Dog Training and Behavior Consultations

Mocha learned to sit during her training lessonsMary Hunter offers private dog training lessons and behavior consultation services in the northern suburbs of the Dallas-Forth Worth area, including far north Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Lewisville, Carrollton, Argyle, Denton, and Little Elm.

She also offers online consultations and virtual lessons. Virtual lessons are the perfect way to get the help you need, even if you don’t live in north Texas!

Private dog training lessons are perfect for puppy training, basic obedience training, and solving behavior issues such as fear, aggression, and separation anxiety.

Private training is ideal for many dogs since the training can be customized and individualized to your particular dog and situation. As well, it is easier for the dog to retain the learning, since the training happens in the dog’s normal environment.

Contact Mary with any questions or to get started today!

Group classes. From time to time, Mary conducts group dog training classes in the Denton area. Please contact her for more information about upcoming classes.

What types of training methods do you use?

Lola learned to focus during a group dog training classMary uses ONLY force-free, dog-friendly training methods.

Mary earned a Master’s degree in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas in 2013. She keeps up with “what’s new” in animal training and uses effective, science-based training methods.

Her goal is to make learning a pleasant experience for both you and your dog and to help you succeed in achieving your training goals. Mary’s methods are based in the science of positive reinforcement training — you’ll learn step-by-step how to teach your dog new behaviors, reward appropriate behavior, and teach alternative behaviors to replace unwanted behavior.

What happens during a training lesson?

Private dog training lessons can help your dog learn to come when calledDuring a training lesson, both you and your dog will learn new skills! Mary will work with you and your dog during each training session so that your dog learns new behaviors and you learn how to practice with your dog and continue the training.

Mary will coach you during the session and then provide you with handouts and written instructions to ensure that you and your dog both understand the training and so that you feel comfortable practicing with your dog on your own. Between training lessons, Mary is available by phone or email if you get stuck or have a question.

What do training lessons cost?

Private training lessons can be purchased in a package of three or six lessons. Each lesson is approximately one hour in length.

Most dogs do best with a package of lessons, as most behavior issues cannot be solved in a single lesson! At the first lesson, Mary will assess your dog, work with you to formulate a training plan, and then help you get started with your dogs’ training. At follow-up lessons, Mary will evaluate the dog’s progress, modify the training plans as needed, and help you and your dog learn additional behaviors.

Horse training lessons

Tex the pony loved his clicker training lessonsMary also offers positive reinforcement training and clicker training for horses. She has been riding and working with horses for most of her life. She has worked with horses in a variety of settings, including working on a guest ranch in Colorado and working for four years with a local horse rescue.

Mary will help you discover why your horse is behaving the way he is and teach you how to communicate effectively with your horse. She is able to help with ground work and foundation training for young horses, starting horses under saddle, problem behaviors and issues, and trick training.

Distance learning and online consultations

Are you interested in working with Mary, but live too far away?

Mary also offers long-distance lessons and consultations. Mary will help you design an individualized training program for your dog and offer feedback and suggestions as you progress with the training.

Please contact Mary for more details.