Maria Ryan has been training dogs since 1997. She began training dogs when she worked at

a dog boarding kennel and training facility, as a kennel worker and was intrigued by

training. When she started training dogs she used aversive techniques such as alpha rolls,

kneeing in the chest to correct jumping, pinch collars, choke collars, and shock collars.

Thankfully she was introduced to organization called Association of Pet Dog Trainers, also

known as the APDT. She went to her first behavior conference in 1998 and had the

privilege of studying with trainers and veterinary behaviorist that were using evidence

based methods of training to help change behavior by using fear-free and force-free

methods. She first started to use these new methods on her own dogs and saw how easy

fun it was for her dogs and herself she knew she had to share it with everyone. That was the

moment Maria realized she needed to stop training using aversive techniques.She opened

up her own dog training business and start training dogs in a way that was not only

effective but was not based on punishment, physical correction, and harm towards dogs

behaviorally, mentally and emotionally.

She began group classes at a recreational center and private in-home lessons. She also

stated to offer pet sitting especially for some animals that had behavior issues and were

not able to be watched by anybody else because they did not have the behavior experience

that Maria gained through studying. She saw the value in educating herself with evidence

based methods that are proven to work. As her business began to grow Maria decided that

the next logical step would be to open up a training and daycare facility where she could do

group classes, private lessons, take care of and watch peoples dogs all under the same

roof. She of course still did in-home training and traveled throughout Pinellas,

Hillsborough, and Manatee counties.

Throughout her journey of attending behavior conferences throughout the United States

including attending a behavior conference at Cornell University, and studying with the top

trainers and behaviorist in the world she also knew how important it was to give back to

her community. Maria started volunteering for the SPCA so she could learn more about different breeds of dogs mixes of dogs and temperaments of dogs. She volunteered for years at the Largo SPCA where she trained and

screened dogs for potential new adopters. She offered free behavior consultations for

new adoptees at the shelter. She was awarded Behavior Department Volunteer of the Year in 2001-2002. In addition to the Largo SPCA she volunteered her training services to

Florida Poodle Rescue, Siberian Husky Rescue and English Springer Spaniel Rescue. Her

daycare and training facility sponsored many fundraising events over the years such as,

auctions, dog baths and nail trims. She was the vice president and instrumental in the

opening of, S.P.O.T., a low-cost spay neuter clinic, in Pinellas County Florida.Maria was it invited to be a monthly co-host national radio show Talkin’ Pets with Jon Patch, she was a repeat guest on “Daytime” Channel 8 WFLA, Maria and Dog Gone PositiveTraining and Daycare was interviewed and featured on “Good Day Tampa Bay” Channel 13, WTVT with Russell Rhodes and a guest trainer on “Everything Cats & Dogs” , AccessPinellas. She hosted her own call-in radio show, “The Dog Gone Positive Way” on 570 AM inTampa Bay.

Maria has been featured in dog behavior newsletters, Tuffs University andAPDT. In addition to multiple articles in the Saint Pete Times, Bark Magazine, and Florida

Magazine.

She continued her dog behavior education studying with trainers such as Marian Bailey, Karen Pryor, Bob Bailey, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Sophia Yin, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, as well as Solving Canine Behavior Problems, a behavior and pharmaceutical course addressing aggression and anxiety, at Cornell University, New York and many other certifications in training and behavior for pet dogs, shelter and rescue dogs.

Soon after she opened her facility, APDT developed a behavior certification test for

trainers such as herself to stand out from other so-called trainers that didn't practice

force-free, fear-free, evidence based methods. She was one of the first 236 dog trainer

to become a Certified Pet Dog Trainer in the United States and Canada.

Right after Maria expanded her business and opened up her 5000 square-foot facility she

was unfortunately diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She was at the height of her life and

career but was faced with making some difficult decisions about her future. She hid her

illness for as long as she could until she was able to sell her business.

At the time Maria was not confident in her ability to continue training because her body

was not cooperating with her and eventually she stopped training all together.

Unfortunately she thought, who would want to train with somebody who uses a cane, a

walker or a wheelchair? After falling into a deep depression that lasted several years

later and started training again. She just couldn't stay away from training dogs and helping

people. Previous clients and rescues would still contact Maria. Maria often jokes that

training dogs is like the mafia, every time she tries to pull away they just pull her back in!

Since Maria does not use intimidation, fear, force or aversive methods when she trains she

realized that she could still do what she loved doing the most in her life. You see the type

of training that Maria does is all evidence based and she does not need to use her body to

make dogs behave, to make them be obedient, make them sit, make them lay down or make

them do anything. She knows “making” dogs do things is not useful or productive. Instead

she knows dogs can learn using evidence-based proven methods.

She quickly realized that it would be a huge missed opportunity for her to just sit on the

sidelines and not train animals ever again in her life. Maria teaches owners how to

communicate and understand their dog's behavior and dogs how to learn, which leads to a

more successful relationship between the dog and their human. This also allows her to

bring her training to anyone with or without any of physical limitation because pet owners

don't have to put their hands or use corrective devices on their dogs to get them to listen

to you and get them to behave for you. Now a full-time wheelchair user Maria still trains

dogs, from the puppy who is having a problem with house training and chewing, or the goofy

adolescent energetic dog who can’t stop bouncing off your guests and surfing your

counters with Olympic skill, to more serious behaviors like separation anxiety, reactivity and aggression.

She is the host of her dog training and behavior podcast, The Dog Gone Positive Way,

available on Spotify, and Apple podcast. She consults with rescue groups, including English

Springer Spaniel Rescue and their potential adoptees! is still an occasional co-host on the

national radio show Talkin’ Pets with Jon Patch. Maria has dedicated her life to training

dogs and helping people. There is nothing she wants to do more than save pet parents and

their dogs unnecessary stress and heartache by teaching how to future proof through

preventative training skills and behavior management to avoid behavior problems and

training problems. Maria's goal has always been to keep pets out of shelters and rescue

groups and prevent behavioral euthanasia. All you have to do is use proven methods to

change behavior for the better in your pets. Maria continues her education to this day, conferring with colleagues, studying and attends behavior workshops online. She currently is a member of the IAABC