Dog Separation Anxiety Training

My husband and I got our boy, Gumbo, back in 2022. We realized quite quickly that we needed some help figuring out how to best "train/parent" him. We were looking for someone who could be there with us throughout Gumbo's life journey and could be a reliable, consistent, person for us to count on when we had questions and someone who knew him well enough to know exactly what he was needing. Yep, pretty tall order to fill. Fortunately, Bark Busters connected us with Kevin and WOW, have we gotten what we were promised and then some!!

Kevin astutely noted that some of our initial challenges were due to us wanting to do things the right way and in turn, putting a lot of pressure of Gumbo to know what to do without us providing him the clear consistently and confidence he needed from his pack leaders. Kevin applied a well proven method to training that was rooted in helping us build the strongest relationship we could with Gumbo. We learned how to navigate having guests over, reactivity to the door bell and other loud sounds, managing anxiety related to fireworks, building healthy "social skills" with other dogs/humans, improving "walking etiquette" and leash control, and developing a clear way of communicating with Gumbo. Our pup leaves the sessions with Kevin both exhausted and relaxed -- knowing that he and his parents are even more connected now! We owe so much to Kevin, who has truly been a lifesaver for us and has made it possible for Gumbo to live an incredibly rich life now.

For anyone considering the service, do it. It's worth every penny. Thank you so much Kevin and Bark Busters!

I have a three year old yorkie, Lorenzo, who suffers from separation anxiety and would bark a lot if left home alone. My problem was that if left home he would bark the entire time, and loudly. He also would lunge wildly and bark towards other dogs in passing. I stumbled across Bark Busters online and they have helped change our lives for the better! I have been working with Kevin of Bark Busters for some time now and he is amazing. We have made tremendous improvement with Lorenzo's separation anxiety. Lorenzo is able to stay home alone for a couple of hours without feeling anxious or barking. He sleeps on the couch while I'm out. He is also less reactive towards other dogs. He is more obedient and respectful. Kevin is patient and such a great teacher. He's supportive and encourages me when I face challenges. I thank God I was able to stumble across Bark Busters online. They have helped us make huge behavioral changes with their program. Thank you, Bark Busters!

Basahhhh! We now speak dog! Thanks so much to Scott for helping us with Penny’s issues. In just a short amount of time we became head of the house instead of her. We highly recommend Scott and his methods of training!

Baahhh! Scott taught us to speak “dog”. We were amazed at how fast she learned that she was no longer in charge of the house. We were so impressed with Scott and how patient he was with us. Highly recommend!

Rowdy stopped barking and easily went into his crate.

A Training Program That Truly Follows the Dog - Exceptional Transferable Guarantee!
My husband Jim and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Bark Busters! We fostered Willow, a Labradoodle, intending to find him a forever home, but we completely "failed" at fostering and fell in love with him. Willow's previous owner had invested in Bark Busters Gold Service training before we adopted him.
As a disabled Veteran, Jim has found Willow to be an incredible mental health support, and we wanted to ensure we continued his training properly.

A Guarantee That Truly Puts Dogs First:
What truly sets Bark Busters apart is their remarkable Life of Dog Support Guarantee, which is transferable when a dog is re-homed! For a one-time transfer fee of $300, we gained access to professional training support for Willow's entire life - no additional charges, regardless of what behavioral issues arise.
This transferable guarantee demonstrates Bark Busters' genuine commitment to the dogs they train, not just their clients. They understand dogs may change homes and built a system ensuring those dogs receive lifelong support. This is virtually unheard of in the dog training industry!

Seamless Support:
We contacted Bark Busters to learn about Willow's training, and they made the transfer process incredibly smooth. Their focus was clearly on Willow's wellbeing and ensuring continuity in his care. They taught us the Bark Busters method - natural dog communication using body language and voice control that Willow already understood. No treats, no harsh corrections, no complicated equipment.

The Results:
Thanks to their transferable guarantee and guidance, we've maintained Willow's excellent behavior and strengthened our bond tremendously. The relationship between Jim and Willow has flourished, making an incredible difference in Jim's daily life and wellbeing.

Lifetime Peace of Mind:
We can contact our certified trainer anytime new issues arise - for Willow's entire life. As he grows and faces new challenges, we have peace of mind knowing professional help is available. Even if we relocate, the guarantee moves with us!

Our Recommendation:
If you're struggling with dog behavior issues, we wholeheartedly recommend Bark Busters. They work with any breed, age, and issue. Their trainers are knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in helping families.
Most impressive: their Life of Dog Support Guarantee is transferable when a dog finds a new home. That forward-thinking policy shows incredible integrity and true commitment to every dog they train. It's a game-changer for rescue or adopted dogs.
Willow is a well-behaved, happy companion, and thanks to Bark Busters' transferable lifetime guarantee, we have confidence and support to continue his success. We're so grateful for their innovative approach ensuring every dog receives lifelong support, regardless of circumstances!

- Jim & Tammy
Proud parents of Willow the Labradoodle 🐾

I can’t say enough good things about my experience! From the very start, both Tiffany and Amanda were incredibly responsive and understanding. Tiffany took the time to answer every one of my questions and concerns over email and phone before our first session, which really put me at ease.

I came into our first session pretty anxious since my dog struggles with fear aggression, and I was worried about everyone’s safety. Amanda immediately made me feel comfortable and confident that we were in good hands. She addressed all of my concerns with patience and professionalism, adapting her training approach to fit my dog’s specific needs and behavior.

For the first time in a long while, I feel genuine relief and hope that helping and managing my dog’s behavior is possible. I can’t wait to keep working with Amanda and continue building on the awesome progress we’ve already made!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Review:
We reached out to Bark Busters for help with our Frenchie, Winston, who struggles with reactivity and a bit of separation anxiety. Working with Amanda Adams has been an absolute game changer!

From the very first session, Amanda made us feel supported and confident. She took the time to really understand Winston’s triggers and gave us practical, easy-to-follow tools that made a difference almost immediately. Winston has become noticeably calmer on walks, and we’ve seen huge improvements in how he handles new situations and being on his own.

Amanda’s patience, knowledge, and genuine love for dogs shine through in every interaction. We can’t thank her enough for helping us bring out the best in Winston. If you’re struggling with reactivity, anxiety, or just want a happier, more relaxed dog, we 100% recommend Bark Busters and Amanda!

Winston gives it two paws up 🐾🐾

Bark Busters’ in home training has been tremendously effective in helping us manage our seven year old dog’s separation anxiety. We now understand the reasons for Sophie’s barking, and can better manage and anticipate situations that trigger her fear. Natalie is extremely personable and professional, and she has been spot-on in identifying problem issues with our Cavachon.

She is firm and direct, yet compassionate and warm. We are so grateful for how Natalie has helped us have Sophie greet people at the door, and greet other dogs on our walks. Reintroducing the crate also did a lot to help Sophie settle into her own space of comfort.

We recommend Bark Busters without reservation, and wish we had known enough to seek their help much sooner!

We are so happy with Bark Busters and especially our trainer Kayla! She has been so great. Full of information and techniques and very encouraging to both my husband and I and our dog. We have a Bernese who definitely struggled with certain behaviors and after just a couple of weeks we are already seeing an improvement in him. We couldn’t believe it!! Kayla is wonderful, so knowledgeable and supportive. I highly recommend!!

I can’t say enough good things about Erin Miller at Bark Busters! My Rottweiler, Cerberus, was a handful — lunging, nipping, reactive, and basically running the house. I was at my wits’ end before working with Erin. From the very first session, she helped me understand why Cerberus was acting out and gave me clear, practical tools to change his behavior. The transformation has been incredible! He’s now calm, responsive, and respectful — a totally different dog. Erin’s calm, confident approach made all the difference, and she genuinely cares about both the dog and the owner. I finally feel in control and connected with my dog in a way I never thought possible. If you’re struggling with your pup’s behavior, don’t hesitate — Erin is the real deal!

John showed us so many tools to help us train and enjoy our puppy even more. Topics of separation anxiety and jumping, along with other essential behaviors we've been concerned with. The best!!

Extremely clear and comprehensive instructions that gave instant results. Feeling confident moving forward.

Very thorough and personalized for both our needs and our dog. Easy to understand and follow instructions.

Sharon has been absolutely amazing to work with! My dog, Pretzel, is scared to walk on hard surfaces — something we’ve struggled with for years. Sharon has shown me patient, effective ways to help Pretzel gain confidence walking on our hardwood floors, and we’ve already made incredible progress. What really sets Sharon apart is how she helps me think differently. She’s taught me to see things from Pretzel’s perspective and to truly understand what’s going on in her head — it’s like learning to speak her (dog) language. I had worked with another trainer a few years ago, but it wasn’t nearly as effective as Sharon’s approach. She’s kind, patient (with both me and Pretzel!), and always quick to answer questions by text or call. I’m so grateful for her guidance and can’t wait to continue working with her!

Was super patient! Let my mom and I ask all kinds of questions and never seemed to change his attitude. Was very good at calling us out for little things we should change while teaching us certain training techniques. Overall very excellent experience.

If you are considering hiring Johnny, look no further, I promise it will be the BEST DECISION you will ever make for you & your furry family member! We found Johnny looking for a dog trainer to work with our 2 German Shepherd rescues in need of leash training due to their size/strength (90 lbs & 105 lbs) as well as in home obedience to improve their adoptability. After extensive research for a behavioral trainer with rescue dog experience, we hired Johnny based on his reviews alone! Johnny not disappoint, he far exceeded our expectations in training both GSDs, their foster parents & US! I can honestly say, with a decade of experience working with dog trainers, that Johnny is by far THE BEST! His extensive knowledge in dog psychology/ behavior & simple replicable training methods combined with his genuine love for dogs & his demeanor around them, Johnny possesses something TRULY SPECIAL that can NOT be taught. The dogs know it & seeing how they respond to his training techniques is like MAGIC happening! Our 2 GSDs both knew several commands prior to rescue, it was clear they would respond well to training but we did not expect them to light up when Johnny arrived! Both dogs completed their obedience checklist & our male GSD quickly became the King of “Place” always the 1st on his cot! Leash training to eliminate pulling was challenging at first due to their excitability of all new sights/smells as well as new found strength in recovery BUT with Johnny’s persistence testing various handling gear the Figure 8 proved to the be solution. They responded so well to Johnny working with the Figure 8 lead, they were soon walking next to any handler at any pace fast or slow!! Plus, ultimately, for dog training to be successful, it is just as much training the humans to practice consistently after Johnny leaves as it is about training the dogs. That is where Johnny is in a league of his own… He is just as incredible training the humans as the dogs! The foster mom, who has fostered close to 100 dogs & her husband was only involved with the family dogs & they had never worked with a dog trainer. After just 1 SESSION, the foster parents were not only believers in training BUT said it was life changing & are excited about practicing with ALL the dogs. The foster dad even talks about Johnny’s training with everyone they know & now helps with all the foster dogs too! Our 2 GSDs are now adopted & thriving because of Johnny’s training & their transferrable lifetime training contract. Johnny is now our #1 trainer of choice for all of our rescue pups. The PROOF of Johnny’s professionalism & ability to connect/train both dogs & humans alike is evident in the success of our 2 rescue GSDs & their foster parents’ transformation!

Holly and Scott with BarkBusters are absolutely incredible! When I put a deposit down on my puppy, Arlo, at just six days old, my next call was to Holly. She spent nearly two hours on the phone walking me through their philosophy, methods, and what to expect, and immediately made me feel confident about bringing my puppy home. Before Arlo even came home, Holly came to our house to make sure we had everything ready. Thanks to her detailed preparation and guidance, I had Arlo crate trained on day one, he is calm and respectful in the house, we have not struggle AT ALL with jumping up or puppy biting using Holly’s strategies and he hasn’t had a single potty accident. His first day home was mellow, smooth, and stress-free—and I know that’s because of Holly’s support. Our second session (we got to meet Scott!) they reinforced everything we were doing right and gave us simple, practical exercises to build trust and strengthen our bond. I’ve never raised a puppy before, and they’ve made me feel completely confident every step of the way. I’m so grateful to them for setting Arlo (and me!) up for success! And it is an enormous weight lifted to know we will have Holly and Scott’s support for any issues that arise for Arlo’s entire life!

We had a small sized boxer before kids and loved her so much. After she passed and COVID hit we decided to get 2 boxers puppies since we would have the time to train them. It was great in the first year and then they started to overpower us with muscle and boxing like play and especially with young kids. I started to notice they were acting like they were more in charge and I felt desperate after some nipping behavior. Michael from Bark Busters truly has helped me changed the tone in our house. I was amazed at how simple the training is to follow and receptive our dogs were after just a few exercises. I have had tears of joy watching the shift in our relationship with the dogs! Thank you from the bottom of the McGillis Family hearts.

Terrific program, pup was much better behaved & transformed even after one session - very clear instructions, easy to follow, highly recommend this service.

Have now had 3 sessions with Holly and they have been so helpful! She has talked and walked us through ways to guide our puppy's learning, and to do it with positive reinforcement not treats. He already walks better on a leash, he is calmer when we have guests, and so much more. I love the Bark Buster approach to teaching and learning. Thanks Holly!

Omar and Ryanne do a great job with our 3 dogs. They are punctual and they give us useful training techniques. Would recommend giving them a try.

I have received such great guidance with my new puppy. He is rather large and I have never trained a dog before I have learned how to handle him when he doesn’t want to listen as well as in some situations that were challenging for me. The trainer that I have is extremely knowledgeable and knows how to handle dogs quite easily; it is definitely a gift! I am so grateful that I learned about Bark Busters ! My trainer is eager to share information and it is so obvious that he wants the best for my dog and I.

Pete is very knowledgeable of dog behavior. He recognized that Gracie is not an aggressive dog, but is nervous around strangers and also resource guards. After a few sessions Gracie trusted Pete to
walk her and hand feed her treats. Pete provided many training instructions for me to reinforce positive behavior and which have been very successful for Gracie. I would definitely recommend Pete as a dog trainer.