Efficient, Holistic, and Results-Oriented Dog Training in Columbus & Auburn

Experiencing behavioral issues with your dog? Our compassionate, in-home dog training in Columbus & Auburn 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.

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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 Columbus & Auburn 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 Columbus & Auburn trainer is a single call away and ready to help at any point in your dog’s life at no additional cost.

Common Dog Behavioral Issues We Address

Our expert puppy training, dog training, and dog behavior services in Columbus & Auburn 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 Theresa, Your Local Professional Dog Trainer

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large theresa nichols

Home Dog Training in Greater Columbus, GA & Auburn, AL! 

My name is Theresa Nichols, your local Dog Trainer and Dog Behavioral Therapist with Bark Busters Home Dog Training in greater Columbus & Auburn. Let me help you live a happier life together with your dog!
 

My passion for these four-legged family members is what landed me with Bark Busters and their training methods. My goal is to help you better understand and effectively communicate with your dog(s). Tell me your concerns and let me empathize with your struggles conveniently in your own home.

I take the time to explain and teach you what is causing your dog's unwanted behaviors and how to solve them. I resolve the most challenging dog behavior issues - aggression, destruction, separation anxiety, sibling rivalry - as well as address issues like nuisance barking, digging, jumping, leash pulling, territory marking, whining, and more.

I also teach basic dog obedience and puppy training/management, all in the comfort of your home, where you and your dog are most comfortable and will learn the quickest and most effectively.

Bark Busters offers a guaranteed lifetime support program, giving you peace of mind and a dog training partner - me! -  for the life of your dog. Any breed, any age, any behavioral issue.

One of the things I love about our Bark Busters techniques is that we only need our hands for pats and voices for praises.

Your praise, love, and affection will be your dog's primary motivation and we'll use these natural methods to teach your dog what you want them to do. This technique builds a strong trust bond and makes it so much easier to communicate than trying to physically control your dog.

When humans and dogs form a family, or a "pack," someone is always getting trained. Let’s make sure you are not being trained by your dog. I can help you build trust and respect with your dog by communicating in a way that your dog understands. If we partake in this training together with full commitment, it will bring extraordinary results.

Let's Get Started!

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Client Reviews

See what our clients in Columbus & Auburn have to say

Theresa helped us so much with two puppies, 3 and 4 months old, and a 14-year dog we adopted. She showed us some ways to work with the dogs and gave us practical ways to integrate them into our household so we took control. It was extremely helpful because prior to this, they were running the household instead of us. Would recommend her to anyone who needs help with their dogs.
Brenda R.
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Working with Theresa Nichols truly changed our lives with our dogs. We were struggling with aggression, sibling rivalry, leash manners and felt overwhelmed before starting training. Theresa was incredibly patient, understanding, and supportive from the very beginning. She took the time to really listen to our concerns and helped us understand our dogs instead of just correcting behaviors. The progress we’ve seen is amazing — our home is calmer, walks are enjoyable again, and our dogs interact with each other so much more peacefully. We feel confident and hopeful now, and we can’t thank Theresa enough. I would highly recommend her to anyone who feels stuck or stressed and needs real help with their dogs.
Brenda R.
Hurtsboro, AL
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Working with Theresa Nichols truly changed our lives with our dogs. We were struggling with aggression, sibling rivalry, leash manners and felt overwhelmed before starting training. Theresa was incredibly patient, understanding, and supportive from the very beginning. She took the time to really listen to our concerns and helped us understand our dogs instead of just correcting behaviors. The progress we’ve seen is amazing — our home is calmer, walks are enjoyable again, and our dogs interact with each other so much more peacefully. We feel confident and hopeful now, and we can’t thank Theresa enough. I would highly recommend her to anyone who feels stuck or stressed and needs real help with their dogs.
Madelyn K.
Auburn, AL
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Fantastic training, Theresa has been such a help in training our two large dogs. Would absolutely recommend for everyone!
Peter I.
Auburn, AL
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Theresa is an amazing teacher and dog handler. She takes a no pressure approach both to helping our dog with behavior issues and with us in learning how to address our dog's behavior issues. Our dog is an entire different dog, calmer and looking to us for direction and help. She is no longer trying to manage the entire place, which unknown to us, was causing her a lot of stress. Our dog even was able to be around 15+ people at Thanksgiving without stealing food, jumpin on people or knocking people over. It was such a blessing. The Bark Buster approach is gentle, easy to follow, and very results oriented. Loved working with Theresa!
Beth I.
Auburn, AL
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I couldn't believe how well my 9yr old boy responded to the training. He's definitely had a mind of his own and in great part i helped with his bad habits. My main complaints were excessive unnecessary barking and unruly while on leash. The last was a safety issue for me; being pulled to the ground at my age wouldn't be good. It's been two weeks and I'm thunderstruck by the changes in him... and me. He's taken well to the verbal commands, the new harness, and our new relationship. I'm a very happy dog mom now.
Lynette M.
Opelika, AL
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Theresa did a great job showing us how to communicate better with our two boys. We saw changes in behavior the same day and increasing calm, good boy behaviors. We are very pleased!
April J.
Columbus, GA
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I cannot say enough about Theresa! The effectiveness of her training cannot be overstated. With her help, peace and order have been restored at our house! Her methods have turned daily walks with our dogs into a highlight of the day. Theresa is very responsive and flexible with her schedule. Her demeanor is calm and professional. Our dogs have responded positively (and more than even hoped) to the training and I now feel confident in our interactions. I highly recommend Theresa for any dog training.
Catherine W.
Auburn, AL
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Theresa has been phenomenal in helping us with our reactive dog Harper. In just two weeks with practicing the techniques she has shown us and applying what we now know, we have made great progress. There is a calmer pet environment in our house - thanks to Theresa!!
Jill R.
Auburn, AL
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Theresa is awesome with helping us with Kodiak on reacting to other dogs and pulling on her leash. Very knowledgeable about what needs to be done to get your dog where you want them.
Lara L.
Columbus, GA
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Theresa is an intuitive teacher who makes the humans and the dogs comfortable. She physically shows you what to do and why. She has been very helpful with our rescue Zeppo. Since we don’t know his past correcting/training his problem behavior has been crucial. Theresa is generous with her time and is patient with us and our dogs. She has given us the skills to help Zeppo relax and let us be the pack leaders.
Suzanne B.
Auburn, AL
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Amazing! Our terroristic Borgi with some displaced aggression tendencies and anxiety is starting to become a new dog! He's calmer, happier, and we are too! Couldn't be more appreciative of Theresa and all her hard work. We have a little bit to go, but honestly, this has already been WAY worth the cost, and then some!!! 10/10 for sure.
Joe K.
Fortson, GA
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We have had two sessions, coming up on our third with Theresa. She does a good job of explaining the thought process behind a dog, and instructs you on how to learn and teach your own dog. She gives you the tools and the guidance of using them, but wants you to do these exercises with your dog to help strengthen the bond between yourself and your companion. People may have a hard time coming into the program but we have seen a positive impact on our companion.
Grant C.
Fortson, GA
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Theresa is truly amazing! She has patiently and thoroughly worked with us to get our dogs back together. We have two female dogs who got in a fight. Theresa taught us how to get them back together with easy, proven techniques and it worked! Without her, we had to keep them separated. The Bark Busters program really works! I highly recommend for all pet owners! Especially, Theresa...she's the best!
Ken R.
Salem, AL
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There aren't enough words to express our gratitude, appreciation and respect for Theresa and what she has done for us. Our journey with Theresa began a little more than 2 years ago. Our Lucy and our neighbors' dog Roma became aggressive to the point of fighting. Theresa came to our rescue!! After a couple of months of her training us and the dogs, the aggressive behavior was resolved totally, until a week ago when unfortunately Lucy and Roma got into a really bad fight "over a ground squirrel". Resulting in our having to keep the 2 of them totally separated. No longer being able to allow them outside together. Needless to say, we were devastated. Because Bark Busters has a Lifetime Guarantee Service, we contacted Theresa, explaining our situation and she immediately scheduled a time to come out and evaluate the situation. She thankfully came today and after talking with us, she and my neighbor walked Lucy and Roma (with halter and leashes) so she could observe their attitude toward each other. Then she talked with us about her plan to help bring Lucy and Roma past their aggression/fear of each other. It will be a work in progress BUT, I have NO doubt with Theresa"s guidance and help we will get there!! So you see she's not only a true professional, but a friend and Blessing to us all. Please, no matter what your issues/situation with your fur babies is, don't feel hopeless and do not hesitate to contact Theresa at Bark Busters you will be as thankful as we are that you made that call. ❤️
Barbara Andrews .
Salem, AL
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We had a great experience. Theresa gave us a great training regiment that was catered to the issues we were dealing with. We saw a huge change of behavior in our pup after only 2 weeks of following the training!
Jordan W.
Auburn, AL
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Theresa is the best. Our golden retriever Tallahassee “Tally” needed help with puppy biting, door greeting strangers, leash work and recall. Theresa has a way that is down to the science of speaking a language that dogs understand. No treats, no shock collars - and wow we have a manageable dog.
Chip & Diane S.
Dadeville, AL
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We had great results with our dachshund, she is better behaved and listens when we give her commands.Theresa is very knowledgeable about canines, we have followed her instructions and advice. On our 2nd visit our baby was very relaxed.
Kathryn M.
Tallassee, AL
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Four of my colleagues used Theresa for their dogs, so I was a bit familiar with the things she has people do after having gone over to a few of their houses (for instance, my colleague/friend trained me and other visitors to make the “baaahh” noise when her golden retriever and Pomeranian tries to jump on you). So, when my parents got a four month old puppy who needed some training, I called Theresa. She was patient and understanding with my senior parents who have never trained a puppy before and, when my mom was getting overwhelmed after she left because the things that she was trying to teach them didn’t entirely work (or my parents just weren’t doing them right), my mom called her and, without hesitation, she talked mom through another solution of what to do over the phone. And then, if that were not enough, a little while later she called my mom and dad back to check in on them and make sure that they were OK and see if she could do anything else to help them. I can’t say enough good things about Theresa. Everything that my colleagues have told me about her was 110% correct—she is knowledgeable, patient, kind, and means business (to the dog!) but also shows how much she loves dogs at the same time. I would not hesitate to recommend her to work with anyone’s dog. I’m looking forward to seeing the changes that she makes in my parents’ puppy, and how she helps my parents along the way.
Reba W.
Columbus, GA
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Theresa is awesome! She has been helping to train us and two of our dogs. I love that she comes to our home. She helps break down the techniques in a simple and understandable way. Going through the training has been fun for us and our fur babies.

She isn’t just there to deliver training. She is there to help our family of people and fur babies be successful and happy.
Alicia H.
Cataula, GA
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A fantastic trainer! Overall made me feel very comfortable and gave me a ton of insight. Definitely will recommend to many people. Super helpful with common “quirks” seen in dogs that require training. I was given multiple tools to help with training at home. Every question I had was answered, and was given a full understanding of each answer! Will definitely continue my training through bark busters for my dog.
Kat H.
Auburn, AL
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Very professional and punctual. I would definitely recommend this service for your training needs!
Donovan D.
Fort Mitchell, AL
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Very professional. Would recommend.
Heather G.
Fort Mitchell, AL
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Theresa has been amazing throughout this entire process. When we started training our dog Diva, she couldn’t relax at all and was aggressive towards everyone. After one session we were able to get her started on the road to being a much better behaved and well trained dog. Using nothing but positive and vocal commands we’ve been able to train Diva to do a number of things she hasn’t been able to do the entire time we’ve owned her. The biggest improvement though is Diva’s interactions towards people now. Before she would bark and snap constantly at them, now Diva will investigate the person and then calmly come lay down and relax with a complete stranger in the room. We can’t thank Theresa enough for the amazing job she has done and continues to do to this day.
Jesse H.
Opelika, AL
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I adopted a 3-year old rescue from the Humane Society 7 months ago. She is a sweet and wonderful dog but has some behaviors that need correcting that I haven't been able to do myself. Theresa came today and started teaching me how to effectively train Willow. I have seen an improvement in her in just one lesson and am so excited for what's to come. I highly recommend Theresa.
Carol J.
Pine Mountain, GA
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What Makes Bark Busters Columbus & Auburn 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 Columbus & Auburn, 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.

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.

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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.

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Dog Behavior Issues

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.

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Professional Dog Training Near You!

Servicing: Alexander City, Americus, Auburn, Auburn University, Box Springs, Bronwood, Buena Vista, Camp Hill, Cataula, Coleman, Columbus, Cottonton, Cusseta, Cuthbert, Dadeville, Dawson, Ellerslie, Eufaula, Fort Benning, Fort Mitchell, Fortson, Georgetown, Hamilton, Hatchechubbee, Holy Trinity, Hurtsboro, Jacksons Gap, Lanett, Leesburg, Leslie, Louvale, Lumpkin, Mauk, Midland, Midway, Morris, Notasulga, Omaha, Opelika, Parrott, Phenix City, Pine Mountain, Pine Mountain Valle, Pittsview, Plains, Preston, Richland, Salem, Seale, Shellman, Shiloh, Smiths Station, Smithville, Talbotton, Tallassee, Tuskegee, Tuskegee Institute, Union Springs, Upatoi, Valley, Waverly, Waverly Hall, West Point, Weston

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