Welcome to SMART DOGS!
Life with Dogs
Life Skills & Relationship Building for People, Puppies & Dogs. It All Starts Here!
Therapy Dog
Training & Testing for Therapy Dog Certification. Share your Dog's Happiness & Love!
Dog Sports
Agility, Dance, Freestyle, Obedience, Parkour, Rally, Treibball & More. Beginner to Advanced. Join Us!
Behavior Modification
Aggressive, Anxious, Fearful, or other Stress-Induced Behavior? We can help. Force-free, pain-free.
Online Learning
Reading, Video Tutorials, Discussions. Grow your knowledge in our Online Classrooms, Workshops & Learning Groups!
and More!
Conditioning, Body Awareness, Nutrition & Wellness, Trick Training, Seminars, Movie Nights, Field Trips & More!
Committed to Education & Excellence
Professional Dog Trainer & Life Coach
Located in Van Buren, Arkansas, SMART DOGS is the creation of owner Mary A. Gilbreth, Ph.D., Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and Certified Holistic Life & Stress Management Coach (CHLC). Committed to education & excellence, Mary was the first trainer in the state of Arkansas to earn a CPDT and has continued to bring numerous other firsts to the people & dogs of AR. In addition to sharing her own knowledge & skills, Mary has hosted several internationally known trainers – Kathy Cascade (TTouch), Theresa McKeon (TAGteach International), and Kay Laurence (Learning About Dogs). A Specialist in preventing & modifying aggressive and fearful behavior, Mary is well-versed in canine and human behavior, relationships, training, wellness & nutrition. Mary is an avid clicker and positive reinforcement trainer and teaches a wide range of topics, activities & Dog Sports to her students and also the Plumwood Posse – her dogs and cat. To date, Mary & her dogs and cat hold titles in Agility, Freestyle, Freestyle Tricks, Hoopers, Obedience, Parkour, Rally & Triebball, and certifications in Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog. Through education, behavior change and a whole lot of fun, Mary promotes better behavior at *both* ends of the leash.
I am so happy I found Mary/SMART DOGS last year…I have an exceptionally exuberant Labrador Retriever that loved to bark at me (which is loud and stressed me out) and Mary has worked consistently and patiently to show me how to reduce his barking and get the desired behavior that I need from him. I can now run agility, play ball, daily life, etc… and enjoy it and I use what I learned to apply to my other dogs too. My 5 dogs and I are calmer and happier and we look forward to our training days at SMART DOGS.
I whole heartedly recommend Mary and SMART DOGS to everyone I meet that has a puppy, dog or is thinking about getting one! The bond CJ and I have would never have been as close without Mary’s guidance and the SMART DOGS positive training program. I’ve enjoyed each session and gained many insights…and Mary has the patience of a Saint…I can’t say enough good things about the program or Mary. You should come and experience this for yourself with your puppy/dog and see the amazing transformation that occurs as you train together.
Working with Mary and our two 6 year old miniature schnauzers has been an unbelievable, eye opening experience. A few months ago we could not even take a walk without generalized chaos every time our girls encountered any people, or worse yet, another dog. Two days ago, 8 construction workers gathered in the street didn’t even earn a second look! We now have one very confident learner who was once a timid little thing who didn’t like to eat, until Mary, in her very subtle way, suggested a new raw diet. And her big sister, who was scared of her own shadow, is working on being a champion on … Read more
As a dog training professional myself, I have first-hand experience with training centers and trainers throughout the country. Unequivocally, SMART DOGS is one of the best…Mary adds her deep appreciation and understanding of a dog’s heart and soul…and I also travel a long distance myself to bring my own dogs there to train. It is worth every mile driven and dollar spent. Mary has helped me sharpen my own training skills and to “see” my dogs more clearly as the amazing individuals they are. I am extremely grateful for everything Mary has taught me, and my dogs Hannah and Jackson are equally… Read more
Love the SMART DOGS approach to training!!
Mikie is learning and having fun training. We highly recommend SMART DOGS Dog Training.
★★★★★ We LOVE SMART DOGS and Mary! She is one amazing woman! I’m so thankful for her guidance and patience with me. Working with my dogs has been such an eye opening experience for me, not just in training, but in self awareness. I don’t think I ever would have learned so much about my personality, behavior and habits if it weren’t for the last few years at SMART DOGS.
I’m also most grateful for the bond she taught me to nurture with my first sweet fur baby and now, another one! I would recommend her to anyone with a dog! I think we all can learn from her program and take something special awa… Read more
I appreciate Mary’s instruction. Always the right mix of compassion and no nonsense. I have had dogs my entire life (almost 60 years) and was surprised to discover how little I actually understood about them before coming to SMART DOGS. I originally had two goals in mind – getting Angus to come when called and to help him build some confidence in new situations. We accomplished these goals, but more importantly the training helped us develop a stronger and happier relationship. The connection is better, the understanding is better and we all – dog and humans are having more fun! … Read more
Dr. Mary A Gilbreth offers a practical, gentle and easy to learn method. She works with you and your dog at whatever level is appropriate. She also shares a wealth of information on dog behavior, nutrition, health and more. I thought my relationship with my dogs was good before SMART DOGS. I am amazed at the change. The SMART DOGS’ way has put the spark back into my two senior dogs’ eyes. It has given two shy girls more confidence. SMART DOGS is an awesome training school and its right here in the River Valley.
Off-leash heeling, outside, with unfamiliar people and dogs all around and the lake in full view. This time last year I never would have believed I could do this with Bella. Thank you Mary/SMART DOGS for all your help getting Bella where she is now in her training!
I just wanted to tell you I’m loving the online aspect of your classes. They’ve been so helpful with my life being so hectic.
Thank you for all your dedication! I hope everyone knows that we would not get the same thorough training from anywhere else in this area. You go the extra mile every class.
This is the best money we’ve spent so far!
A wonderful place for dogs and humans to learn.
Thank you Mary for all of our class photos and fun! Pickles and I love agility, our class mates and you!
…Outside of the many classes and skills Mary has taught us, I am more so appreciative for the sense of community and connection provided at SMART DOGS. Mary herself has always gone above and beyond to provide information and resources that have advanced my understanding and overall care of my pets. When one of our pets was diagnosed with bone cancer, Mary was at the ready no matter what questions I had and connected us with the best lifeline we had during the process. I really cannot express how grateful I am for the life lessons and resources provided by Mary and the SMART DOGS family. She ha… Read more
Training at SMART DOGS has been an enjoyable experience. The positive approach has been a true bond building time between Scout and myself. But the most important thing is how Mary has opened my mind to seeing dogs and even life in a different light. We will keep attending classes so long as there is a class for us.
Mary saved my dog and I. Truly. Alex was on the way to the Vet’s to be euthanized when the Vet suggested Mary. We found out we (humans) were a large part of our behaviour issues. Thanks to Mary, Alex is now a Canine Good Citizen and is learning Rally. Best of all, he is a furever pup. Thanks Mary!
347 W. Plumwood Road Van Buren, AR - 72956
*By Appointment ONLY
479 - 474 - 1825
NOTE *EMAIL* is the way to reach me at this time. Thanks for your understanding.