Dog & Puppy Training Success Stories

Behavior Modification, Dog Socialization & Communication, Dog Training & Obedience, Puppy Training & Socialization
January 11, 2026

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Over the years, I have helped thousands of people and their dogs eliminate unwanted behaviors and become better versions of themselves. Dog training is necessary for dogs to provide them with the structure and mental stimulation they need.

For puppies, it’s essential as young puppies are going through one of the scariest times in their life and a structured puppy management program, teaches puppies how to best adapt to their environment so they develop into healthy and adaptable dogs in their adulthood.

About this Blog

Gary Maria enjoys empowering and inspiring people to build and strengthen their bond with their dog or puppy.

In his blog, Gary provides first-hand information on the topics of dog training, puppy training, puppy development and socialization, behavior modification, and aggressive dog training.

Take the first step towards unlocking your Dog's Potential with Gary Maria

Hear from our clients

						I can’t say enough great things about Gary Maria Dog Training, and this review is honestly long overdue! My partner and I completed all three levels of Gary’s training program with our Corgi puppy. We started when she was just 14 weeks old, and completing Level 3 at 10 months has been an unbelievable transformation. The progress she has made over these past few months is nothing short of tremendous.What makes Gary so fantastic is his balance, he makes training genuinely fun and engaging, but you can also tell how much he deeply cares about and loves your dog. He doesn't sugarcoat anything, which is exactly what you need when building real obedience and boundaries. Just as importantly, he has a great ability to work with two dog parents who don't always start on the same page, helping us navigate our different philosophies and get unified.If you're in the East Bay and looking for high-quality, practical, and effective dog training, Gary is the absolute best. We couldn't be happier with our experience and will miss our weekly training sessions with Gary!			
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Emma J.		
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Emma J.

I can’t say enough great things about Gary Maria Dog Training, and this review is honestly long overdue! My partner and I completed all three levels of Gary’s training program with our Corgi puppy. We started when she was just 14 weeks old, and completing Level 3 at 10 months has been an unbelievable transformation. The progress she has made over these past few months is nothing short of tremendous.What makes Gary so fantastic is his balance, he makes training genuinely fun and engaging, but you can also tell how much he deeply cares about and loves your dog. He doesn't sugarcoat anything, which is exactly what you need when building real obedience and boundaries. Just as importantly, he has a great ability to work with two dog parents who don't always start on the same page, helping us navigate our different philosophies and get unified.If you're in the East Bay and looking for high-quality, practical, and effective dog training, Gary is the absolute best. We couldn't be happier with our experience and will miss our weekly training sessions with Gary!
						We had an absolute great experiencing working with our German Shepherd mix and Gary! Gary is extremely knowledgeable and patient. We've seen a true change in our dog's confidence and behavior. Would highly recommend for basic training and/or if you have a specific behavior you are trying to work on.			
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Nicole C.		
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Nicole C.

We had an absolute great experiencing working with our German Shepherd mix and Gary! Gary is extremely knowledgeable and patient. We've seen a true change in our dog's confidence and behavior. Would highly recommend for basic training and/or if you have a specific behavior you are trying to work on.
						Gary was great! He helped our rescue dog learn the basic skills he never got and gave us the foundation for what we need to help him in his daily life and interactions. Highly recommend and worth every penny!			
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Dorothy L.		
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Dorothy L.

Gary was great! He helped our rescue dog learn the basic skills he never got and gave us the foundation for what we need to help him in his daily life and interactions. Highly recommend and worth every penny!
						Our 8(?) year old terrier mix had been with us for 3 months when I started working with Gary to relieve her anxiety and to begin basic training. After only one session, I learned simple techniques that led to immediate improvement in her level of anxiety. I so appreciate Gary's many years of experience and dedication to shelter dogs. The information he shared with me increased my confidence in working with Shivy in the years to come.			
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Andrea H.		
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Andrea H.

Our 8(?) year old terrier mix had been with us for 3 months when I started working with Gary to relieve her anxiety and to begin basic training. After only one session, I learned simple techniques that led to immediate improvement in her level of anxiety. I so appreciate Gary's many years of experience and dedication to shelter dogs. The information he shared with me increased my confidence in working with Shivy in the years to come.
						I wish we had met Gary years ago, we have had several German Shepherd and his training is simply amazing. Our rescued 1 year old German Shepherd Olivia LOVES Gary. His training program has greatly helped Olivia's issues. She can now walk nicely on a leash, great down/sit, and I could go on and on. He is the very best. Highly Recommend.			
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Nancy M.		
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Nancy M.

I wish we had met Gary years ago, we have had several German Shepherd and his training is simply amazing. Our rescued 1 year old German Shepherd Olivia LOVES Gary. His training program has greatly helped Olivia's issues. She can now walk nicely on a leash, great down/sit, and I could go on and on. He is the very best. Highly Recommend.
						Within 15 minutes into our initial consultation, Gary was already showing us what was possible to achieve with our puppy. Gary has extensive experience and is fun to work with. We just finished our 6-week class and only wish we had started sooner. We highly recommend Gary!			
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Rudy H.		
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Rudy H.

Within 15 minutes into our initial consultation, Gary was already showing us what was possible to achieve with our puppy. Gary has extensive experience and is fun to work with. We just finished our 6-week class and only wish we had started sooner. We highly recommend Gary!