SMART DOGS Dog Training & Behavior Consultation

SMART DOGS offers a comprehensive “Life With Dogs” small group class, which is mandatory for all new students. This 8-week program meets once a week for 1 hour in-person. It teaches crucial life skills to both dogs and their owners, focusing on understanding and communicating with dogs, how learning and behavior work, and maximizing positive reinforcement. The program aims to build strong, desired behaviors, balanced and confident dogs, and healthy trust-based relationships, while avoiding common errors that create stress and damage the human-canine bond.

Pricing Summary

The comprehensive “Life With Dogs” small group class costs $475 for an 8-week program, or can be paid in 3 installments of $175. This tuition includes weekly in-person sessions, 24/7 access to student-only online content (video tutorials, articles), and access to coaching via phone, text, and email between sessions.

SMART DOGS Dog Training & Behavior Consultation, led by owner Mary A. Gilbreth, Ph.D., offers comprehensive dog training and behavior modification services. Their philosophy emphasizes “Better Behavior to BOTH Ends of the Leash” through trust-based, fear-free, force-free, science-based, and pain-free methods, avoiding bullying and nonsense.

They provide tailored constructional, reinforcement training programs for all breeds, ages, and behavior situations, including puppies through seniors. Services cover healthy, harmonious life with dogs, social interaction skills (dog-human, dog-dog, dog-cat), and prevention/modification of fear, aggression, anxiety, and stress. They also offer assent-based cooperative care (grooming, nail trims, vet prep), dog sports (Rally, Hoopers, Freestyle, Treibball, Obedience, Agility, Parkour, Tracking), early puppy development, canine and feline communication, canine fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Training is also available for cats, chickens, and other animals.

Accomplishments

Mary A. Gilbreth holds a Ph.D. and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and Certified Holistic Life & Stress Management Coach (CHLC). She was the first trainer in Arkansas to earn a CPDT and has brought numerous other “firsts” to the state. Mary has hosted internationally known trainers like Kathy Cascade, Theresa McKeon, and Kay Laurence. She is a specialist in preventing and modifying aggressive and fearful behavior, and is well-versed in canine and human behavior, relationships, training, wellness, and nutrition. Mary and her own dogs and cat have earned titles in Agility, Freestyle, Freestyle Tricks, Hoopers, Obedience, Parkour, Rally, and Treibball, along with Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog certifications.

How to Get Started!

All new students must begin with the “Life With Dogs” comprehensive small group class. To enroll or receive email notifications about upcoming dates and registration, prospective clients can join the waiting list or email the trainer. For behavior modification needs related to fear, anxiety, stress, aggression, or reactivity, individuals should email a brief description of the undesired behavior and the conditions under which it occurs to determine if private sessions or a small group setting is appropriate. Private sessions are currently full until at least Spring 2025.