Helping Pets Behave
Service area: Serves Montgomery County, MD, including Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Columbia, and surrounding areas; virtual sessions available nationwide.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Fearfulness
- Stealing Food
- Recall
- Separation Anxiety
- Resource Guarding
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- In-Home
- Private Facility
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
- Doodles
- Brachycephalic
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
Programs include one-on-one private training (in-person or virtual), behavior consultations with follow-up plans, and digital courses for puppies and other topics. Group classes are offered as pre-recorded digital courses since in-person sessions are currently closed. All programs focus on behavior modification and practical skills for home implementation, with detailed written summaries provided after each session.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Private consultations and training sessions are offered at varying rates; puppy course is $80 online or $165 in-person; professional handling is $200; other group classes are $165. Virtual consults and training are available. Most pet insurance plans reimburse for certified behaviorists.
Testimonials
“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.”
– Tim B.
“I’m happy to recommend Mary as an animal behaviorist and trainer. As a veterinarian, I’ve referred many clients to her, and she consistently delivers excellent results for cats and dogs.”
– Mary C.
“Mary is a godsend and I highly recommend her service!! Referred to me by my vet, I am eternally thankful for the guidance she provided. Mary’s engaging, knowledgeable, and concise during onsite training and in written follow-up.”
– Bear’s Owner
About the Trainer
Mary Huntsberry, MA, is an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist who provides science-based behavior modification and training for dogs and cats. She specializes in addressing problem behaviors such as reactivity, fearfulness, resource guarding, separation anxiety, leash pulling, and stealing, using research-backed methods that lead to immediate results. Mary offers both in-person and virtual consultations and training sessions, making her services accessible to clients locally in Montgomery County, MD, and beyond. Her approach emphasizes understanding the root cause of behavior issues, teaching owners how to communicate effectively with their pets, and providing detailed follow-up plans. She also offers private training sessions and online digital courses for puppy development, professional handling, backyard agility, trick training, and recall. Mary is Elite Fear Free Certified and works closely with veterinarians to support holistic pet care.
Her services are tailored to dogs of all ages — puppies, adolescents, adults, and seniors — and she works with all sizes and breeds, including small, medium, large, and giant dogs, as well as doodles and brachycephalic breeds. She does not offer boarding, grooming, walking, or daycare services, focusing exclusively on behavior and training.
Clients consistently report dramatic improvements in their dogs’ behavior after working with Mary, especially in areas like walking calmly on leash, reducing fear-based reactions, and resolving household conflicts between pets. Many praise her compassion, clarity, and the lasting impact of her personalized plans.
Accomplishments
Mary Huntsberry holds a Master’s degree and is an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society. She is also an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional. She has over 20 years of experience as a researcher, veterinary technician, trainer, and animal behaviorist.
How to Get Started!
Client engagement begins with scheduling a consultation via the website’s contact form or phone. During the consultation, Mary assesses the pet’s behavior history, discusses goals, and creates a customized plan. Virtual or in-person sessions follow based on client preference and need.

Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
10am-7pm
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- IAABC
Languages
- English
Other Services Offered
- Pet trainer
Location
23 Cedar Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877Listing Tools for Trainers
For Helping Pets Behave Only
Update Your Info
To update your profile, contact us with your changes.
Share Your Achievement!
Let the world know you’ve been recognized by Goody Doggy as a top-ranked dog trainer in Gaithersburg. Add your achievement badges to your website to stand out from the competition and convert more website visitors into clients.
Upgrade Your Profile - Get Featured!
Become the obvious choice for dog owners in the Gaithersburg area and grow your dog training business.
- 3x More Views – Featured profiles are seen first and visited the most
- Qualified Leads – A constant stream of motivated Gaithersburg clients
- Enhance Your Profile – Stand out from the crowd with more photos, social media links, and custom sales copy
- More Web Traffic – Improve your site’s search engine exposure (SEO)
- Build Your Brand – Establish trustworthiness and prestige