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.

About Michael Hagan

large michael hagan

Best Dog Training in Ventura County!

Poorly behaved dogs cause stress and often embarrassment. My name is Michael Hagan and I am your Ventura County Bark Busters dog trainer and behavioral therapist. I can help you overcome the behavioral problems you are experiencing with your dog.

In 2011, I got my first dog, Jasper (in picture), he was a runaway rescue. I noticed right away that Jasper was very fearful of people, particularly men, and already a naturally shy dog. Jasper knew how to sit, stay, lay down, and all the rest, but those commands did not change his anxiety, nervousness, or fearfulness towards people or sudden noises. He needed real training.

Every training I looked at had some sort of physical aspect to it: shock collars, prong collars, choke collars, alpha rolling, chains, and even yelling to intimidate. Intuitively, I knew Jasper was too sensitive for this type of training. He's already terrified! Even looking into the TV star Cesar Milan's training I saw a lot of physical behavior modification and that just didn't seem to gain respect from the dog. The dogs would pull away from the corrections with resistance, which is not what I wanted for Jasper.

Then, my older sister, in all of her wisdom, found Bark Busters. Sometimes just trusting your intuition and reaching out for advice is the best thing you can do to help your situation. After that first phone call, I knew this was not only the training Jasper needed, but that I needed.

I was so amazed by the training, and how quickly I saw results, that I had to be a part of it! Since becoming a Bark Busters trainer I have been able to create the same incredible results for so many other dogs. And it doesn't stop there.

In 2019, I moved into the Ventura County area to take over for a former trainer. A local rescue was looking for a trainer to help rehabilitate a troubled dog who had been pulled from a kill shelter. He had injured a previous trainer, and terrified all but three volunteers. His situation was rapidly declining in the shelter setting. I came in to help. Working with the volunteers, and everyone following my plan, we were able to get him rebalanced. About two months after we started working with him, an interested adopter took him home. It was one of the most rewarding feelings! I have even more amazing stories that have followed since then that can be found in my social media posts.

The Bark Busters training method has succeeded where other techniques have failed. Dog training classes usually take a "one size fits all" approach and are targeted toward the "average dog." Other training programs rely on coercive methods like shock collars or prong collars to extort good behavior. If you are like me and know that a non-physical method of training is the best for your dog, then book your first lesson with me - simply click on the email button or give my team a call today!

Contact Me Today

Watch Bark Busters in action on the NBC Los Angeles, California Live program. 

Hagans on NBC Los Angeles California Live

Quarantined Dog Won't Stop Barking? Call Bark Busters.

Watch how Bark Busters, a company offering a much needed service, can train your dog to communicate without the “yips” and “woofs.”

What Makes Bark Busters Ventura 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 Ventura 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.

Let's Get Started!

Connect with us Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.

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Ventura County Client Reviews

See what our clients have to say

Michael arrived promptly, began, educating us on the finer art of dog training, and obedience, so that we can enjoy our pets, and they can feel secure and happy. It was the fastest three hours we’ve ever experienced, and we are implementing the study points daily to ensure success. We highly recommend the investment if you are seeking well behaved dogs, who understand they are loved, and also should adhere to protocol.
We love Bark Buster! Of course we also love our personal trainer Michael Hagan. He is very prompt with replies to our problems and has been spot on with our Lab mix, Buddy.
Our big baby has a lot of problem and is a very anxious dog, I hate to use the word "reactive" because it is so over used. We had problems with aggression towards other dogs. Pulling on the leash and going after other dogs off leash that approached him ... very scary. Michael showed us some specific leash controls to start with Buddy and we had great success. When we moved we had a complaint from our neighbors of barking. Our first response was not our baby but after buying a camera we saw that we had a problem and again Michael had great insight and came through with a regimen for separation anxiety. Which I am happy to say has worked and we now have happy neighbors and a happier Buddy.
We did opt for the gold membership and we are glad we did as we have had to call a few times for a short consult via phone and it has worked perfectly for us.
Michael is very knowledgeable, kind and supportive. He has great insight in dog behavior and is quick with a response to solve our behavior issues with Buddy.
Michael arrived promptly, began, educating us on the finer art of dog training, and obedience, so that we can enjoy our pets, and they can feel secure and happy. It was the fastest three hours we’ve ever experienced, and we are implementing the study points daily to ensure success. We highly recommend the investment if you are seeking well behaved dogs, who understand they are loved, and also should adhere to protocol.
We love Bark Buster! Of course we also love our personal trainer Michael Hagan. He is very prompt with replies to our problems and has been spot on with our Lab mix, Buddy.
Our big baby has a lot of problem and is a very anxious dog, I hate to use the word "reactive" because it is so over used. We had problems with aggression towards other dogs and Michael showed us some specific leash controls to start with Buddy and we had great success. When we moved we had a complaint from our neighbors of barking and again Michael came through with a regimen for separation anxiety.
We did opt for the gold membership and we are glad we did as we have had to call a few times for a short consult via phone and it has worked perfectly for us.
Oso a GS/ Husky mix and Lemon a GS/ Belgium Malinois mix needed someone that was gonna know how to handle them and Michael was the trainer for that. He was gentle yet had their full attention. With in two days of training from Michael and consistent practice on our end visitors can come visit without loud barking and jumping. And my husband is learning to walk them both without his arms being pulled out of his sockets. Thankyou so Michael!
Michael has been AMAZING with Frank! We adopted Frank when he was a year old, and unfortunately he went through something in his last life that caused him to develop separation anxiety. If out of the crate, he would bark, climb all over the furniture, and have accidents. If in the crate, he would bark and chew on anything we put in there with him. We decided to do the three session training package to reinforce what we are learning, and we're glad we did. The techniques that Michael taught us clicked with Frank within minutes of the first session. We just finished our second session and Michael helped us reinforce all the little pieces of the training we forgot about. He gives us all sorts of exercises to work on between each session, and is extremely responsive when we reach out to him with questions. Our favorite part of the training is how hands off it is. Michael sits back and tells us how to respond, but never touches Frank nor does he enforce the training himself. 10/10 we would (and have) recommend Michael to friends and family.
Michael came out today to help us with some behavioral issues with our dog and he was amazing! Michael was exactly what I was looking for. He was able to confirm that our dog had severe separation anxiety with a strong need to protect me. After spending a little over 3 hours with us our dog was already understanding and making behavioral changes. He had already stopped barking at the doorbell and understood his boundaries. I love the technique they use for correction as well as rewards. I cannot say enough good things. We are very pleased and will recommend him to all our friends. I honestly think the hardest part is going to be training me, not the dog.
I am so happy I had Michael come over to me work with my foster dog. He is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, personable, and gave clear instructions. He worked with not just the foster dog, but my other 2 dogs which was totally unexpected and so valuable. I learned so much from his visit and cannot thank him enough. If you are hesitant about hiring a trainer, definitely reach out to Michael. You will not regret it!
I have gotten the opportunity to witness Michael training rescue dogs and he is wonderful. He is very calm yet the dogs completely listen to and respect him. One of our troubled dogs, Nala, was placed with an adopter that never would have happened without Michael. I love his techniques!
Michael has been a tremendous help with both of my dogs Mack and Diva , came to my home and showed me how to teach them their space and I learned so much in understanding what makes them tick . I feel Michael could help anyone with their dogs , he has the best and easiest techniques that really works, I would recommend him to anyone that needs help with their dogs. Thanks so much Michael for all you have done for my dogs and the rescue dogs as well. Robert Estrada
Simply put, Michael’s training is awesome. I am absolutely amazed by the progress we saw during our first virtual session and after just one week of practice. Our 1-year old golden, Yeti, definitely has a mind of his own and Michael really went in depth explaining the psychology and underlying causes of the behavior and the psychology of creating new behaviors. This was so interesting and very helpful. And his techniques worked so well and so fast! We are well on our way to a perfectly well-behaved dog. And I’m loving working with Yeti at home and growing our bond <3 Thank you!!!
We are so thankful for Michael's help with our hyper 1 year old bernedoodle puppy. Even after 18 weeks of puppy training classes, he still had sooooo much to work on. Michael took the time to really explain to us WHY our puppy acted the way he did. He also was very understanding of our concerns and taught us everything we needed to know. We saw the training methods work immediately. We are so excited for the progress our puppy will make. I only wish we found him sooner. Highly recommend!!!
After the first visit it is amazing the difference in my Pitbull mix.
He is much calmer already and I am genuinely excited about the next training. Michael is awesome.
The results so far make me hopeful that Weezie and I are going to have a great future, because I will now be able to create calm and structure in our daily lives. Thank you a million times Michael !!!
Michael's training was beyond helpful with immediate results. My two meetings with Michael elevated my confidence as an owner of a pit bull mix coming out of a dog rescue. Everything he shared was based on data and I saw immediate positive behavioral shifts in my dog. Thanks to Michael, I feel in control with my pit bull mix. Michael taught me to be the leader of the pack!
We have recently rescued a 3-year-old, male golden retriever and have a smaller, 4-year-old, female spitz. Gail helped us with several issues for each dog as well as the interaction between them. We now have the correct way to effectively work with our dogs in a loving and constructive manner. Thank you so much for an excellent program.
Prince got the idea very quickly, and I was amazed and delighted that it worked. I don't think there is a better program anywhere.
We really enjoyed having Bill & Gail here to help us with Buddy. They were very informative and we had a great response from Buddy. We are very pleased with the progress so far.
Gail is a wonderfully supportive person. She taught me well, and when I called in a panic she was right there for me. Pierre is doing well and I know Gail will back me up in the future.
Gail & Bill Major are terrific! Their love for dogs shows - they are gentle, kind and loving.
We know this is going to work for our dachsund. He simply responded to the Bark Busters technique. Its simple and not time consuming. Perfect.
It's a great program. There are no gimmicks, voice tones and body language go a long way. I was amazed how quickly my puppy responded to the commands. The program is simple to follow. I just have to work at it daily.

Professional Dog Training Near You!

Servicing: Agoura Hills, Brandeis, Calabasas, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Carpinteria, Chatsworth, Fillmore, Goleta, Malibu, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Northridge, Oak Park, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Piru, Point Mugu Nawc, Port Hueneme, Port Hueneme Cbc Ba, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Santa Barbara, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Summerland, Thousand Oaks, Topanga, Ventura, West Hills, Westlake Village, Winnetka, Woodland Hills

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