Live a Happier Life Together With Your Dog

Are you experiencing behavioral issues with your dog? Our dog-friendly training methods can help you overcome these issues quickly. We train in your home where you and your dog are most comfortable. With our efficient, results-oriented training program, you can achieve the communication and leadership you want with your dog.

Dog Training Services

Common Dog Behavioral Issues We Address:

  • Aggression
  • Barking
  • Biting
  • Change in Address
  • Chewing
  • Destruction
  • Digging
  • Focus & Listening
  • Housebreaking
  • Improving Confidence
  • Jumping
  • Leash Pulling
  • Marking
  • 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 Greg, Your Local Professional Dog Trainer

large greg kleva

Home Dog Training in Bergen County, NJ!

Do you take your dog for a walk or does he walk you? Does his incessant barking and jumping lead you to apologize for his behavior? Wouldn't it be nice (and definitely be more peaceful) if your dog were well behaved?

You have come to the right place! With an initial dog training session and daily reinforcement on your part, you'll have a well-trained and well-adjusted dog in no time.

I am Greg Kleva, your local Bergen County Bark Busters dog trainer. I am certified by Bark Busters at the Master Level, and I am a widely recognized authority in the field of dog behavior and training. I am a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals & the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and I am a certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Training can be fun. Your dog likes the attention and interaction and you will feel a sense of accomplishment as you and your dog form a better relationship and make continued progress. During an initial 2-3 hour visit, I will coach you and your dog through training exercises that are easy to learn and simple to use. You won't need to spend a lot of time practicing each day. During daily interaction with your dog, the techniques I teach you will become second nature and will enable you to maintain your dog's good behavior.

Every dog is an individual with its own personality, temperament and experiences. Each lives in a unique environment. Each situation is different. There is not a one size fits all approach. I will customize a training program with comprehensive, natural, and humane training techniques for you and your dog. When you need support to reinforce your training, I will conduct follow up visits with you.

I've helped thousands of puppy and dog owners during my career, and like them, my goal for you is to improve your relationship with your 4-legged family member. I can help you understand your dog better, improve your dog's behavior and enjoy your dog more, whether you need basic puppy education or to address complex behavior issues.

You can see me on local TV as a frequent guest giving dog behavior and safety tips on Cablevision's News12 New Jersey 'The Pet Stop'. I have been credited as an expert for dog behavior and training in print, including Cesar's Way Magazine, Popular Dogs, Martha Stewart LIVING Magazine and online at several high-profile and well-respected pet-specific websites including PEOPLEPets.com, PerezHilton.com, ilovedogs.com, PetMD.com and more.

For 7 years I provided dog behavior and training advice to pet parents across the United States and Canada while I hosted the weekly, live, 1 hour show 'It's A Dog's Life'on Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius XM Satellite, where I interviewed some of the foremost authorities in the world of dog behavior and training, including Sylvia Wilson - Founder of Bark Busters, Cesar Milan - The Dog Whisperer, Dr. Stanley Coren - recognized expert on dog-human interaction, Dr. Nicholas Dodman - Director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Dr. Patricia McConnell - Applied Animal Behaviorist and Dog Trainer, and Martin Deeley - Executive Director and Co-Founder of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

I am also a contributor to the New York Times best selling book 'Oh My Dog', by Beth Ostrosky Stern.

My celebrity dog training customers include NY Yankees star pitcher CC Sabathia, Kelly Killoren Bensimon of BRAVO TV's 'The Real Housewives of New York City', American Idol's music director Ray Chew, Brenda Buttner of FOX News channel, Saturday Night Live comedy writer (and the creator of Triumph - The Insult Comic Dog) Robert Smigel, Mel Karmazin CEO of Sirius XM satellite radio, and WABC NY News Anchor Ken Rosato.

I am Toyota Pet Expert Team (P.E.T.) member and dog travel safety ambassador and advocate. And I love participating in many Shelter, Rescue, and other Animal Welfare events to help create awareness for organizations who raise funds for animals in need.

Contact Me Today | Visit my Dog Training NJ North website

AKC CGC Evaluator
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Member
International Association of Canine Professionals Member

Bergen County Client Reviews

See what our clients have to say

Greg Kleva was amazing! He had thoroughly explained everything and made it a commitment to help us through training our dog Lucy. Before Greg came we were actually having a hard time with the nipping and jumping on the kids. He did not listen to us at all and was causing a lot of frustration for all of us at home. When guests would come over we were worried when they entered the house to a very hyper, energetic, and mouthy dog. Greg explained everything step by step and gave us an easy system to follow that we are now putting in place to build our dog's. We have full confidence in Greg and Barkbuster's training plan, and can’t wait to see what the future has in store as we continue to build on our Lucy girl!
We are having trouble putting into words just how grateful we are for Bark Busters- Most importantly, their trainer, Greg Kleva. Our rescue lab/pit mix had severe anxiety/aggression issues that no other training method seemed to help (including a 3 month boarding camp for thousands of $). Greg came a total of 4 times, and JJ is a NEW dog. I know you have probably seen people write this type of thing before ( I definitely did- and I never believed it), but believe me when I say that this training works. Greg taught us how to communicate like a "mama dog" and it's truly the one and only training method that has clicked with Jj. Like any type of training, consistency is key- you will need to dedicate time each day to practice the training methods with your dog- but it is all so simple that it seems to seamlessly fit into your daily routine. If you're looking for training... look no further. Best thing we ever did.
Our puppy Walter is 14 months old. We have 4 children, safety is our paramount concern. A couple months ago Walter began taking his spot in the family pecking order. Walter was selectively submissive to two members of our family, conversely Walter was dominant to everyone else. Walters dominance began to cause anxiousness which started to make us question if Walter was right for our home. We called Greg and had one session, the strategies that Greg helped us apply to Walters behavior has yielded immediate improvement. Greg’s training methods have transferred confidence back to our household which is resulting in less anxiety and a better environment for Walter. Everyone in our home is now able to enjoy the company of our great dog. Equally important Walter is now feeding off of our confidence as Dog owners and is again enjoying our home.
Greg Kleva is truly amazing! Kind, patient, professional, reliable, and so very knowledgeable! After our first training session our four legged family member was doing so well with no longer lunging at some dogs. We are beyond thrilled! Greg always makes himself readily available for questions or sessions and always responds in a timely manner. We are so very happy!
My 1.5 year old Shepherd mix Apollo had his first training session with Greg on Saturday and we already see a huge difference! Apollo is a super energetic pup who often has a mind of his own and Greg was able to teach us to speak his own language to better predict his behaviors and pull back his energy a bit. Apollo no longer rushes guests when they come to the door, and finally understands personal space. We are so excited to continue working with Greg to start some leash training with Apollo next session and cannot begin to say how thankful we are for him as a trainer, he truly is amazing with our pup!
Greg helped us so much with Ruthie. She had severe separation anxiety and aggression with new people. He used a non treat tactic which basically saved our relationship. Now, Ruthie and I get along amazing, thanks to Greg.
Greg has helped me twice now - once with my first rescue puppy six years ago, and now again with my second rescue puppy. In my life, I've never encountered someone so kind, patient, thoughtful, and experienced as Greg. Having never had (or trained) a dog before, I was nervious when I first adopted by lab/mix a few years back, but Greg put my nerves at ease and spent as much or more time training me than he did my pupper. That gave me the skills and temperament to understand my new bundle of love, and get us on the right path. When I brought home my second lab/mix pup from the shelter, Greg was the FIRST person I called. I needed his help to understand how to make the adjustment a smooth and positive one for my current dog, my new puppy, and me. He was there on the scene, reminding me of my prior training, reinforcing good habits, and working with me on a training plan and schedule. I've referred Greg countless times to others for regular training and to address specific issues - he is brilliant at his job, and I would recommend him countless time in the future. If you have the opportunity to work with Greg, you won't ever need to find anyone else.
This is the second time we have used Greg for training, first was 6 years ago for our Golden Retriever and now for our Havanese.
Each dog had their own unique set of training needs and personalities. Our first dog, the golden retriever, was responding within minutes to Gregs training techniques. Greg taught us and gave us the necessary tools to enable us to enjoy a wonderful lifelong relationship with our golden retriever.
We now have an 18 month Havanese and once again Greg came to our rescue. We had a different set of training needs this time. With Greg's training skills and guidance we were able to resolve our pups issues and are now on our way to enjoying another happy, and pet filled life.
In addition to his amazing training skills he is also just a wonderful person to work with and is truly committed to enhancing a pet and there owners lives.
Highly Recommended!!
Thanks to Greg, Goby finally will come to me when I call. We are still working on his stay till I release... It is working... I know I have to work with him daily... Greg will check on us next week.
Greg was awesome from start to finish. My Rottweiler puppy changed his whole attitude when Greg began training techniques. I look forward to working with him in the upcoming lessons. Watching my dog transform was great. Highly recommended!!
Greg did a great job. He taught us and Shady very well.
I'm not sure if Greg is actually a dog trainer or a magician! The change in our dog after just one lesson was amazing! Gordo is much calmer in general now and listens so well to all general commands (he sits, stays, comes, etc). When we use the verbal commands and training tools Greg provided us with, Gordo is so much easier to manage both in the house and on a walk! He is like a new dog! I just can't believe it only took one lesson! It used to be a nightmare when people would come to the door. When our dog actually bit a guest of ours entering our house, we were mortified and called Bark Busters in desperation. Greg worked with us on our dog's "front door manners." His behavior is so much better now. I use the verbal command when people ring the doorbell, and he relaxes and sits calmly. Our guests can come in safely now. Greg also helped us with advice about collars as my dog was traumatized by a previous trainer and his harsh collar training method. Thank you for making our lives so much less stressful!
Before Edward was 3 years old we were told to leave 4 training schools/programs! They couldn't handle him, he was labeled "un-trainable". Heartbroken, we continued to love Ed as much as ever, but sad he couldn't be social with people. Edward is a Bulldog/ Boxer mixed breed. We were told the following about Edward - "he may be deaf", "you'll never train a Bully breed", "he is just too strong willed", "he may be mentally handicapped", "it's genetic - his Mother might have been aggressive". Needless to say and after many Vet visits, we know that Edward is not deaf, or mentally ill and he is very healthy. He was only guilty of being a puppy with the wrong trainers and a family who didn't "Speak Dog". One afternoon Greg changed our family dynamics...he gave us hope. Having a badly behaved dog is very stressful on a family. When visitors would come to our house, we would have to lock Edward in a bedroom. Having company was embarrassing because Edward would never stop barking. If we let him out he would run terror throughout the house, barking, jumping, licking, trying to sit on guests laps. He was relentless, leaving himself exhausted, and us feeling like failures as friends & family felt uncomfortable visiting. I would ask myself, "what is wrong here...why cant we do this?" It was never ever for lack of effort. So one afternoon I made the decision to try one more time. And I called Greg. In one afternoon Edward was a different dog. His body language changed. He was calm, resting quietly on my kitchen floor. If I had not been at home during the training I would have never believed it. Not our dog. Greg trained us to "Speak Dog". Edward now understood what we expect from him. Now he can just relax until we need him to respond to a command. He looks for our direction...No longer the ruler of our house, but our calm sweet boy. After Greg left we continued to train Edward as we were instructed. It was easy. We enjoyed it. The first time we had visitors my guest walking into our house said "Where is Edward?" Best.Compliment.Ever! Edward was resting quietly on his bed like an angel. No more stress in our house. Now when I meet people with naughty dog issues, I always say, "You must call Greg - right now - don't wait - go home call him." THANK YOU!
When I adopted my rescue Scout, she was so affectionate and gentle to me, wouldn't leave my side. I thought I found the most wonderful dog. After a day of getting comfortable, I wanted to walk her but she wouldn't leave the house. She only went to the backyard. When people came to meet her, she hid in the crate and became aggressive (growled, barked and nipped) if they got up too fast, or got too close to me. I began to worry if Scout was right for me, I was feeling like a prisoner. My children were coming home and I was worried Scout would go after them, which meant I would have to return her to the rescue. After much research and reccomendations from the vet and pet store, we found our savior, Greg Kleva. Greg knew if training didn't work Scout would have to be returned. That broke his heart and he promised he would do everything to keep that from happening. What I loved about his training is that he taught me how to train Scout. Scout's training is ongoing because of the abuse she survived. I will always have to be aware of how she perceives a situation. When my children came home Greg took the time to teach them how to deal with Scout. His dedication for a family to succeed is overwhelming. Greg has gone above and beyond my expectations of a behaviorist. Greg is professional, knowledgeable, caring, passionate, friendly and always available. All this still falls short of my feelings about what he brought to my family from the day he met Scout. It is always clear how much he loves and enjoys what he does. Greg has become a family member and never fails to go the extra mile for us. Scout is happy, calm and loving to everyone. Greg is one of Scout's favorite people and definitely mine too. Thanks a million Greg for helping us learn how to make Scout enjoy her life and bring so much to our family.
Greg was awesome! So happy we chose Bark Busters! We have 7 month old cavapoo puppies that are absolutely the sweetest puppies ever. They just need a little help with a few things. Greg came to meet the puppies on Saturday and sat down with us for a while before working with the dogs. He gave us so much informations and why it is so important to "speak dog". We have been doing little drills with the puppies all week and they are doing great! Can't wait for him to come back and see our well-behaved babies!
Our experience with Bark Busters has been nothing short of AMAZING! We looked for help with our dog Blue due to our constant struggle with managing her behaviors. Blue is a rescue dog and had a lot of anxiety with meeting new people, becoming aggressive and pulling on the leash while walking her and constantly jumping up on our bed. We reached out to Greg for help and he came to meet with us to teach us how to better manage Blue. Within one two hour meeting we saw an immediate difference with Blue. Not only was she responding to the behavioral techniques we were using but also had a certain calmness and pride about herself. Within 2-3 days following the training, we have been able to walk Blue on a leash without her pulling and becoming aggressive toward others. We have been able to have visitors over without worry about the excessive and aggressive barking. We have been able to run the vacuum without the attacking of the vacuum and barking. And today we were able to go to the vet without Blue growling at the doctor and receptionist. To say we are thrilled by our experience would be an understatement. Meeting Greg and learning the behavioral techniques has not only changed our dog Blue's life but our families as well.
Greg Kleva really worked wonders with our dog, Chloe. In one lesson he solved some major problems like a miracle. We were amazed! What was formerly an over-excited dog on meeting people and other dogs is now under control. She now walks beautifully on leash and I even had a woman stop me to ask how I was able to have her right at my side while walking. Chloe can now walk calmly past even barking dogs. We are thrilled!!
Greg was great! We told him the issues we needed help with and he gave us great tips that we have been successfully practicing since. He was very flexible in accommodating our time. He was great with Nikki, who (magically) did everything he asked after months of ignoring us (!). Our son treated us to the session as a Mother's Day gift because he said we (not Nikki) needed training. He was right and Greg provided it. Great job, Greg!
Greg is an incredibly good trainer. He totally understands our dog Kobe, knows exactly what to do in any given situation. Greg helped us over the past 8 months, teaching us how to train our Labrador Retriever. He's has been here a couple of times and every time I feel very empowered and in control of our young dog. The training techniques Greg shares are amazing and have immediate impact on our dog. The dog understands immediately and responds so well to what ever is taught.
I learned about Bark Busters and Greg via a friend who had a puppy and needed help to get the situation under control.
I'm so glad that I reached out to Bark Busters and very happy that Greg has helped us (and is still helping us) on the right path with Kobe.
Greg is amazing! I had recently adopted a 10 month old puppy, who was in need of some serious training. Between the house breaking, chewing, mess making, separation anxiety, I thought it was impossible to fix. In one lesson alone, Greg was able to cover all those issues and give me great techniques and tricks to help fix them. My dog listened when I called him, listened when I told him no, and was much easier to deal with. I thought this would take an eternity to fix, but after one day I saw a vast improvement. On top of everything being covered, Greg took time after the lesson to send me additional information to help me crate train my puppy and fix his house breaking issues. Not only is he an extremely friendly individual, but he truly loves what he does. He cares about you and your dog, and wants to make sure he leaves no stone unturned when working with you. I'm extremely excited to work with him again in the future, and am beyond joyful with the immediate progress both my dog and I have made! Please contact Greg if you ever need a trainer, you won't regret it.
Greg is absolutely amazing! I have recently adopted a 10month chihuahua/ dachshund mix named Nico, who was in need of some serious training. We have had many problems between housebreaking, response when being called, chewing , etc. I thought it would be an eternity before I was able to tackle all those challenges and see a change, but I was wrong. In one session alone, I was able to see a massive change. My dog was listening to me, came when I asked, responded when I told him no. Greg also helped introduce ways to crate train and how to deal with separation anxiety. It hasn't even been a full week since the training, and I already see a vast improvement. He has also worked with my brothers dog Bear, who he was able to turn completely around. Bear is a completely different dog, who listens every time we call him, hasn't had a single accident in the house, and knows all the rights from wrongs. If you're ever in need of a trainer, contact Greg. Not only does he know what he's doing, he's very friendly and loves what he's doing. He cares about you and your dog, and wants to help you as much as he can. He provided me with everything I needed, followed up with me and even sent additional info after the lesson. So happy we found him!
We starting training with Greg for our Bernese Mountain Dog Darla - then a puppy - 7 years ago...in fact she appeared on National TV with Greg during a segment for FOX & Friends! Several years later we called Greg back for help when we added a Valley Bulldog, Mischa to our family. We fell in love with the breed and when we added another recently, Greg was our first call to help with training for Gemma. Greg has been the ultimate professional. We would recommend him highly.
Our 10 month old Shiba Inu Max got frightened and pulled hard enough on his leash to get out of his collar 4 days ago. Max wouldn't let anyone put his collar back on so we couldn't take him out. We spent countless hours trying everything and he wouldn't go for it. Needless to say we were all stressed out and Max was definitely hurting. We decided to call Greg from Bark Busters and he came today to give us the proper approach on getting Max to accept his collar. Low and behold it took Greg 40 minutes of coaching me to get the collar on Max which was pretty amazing. The whole family is very excited and we look forward to learning more with Greg. P.S. - our Max is back to normal thanks to Greg!!
Greg walked into the house, Ella was barking, that WAS our problem. Greg coached us on how to correct Ella and we have had nothing but peace with her since. No more barking when guests visit, no more barking when the mail person comes, no more barking with delivery people, No more barking period. Even in our car she would bark at every single person she saw in the street. I can't say enough about how well Ella is doing and we owe it all to Greg. This makes Ella more relaxed and calm, which returns that to us. If you are experiencing behavioral problems with your dog don't hesitate to call. Greg is a polite, nice person. It's the best money we've ever spent.
By far the BEST! Greg is the absolute BEST! Anyone who needs any type of training for their dog(s), don't even waste your time looking elsewhere. Call Greg! The change we saw in our 2 puppies is unbelievable! He taught us (more me) how to take charge and lead. BUT, he did this in such a way that made you feel comfortable without feeling guilty, ashamed, etc. My dogs understood that my husband was the Pack Leader but they looked at me as beneath them. Greg taught us (me) in our FIRST session how to change that. I now have control! I cannot thank Greg enough for his teachings and patience. Thank you Greg!
Greg was awesome. We are first time dog owners and he did a great job taking his time to explain how to train our dog and how he interprets our actions. I would recommend Greg to any dog owner looking to connect better with their pet!

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Watch Greg give dog behavior and training advice on The Martha Stewart Show

What Makes Bark Busters Bergen County Unique

Bark Busters is the worldwide leader of in-home dog training, helping over 1 million families and their dogs around the globe since 1989. We wholeheartedly believe in our methods and 30+ years of results. At Bark Busters Bergen County, we clear up the miscommunication between dogs and humans at the root of many behavioral issues by teaching everyone to speak the same language – dog!

Our nurturing, dog-friendly approach teaches you, the pet parent, the same natural communication methods that dogs understand instinctively. Our efficient, results-oriented, training program prioritizes clear communication and leadership while addressing issues in the locations they occur.

This means faster, longer-lasting solutions for you and your dog.

Dogs learn best in a familiar, safe environment, free of outside distractions and disruptions. That’s why we come directly to your home, on your schedule to build an effective foundation for better behavior. We work first to build an effective foundation for better behavior. We teach you how to communicate with your dog. Dogs naturally live in families and look their family leaders for guidance, safety, and love. Most people don't know how to appeal to a dog's natural sense of leadership or communication. We teach you how to use friendly, canine leadership and to "speak dog" using your body language, voice tones, and timing so you and your dog communicate better! You will see results. You want to see a change in your dog’s behavior, preferably sooner rather than later.

Any Breed. Any Age. Any Issue. Get Started Today!

We customize our training sessions to achieve your specific goals and meet your dog’s unique needs. When you Learn to Speak Dog the Bark Busters Way, you get real results – and nurture positive relationships and lasting emotional bonds with your canine family member.

Learn More about Bark Busters

 

Home Dog Training

Our Services

Bark Buster 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. After learning in your home, our behavioral therapist and trainer will work with you as needed outside and around real distractions, once you and your dog are ready.

Life of Dog Support Guarantee

Life of Dog Support Guarantee

Bark Busters Home Dog Training provides a Life of Dog Support Guarantee that is unique in the industry. It is designed to help owners resolve their dog's behavior and obedience problems and to provide customers with the satisfaction of ongoing support and peace of mind.

Behavior Issues

Resources

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 and more.

Professional Dog Training Near You!

Servicing: Allendale, Alpine, Bayonne, Belleville, Bergenfield, Bloomingdale, Bogota, Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, Clifton, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Elmwood Park, Emerson, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fair Lawn, Fairview, Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Garfield, Glen Rock, Hackensack, Harrington Park, Hasbrouck Heights, Haskell, Haworth, Hawthorne, Hewitt, Hillsdale, Ho Ho Kus, Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, Leonia, Little Ferry, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Mahwah, Maywood, Midland Park, Montvale, Moonachie, New Milford, Newark, North Arlington, North Bergen, Northvale, Norwood, Nutley, Oakland, Oradell, Palisades Park, Paramus, Park Ridge, Passaic, Paterson, Ramsey, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Ridgewood, Ringwood, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Rutherford, Saddle Brook, Saddle River, Secaucus, South Hackensack, Teaneck, Tenafly, Teterboro, Township Of Washington, Union City, Waldwick, Wallington, Wanaque, Weehawken, West Milford, West New York, Westwood, Wood Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Wyckoff

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