Efficient, Holistic, and Results-Oriented Dog Training in Ocean and Monmouth County

Experiencing behavioral issues with your dog? Our compassionate, in-home dog training in Ocean and Monmouth County empowers you to overcome challenges fast. 

We teach in your home, where your dog feels the most secure. Through our focused, results-driven approach, you’ll learn how to lead and communicate clearly with your dog, so you can enjoy a calmer, happier life together.

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Personalized Dog & Puppy Training

Every dog is different. That’s why we work with you to create a tailored training plan and bring our experienced trainers to your home on your schedule. Whether you’re looking for puppy training in Ocean and Monmouth County or help with an older dog, we’ve got you covered!

Nurturing, Dog-Friendly Approach

We don’t rely on bribes or punishment. Our proven methods are based on respect, leadership, and trust, the core values that build lasting changes and better behavior.

A Lifetime of Support

With our Gold Service, your Bark Busters Ocean County and Monmouth County, New Jersey trainer is a single call away and ready to help at any point in your dog’s life at no additional cost.

Common Dog Behavioral Issues We Address

Our expert puppy training, dog training, and dog behavior services in Ocean and Monmouth County resolve the most challenging dog behavior issues including:

  • Aggression
  • Adjusting to New Home
  • Barking
  • Biting
  • Chewing
  • Destruction
  • Digging
  • Focus & Listening
  • Housebreaking
  • Improving Confidence
  • Jumping
  • Leash Pulling
  • Marking/Peeing
  • New Baby Preparation
  • Obsessiveness
  • Respecting Other Pets
  • Running Away
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Sibling Rivalry – in House Tensions/ Fights


Not sure where your dog could use improvement? Take our free behavioral quiz today.

Meet Nicholas, Your Local Professional Dog Trainer

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Bark Busters Ocean County

Best Home Dog Training in Monmouth & Ocean Counties!

Welcome. I am Nicholas Pagano, your Bark Busters Dog Trainer and Dog Behavioral Therapist in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. My wife Sharon and I have been married for over 40 years and have been blessed with 3 wonderful children and our loving dogs - Truffles, Nestle and now Slate. Our dogs have always been considered loved family members. As dogs are a pack animal, they fit perfectly into our family environment. Our 5-year-old Aussie, who is named Slate, is no exception.

After 25 successful years in the agri-business corporate world, I was at a point in my life where I could bring my business background and love of dogs together by joining forces with the great team at Bark Busters.

Bark Busters has successfully trained over 1 million dogs worldwide. As an integral part of the organization, I have the expertise to correct unwanted canine behavior using the most effective and natural methods. When dogs know that they are safe and secure in their home, the owners have successfully become the leader of the pack providing a happy home for everyone. I have successfully trained several thousand dogs consisting of various breeds, various temperaments and age groups. My training methods being nonphysical provides a tremendous difference in the quality of life for you and your dog. In short we bring our human owners into their dog's world.

With 19 consecutive years as a Bark Busters Master Dog Trainer and Dog Behavioral Therapist, I have formed close working relationships with many vets in my territory. I have also trained many of their personal dogs and those of their staff members. I also do free seminars at their animal hospitals, public libraries, pet stores and other social venues. All this while also offering a reduced fee for the service I provide for those clients that have chosen to rescue or adopt a dog or puppy. My commitment to the dog world is to successfully keep every dog in its current home.

I work with my clients and their dogs until all problems are solved and behavioral compliance is achieved. By working towards compliance, the dog's respect for the owner and the bond between dog and owner will grow. Training owners at home to gain the respect of their dog satisfies the social need and territorial nature of their dog.

Incessant barking, destructive behaviors, house soiling, jumping up, leash pulling, separation anxiety and aggressive tendencies are just some of the unwanted behaviors I can help you change. Bark Busters in-home training allows me to evaluate and treat these behaviors in a non-stressful, holistic manner at a time that suits your busy schedule.

Dog ownership can offer remarkable rewards for both the human and dog family members. If you are unhappy with your dog's behavior, no matter the age, breed or the problem - I can and will help.

Client Reviews

See what our clients in Ocean & Monmouth County have to say

If you're on the fence about doing dog training, JUST DO IT because it's the best money I've ever spent! I literally was at my wits end after adopting my rescue Roxy because I just didn't know how else to help manage her separation anxiety/ sibling fights. My boyfriend and I thought we would be able to handle training her ourselves and we were just failing miserably. Enter Nicholas Pagano. From our very first phone consultation, which was 45 minutes!, I already felt like there was hope to turn Roxy into the diamond in the rough I always knew she was. Fast forward to the end of our 4 home training sessions and I can really say he made a world of difference. We still have more training exercises to do with her but knowing even though our sessions are over, he is still available as a phone resource. I highly recommend his services! He is extremely knowledgable, helpful and friendly and I can't say enough good things about him!
Alyssa T.
Brick, NJ
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We adopted Daisy as a three-year-old GSD who was thought to be a puppy mill mom in SC. She is a wonderful gal who got along well with our Terv before he died a little over a year after Daisy arrived. After another year passed, we adopted a cat and low-key Daisy was suddenly not so low-key anymore. Although she is not aggressive, Daisy was not able to welcome the feline; she would whine and bark whenever the cat was near. Our situation was almost unbearable, and we were despondent thinking we made a big mistake adopting Dock. But then we contacted Nicholas. He was compassionate and knowledgeable as he taught us – without judgement – what we were doing wrong, which was basically everything. In short, he was the key that unlocked the mystery of Daisy’s behavior. Nicholas was able to skillfully coach us to see things through Daisy’s lens so that we could help her be calm and obedient. It wasn’t long before we realized that Nicholas was training us, not Daisy. Always with Daisy at the center of our work, Nicholas helped us understand that we needed to provide leadership to make our sweet pup feel safe. Now that we are able to be pack leaders and decode Daisy’s canine language, we have enormous improvement in her general obedience. And, we have a dog and a cat who touch noses as they pass one another, and can relax with our family all in the same room!
Rosemary T.
Lincroft, NJ
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Nicholas saved our lives. Our dog came fo us only 7 weeks after our previous dog had passed away. I was having trouble feeling a connection with my dog. He was completely in charge of our household and we didn't know it. Im so happy we got Nicholas to come to train US to help condition our dog to be loyal and obedient. I have an amazing connection to our little one year old puppy now. Because Nicholas taught us how to be the "mama dog" in his life, he is so much more enjoyable. He follows me everywhere now and loves me like I'm his everything. That's what I wanted. Before Nicholas came here I was crying every day thinking I made the wrong decision. We owe Nicholas so much for what he did for our family. ?
Kristine P.
Lincroft, NJ
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I didn’t have any confidence in myself as far as training Trooper goes. However, after the 2nd session I decided to buckle down and do our homework.
What a wonderful dog I have. It was money well spent not only for me but for Trooper! Nicholas Pagano was very patient and encouraging with us (mostly me)!
Trooper is my 5-year-old rescue Boston Terrier. My fourth! I love the breed. But since Trooper came to me from Texas I knew nothing about him, not even his birthday. Nicholas suggested that trooper may even been younger than 5.
Trooper’s issues were: PULLING, barking and rushing to the door, at people walking back & forth, squirrels, rabbits, birds, chipmunks, fear of the car, aggression towards the vacuum and grabbing tool.
Pulling was resolved with the proper harness (who knew?), now it is a pleasure to walk him. I have learned that terriers want to attack ALL little things so I just learn to be ready and offer a correction when I see a rodent presenting a problem. Of all my BTs, I never had one that actually treed squirrels!
Nicholas told me 'your dog is bored'!!! Who knew again! So puzzles were suggested. I love to watch him solve them. I really did learn a lot about having a dog! Even though I had 3 previous Bostons, this one is by far the most entertaining...he makes me laugh :)
We are still working on the fear of the car. I think the long ride from Texas to NJ may have traumatized him a bit. Also I have the tools to address the vacuum problem, so that’s a work in progress.
Trooper and I are buddies now…best friends and I am so grateful to Nicholas and Bark Busters for being there for us.
Robin V.
Spring Lake, NJ
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Nicholas was great to work with. He is knowledgeable and thorough. We asked him to help us with general obedience training for our 7 month old doodle puppy in preparation for the birth of our baby. Nicholas gave us all the tools we needed to ensure Lucy would welcome our baby boy as happily as we did! We learned a lot about how to interact with her to ensure we were the ones in charge. Lucy and baby are great friends now!
Amanda S.
Brick, NJ
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I can not say enough good things about Nicholas Pagano and would highly recommend him!!
My family rescued Nala, a 3 year old mixed breed. She was removed from a very abusive home in the south. She was placed in a shelter, then with a foster and eventually transferred to a shelter in NJ until we adopted her. Nala would bark excessively at anything through the windows and door. She also became very protective and nervous about letting people in the house and showed aggression towards men.
Nicholas first taught us canine behavior and helped us understand Nala's issues in order to implement positive changes. His knowledge and confidence, along with his calm mannerism were very reassuring. After just the first session we saw an improvement. His training techniques were spot on! We couldn't be happier with Nala's response. We will continue to use what Nicholas taught us and I can't thank him enough!
Germaine F.
Brick, NJ
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We adopted litter mates that were approximately a year old that had little or no human socialization. They also may have been abused as well. Lots of barking at humans and could not put leashes on them, let alone, walk them. After a few sessions with Nick, they are different dogs. Though Rusty still needs lots of work, Ruby can now be walked and she listens to me. Well, most of the time! Thank you, Nick, for helping us!
Fran H.
Marlboro, NJ
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Nick Pagano was patient and positive in helping us train our recently rescued dog Brownie. He is extremely knowledgeable and thoroughly explained each exercise to best fit the areas we were looking to address with our dog. Brownie has made great progress with the help of Nick. I would highly recommend Nick to provide professional, courteous, and individualized service for any dog owner.
Steve D.
Howell, NJ
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We have been incredibly happy with all the guidance and support from Nick for our dog, Roxy. She was very receptive to him from the moment she met him. Nick has helped my husband and I learn how to work with Roxy so she listens to us, comes when she’s called, learns to not bolt out the front door, and walks better with us. He taught us to understand how dogs think and suggested many helpful products and toys that have made our lives easier and Roxy have more fun. Nick is always willing to be available for questions outside of sessions too.
Katie M.
Oceanport, NJ
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Before we found Nick, we were at a standstill. Our puppy male Golden Retriever was controlling us as a couple. He thought he was the alpha male in the family. But after 3 months of training with Nick, our puppy had transformed into a great companion. Nick was AMAZING from the first second he walked in the door. We HIGHLY recommend him for behavior issues with your new puppy or old dog. We could not thank him enough; he is respectable, brilliant, compassionate, and an excellent trainer.
miranda L.
Neptune, NJ
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Our girl Molly is a sweet greyhound who had serious separation anxiety. From the first training session we were able to apply what we learned and began to see results in her behavior and gained confidence in our own handling of her. Weeks later, Molly is a much more settled and happy girl, and we are much less stressed! Nick was excellent at addressing all the issues we were having, and providing support and encouragement. It was the best decision we could have made for our family, and for Molly! Thank you for everything, Nick! It was a pleasure to learn from you!
Ana and Carol L.
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
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I was very happy with Mr. Pagano's services. He was very patient with my wife and I. He worked with us at our home to make sure we were properly performing the training exercises. He accommodated our busy working schedules. Our canine is so much better now than before. Having tried other commercial dog training services, I would highly recommend Mr. Pagano's services. The pricing is reasonable and he works with you. Also, he really does care.
Robert C.
Marlboro, NJ
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My 3 year old maltipoo would bark if I spoke to anyone or hugged anyone. Nicholas explained that I needed to be the dominant one in our relationship and gave me the tools to train Quigley not to bark in those situations. It was no surprise to me that I was the one who needed change my behavior in order to change Quigley's behavior! Nicholas is very knowledgable, professional and patient. I enjoyed working with him very much!
Eileen F.
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
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Callie is a Goldendoodle puppy that received training from Nicholas Pagano at Bark Busters. she was 10 months old when we first met Nick at our home. She is a sweet & lovable dog . She & her owner just needed the right guidance to train her. At first, she was impossible to walk despite trying every harness & collar ther is. I almost resorted to the shock collar until I had my first lesson with Nick. He was able to teach me how to handle her & she is so much better. I know can walk her on the leash with the proper harness & the technique that Nick taught me. Training your dog takes patience & time. But, it is gratifying to see the results of the training. Just talked some time & patience. I highly recommend Nicholas Pagano at Bark Busters
Jill V.
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
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We rescued our puppy and when it came to the training we knew Nick would be the person we would call. My son used Nick for his dog and was very happy with him so that's who we used. Nick is very professional and is great with the dogs! We would recommend him and would definitely use him again!!
linda m.
Jackson, NJ
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Nicholas changed my life. After an unsuccessful attempt at training my rescue, Brody, I called Bark Busters. Nick was able to help me train Brody to sit, stay and get along with other dogs.
With such kindness, patience, encouragement, and expertise he taught me skills that I use every day with Brody who was an undisciplined stray from the streets of Trenton. He turned a horrible experience into a fun challenge. I would highly recommend Nick. You will not regret it. Thank you, Uncle Nick!
Debra S.
Brick, NJ
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We were having a lot of problems with our 3 month old puppy who was very aggressive towards our young children. He was scratching and biting beyond the normal puppy nipping / playing and we were a day away from surrendering him back to the rescue center. We had puppies in the past and were familiar with raising puppies and training them, but this puppy was different. Once Nicholas came into the picture, he helped us work with the puppy and the results were instant. Although we had trained dogs in the past, Nicholas was able to teach us a few very important techniques which immediately helped. Specifically, we hadn't had a puppy since we had children and we were attempting to involve the kids in training the puppy which is NOT something we should have been doing. Instead, Nicholas showed us how the puppy views us as adult humans and the children as human puppies, and puppies do not learn from other puppies. Another important lesson revolved around how we should react and respond when the puppy attempted to bite. Within a week, the biting completely stopped and our puppy is now our family dog for the rest of his life.
Bill F.
Allentown, NJ
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We've had Coyote for about a year and a half. I had taken him to puppy kindergarten and had a different trainer come to the house. Both trained with treats. It worked for awhile but
Coyote has a very sensitive stomach and cannot over eat. I knew there was a better way. Nicholas does not train with treats His behaviorist methods worked like a dream! Coyote knows who his leader is and has made a complete turnaround.
Thank you Nicholas,
Enid B.
Englishtown, NJ
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Nick was unbelievable would our puppy from the moment she greeted him! He was very informative and helpful. My husband and I have always had dogs growing up but training a puppy with also have 3 daughters under the age of 7 was too much for us. We called Nick and he quickly helped us understand how to communicate with Ranger and understand her needs. We couldn’t thank him enough during our last lesson. We know have our dream puppy thanks to Nick from bark busters! We highly recommend and Ranger Ruth does too!
Claudette P.
Freehold, NJ
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We have a 2 year old rescue Dalmatian, that only know how to sit when we got her from Ga. When Uncle Nick came out the first lesson had her not running to the door. He not only gave us the tools we needed to work with Misty, but did follow ups to see how things were going. We still have some work ahead of us, but we know what to do. Nick takes a lot of interest in his clients and there progress. I would highly recommend him.
Bill C.
Morganville, NJ
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Working with Nick was such a pleasure and wow... did we ever see results! He has a very calm, confident, and reassuring approach that really helped us feel comfortable in working with our dog in new ways. We saw results almost instantly and most importantly - we're continuing to see improvements. Couldn't be happier.
Adam F.
Little Silver, NJ
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We've had various trainers for 2 years trying to deal with a few specific isolated issues with our sheltie. We met with Nicholas for about an hour on our first visit and we saw more progress in the following 2 days with Nicholas's techniques than the previous 1 year with many other trainers.

We continued with his classes and training and are very happy with the outcome.
I would highly recommend Nicholas to anyone even slightly considering it. Its a game changer!!
Isaac C.
Eatontown, NJ
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Jumping, pulling on leash, barking, chewing, digging, hyperactivity, recall, separation anxiety... these were the puppy issues we were dealing with when we met Nicholas!
We thought we could handle training the four month old rescue ourselves but that didn't work, nor did the other trainer we tried first. Both my Vet and the staff (who used him personally) recommended Nicholas. Nicholas has such a gentle command with dogs and he is very knowledgeable! Our dog really responded to him! He teaches with kindness and patience and he is also patient with us humans! Our dog is very sweet but is also very high energy and strong willed. The difference in her since we worked with Nicholas is immeasurable! Nicholas has taught us how to handle our dog and we continue to use what he has taught us everyday.Thank you Nicholas!
Maureen O.
Belmar, NJ
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Our dog Oshie was absolutely more than we could handle until we implemented the techniques Nicholas patiently taught us, the most important being leadership. After 3 meetings, Oshie has become a wonderful pet - he's learned his place in the family, learning boundaries and behaviors that allow us live together in harmony.
Carrie H.
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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What Makes Bark Busters Ocean and Monmouth County Unique

Bark Busters is a global leader in home-based training, with more than 30 years of experience helping families create better relationships with their dogs. We focus on the root cause of behavior problems by improving communication between you and your dog.

Dogs learn best in a safe, familiar setting, which is why we come to you. Your trainer works with you where behavior matters most, then helps you build skills that hold up around everyday distractions.

We teach you how to communicate through body language, tone of voice, timing, and calm leadership so your dog can follow your guidance with confidence.

Any breed. Any age. Any issue. We are here to help you move forward with clarity, support, and results.

Home Dog Training

Our Services

Bark Busters trainers conduct the one-on-one training in your home, without the distraction of other dogs or the stress of being sent away for dog obedience training at a kennel. Once you and your dog are ready, your Ocean and Monmouth County dog trainer, Nicholas, will work with you outside and around real distractions — in your neighborhood, on your streets, where it matters most.

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Life of Dog Support Guarantee

Bark Busters Home Dog Training provides a Life of Dog Support Guarantee that is unique in the industry.

For families seeking in-home dog training in Ocean and Monmouth County our Life of Dog Support Guarantee means Nicholas will always be just a call away — ready to help at no additional cost.

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Dog Behavior Issues

Tips & Advice

We're here to help. From general dog training tips, to puppy toilet training best practices, to learning about various dog breeds we've worked with, Bark Busters offers our free tips and advice on common dog behavior problems including guidance tailored to dog owners in Ocean and Monmouth County.

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Local Dog Training Services in Ocean and Monmouth County and Surrounding Areas

Our dog training experts provide personalized, in-home dog training throughout Ocean and Monmouth County helping dogs and families overcome common behavior challenges, including barking, leash pulling, aggression, separation anxiety, and puppy training.

Our service area includes: Adelphia, Allenhurst, Allentown, Allenwood, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon By The Sea, Belford, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brick, Brielle, Cliffwood, Colts Neck, Cream Ridge, Deal, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Fort Monmouth, Freehold, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Imlaystown, Jackson, Keansburg, Keyport, Lakehurst, Leonardo, Lincroft, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Marlboro, Middletown, Millstone Township, Monmouth Beach, Morganville, Neptune, Oakhurst, Ocean Grove, Oceanport, Point Pleasant Beach, Port Monmouth, Red Bank, Roosevelt, Rumson, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Spring Lake, Tennent, West Long Branch

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