Home Dog Training in San Francisco & Marin, CA
Welcome! Our mission is to help our clients become "the leader of their pack" using dog-friendly, non-food based techniques (no shock collars or harsh methods ever!). We want your dog to love and respect you, not fear you. We will work with you to address issues such as anxiety, aggression, barking, biting, leash walking, puppy nipping, and much, much more.
We can help you with ALL BREEDS, ALL AGES, ALL ISSUES! From puppy nipping to full adult aggression or any behavioral issue with any breed, we have your back. You'll be amazed at what your dog will be able to do once you learn to "speak dog."
We come to you! Your home and neighborhood are where most dog issues begin and where your dog can focus. This is why it's best to start in your home and backyard. We also do off-site lessons at the local dog park or teach you how to calmly walk your dogs through town on a busy weekend afternoon without getting distracted! Being in a familiar environment, where there's nothing competing for your dog's attention, enables us to address dog obedience issues very quickly. In fact, it's very common for clients to see results with dog behavioral issues in the first 20 minutes of our lesson! Expensive "boot camps," or sleep away training, are not as effective because your dog needs to respect and listen to YOU in YOUR HOME, not a trainer at some facility. Besides, wouldn't you rather be a part of shaping your dog's behavior to the way you want it to be?
No "one size fits all" group dog training or puppy training classes. We develop a personalized one-on-one program for you based on your dog's particular personality, perspective, and your goals. You'll learn how to read your dog's reactions and adjust your communication as needed depending on how your dog is responding.
No shock collars, choke collars, pinning, intimidation, or clickers. Unlike some trainers, we never use harsh techniques or bribe with food to extort good behavior. Our dog training focuses on using dogs' natural instincts to work toward a win-win situation for you and your dog. Trust, clear communication, and understanding produces longer lasting results than treat training or force.
You will learn more in our first training lesson and get better results than in group classes that last several weeks. You'll be amazed at what your dog will be able to do once you learn to "speak dog."
Dogs don't understand English any better than Italian. It's no wonder they can't immediately understand your verbal commands. You should learn your dog's language not the other way around. This is especially true if your dog is stressed or seems resistant to what you have already tried. We will teach you to communicate using the language your dog already understands. You will learn how to use your body language and voice tones to get your dog to focus on you and respond to your directions. It's really amazing for both you and your dog when you can finally understand what each other wants!
Adoption is at an all-time high - which is great! We have helped countless families welcome their newly adopted puppy or adult dog to their home. Not all dogs (unfortunately) have had the best experiences before you adopt them. We will help your new furry family member adjust to your home and establish a calm, balanced environment that you both desire.
Adam & I have approximately 16 years of experience between us as Master Trainers in San Francisco & Marin as Bark Busters Home Dog Trainers.
We continue to attend advanced classes and learn from our large network of more than 200 Bark Busters trainers here in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. We always knew that dogs were a part of our lives and wanted to help make a difference. We have both individually rescued, fostered, and adopted several dogs thru our lives so we know first-hand what issues come up and what it takes. Happy Dogs and Happy Families!!!
I moved here from Massachusetts in 1987 and have since owned and operated three other small successful businesses in Marin. I have worked for a logistics company and had four exciting years in the music industry, BUT after I rescued my dog Jake, I found my calling. That was in 2006. I originally rescued Jake in 2002, who was a fun-loving dog UNTIL....a bird flew close, a bike or skateboarder went by, or I left him alone. Talk about separation anxiety, he chewed everything while I was at work, including most of my furniture. He even chewed a hole in my front door and one wall. I loved Jake very much but I knew I had to do something to help him (and me) with his dog behavior problems. I read books, took classes, watched videos, and even took him to "boot camp" for four weeks. I spent a lot of money and nothing worked.
Then I researched and found Bark Busters in 2006- perfect business opportunity for me and a great solution for Jake. Jake thrived in this program, he began to relax, listen, and life became so much easier and fun. He didn’t need to protect me anymore, and he didn’t need to be afraid. He just got to be a happy dog.
Adam joined Bark Busters approximately seven years ago while working his way through college at San Francisco State. Adam assisted, lived, and observed the dramatic results with our clients and personally with Jake, which in turn gave him the confidence to rescue his dog Django. Django is now a 6-year-old Drever/lab and was a handful at the age of 2. Talk about flight risk. Yikes. Nightmare! Not to mention stranger-danger and possession aggression. Through Adam's hard work and determination, he is a great dog Dad and has become a successful dog trainer. Django is a changed dog and we can honestly say, he is a sweetheart.
When appropriate, Adam and I bring our dogs Kayla, Django, and Bodi as often as possible on lessons as they are a safe and huge asset. They help us help you and your dogs with socialization, dog aggression, off leash training, leash aggression, and puppy lessons.
We do believe in giving our dogs treats, but don’t believe in becoming a “treat dispenser,” and who always has treats in their pocket? We train the brain, not the belly. We teach you to think canine, and to top it all off, we give you a “Life of the Dog Guarantee.” That’s great peace of mind. We believe that for your dog, your calm, safe, and loving home, and your love and affection should be the treat!
Dog training does not alter your dog’s personality for the worse … it improves it.
Hopefully you will get to meet our pack!
We have successfully trained thousands of people and dogs and we are confident we can train you! Most of our clients say: “We wish we had called you sooner.” Don’t put up with bad or annoying behaviors with your dog – call Bark Busters San Francisco & Marin today.
For even more information, please visit our Dog Training San Francisco/Marin website.
See what our clients say about our services and training methods:
Read our Yelp San Francisco reviews
Karen is amazing! We interviewed countless dog trainers, audited a number of classes and NO ONE compared to her approach and technique. She truly understands the behavior of dogs and 'speaks their language'. Her no nonsense approach is very helpful in understanding what our dog is thinking. She pinpointed why we were having issues with our pup and...
Cynthia M | San Francisco, California