(51 reviews)
Expert In-Home Dog Training in Columbia, South Carolina
- Personalized Training for Any Dog, Breed, Age & Issue
- Lasting Results Backed by Our Life of Dog Support Guarantee
- Natural, Dog-Friendly Training Methods
- Schedule Your Local Training Session Today with Heather Crawford
Efficient, Holistic, and Results-Oriented Dog Training in Columbia
Experiencing behavioral issues with your dog? Our compassionate, in-home dog training in Columbia empowers you to overcome challenges fast.
We teach in your home, where your dog feels the most secure. Through our focused, results-driven approach, you’ll learn how to lead and communicate clearly with your dog, so you can enjoy a calmer, happier life together.
Personalized Dog & Puppy Training
Every dog is different. That’s why we work with you to create a tailored training plan and bring our experienced trainers to your home on your schedule. Whether you’re looking for puppy training in Columbia or help with an older dog, we’ve got you covered!
Nurturing, Dog-Friendly Approach
We don’t rely on bribes or punishment. Our proven methods are based on respect, leadership, and trust, the core values that build lasting changes and better behavior.
A Lifetime of Support
With our Gold Service, your Bark Busters Columbia, South Carolina trainer is a single call away and ready to help at any point in your dog’s life at no additional cost.
Holiday Promotion!
Get $400 OFF our Life of Dog Support Guarantee when you book your first lesson before December 31, 2025.
Common Dog Behavioral Issues We Address
Our expert puppy training, dog training, and dog behavior services in Columbia resolve the most challenging dog behavior issues including:
- Aggression
- Adjusting to New Home
- Barking
- Biting
- Chewing
- Destruction
- Digging
- Focus & Listening
- Housebreaking
- Improving Confidence
- Jumping
- Leash Pulling
- Marking/Peeing
- 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 Heather, Your Local Professional Dog Trainer
In-Home Dog Training from Lake Wylie and Clover to Lake Murray and Greater Columbia, and Everywhere in Between!
I am Heather Crawford, your local Bark Busters Dog Trainer and Dog Behavioral Therapist in the Greater Columbia area. A proud native of South Carolina, I attended college in Columbia and worked in the healthcare field for more than 25 years. I have been an animal lover all my life and over the years have raised a variety - from dogs and cats to reptiles, rodents, and farm animals.
I love spending quality time with my friends and family, including my two teenage daughters, and am often found in areas like Five Points and Riverfront Park. I am passionate about feeding the local community, especially our veterans and the homeless, and love exploring new places as a travel, hiking, and foodie enthusiast. I am dedicated to supporting local businesses and volunteering regularly at our local Humane Society.
After I became acquainted with the Bark Busters method, I was inspired to become a dog trainer myself and use these techniques to help families live happier lives together with their dogs. We do not use harsh physical techniques or bribe with food to extort good behavior. 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.
Client Reviews
See what our clients in Columbia have to say
Let's Get Started!
Connect with us Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.
Storm Preparedness for Dogs in Columbia, SC
South Carolina pet parents know storms can strike in many forms—from hurricanes to tornadoes, flooding, and hail. Dogs can be especially sensitive to loud weather, flashing lights, and the unpredictability of severe storms. Without preparation, this anxiety can lead to barking, hiding, destruction, or even escape attempts.
Your Bark Busters trainer in Columbia, SC, can help your dog learn to cope with storm-related anxiety. Through customized in-home training, your trainer will guide you in creating a calm, secure environment so your dog can face any storm with confidence. Contact Bark Busters Columbia today to prepare your dog for unpredictable weather.
For additional tips and a full checklist, read our Hurricane Preparedness for Dogs article.
Are You Struggling with Dog Aggression?
Aggression, whether directed towards humans or other animals is not a personality type, it’s a learned behavior. Most often aggression is caused by fear, which mixed with adrenaline and inappropriate education can be a recipe for danger. At Bark Busters Columbia we firmly believe that no dog is beyond help.
Understand the Root of Dog Aggression
If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior, for any reason, it’s critical to get the help of a professional dog trainer. Our Columbia team is available to help you assess the root cause of your dog’s aggression and help you implement strategies to resolve these issues and reduce the stress it causes while training, learning, and growing.
There are many different types of dog aggression, including:
- Aggression with other dogs or other animals
- Aggression towards humans
- Food aggression
- Possessive aggression
- Territorial aggression
Resource guarding is one of the most common forms of aggression that our clients have come to us for. This is when a dog becomes aggressive when protecting a high-value item like food or a toy. We are here to help, and have extensive experience with resource guarding, human aggression, and dog-on-dog aggression. We have successfully dealt with an array of dog aggression issues with many of our clients.
The most important thing you can do to help your aggressive dog is to prevent situations that may lead to danger. Manage your dog’s exposure to problem situations. Prevention is always the best precaution.
If you’re struggling with dog aggression in any form, please let us help.
What Makes Bark Busters Columbia 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 Columbia, 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 is 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 to 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.
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
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.
Tips & Advice
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: Blackstock, Blythewood, Bowling Green, Catawba, Chapin, Chester, Clover, Columbia, Edgemoor, Elgin, Fort Lawn, Gilbert, Great Falls, Irmo, Lancaster, Lexington, Little Mountain, Lugoff, McConnells, Prosperity, Richburg, Ridgeway, Rock Hill, Winnsboro, York
Stay Connected
Learn more about Bark Busters in Columbia, South Carolina!
Get Started Today!
CALL 1-877-500-BARK (2275) OR ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE TO SEND US A MESSAGE.