Deb Boswell is a good teacher of both the humans and the dog. She explained the process, what was expected of us, before we introduced her to the dog. She wanted us to understand the plan before we were distracted with trying to control the dog.
Amelia is a 4y/o lab mix who was rescued 2 years ago after being abandoned while pregnant. Through a series of shelters and transport teams, we adopted her. As you can see in the photo, she worries. About many things. But the last 6 months she's increased her barking, so that it's now all the time at everything and everyone outside. We live on a bike path, and in a neighborhood with lots of kids and dogs. Out of nowhere Amelia would jump up, start barking madly, and run from door to windows and back, getting more wound up. Sometimes we see what she barks at; other times there doesn't seem to be anything. When packages were delivered, she'll run to the door, causing a major pile-up as we try to get the package. On a walk sometimes she'll react to some dogs, not consistently, and it's hard to tell if she wants to play or fight; she's managed to knock both of us down by a sudden lunge -- and that was on flat ground, without any ice or snow. Walking in winter is like a circus act. As she now weighs 70lbs, getting her under control on a leash is an important issue. Trying to take her where there were other dogs, or noises, or on travel, was a challenge.
We all were very frustrated.
Then Deb came, and in the initial session helped diagnose what was triggering Amelia, showed us ways to address the anxiety, barking, to establish our control, and gave suggestions for keeping her busy. Most she laid out a straightforward plan, that we could use consistently, and that Amelia responded to.
I really appreciated Deb's method of working with us before Amelia was invited to join the group, and her advice that we needed to fire Amelia from her job as Head of Security. That helped us think about what we were just letting Amelia do, because she was the boss of us.
I was skeptical in the promise that after one lesson, we could see meaningful change.
After Session One, I have hope that we can all adapt, and create a calmer environment.
We have a follow-up session set for about 3 weeks; Deb has also encouraged us to call or email her with any progress notes, or for help getting unstuck.
Definitely glad that we chose Deb of BarkBusters Des Moines.
After just two weeks, what a difference! Between Lesson 1 and 2, we had followup emails, and Deb responded to the notes we sent.
Amelia is much calmer. Random barking still an issue, but reduced frequency. Now we can get her on a leash and out the door without a major tangle. She responds to being re-focused.
It's been a process for the humans to remember how to respond consistently, but we're getting better, and encouraged that we can keep this up. Even the neighbors have noticed about how much better Amelia acts on a leash and during walks. For the first time in 2 years I feel that I could let someone else walk her without fear that they'd get knocked down or tangled up with another dog.
We've used Deb's suggestions for keeping Amelia busy with Lick-Mat and Kong; that also helps her people and dogs walking by our house.
Working with Deb, and getting her support is definitely worth the investment. Deb has brought about major change in everyone's behaviors, and things are much calmer. We appreciate the reinforcement we get with the emails, and knowing that Deb responds promptly to questions.
As you can see in the photo, Amelia now enjoys the fact that she is no longer Head of Security, which allows for more nap time.
Deb is amazing! She listens to everything we have to say regarding our dogs’ behaviors. She goes out of her way to give us her resources and knowledge to help our dogs be their best selves. We’re so happy we have Deb as a trainer!
We have known Deb for a lot of years since she helped us with our Lab Retriever, Maggie Mae. So when we got a rescue dog named Daisy and had some concerns with going down stairs, nutrition and separation anxiety., we called Deb We,ve had one session a few weeks ago and with Debs help have made improvements.Deb is very easy to talk to, listened to our concerns We are very happy with the results Daisy is a beagle terrier mix 7 years old., She is training us and Daisy You can tell her heart is in it and she cares.
We recently moved to the Des Moines area and our dogs were having issues adjusting to the new house and their respective roles/jobs in our new home. My wife called Bark Busters as we signed up our dogs for training previously with Bark Busters when we lived in another state. One of the major reasons we chose Bark Busters was because they offered life long support for the life of our dogs, even if we moved. Deb responded to our inquiry in a timely manner and she came to our home to assist. Deb made more of a connection with her refresher course than we had gotten from the original training.
Frankie is our 1-year-old male Schipperke. They are a strong willed and very intense breed. We were experiencing some behavior issues with him, and I heard about Bark Busters at our veterinary office. I signed him up and Deb Boswell came out to our place in early February. She immediately got his attention and started showing us some of the training techniques they teach. We were quite surprised in how quickly he learned that he was not the boss anymore.
Deb has made one other follow up visit, and we have her phone number if we have any questions or need further visits.
He is making progress and are very satisfied with the Bark Busters program.
Deb was great to work with. We especially liked that her training methods weren’t treat based. She sets you and your dog up for success. After one training session with Deb, and some at home practicing, we’ve seen a huge improvement in our 3 year old Border Doodle. Highly recommend Deb with Bark Busters, you won’t regret it.
We have been working with Deb Boswell and are so happy with our progress and with Deb's work with us.
Deb has been to our home and has given us suggestions about our house and yard. She has also given us tools to understand our labradoodle and help our 10 month old puppy understand who is really calling the shots and which of us is running this household.
She has demonstrated the techniques and worked with us to practice them.
She has advised us on nutrition and play toys.
She is only a text message or phone call away and has been responsive to us.
We look forward to continued work with Deb.
Deb is great to work with and has been very thorough and responsive to my questions and issues with my two pups. Support remains ongoing as we work through behavioral issues, but I'm seeing some improvement already after just a few weeks.
Bark Busters provides support for a variety of behavioral issues and also provides advice on things such as diet. As a result we have switched to higher quality dog food as it was potentially causing some of the underlying stressful behaviors.
My husband and I chose Bark Busters to help with our rescue pup a few years ago and we couldn’t be happier. When we first adopted our dog, Nomi, she was unsocialized and afraid of everything, including us. We did our best to get her comfortable in our home but after a few months of very slow progress we realized we needed help.
After our first session with Deb, we saw a huge transition in our dog. She gave us the tools to help Nomi feel more confident which led to her being more social and less scared. After practicing what Deb taught us we were able to get Nomi on walks (something she was too scared to do before), learn basic commands and not be so scared of new people. After a few months of reinforcing the training Deb gave us, Nomi was a completely different dog! She’s so happy, loves to play, loves people and is such a good and sweet dog.
We recently reached out to Deb because Nomi was getting aggressive towards other dogs while on walks. She came out to our house again and showed us how to work with Nomi to stop her aggressive behavior. After just a week of working with Nomi we’re already seeing a change. There is still work to do, but I am confident if we keep working with her she will stop the unwanted aggression.
I would highly recommend Bark Busters to anyone who needs help with their dog. Deb is professional, patient and very good at explaining how to communicate with your dog.
ADR B.
2 days ago
— Greater Des Moines, Iowa
Deb Boswell is a good teacher of both the humans and the dog. She explained the process, what was expected of us, before we introduced her to the dog. She wanted us to understand the plan before we were distracted with trying to control the dog.
PermalinkAmelia is a 4y/o lab mix who was rescued 2 years ago after being abandoned while pregnant. Through a series of shelters and transport teams, we adopted her. As you can see in the photo, she worries. About many things. But the last 6 months she's increased her barking, so that it's now all the time at everything and everyone outside. We live on a bike path, and in a neighborhood with lots of kids and dogs. Out of nowhere Amelia would jump up, start barking madly, and run from door to windows and back, getting more wound up. Sometimes we see what she barks at; other times there doesn't seem to be anything. When packages were delivered, she'll run to the door, causing a major pile-up as we try to get the package. On a walk sometimes she'll react to some dogs, not consistently, and it's hard to tell if she wants to play or fight; she's managed to knock both of us down by a sudden lunge -- and that was on flat ground, without any ice or snow. Walking in winter is like a circus act. As she now weighs 70lbs, getting her under control on a leash is an important issue. Trying to take her where there were other dogs, or noises, or on travel, was a challenge.
We all were very frustrated.
Then Deb came, and in the initial session helped diagnose what was triggering Amelia, showed us ways to address the anxiety, barking, to establish our control, and gave suggestions for keeping her busy. Most she laid out a straightforward plan, that we could use consistently, and that Amelia responded to.
I really appreciated Deb's method of working with us before Amelia was invited to join the group, and her advice that we needed to fire Amelia from her job as Head of Security. That helped us think about what we were just letting Amelia do, because she was the boss of us.
I was skeptical in the promise that after one lesson, we could see meaningful change.
After Session One, I have hope that we can all adapt, and create a calmer environment.
We have a follow-up session set for about 3 weeks; Deb has also encouraged us to call or email her with any progress notes, or for help getting unstuck.
Definitely glad that we chose Deb of BarkBusters Des Moines.
ADR B.
2 days ago
— Greater Des Moines, Iowa
After just two weeks, what a difference! Between Lesson 1 and 2, we had followup emails, and Deb responded to the notes we sent.
PermalinkAmelia is much calmer. Random barking still an issue, but reduced frequency. Now we can get her on a leash and out the door without a major tangle. She responds to being re-focused.
It's been a process for the humans to remember how to respond consistently, but we're getting better, and encouraged that we can keep this up. Even the neighbors have noticed about how much better Amelia acts on a leash and during walks. For the first time in 2 years I feel that I could let someone else walk her without fear that they'd get knocked down or tangled up with another dog.
We've used Deb's suggestions for keeping Amelia busy with Lick-Mat and Kong; that also helps her people and dogs walking by our house.
Working with Deb, and getting her support is definitely worth the investment. Deb has brought about major change in everyone's behaviors, and things are much calmer. We appreciate the reinforcement we get with the emails, and knowing that Deb responds promptly to questions.
As you can see in the photo, Amelia now enjoys the fact that she is no longer Head of Security, which allows for more nap time.
Dantiana F.
3 months ago
— Greater Des Moines, Iowa
Deb is amazing! She listens to everything we have to say regarding our dogs’ behaviors. She goes out of her way to give us her resources and knowledge to help our dogs be their best selves. We’re so happy we have Deb as a trainer!
PermalinkThomas D.
4 months ago
— Greater Des Moines, Iowa
We have known Deb for a lot of years since she helped us with our Lab Retriever, Maggie Mae. So when we got a rescue dog named Daisy and had some concerns with going down stairs, nutrition and separation anxiety., we called Deb We,ve had one session a few weeks ago and with Debs help have made improvements.Deb is very easy to talk to, listened to our concerns We are very happy with the results Daisy is a beagle terrier mix 7 years old., She is training us and Daisy You can tell her heart is in it and she cares.
PermalinkGary M.
4 months ago
— Greater Des Moines, Iowa
We recently moved to the Des Moines area and our dogs were having issues adjusting to the new house and their respective roles/jobs in our new home. My wife called Bark Busters as we signed up our dogs for training previously with Bark Busters when we lived in another state. One of the major reasons we chose Bark Busters was because they offered life long support for the life of our dogs, even if we moved. Deb responded to our inquiry in a timely manner and she came to our home to assist. Deb made more of a connection with her refresher course than we had gotten from the original training.
PermalinkSteven K.
6 months ago
— Greater Des Moines, Iowa
Frankie is our 1-year-old male Schipperke. They are a strong willed and very intense breed. We were experiencing some behavior issues with him, and I heard about Bark Busters at our veterinary office. I signed him up and Deb Boswell came out to our place in early February. She immediately got his attention and started showing us some of the training techniques they teach. We were quite surprised in how quickly he learned that he was not the boss anymore.
PermalinkDeb has made one other follow up visit, and we have her phone number if we have any questions or need further visits.
He is making progress and are very satisfied with the Bark Busters program.
Morgan H.
11 months ago
— Waukee, IA
Deb was great to work with. We especially liked that her training methods weren’t treat based. She sets you and your dog up for success. After one training session with Deb, and some at home practicing, we’ve seen a huge improvement in our 3 year old Border Doodle. Highly recommend Deb with Bark Busters, you won’t regret it.
PermalinkJennifer T.
12 months ago
— Des Moines, IA
We have been working with Deb Boswell and are so happy with our progress and with Deb's work with us.
PermalinkDeb has been to our home and has given us suggestions about our house and yard. She has also given us tools to understand our labradoodle and help our 10 month old puppy understand who is really calling the shots and which of us is running this household.
She has demonstrated the techniques and worked with us to practice them.
She has advised us on nutrition and play toys.
She is only a text message or phone call away and has been responsive to us.
We look forward to continued work with Deb.
Bryan N.
15 months ago
— Altoona, IA
Deb is great to work with and has been very thorough and responsive to my questions and issues with my two pups. Support remains ongoing as we work through behavioral issues, but I'm seeing some improvement already after just a few weeks.
PermalinkBark Busters provides support for a variety of behavioral issues and also provides advice on things such as diet. As a result we have switched to higher quality dog food as it was potentially causing some of the underlying stressful behaviors.
Annie S.
16 months ago
— Urbandale, IA
My husband and I chose Bark Busters to help with our rescue pup a few years ago and we couldn’t be happier. When we first adopted our dog, Nomi, she was unsocialized and afraid of everything, including us. We did our best to get her comfortable in our home but after a few months of very slow progress we realized we needed help.
PermalinkAfter our first session with Deb, we saw a huge transition in our dog. She gave us the tools to help Nomi feel more confident which led to her being more social and less scared. After practicing what Deb taught us we were able to get Nomi on walks (something she was too scared to do before), learn basic commands and not be so scared of new people. After a few months of reinforcing the training Deb gave us, Nomi was a completely different dog! She’s so happy, loves to play, loves people and is such a good and sweet dog.
We recently reached out to Deb because Nomi was getting aggressive towards other dogs while on walks. She came out to our house again and showed us how to work with Nomi to stop her aggressive behavior. After just a week of working with Nomi we’re already seeing a change. There is still work to do, but I am confident if we keep working with her she will stop the unwanted aggression.
I would highly recommend Bark Busters to anyone who needs help with their dog. Deb is professional, patient and very good at explaining how to communicate with your dog.
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