Helping Pets Behave

Kristina Humm 3 months ago

I have taken some time before writing this review, as I did not want to leave a bad review, but I really believe that people should be aware before coming to this person for help. I have a large dog (85 lbs) who is fearful and reactive with nail trimmings, at the vet, and on walks. I had already worked with him at length on the leash before I had taken him to Mary, but I still was hoping to get him less reactive on his leash, but more importantly, be able to put a muzzle on him and reduce his stress with the vet. In my paperwork and over the phone I informed Mary that he has bit a vet tech and my boyfriend, when we have tried to trim nails or do vaccines at the vet and that he gets very VERY upset. Her first suggestion was to put a snoot loop on him, to which I explained that he won't like that because he will believe that it is a muzzle, because he is a dog and he doesn't understand the difference. She then insisted that it is necessary because he needs equipment for training, despite the fact that I showed up with a pinch collar that he is familiar with and it clearly does not stress him out. The next 40 minutes were spent with her insisting on forcing different pieces of equipm

Lara Kochnowicz 4 months ago

Mary has been an incredible guide for both Riku and me on our training journey. As a newer dog owner, I was looking for someone who could meet us where we were, and Mary has done exactly that with warmth, kindness, and genuine care. From day one, she took the time to understand both my dog’s needs and my own, helping us build a strong foundation based on trust, confidence, and clear communication. Her force-free training methods have given me peace of mind, knowing that I am making choices that support Riku’s well-being while strengthening our bond. What stands out most about Mary is that she is more than just a trainer—she is a teacher, mentor, and guide. She celebrates progress, helps navigate challenges without judgment, and empowers both dog and owner to succeed. In just one month, I have seen remarkable growth in Riku’s confidence, ability to regulate himself, and overall happiness. I am incredibly grateful for Mary’s support and expertise, and I am excited to continue this journey with her. I can’t wait to see what more Riku can achieve under her guidance. I would wholeheartedly recommend Helping Pets Behave to anyone looking for compassionate, effective, and truly dog-cen

Stephanie Destefano 7 months ago

My 90 pound pit mix was a shelter rescue so I had little knowledge of his first year of life so we were up for some surprises. As I left the shelter, I was handed a bottle of Trazodone, to help him adjust to his new home, first red flag! I have had multiple large dogs over the years so not a first time dog owner. He was super sweet but a big strong boy ! Not long after we got him home , he started frantic digging in my yard, excavating our fios cables, digging up my plants , pulling downspout off the house just to mention a few things. Indoor damage to furniture and other things as well when not in his crate . I took him to a groomer and he bit them and was dismissed without trimmed nails. I Brought Him to the vet , and he could not be restrained and panicked . The vet suggested I find an animal behaviorist and that is when I came across Mary Huntsberry. Our first visit went well and she had no issues handling him but said that the Trazodone was not a long term medication for the anxiety he was experiencing and suggested I speak with my vet about switching him to Prozac. My vet agreed and within two weeks , the destructive behavior had almost completely stopped. Our next visit

Linda Johnson Edited 3 months ago

Mary is truly a God-send for me and my sweet, anxious pup! Before Mary we tried training and anxiety meds which helped a little, but I knew there was more to Belle's life than just staying home and playing in the backyard. She feared the outside world! Mary developed a plan to help Belle trust me, come to me when afraid, and little by little realize the outside world can be okay. With Mary's help we are still working on it, but the changes in Belle after a week, and now going on three months have been life changing for her. I have every confidence that Belle will be able to take a walk outside without so much fear very soon. I couldn't speak more highly of Mary. Besides her obvious love of animals, her expertise in knowing and changing animal behavior is amazing. She also is very compassionate about the owner too, knowing we go through it as well. Also, so importantly are the regular follow-up calls where we talk about how Belle is doing, things that have come up, changes in Belle's behavior and how to keep encouraging Belle and also pushing her past her comfort zone. Priceless. :)

Hannah MacLean a year ago

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 ver