's also helped us get our older dogs more accustomed to the new family member. I'd absolutely recommend her for anyone who needs help with their dog.

I've been working with Mary for a couple months on my dog's reactivity to other big dogs and in just a little over a month, we've seen tremendous improvement! My dog used to stare hard at other dogs, growl, bark, and/or lunge if they were too close or the other dogs growled or barked at her. It made walking her a challenge and we avoided walking towards or passing other dogs on walks. It's not perfect yet, but after working on Mary's recommended training methods 2-3 times a day on walks/at home, we're able to go on walks without her barking/lunging at other dogs! She can even tolerate another dog barking at her as we walk past now which is amazing. Walks used to be stressful (for both my dog and me!), but now we can enjoy our time outside! I plan on continuing to work with Mary on my dog's high arousal levels and greeting manners. Overall, I think Mary's training methods have improved my relationship with my dog where she's responding to training a lot faster and more willingly. This has been a game changer for us and we look forward to working with Mary more!