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Bulldog: Training Insights & Behavior Traits

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Bulldog Traits, Temperament & Training Challenges

According to the American Kennel Club, here are some breed characteristic you can find in Bulldogs. 

 

  • Height

    14-15 inches

  • Weight

    50 (male), 40 pounds (female)

  • Life Expectancy

    8-10 years

  • Coat Type/Length

    Smooth/Short

  •  80 Affectionate with Family
  • 60 Good with Young Children
  • 60 Good with Other Dogs
  • 80 Trainability Level
  • 60 Energy Level
  • 40 Barking Level
  • 60 Shedding Level
  • 60 Drooling Level

Understanding the Bulldog Breed & Natural Instincts

Bulldogs were inducted into the American Kennel Club in 1886 and their main purpose was bull baiting. This is why they have a low center of gravity and an under bite (making it easier to bite, grip and hold, while still able to breath). Their wrinkles kept the blood from the bulls from flying into their eyes. In bull baiting, numerous dogs were used (with wagers placed on each) pitting the dogs against a tethered bull. The dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground was the winner.

Bulldogs were originally bred in England dating back to the 16th century. When bull baiting was outlawed in 1835 (the Cruelty to Animals Act), the Old English Bulldog was crossed with the Pug to create a more affectionate family pet. The Bull dog retained its protective and fearless nature, but aggressive and ferocious tendencies were removed from the breed. When the English brought their bull dogs to America, the breed was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on November 29, 1904.

Now bulldogs are known for being lovers not fighters!

Bulldog

Training A Bulldog

While Bulldogs are intelligent and devoted to their families, many owners face challenges with stubbornness, leash manners, and other unwanted behaviors.

Bark Busters specializes in in-home dog training that addresses real-life challenges where they happen—right in your home.

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Bulldog Training: Understanding Common Breed Behaviors

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The average bulldog is 12 – 15” in height, weighs 40 – 50 pounds and generally lives between 10 – 12 years. A bulldogs coloring is usually red, fawn, white, brindle and piebald (pigmented spots on an unpigmented white background) or a combination thereof. There are usually thick folds of skin under their eyebrows, jowls under their neck and an under bite with an upturned jaw. Their tail is naturally short and either straight or screwed.

Bark Busters has trained hundreds of bulldogs because behind that affectionate nature is a stubbornness and willfulness to be in charge! Early training and socialization and constant leadership is suggested or you will have a dog that is “bull-headed”!

Helping Your Bulldog Thrive at Home

Even though this breed looks grumpy, a bulldog’s personality is by nature lovable and sweet. However, it’s tenacity and resolve mean that it's difficult to change his mind once he decides to do something. It is important that you establish right from the start who is the leader of the pack, or else he will try and take control. They respond well to the Bark Busters style of training which is based on all natural and positive techniques.

Remember that dogs learn how to communicate with each other as a member of the pack on their Mother’s teats. Their Mom gets them to behave not by using treats or prong and shock collars. That is exactly what the Bark Busters style of training teaches these dogs – how to communicate between human and dog. We teach you how to set rules and boundaries early on. Good training involves repetition, positive reinforcement and consistency. You have to let your bull dog know that you mean what you say.

The good news is that although bulldogs are slow to mature, once they have grown up, they seem to stay out of trouble. We have seen bulldogs with serious cases of food guarding, which is why we don’t recommend feeding them around children or other pets.

 Although most bulldogs generally get along with other pets in the family, we have seen many bull dogs act aggressively toward other dogs of the same sex. Others don’t seem to get along with cats. It takes a tremendous amount of serious teasing to make this dog mad, but once he is, look out!

Most bull dogs are friendly with strangers, but some can be politely reserved.

The bulldog gets along best in temperate climates. They may want to be couch potatoes, snoring away, but you need to get them up and exercising every day since the breed can be prone to obesity. However, remember that bull dogs are intolerant of warm weather, and may die if overheated. Too much exercise or stress can make it difficult for them to breathe.

As with other breeds, bull dogs seem to have a face that some people find adorable, whereas others can’t take their drooling, snorting, wheezing and farting! Even though they are not barkers, you can hear their “dog noises” from far away!

Is A Bulldog Right For You?

Points of Interest

  • During World War II, the Bulldog was often compared Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his stance on Nazi Germany.
  • Bulldogs often have to be delivered via C-section because their heads are too big to fit through the birthing canal.
  • Bulldogs are brachycephalic (a condition caused by their short snouts), which leads to their snoring and drooling.
  • Bulldogs are the mascot for many universities and sports teams, like Yale University and the U.S. Marine Corps.
  • They have suffered the most airline deaths because of their respiratory issues. Don’t fly in extreme temperatures,
  • Many Hollywood stars own bulldogs including Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, Martha Stewart, Hugh Jackman and more.
  • Bulldogs can’t swim. Their big heads and short legs make it hard to float. Be very careful with bulldogs around water especially if you have a pool or live near a lake.

Personality and Temperament

Bulldogs love kids, which makes them great for families. Loving as they are, a bit of the old- world bulldog endures, which also makes them well-suited for the night shift guarding the house. Because of their gregarious nature, you’ll find bull dogs to be people magnets wherever they go.

Bulldogs love to snuggle under the covers with you…don’t try and tell them they are not lap dogs!

  • Affectionate, easy going
  • Not much of a barker but can be a great watch dog
  • Great with kids
  • Considered a companion dog by the AKC
  • Sensitive, can mature slowly
  • Prone to comical and silly antics
  • Dignified but amusing

Capabilities

  • The bulldog was bred to be strong, powerful, effective, determined and assertive. It’s not typically an agile breed and does have some limitations to its capabilities. Having said that, we see many bulldogs riding skate boards, surfboards and jogging along with their humans and even playing football. This will depend on the personality and energy levels of your particular dog.
  • It’s always wise to begin any exercise regime with short bursts of activity, making sure that you build your dog’s exercise routine up gradually.
  • Shy personality types might shun public life, preferring to stay at home where they feel safe and secure, surrounded by things they know. Outgoing and confident personalities will want to join in outdoor activities and will more than happy to join in most activities.
  • Just remember to monitor your dog’s activities and don’t let them overdo it. After all they need you to look after their welfare.

Bark Busters Trainers Marc and Karen Deppe on Bulldogs

As a Bark Busters trainer, I spend my days working with a huge variety of breeds with an equally wide array of behavioral issues. Like humans, each dog has a unique personality that may or may not match a breed stereotype. There are however, some traits that just seem to fit certain breeds.

Bulldogs (in my experience) are affectionate, strong, curious, tough and can be very, very stubborn. When training a bulldog, it is critical to have the resolve required to follow through with training until the dog complies. This doesn’t mean it will take months to train a bulldog. I normally see huge improvements with bulldogs in the first training session. That said; it often takes more time, and determination and lots of energy to get the dog to comply with each training exercise. It’s definitely challenging but it makes the behavioral transformation that much more rewarding!

The similarities I see in bulldogs extend beyond breed traits. There are behaviors that seem to repeat over and over with many of our customers. These include:

  • Pulling on lead. This includes pulling simply to lead their human, pulling toward other dogs and animals and sometimes toward vehicles or just about anything. To resolve leach pulling in a bulldog, it’s critical to work with the owner to gain full control/respect with the dog inside before starting leash work. The exterior stimuli make it difficult to address a bulldog’s behavior that was already getting his own way inside. Get your wins inside BEFORE working on leash training. Even with great interior control, it often takes some effort to get a bulldog to give up the leadership role when on lead and to gain the focus required.
  • What is it about vacuum cleaners?? I have had several bulldogs that just really hate vacuum cleaners. They literally go nuts and attack (the vacuum, not the operator) whenever it comes out. Sometimes, it need not even be turned on. Fortunately, this is relatively easy behavior to remedy and it generally fully resolved during the first training session. The resolution always involves teaching the owner how to communicate effectively with the dog using binary input (teaching the dog how you will indicate, what it is right or wrong).
  • Because of their strong nature, sibling rivalry issues are common with bulldogs. If the owner is not in firm control as leader of the household, the bulldog is likely to step into the role. This results in the bulldog correcting the other dogs and sometimes it can be very aggressive and quite daunting for the owner to address without professional help. This behavior is typically fully resolved when the owner fully dispels any misconception in the dog’s mind of any notion that the leadership role in the house is available.

Bulldogs are challenging to train but also incredibly rewarding to own. They are lovable, cuddly balls of energy that when properly trained are wonderful family members. Don’t be discouraged by their stubborn nature! Embrace it and have some fun with training!

Bulldog Temperament: How it Impacts Training and Obedience

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The Right Training for Your Bulldog

This very lovable breed is trainable, but you must be patient and be prepared for their over-enthusiasm when trying to please you. To begin with, start out slow, with small and brief exercises each day and build on these depending on your dog’s personality and energy levels.

Making sure you allow lots of stops for your dog to have a drink of water.

It is not wise to give your bull dog too much to do in the beginning or you could tire him, which could lead to your pet trying to avoid any efforts towards training in the future.

The best approach is to keep everything you do calm and your body movements to a minimum as this breed is easily distracted.

Best to initially start out on a leash around the home and advance to some off-leash training as your dog learns what you want.

They definitely have the intelligence to learn anything if you have the patience but you have to understand the breed’s capabilities and personality to understand what is possible.

As previously mentioned, the bull dog does not like the heat and it can run out of steam quite quickly on a hot day. It is best to train them during the cooler parts of the day and only in short spurts.

Your local Bark Busters trainer is very experienced at helping you with the training of your bulldog and knows the best way to get the most out of your pet.

Our training is based on communication, no harsh methods and more than 30 years-experience in dealing with all breeds. We can teach your bulldog basic obedience (sit, come, stay) as help you to overcome tougher issues like aggression, sibling rivalry, separation anxiety and leash training.

Do’s and Don'ts of Training for Bulldog Owners

  • Don’t yell your commands, your dog has excellent hearing
  • Don’t use a gruff voice if you are asking your dog to come to you.
  • Do use the right tone of voice; normal tone for commands, high tone for praise and firm tone to address any unwanted behavior.
  • Never strike, hit, poke or prod your dog
  • Never drag your dog back to the ‘scene of the crime’. You must see them in the act and address the behavior without being physical.
  • Don’t be inconsistent as dogs hate inconsistency.
  • Do keep your exercises short.
  • Do praise your dog when it does what you ask of it.
  • Do be patient, remember your dog does not speak English, it Speaks Dog!

Separating from Your Dog

Most bulldogs just want to be where you are, but that can lead to situations where separation might rear its head. So practice exercises where you separate from your dog for a while, to ensure that they learn to cope being left alone.

Many people nowadays sleep with their dogs and we don’t have any issues with that, providing that your dog’s behavior is not related to this practice. Even so, it is still wise to make sure that your dog can cope alone some nights, so your dog is used to being separated and learns how to, every now and then, be without you without feeling anxious.

Children and Bulldogs

Although bulldogs are known to be patient and loving with children, never assume this. Never introduce ANY dog to a child when unsupervised. Remember that the bull dog was originally one of the bully breeds that received a bad rap but was later classified as a “nanny dog”. Why? Because they are generally so good with children.

All dogs, regardless of what breed they are should receive some basic education about how to behave around children. Likewise, children also need some guidelines on what is permitted when it comes to interacting with the dog or games to play.

Introduce your child to your bulldog with a watchful eye on both. Both puppies and children can be unpredictable in how they react to certain situations and do not understand the consequences of their actions. Both can make innocent mistakes that are costly and dangerous. Children often think they can poke or prod a dog and then act surprised when the dog rebels. Children should be taught to never pull, hit or rough house with a puppy. A bulldog puppy that is abused can develop phobias and psychological scars that can be carried into adulthood.

With the proper training, your bull dog will more than likely be a great companion and loyal watch dog with your children.

To be on the safe side, never leave dogs and children alone together. They always need supervision.

Common Bulldog Behavior Problems & Training Solutions

Bulldogs are in general well-behaved, but when we are called in, it usually for one of the following reasons:

  • Dog aggression
  • Over-exuberance
  • Barking at visitors
  • Jumping on visitors and humping them
  • Pulling on the leash
  • Sibling rivalry
  • Chasing the cat
  • Jumping on children and family members

Remember what the bulldog was bred to do. It was originally bred for bull baiting and had to be tough, determined and tenacious to confront something as formidable as a bull.

Puppy Play

Just because a bulldog is not up for running marathons doesn’t mean he doesn’t like to play. In fact, many bulldogs are extremely playful!

Every dog likes to play differently, depending on their breed and their individual personality. But once you figure out which games make your dog happy, you can use them to give him exercise, mental stimulation, and more.

Most bulldog pups enjoy being active, playing games, and participating in activities like fly ball, agility, tracking, and obedience. Playing in shallow water can be fun for your bulldog, too! Although not a retriever, many bull dogs even love to play Fetch.

Playing games will keep your bull dog more confident, more independent, and less scared when you are not around. It keeps them feeling more secure in general which leads to a happier pup!

They are more active on cooler days, so keep them cool during the hot weather.

Also be sure that your puppy is fully immunized before venturing out. Speak to your vet who can advise you as to what immunizations are required.

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Bulldog Wellness: Health Issues & Responsible Ownership Tips

Common Illnesses and Injuries

Bulldogs have personality and physical traits that may make them more prone to certain conditions—the short snout of a Bulldog makes it more sensitive to warm weather and prone to heat stress. The wrinkles and folds of a Bulldog also make it prone to skin conditions.

Bulldogs have a tendency towards infections in the folds of skin on their faces if they are not kept clean and dry. This can be challenging so it’s important to establish a routine as soon as possible. This is certainly an instance when an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. More than a few times we’ve been asked to help when bull dogs have developed infections and the folds needed to be cleaned and medication applied. The infections cause the area to become very sensitive and many of these dogs will become reactive to attempts to clean their faces.

At any stage of life, here are some of the most common injuries and illnesses you should be aware of when bringing home a Bulldog:

  • Bone and joint problems
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Eye problems
  • Bladder and kidney stones
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Heart disease
  • Skin conditions
  • Cancer
  • Dental abnormalities
  • Reproductive conditions

Genetic Health Concerns

Like many popular breeds, the Bulldog has its fair share of hereditary based issues, like hip and elbow dysplasia and heart conditions.

Most reputable breeders now have their breeding stock checked and scored for these hereditary ailments by a veterinarian. You can request proof that the puppy you are purchasing comes from parents that have been checked for these issues.

Because many other health issues are also hereditary, you should do some research on the ancestry of your puppy and any health issues of that particular breed.

Many rescue organizations also check for common-ailments before making them available for adoption.

If you are ever concerned about your dog’s health, your local veterinarian is a great resource—no matter how small the question.

Bark Busters Home Dog Training Services

Home Dog Training

We provide personalized, in-home training designed for your Bulldog’s unique personality. By working where behavior happens—at home—we improve communication, reduce unwanted behaviors, and build better obedience.

Learn About Home Dog Training

Puppy Training

Our Bulldog puppy training builds trust, good manners, and positive habits from the start. We help with potty training, crate training, leash walking, and common Bulldog puppy behaviors like nipping, chewing, and barking.

Learn About Puppy Training

Severe Dog Behavior Issues

We specialize in resolving common Bulldog behaviors like excessive barking, separation anxiety, jumping, and leash pulling. Our in-home training helps you better communicate with your Bulldog for lasting results.

Learn About Dog Behavior Training

Excessive Barking

Bulldogs are known for their stubborn nature, but excessive barking can signal stress, boredom, or confusion. Bark Busters helps address the root cause using calm communication methods your Bulldog naturally understands.

Learn About Excessive Barking

Separation Anxiety Training

Bulldogs can become vocal, destructive, or anxious when left alone. We address the root cause of separation anxiety by improving communication, building confidence, and creating calmer routines at home.

Learn About Separation Anxiety

Aggression Training

Bulldog aggression can stem from fear, overstimulation, resource guarding, or frustration. Understanding the root cause is the first step toward creating a calmer, safer, and more manageable home.

Learn About Aggression Training

What Bulldog Owners Say About Bark Busters Training

I recently did training with Kyle for my bulldog Dolly, and it was the best decision I’ve made for my dog! My mom found out about him through a radio interview on WRVA, and I’m so glad she was listening at that time. Kyle was great from the start - before I even booked him, he agreed to have a phone call with me to talk about the process and answer my questions. My bulldog was having some issues with other dogs and thinking she had to protect me, and barking at dogs or people through the glass door. After just the first session with Kyle, I started to see a change in her behavior. Kyle helped me to teach Dolly that I’m the one in charge and don’t need her to protect me all the time. Since our sessions, she’s become a happier dog - she's not stressed or worried all the time about having to protect me, and she’s able to just be a dog. Kyle was great with dolly, he’s an amazing dog trainer, and more than that he’s just a great person. I’d recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer to help their dog have a happier life!
Kaki A.
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Bark busters is awesome. They have been working with our English bulldog since he was only a few months old. Not only have they helped us train him but have also given us advice on the proper food, leashes, and any other product you could imagine. All of their recommendations are amazing and have solved our dogs problems whether it be throwing up or dandruff. They also are ALWAYS available to answer questions, I always get a text back instantly when I have a question. They also are great at re-enacting real life situations in order to do hands-on training. For example, we were having a problem with our dog when we took him to Target, so they met us at Target for our training session and helped us on the spot! We are so thankful for them and would highly recommend their services to anyone!
Gabby B.
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The knowledge and expertise Bark Busters Boston North offers is unmatched and I couldn’t recommend their services more. Not only has Kayla been patient with my French Bulldog Enzo, but with me as well - as I learn how to incorporate training into our day-to-day lives. She’s always there to answer questions as they come up, constantly thinking of solutions when Enzo throws us another obstacle, and continues to elevate our experience with her ongoing support.

Investing in this training is investing in the long-term happiness of my pup - which is all I’ve ever wanted! I’d do it again in a heartbeat and look forward to continuing to grow with the help from these amazing people.
Johanna A.
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We recently got an English Bulldog from a rescue & very quickly realized that he had some trust & “aggression” issues. After two incidences of him almost biting friends we decided we needed a trainer. I ultimately chose Bark Busters because of the in home training but ended up getting so much more out of it. We have another dog so he had to participate in the training also. In the beginning we were under the impression that our first dog didn’t need training. So far from working with Noah we have been in awe with what we have learned. One thing you need to understand beforehand is that he does not train your dog for you. He equips you with the knowledge & tools to understand & help your dogs, all while being an amazing support system. We very quickly learned that a lot of the behaviors our dogs were showing were not respectful & that we were giving them the opportunity to overpower us. Upon working with Noah we have completely new dogs. We understand them better & have been working very hard on helping them understand what we are asking of them. As for Zeus’ aggression issues, Noah taught us that we were expecting too much of him too soon. We were putting him in situations where he was very clearly telling us he was uncomfortable & getting upset when he didn’t respond the way we expected. Since learning his body language & techniques that works best for him, we are able to gauge what is too much too soon. He was trying to bite people because he didn’t trust that I had the situation under control because I wasn’t paying attention to his body language. We are so excited about what we have learned & so eager to learn more. Thank you Noah!
Carly L.
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John was amazing! He explained everything so well and was happy to answer all of our questions. Boerne responded to the training immediately and there was a noticeable improvement in his behavior.
David D.
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Jared is an incredible trainer. With just one session I was able to see such a change with my adopted pup. Words cannot describe how safe and at ease he made me and my dog feel. There was so much anxiety for both of us. I’m a completely new dog owner with little to no experience. And right from the beginning Jared was patient, professional, and really took the time to learn and explain my dog’s behavior and our specific concerns.

I had some concerns about leash training and how my dog responded to visitors at the door. Jared guided us with step by step approaches that were easy to follow. And almost immediately after our first visit, I started noticing behavioral changes with my dog. I even noticed the changes on our walks. The tips and techniques regarding leash training was so helpful. Things that I never even thought would affect my dog’s behavior, Jared brought to light. He made the whole process feel manageable and truly gave me tools to build my confidence and my relationship with my pup.

It’s clear Jared truly cares about the dogs he works with and their families. He’s passionate about what he does, and I’m so grateful for his help and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an effective and compassionate dog trainer.
Lonnie
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From the beginning when Carrie walked in I knew we chose the right person. Throughout the training session she was extremely knowledgeable and we loved the different explanations and examples she gave us. My favorite was the King Charles video she showed because it truly helped me understand what a true Alpha actually is. By the end of the session Koda was walking right next to us, happy and calm!
Giselle G.
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The descriptions about how dogs think and why a certain technique will work help motivate us to stick to the training instructions consistently. During the first session we could already see our dog's behavior improve.
Fereshteh A.
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The session was all about communication aand respect between my self and Titan. It has shown me several important habits I need to build with him and I've noticed immediate improvements in his behavioral responses.
Will A.
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I feel like I've been given a new language to speaak to my dog and she can actually understand me. I felt so powerless before but not anymore!
Gillian T.
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I learned awesome and interesting dog facts and I loved how my dogs respond to the "growl" correction. I saw an immediate change in both dogs as the training was in progress.
Priscilla V.
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I'm absolutely amazed by how well Winnie Pooh-Poo responded to the training. Carrie was wonderful. I love Bark Busters!
Yvette C.
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Karen was very polite and knowledgeable. Everytime I reached out to her I received a prompt helpful response. They really put you and your pets needs above everything else. My babies are doing great! I highly recommend their virtual dog training services.
Sofia D.
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I thought I knew dogs from watching Youtube videos of professional and not dog trainers. Karen at Bark Busters St George has helped us understand my dogs better by conducting lessons virtually where my entire family can log on and participate. . Karen has helped us with discipline, communication, repetition and diet. However the success of the program depends on us as a family being guided by Karen. Sometimes it is hard getting all of us on the same page with training and life gets in way. But because of Bark Busters we are at least not ignorant.
Roger D.
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Karen was so helpful. She answered all my questions thoroughly & thoughtfully. I have learned more from working with her virtually than from any live in person trainer.
Makayla G.
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Robert Machi is the best trainer I have ever had.
I've had 6 dogs prior to this one and a few trainers.
Currently, I have a giant breed dog who weighs as much as I do - if not more and very strong. He is very sweet and for the most part very chill. One of the issues is that he gets reactive during walks when he sees other dogs - Barking, Lunging, Pulling and standing up. These situations made me very anxious to walk him. Our walks became extremely limited over time and my dog became very unhappy. I was at a loss and felt hopeless and actually thought about rehoming him.
Robert showed up on Friday and taught me what clues to look for, what to do before it escalates and what to do in the event that the situation gets bad.
I never give reviews BUT I had a situation today that I am proud to share.
I took my dog for a walk today and he reacted upon seeing a person walking their dog (barking aggressively, pulling, standing) and I was actually able to control him using Robert's methods and tools. I just stayed calm and was able to pull him away and diffuse the situation. I was actually impressed with myself and very proud. None of the methods or tools I used were harmful to my dog like some trainers I've had in the past. It actually worked. It really really worked. I was actually shocked that I could do this by myself in spite of how large and powerful my dog is. We still have ways to go but what Robert has taught me is working out very well. He is by far the best trainer.
Lisa
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Bonnie has been great!! She is a wealth of information, not only on how to train my puppy, but also practical information on how to care for him. We look forward to continued work with her as we train our baby.
John K.
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Highly recommend Johnny at Barkbusters! I’ve been working with him for almost a year now with my pup and he is kind, professional, and VERY experienced and knowledgeable! I can sense he truly has a love for dogs and my pup just adores and respects him. He’s easy to communicate with and made the work of training a puppy much smoother.
Marcella
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I cannot say enough amazing things about Scot. He is so knowledgeable about the art of speaking dog and the psychology behind humans and dogs. He brings such positive energy and doesn’t make you feel like a failure, even when you may feel like one yourself. He genuinely is such a great person and so easy to talk to. I highly recommend him!
Alyssa S.
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Scot was amazing to work with. He showed us techniques that will forever help our girl Harley. Our 3 hour visit was very productive and educational. Harley made huge progress in the time Scot was here.. We would definitely recommend Scot's services😊
Beth H.
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James is an amazing trainer, and I can't recommend him enough!

I have a very challenging Border Collie named Bella, and taking her for a walk used to be incredibly stressful. Every time we encountered another dog, I had to stop and use all my strength to hold her back.

In just one session, James gave me the tools I needed to better understand Bella's body language and recognize when she needed a "reset." He taught me how to help Bella focus on me, engage her mentally, and build a stronger connection between us.

The difference has been incredible. Our walks are now enjoyable, and something as simple as stopping means Bella stops too. She's much more attentive and mentally fulfilled.

If you have a difficult dog, I highly recommend James as your trainer. His knowledge, patience, and practical techniques have made a world of difference for Bella and me. Thank you, James!
Shelley R.
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We just started our puppy program with Jeri, and already we are seeing such a huge difference in both Roxy’s behavior as well as our confidence in managing her! As new puppy parents, we didn’t realize how clueless we would feel. A big part of what got us through our first week was knowing we had our session scheduled with Jeri, and it was even more valuable than we anticipated. We’ve been able to reduce Roxy’s biting and chewing in this teething phase, which is making her much more fun to be around. I highly recommend Jeri, and especially for the puppy program, being sure to book BEFORE your puppy arrives so that you can get in her busy calendar!
Celia A.
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If you’re struggling with a dog with severe separation anxiety, I highly recommend Justin.

My puppy Gus, had extreme separation anxiety, would bark nonstop pretty much the moment he was in the crate until I let him out. I used vibrating collars, left my workout clothes in his crate, bought high-value treats, tried a citronella collar, and eventually a shock collar but nothing made a difference.

After only about five training sessions with Justin, the transformation has been incredible. Gus is now able to stay home calmly while I’m away, and Im not stressing that he’s panicking, barking nonstop, or upsetting the neighbors.

I really like that Justin’s approach was effective, practical, and tailored to Gus’s specific needs. No need for constant treat reinforcement. If you’re looking for a dog trainer for separation anxiety, puppy training, and just a really meaningful way to help your dog be calm and happy, Justin is absolutely worth contacting. Awesome investment.
Ben W.
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My husband had wanted me to get help for our male standard poodle for a long time. Mainly Rocket Man (Rocky) had incredible leash reactivity, among other issues. I have 2 Standard Poodles, mother and son. Haley is my service dog and will be retiring as soon as Rocky can take her place. But I was afraid I would have to "wash" him because of his reactivity. James returned my call and spent probably an hour on the phone with me. We arranged the initial meeting and it was love at first sight! by all of us.
Within the first meeting, he had already changed Rocky's behavior and we couldn't believe it...but it was wonderful. We are still working with James as our journey was delayed due to a serious health diagnosis for my husband (all well now) and me breaking my leg. During all of this, he was responsive, caring, patient and helped us stay on track. Recently he was on vacation out of the country, and still answered all of my questions.
I read the reviews here and agree with all the good things that were said.
In parting I will say that recently our dog walker was approached by a man with a wild
goldie-doodle who wanted to know how he had trained Rocky so well. What a turn- around in just a few months!
Don't postpone, don't hesitate....just call James and make your whole family, human and fur baby a lot happier.
Pamela S.
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James and Michelle were really awesome to work with. They trained us how to train our dog. Our puppy had enormous anxiety when we adopted her and we almost returned her to the breeder because it was so stressful for all of us. I am so glad our veterinarian told us about Bark Busters because their techniques truly reduced the overwhelming anxiety and excessive barking of our puppy and also importantly transformed our relationship with our dog without medication. Working with Bark Busters truly improved our quality of life in our home and we are so thankful for them. They understand dog psychology and use techniques that are both healthy and kind to the dogs while building trust. We would highly recommend for anyone who is stressed out by their dog’s anxiety or behavioral issues. It can truly transform your life.
Jennifer B.
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Bark busters has been a life changing experience, we were skeptical since we’ve had little success with dog trainers. From the first lesson we saw drastic improvement in our dog’s behavior and it’s been night and day from before to now. I highly recommend James and his team he is responsive and very active in following up on our dog’s progress. If you’re serious about getting help for your dog James is the answer.
Danny E.
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James really knows his stuff. My dog was a different dog after our first lesson. The methods he showed me made so much sense and my dog responded to them like I never seen. James is also very friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and great to work with. Very highly recommended.
Todd W.
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We sought out a dog trainer once we got our 2 year old Rescue Lab. We were looking for someone who could come into the home and work directly with our family members. "Josie" has some anxiety/separation issues and pretty high energy we didn't really know how to channel. James from Bark Busters came straight in and got to work. Learning the basic methodology of training has been a game changer! He taught us how to correct with our voices as well as gave us actually tools to use in conjunction with the correction. As with most things, it is about consistency and we have been fortunate to have James available to us as needed for when Josie starts to exhibit other behaviors or we start to "forget" what we are supposed to do! Josie also has mellowed out knowing who is in charge and what behaviors are acceptable. We strongly recommend the Bark Busters Training and whole-heartedly recommend James! The Trudeau Family
Celeste T.
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