About Gary Maria

As a 17 year old senior in high school, I was driving to Sacramento every weekend to attend dog training school.

The day after I graduated, I packed and moved to Sacramento to finish dog training school.

As a top student, after completing the dog training program, I was hired and I worked with them for three years.

After three years, I moved back to the Bay Area where I was hired by Pro-Train, the largest dog training academy in California.

Since that time, I’ve been working with thousands of dogs and puppies. I know how transformative dog and puppy training is for both the owner and the dog.

I not only teach dog-owners the how but also the why. It’s the journey of building unbreakable bonds between dogs and their owners and families, that is very rewarding.

Why Gary Maria?

Because of Gary’s dedication and high success rate (over 15,000 dogs and counting), Gary Maria is one of the most sought after and experienced dog behavior specialists in the Bay Area.

Since 1977, Gary has improved the behavior of thousands of dogs using his combination of proven positive techniques.

As the Head Dog Behaviorist, Gary created temperament and behavioral programs for 5 animal shelters, trained staff and officers on his techniques. He has temperament tested thousands of dogs and has served as an expert witness in numerous court cases.

Due to Gary’s extensive experience with dog behavior, Animal Control Agencies have often referred owners of difficult dogs to Gary for training. Gary is also a guest lecturer at Carrington College on dog behavior and behavior modification.

Gary can do the same for you and your dog today. Your happiness and satisfaction as a dog owner is Gary’s top priority.

Winner of Best Bay Area, Walnut Creek, and Livermore Award for Three Years

Gary Maria Professional Dog Training has been selected three years in a row from 2022 through 2024 as best dog trainer for the Bay Area, Walnut Creek, and Livermore.

About these Awards

The Best of Bay Area, Walnut Creek, and Livermore Business Awards Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses. Recognition is given to those businesses that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

Transforming Behavior, Building Bonds

Due to Gary’s extensive experience with dog behavior, animal control agencies and veterinary clinics have often referred owners of difficult dogs to Gary for training.

Gary is also a guest lecturer at Carrington College on dog behavior and behavior modification.

Gary can do the same for you and your dog today. Your happiness and satisfaction as a dog owner is Gary’s top priority.and

Gary’s Achievements

1977

Education

At 17 years old, Gary recognizes his calling and starts training all breeds and ages of dogs . Gary earned his Professional Dog Training Certification in Sacramento, California.

1977-1981

Early Career

Gary was hired by the Dog Training Kennel that he went to school at. At the Dog Training Kennel, Gary learned how to work with many breeds spanning many types of dog behavioral issues.

1981-1991

Pro-Train (Largest dog training facility in Northern CA)

Gary trained thousands of dogs in puppy development, on & off-leash obedience and personal protection training.

Gary was a teacher for the Pro-Train Institute, training future trainers in dog behavior evaluation and on and off-leash obedience training. He led weekly classes in 5 locations and completed dog evaluations for future training.

Gary also completed training on dogs who were for sale; dogs were sold to police departments or privately.

1991-present

Customized Training Programs

Gary starts offering private in-home dog training programs including Puppy Development, On & Off-Leash Obedience, and Behavior Modification.

As Gary trains and observes dog behavior and the owner/dog relationship over time, he adapts his program to be both fun for the dogs and their owners.

2000-2015

Leadership and Innovation

While he was Dog Training Director for East Bay SPCA in Oakland and Dublin, Gary developed and implemented a Temperament Testing System to determine adopt-ability and trained his staff to train dogs in the shelter and to instruct public classes.

He also started a social playgroup for adoptable dogs to help release stress while they were in the shelter. To reduce adopted dog returns, Gary implemented dog training for each adoptable dog. Each dog had to pass an obedience test before being placed into adoption. This was very successful.

Gary was then recruited to Oakland Animal Control and the Martinez Animal Shelter (including Pinole). In order to help as many dogs as possible, he stayed at the shelters implementing temperament testing, playgroups and training while working at his private dog training business.

During this time Gary was used as an expert witness in many court cases.

Present

Speaker and Educator

Gary is asked to speak at various schools or groups on dog behavior and training methods.

Establish engagement with your dog

You have developed your love relationship with your dog. Now let me teach you how to establish yourself as pack-leader.

Hear from our clients

						Melissa Herzog Gary (of Gary Maria Dog Training) is a fantastic dog trainer. He was able to relate immediately to our dog and gave us a sense of calm right away. Gary has some specific training sessions that really worked since they are based on his years of experience working with animals in a dignified fashion. His methods are up to date with the current training techniques.			
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Melissa H.		
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Melissa H.

						Melissa Herzog Gary (of Gary Maria Dog Training) is a fantastic dog trainer. He was able to relate immediately to our dog and gave us a sense of calm right away. Gary has some specific training sessions that really worked since they are based on his years of experience working with animals in a dignified fashion. His methods are up to date with the current training techniques.
					
						My husband and I rescued a 4 month old German Shepard mix from the animal shelter in Dublin. She was marked as a stray with no history we could be made aware of. She is the sweetest girl, but when we brought her home, we quickly learned that we needed professional help, as we were definitely in over our heads. After some research the decision to pick Gary was an easy one, and we are so happy we worked with him. With Gary’s help we were able to learn more about Luna, her behaviors, triggers, and most importantly how to manage them and provide the necessary help she needed to feel more confident. The tools he gave us were amazing and have helped her fear aggression in the outside world. He also helped us to become calm and confident pack leaders which has helped our relationship with Luna tremendously. Plus she got lots of chicken during training so she obviously LOVED Gary. If you are dealing with a puppy or dog showing any type of aggression, fear, lack of confidence, etc… I highly recommend going with Gary Maria Training! We will definitely be going back to him for any future training needs.			
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Kelsey B.		
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Kelsey B.

						My husband and I rescued a 4 month old German Shepard mix from the animal shelter in Dublin. She was marked as a stray with no history we could be made aware of. She is the sweetest girl, but when we brought her home, we quickly learned that we needed professional help, as we were definitely in over our heads. After some research the decision to pick Gary was an easy one, and we are so happy we worked with him. With Gary’s help we were able to learn more about Luna, her behaviors, triggers, and most importantly how to manage them and provide the necessary help she needed to feel more confident. The tools he gave us were amazing and have helped her fear aggression in the outside world. He also helped us to become calm and confident pack leaders which has helped our relationship with Luna tremendously. Plus she got lots of chicken during training so she obviously LOVED Gary. If you are dealing with a puppy or dog showing any type of aggression, fear, lack of confidence, etc… I highly recommend going with Gary Maria Training! We will definitely be going back to him for any future training needs.
					
						My husband and I rescued a 4 month old German Shepard mix from the animal shelter in Dublin. She was marked as a stray with no history we could be made aware of. She is the sweetest girl, but when we brought her home, we quickly learned that we needed professional help, as we were definitely in over our heads. After some research the decision to pick Gary was an easy one, and we are so happy we worked with him. With Gary's help we were able to learn more about Luna, her behaviors, triggers, and most importantly how to manage them and provide the necessary help she needed to feel more confident. The tools he gave us were amazing and have helped her fear aggression in the outside world. He also helped us to become calm and confident pack leaders which has helped our relationship with Luna tremendously. Plus she got lots of chicken during training so she obviously LOVED Gary. If you are dealing with a puppy or dog showing any type of aggression, fear, lack of confidence, etc... I highly recommend going with Gary Maria Training! We will definitely be going back to him for any future training needs.			
Read MoreRead Less
Kelsey B.		
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Kelsey B.

						My husband and I rescued a 4 month old German Shepard mix from the animal shelter in Dublin. She was marked as a stray with no history we could be made aware of. She is the sweetest girl, but when we brought her home, we quickly learned that we needed professional help, as we were definitely in over our heads. After some research the decision to pick Gary was an easy one, and we are so happy we worked with him. With Gary's help we were able to learn more about Luna, her behaviors, triggers, and most importantly how to manage them and provide the necessary help she needed to feel more confident. The tools he gave us were amazing and have helped her fear aggression in the outside world. He also helped us to become calm and confident pack leaders which has helped our relationship with Luna tremendously. Plus she got lots of chicken during training so she obviously LOVED Gary. If you are dealing with a puppy or dog showing any type of aggression, fear, lack of confidence, etc... I highly recommend going with Gary Maria Training! We will definitely be going back to him for any future training needs.
					
						We had taken our pup Charlie to a couple other dog training classes before finally finding Gary. Gary helped us better understand Charlie’s behavior and give us foundational tools to reshape and hone in on the training we had already put into our dog. Charlie’s confidence and behavior on and off leash is night and day from when we started the training sessions to now. We are excited to continue to grow our relationship and trust with our dog as he grows, because as Gary always tells us, it’s all about the journey! Thank you Gary!			
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Mary V.		
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Mary V.

						We had taken our pup Charlie to a couple other dog training classes before finally finding Gary. Gary helped us better understand Charlie’s behavior and give us foundational tools to reshape and hone in on the training we had already put into our dog. Charlie’s confidence and behavior on and off leash is night and day from when we started the training sessions to now. We are excited to continue to grow our relationship and trust with our dog as he grows, because as Gary always tells us, it’s all about the journey! Thank you Gary!
					
						We can't recommend Gary highly enough. He was able to help my family understand my behavior and help us to communicate so that my mom could stop being so frustrated with me. I really am a good boy and try very hard to please. Now we can live in harmony and Mom can laugh at my antics. Barkley the Beardie			
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Tracy C.		
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Tracy C.

						We can't recommend Gary highly enough. He was able to help my family understand my behavior and help us to communicate so that my mom could stop being so frustrated with me. I really am a good boy and try very hard to please. Now we can live in harmony and Mom can laugh at my antics. Barkley the Beardie
					
						Gary was so helpful with our dog, Barkley. He took the time to understand the issues we were having with him and incorporated those points into his 6 week training course. Gary trained us (stubborn humans!) so that the cues we give Barkley positively reinforce the behaviors that we wanted him to continue. The humans are still a work in progress, but Barkley has made huge leaps forward. He has stronger recall, is more respectful, and walks more calmly - and he has not lost any of his bubbly, quirky personality. Thank you, Gary!!			
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Whitney C.		
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Whitney C.

						Gary was so helpful with our dog, Barkley. He took the time to understand the issues we were having with him and incorporated those points into his 6 week training course. Gary trained us (stubborn humans!) so that the cues we give Barkley positively reinforce the behaviors that we wanted him to continue. The humans are still a work in progress, but Barkley has made huge leaps forward. He has stronger recall, is more respectful, and walks more calmly - and he has not lost any of his bubbly, quirky personality. Thank you, Gary!!
					