MGH Canine Consulting

Hello ! 👋
Some of you are new here, so I wanted to reintroduce myself…

I’m Maria — dog behavior consultant, nutrition nerd, and lifelong believer that our pets are often the best teachers we’ll ever have. If you’re new here, thank you for joining this little community of people who adore their animals and want to understand them on a deeper level.

I help dogs and their humans navigate everything from leash frustration to anxiety, potty training to reactivity, social manners to confidence building — and all the beautifully messy things in between. My work is rooted in understanding, respect, and trust on both ends of the leash.

I’m also passionate about helping clients make sense of their dog’s biological nutritional needs so they can choose foods that support long, healthy, vibrant lives.

And… I’m honored (albeit a little bashful!) to share that I was recently featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine. If you’d like to learn more about my story, you can read the interview here:

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-maria-huntoon-2/

Thanks for being here — truly. I’m excited to keep learning, laughing, and growing alongside you and your dogs. 🐾💛

Meet Maria Huntoon Alright - so today we've got the honor of introducing you to Maria Huntoon. We think you'll enjoy our conversation, we've shared it below.

🐾 PET ANXIETY AWARENESS MONTH
If your dog or cat’s anxiety is giving YOU anxiety… this is your sign.
Do any of these sound familiar?

• You hesitate to leave the house because your pet might leave a path of destruction behind.
• Car rides, weekends away, or even quick errands feel impossible because your dog spirals into a frantic state.
• You avoid having friends or family over because your pet’s behavior feels unpredictable or embarrassing.
• Everyone keeps telling you to “just put your pet on meds,” but you want to understand the why before jumping to that step.

If you whispered (or screamed) “yes” to any of these… you’re not alone.
And more importantly — your pet isn’t giving you a hard time; they’re having a hard time.

June is Pet Anxiety Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect moment to start helping your dog or cat feel safer, calmer, and more understood — before the July 4th fireworks hit.

💛 I’m offering 15% off for new clients dealing with anxiety this month so you can finally get support, clarity, and a plan that honors your pet’s emotional wellbeing. Now through July 3rd.

Let’s help your anxious pet breathe easier — and help you breathe easier too.

👉 Comment "HELP!" to get started.

Your Pet's Not 'Being Difficult' - They're Trying to Tell You Something Understanding the anxiety behind barking, pacing, and agitation — and how to help your pet feel safe again.

This month marks my recertification with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) — something I do every five years after completing at least 36 hours of continuing education (and usually more, because I’m a total behavior geek 🤓).

Dog training is an unregulated industry, which means credentials and ethics really matter. My certification requires adherence to the LIMA approach — Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive — and a commitment to understanding the why behind behavior, not just suppressing it.

As I often say:
“The suppression of behavior is not the absence of the emotions that drive the behavior.”

I wrote about this idea — and why certification matters — in my latest Substack article, “Celebrating Another Certification Milestone.”
It’s part celebration, part education, and all heart. 💛

👉 Read the full piece here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/mariaswholedogwisdom/p/celebrating-another-certification?r=5tobes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Celebrating Another Certification Milestone 🎉🐾 This month marks a special milestone for me — my recertification with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). That’s the “CBCC-KA” you see behind my name. Every five years, I get to renew my credentials by completing at least

House Hunting With Dogs: What Makes a Home Truly Dog‑Friendly

Ever wonder what makes a home perfect for both you and your pup? In this episode of Behavior & Bordeaux, I’m chatting with Michelle Mechem of Roost Historic Living at The Wyld Dock Bar — where we talk about dog‑friendly home features, safe spaces, and even plants that can be toxic to dogs.

Grab a glass of wine and join us dockside for a fun, informative conversation that’ll make you see house hunting through your dog’s eyes.

Watch now → https://youtu.be/iwcfpWI8GR4

House Hunting with Dogs: What Makes a Home Truly Dog-Friendly (Behavior & Bordeaux, Ep 7) Welcome back to Behavior & Bordeaux! In this episode, we’re takin...

Sheba and I are getting ready for our next long drive, and it inspired my newest Substack article.

“Thelma & Louise (But Fuzzier): Road‑Tripping With Your Dog" breaks down how to make car travel easier, safer, and more enjoyable for your pup.

If you’re planning a getaway with your furry co‑pilot, give it a read.

And feel free to share your favorite dog‑travel stories in the comments — I love hearing them!

Thelma & Louise (But Fuzzier): Road‑Tripping with Your Dog Planning a late‑spring or summer getaway?

Tomorrow is my birthday, which means I’m doing some reminiscing — thinking about how a critter‑obsessed little girl from upstate NY ended up building a life around helping dogs and their people.

If you’d like to take a walk down memory lane with me, my new Substack article is live. And if you feel like sending a little birthday love my way, it'd make my day even brighter!

Born For This: An Animal Lover Through and Through Tomorrow is my birthday (yay, me!), and like most milestones, it has me looking back at the winding, wonderful path that brought me to where I am today.

If you like dogs, wine and conversation, this is for you!

Our friends at Oliver Bentleys are hosting monthly Yappy Hours on the first Wednesday of each month, starting today! It's free, you can bring your social dogs, wine is included, and I'll be there to answer your dog training, behavior and nutrition questions 🐶

📍 Oliver Bentleys, 409 E York St, Savannah
🗓 Wednesday 4/1 (and the first Weds of each month)
⏰️ 5pm-8pm

Come mingle with fellow dog and wine lovers!

IT'S HERE! ✨Our new Behavior & Bordeaux Episode! 🐶🍷
We’re sipping on the deliciously refreshing Love(r) Rosé (perfect for spring) and talking about something every dog owner should know: how to help your dog relax, naturally.

Dogs can’t pour a glass of wine when they’re stressed, but there are other remedies that we can use to help them regulate their emotions and nervous system in those tough times - long car rides, a move or other life transition, thunderstorms or fireworks, even visits from those slightly crazy family members.

In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite natural calming aids — from herbal remedies and CBD to flower essences and essential oils — and explaining how they support behavior change by lowering arousal. I’ll also show you how to tell which oils your dog prefers and which ones to avoid.

If your dog struggles with anxiety, reactivity, or hyperactivity, or just an occasional bout of stress, this episode is full of gentle, biologically appropriate ways to help them feel better.

🎥Watch here: https://youtu.be/V2kNpu1rWa8

🫵What’s your dog’s favorite way to self-soothe — licking, chewing, snuggling, or something else?

Calming Aids for Anxious Dogs: Herbal, CBD & Aromatherapy (Because They Can’t Drink Wine!) - B&B Ep6 Welcome back to Behavior & Bordeaux!In this episode, we’re sipping on Love(r) Rosé while diving into natural calming aids for dogs — because while we can tak...