South Central Lake County, Illinois Serving: Bannockburn, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Fort Sheridan, Gages Lake, Grayslake, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Hainesville, Half Day, Hawthorn Woods, Highland Park, Highwood, Indian Creek, Ivanhoe, Kildeer, Knollwood, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lindenhurst, Long Grove, Mettawa, Mundelein, Prairie View, Riverwoods, Rondout, Third Lake, Third Lake, Vernon Hills, Wauconda and Wildwood Also Serving: Antioch, Beach Park, Fox Lake, Great Lakes, Hickory Corners, Ingleside, Lake Villa, Longmoor, Millburn, North Chicago, Old Mill Creek, Park City, Rosecrans, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Russell, Volo, Wadsworth, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor and Zion Click here to contact the trainer who services your area, or call 1-877-500 BARK.
Mick and Mary Garrison with Tugboat

My interest in dog training peaked around 1998. Tugboat (the very curly Portuguese Water Dog you see above) and I had been through a variety of dog training methods; we were working together in both agility and water trials. I was unhappy with the dog training methods being offered in my area and dreamed of opening my own dog training facility. It seemed, however, that not having an extensive background in dog training would prohibit me from being successful…until several years later when Mick and I found Bark Busters.

It didn’t take long for us to realize that this was the business for us. Mick had just taken an early retirement from his position as corporate trainer and was looking for something new. My life’s work as a public school teacher, a corporate trainer and a private instructor would give me a teaching edge in educating dog owners. Besides, our youngest daughter was soon to graduate from high school and would leave us “empty nesters.” And then there was our love of dogs…

The beauty of Bark Busters’ training method is that since it is based on canine communication (how dogs relate to one another), the dogs already know the system. It is the owners who have to be “trained.” We have seen a dog’s behavior turn around within minutes, once the dog realizes that he is not the leader of the household “pack.” The simplicity and efficiency of Bark Busters’ methods constantly amazes us.

Mick and I understand that life can be miserable for families when their dogs “take over.” Our goal is to see that everyone enjoys a relationship with their dog as a loving part of their family. We have been blessed with this relationship and would like you to enjoy the same.

Our services range from preventative training in obedience and household manners to resolving severe behavior problems. Bark Busters’ motto says it all – “Any dog, Any age, Any problem.”

What our clients say . . .

I have seen immediate improvement in her (dog's) behavior, especially walking on a leash and barking at and jumping on people when they come to our door. The trainng makes so much sense. It is amazing that it is not more common! --Jeanie M., Grayslake, IL

We noted immediate improvement in our dog's behavior. It is a relief to have a single, solid method to go by for dog training rather than trying to put together bits and pieces of advice from others. --Aliza P., Buffalo Grove, IL

Mary and Mick were terrific. They took plenty of time to help us work with Daisy and explained the techniques clearly. Mary was available for follow-up calls, and came by for a quick check-in, too. I am confident (and relieved) to know they will be with us throughout this process. --Shawna S., Deerfield, IL

Mary was wonderful! Results were seen before Mary left. My brother came to visit within two days of Mary's visit - he couldn't get over the difference in Nicholas. He's still talking about it! --Arlene M., Lake Zurich, IL

Morgan was a rescue dog that had a couple of severe "issues." After one session with Mary, we saw dramatic results. It was actually amazing how powerful the "BAH" word is! --Sherry Z., Wauconda, IL

We were thrilled to see such immediate results. Mary gave us practical advice and clear instructions that we can continue to use at home. With practice, we hope to improve so that the training methods become second nature to us all. Thank you! --Janet P., Grayslake, IL

Mary did a great job at showing my husband and I what to do with our dog. The way she explained everything made your way of training very understandable and made sense. "Trinity" understood immediately what was going on...this will definitely help my dog. Thank you! Grace C., vet tech, Lindenhurst Animal Hospital, Lindenhurst, IL

Mary has a lot of dedication and patience with us and our dog, Nikko, and gives us the time we need. We like the program because the approach is kind, firm and quick. But what we like the most is that it is in our home environment where the problems are...our dog responded very quickly. --Diane and Bob M., Long Grove, IL

Dexter was calm and compliant in Mary's company. We saw an immediate response to the "BAH" correction...we hope to continue training towards helping Dexter become the family pet we know he can become." --Julie C. Byers, D.V.M. Grand Animal Hospital, Gurnee, IL

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