Helping Pets Behave

I contacted Mary for help with two cats that didn’t get along. The problem started after adding a second cat to a one-cat home and making mistakes in the initial introduction. The new cat became incredibly aggressive toward the old cat, to the point of violently slamming against a closed door to get to him, and chasing him all around the house to attack and bite him. We had to keep them permanently separated for years. Mary sent me an extensive form to fill out about the cats’ behavior and history, before having an in-house consultation where she gave us specific instructions on what to immediately change at home, how to conduct training sessions, and how to defuse aggressive behavior like stalking and staring. She made recommendations of calming supplements and other equipment to help with training. She also helped us understand and be aware of the cats’ body language. After the consultation, she sent me a summary of our appointment and a written plan detailing the strategy she suggested for us. Very, very gradually over time, we have noticed a huge decrease in fear and aggression. The cats are currently able to sit calmly or even nap in the same room with us, just six to ten feet apart. We’re four months into the process and it’s still ongoing, but considering where we started, this is incredible progress that we once thought could never be possible. It has taken a LOT of patience and consistent, frequent training, but I can confidently say that Mary’s methods work. I would recommend her to anyone having issues of aggression between cats. And, from my own experience, I would recommend not waiting too long; get a strategy that works early on, and save yourself (and your cats!) a lot of stress. Edit: In 2026 I hired Mary again, to help with conflict between two different cats—an anxious, skittish adult cat and a rambunctious, energetic new kitten. Again, this process has involved a lot of time and consistent application of the training plan, but we have seen good results so far. The anxious cat has become more confident, and bounces back quicker from stressors. The rambunctious kitten is still energetic but learning to understand that he needs to be restrained when interacting with the adult cat. I would still recommend Mary to anyone having behavioral/interpersonal issues with their pets.

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 , she worked with me on nail trimming myself. This took some time , but he allows me to do this now . Our work is ongoing but I highly recommend Mary. She really understands dog behavior and takes her time working through whatever problems you have . I will never give up on my sweet boy! I highly recommend her if you are experiencing behavioral issues with your dog! She is a life saver!

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!