Expert In-Home Dog Training in Greater Los Angeles, California

...These trainers give you the instruction and tools to train effectively. They don’t use treats too heavily or clickers or shock collars. All you need is your voice, your presence, and your body language. I’ve seen amazing improvements in my pup since working with them. They are also so available for questions and concerns- they text back promptly and thoroughly. I would recommend to anyone looking for the best trainers. 10/10!!

...We're really lucky to have Kevin come work with us. He has absolutely changed the trajectory of our relationship with Crispin!

Kevin is easily reached and very flexible about meeting times. He has a great, calm demeanor around dogs and never skips a beat in answering our many questions. The way he explains the training process and then demonstrates how to do things with Crispin has been great. I really enjoy the Barkbusters psychology and speaking to dogs in a way they understand. It's really evident to me every time Kevin is explaining something and shows us with Crispin. And as he said, you get used to "bahhing!" your dog in public. I was slightly embarrassed at first, but have no problems with it now.

Crispin is still a work in progress, but the difference between when we started several months ago and now is distinct. I'm very glad we found Barkbusters!

I am thrilled with Bark Busters and with my trainer, Kevin. Although I've had dogs my whole life, I never trained a dog, and I was a little afraid of doing it. I lost my 15-year-old Cocker Spaniel a year ago and got a puppy quickly. Joey is a pure-bred Cocker Spaniel--he is emotional, gorgeous, and loving, but he is a handful!

Kevin has provided me with a ton of innovative information, approaches, and tasks to train Joey, and they are working!

My family and I see the improvement! The methods work by using sounds that a dog naturally responds to.

There are many trainers in Los Angeles, so the information alone is insufficient. I am an intuitive person, and Kevin is kind and understands human and dog nature!

I feel comfortable sharing what is hard for me with Joey. He responds quickly with new ideas, humor, and patience. I consider him a friend of my family.

Joey and I are in great hands, as problems come up, and as Joey grows.

I'm grateful and relieved that I found the right company and person for me and Joey.

If you need dog training, make sure to call Bark Busters of Greater Los Angeles!

We could not be more grateful for our trainer Kevin and our experience with Bark Busters! Kevin is an incredible trainer and we recommend/speak of him so highly our neighbor works with him now too!

We were in search of training for our two young rescue dogs with very different personalities and needs. Our pitbull is very high energy/excitable and exhibited signs of possessiveness when we introduced her sibling. Our heeler mix is very shy, slow to trust others and nervous around other people and dogs. Both of our dogs had issues with reactivity and resource guarding.

From the very first phone call, I felt a genuine care for our situation and liked that training was based more on an understanding/communication with your dog rather than techniques that were bribery, pain or fear based.

We like to think Kevin trained us. It was really eye opening to understand the ‘whys’ behind our dogs’ specific behavior and how to communicate with them more effectively.

Every time we work with Kevin, we work through a variety of training and exercises. He always listens through our concerns and provides feedback and guidance. If we had a recent specific incident or concern - he will try to work through the cause of those issues within the same session. He is incredibly present throughout our training and always makes himself available through text between sessions as well.

We still have work to do but have seen vast improvement in the following:

- We are able to do pack walks with minimal issues of pulling and reactivity (and techniques to minimize this when there are unexpected situations)
- We have worked on front door training and dogs are able to settle before greeting guests; we are also working through deescalating reactivity towards unexpected visitors/the mailman
- We have worked on implementing/respecting boundaries (personal boundaries such as doing things unintentionally on their time/demand and physical boundaries such as sitting and waiting at gates/doorways and not jumping on us/people)
- We’ve worked through impulse control and resource guarding by becoming more confident ourselves and giving the dogs their own safe spaces (like their crates for their meals)

Working with Kevin has helped bring our little family together and we honestly can’t thank him enough. My husband and I feel like a team working towards the same goals with guidance, direction and care. Our unit has gotten stronger and our dogs more confident, calm and closer than ever.

We love our Malshi pup Benji, but he has suffered a pretty bad case of separation anxiety. He would howl and whine when we would leave our place and at times caught him digging and being destructive. He also has trouble focusing and social anxiety issues. Kevin has been great in providing the necessary tools and advice on how to go about easing Benji's separation anxiety and overall behavior, and we have seen improvement since our first session! He's taught us how to properly communicate to our pup and has been responsive whenever we have any questions or concerns. It's nice and relieving to know that Kevin will be by our side during Benji's growth and development!

Kevin has worked with my wife and I since day 1 of bringing our Samoyed puppy home a little over a year ago. He's been a vital resource and helped us navigate the most challenging months of raising our dog with effective lessons and strategies to address various adolescent behaviors. Bark Busters' program focuses on forming communication habits with your dog in a language they understand. These tools have been especially effective with addressing impulse control and separation anxiety. We started to see results even after the first session. Our puppy is a notoriously stubborn breed and still has some growing up to do. However, we believe we have laid a very solid foundation with our training with Kevin and that he is really well behaved for his age. Thank you Kevin and Bark Busters for all of your help!

Kevin is amazing. I have a shelter dog that I have had for 2 years. She is very reactive to men and other dogs and could not stay alone for any amount of time. I came home multiple times to my carpet being completely torn up so I knew I had to call someone to help train her. I didn't want her to be so anxious to be alone even for a short period of time.

Customer service was amazing from when I called. They explained everything to me, answered all my questions, and listened to all my concerns. They paired me with Kevin. I was nervous at first that I was paired with a male trainer as my dog does not like men but they said that's exactly why they are doing it. My dog can be skiddish but Kevin gives her space and time while guiding me on what to do. Within 5 mins she comes up to him and is good to go. I see Kevin once a month - sometimes more depending on whether I would like one. He is very communicative on text and we stay in contact throughout the time inbetween sessions so that he can tell me anything I need to change or update.

It has only been 4 months and Kevin has checked off so many things on my list. Here are some...
- my dog does not bark at the door when someone walks by, rings the bell, or comes in
- my dog can stay alone for a couple hours calmly and fall asleep
- my dog is crate trained and can be in her crate that's in the room by herself
- my dog does not pull and walks beside me
- my dog is not reactive to other dogs when on walks
- my dog goes in and out of doors only when I say ""ok""
- my dog listens to her commands - sit, stay, inside, drop it, wait, leave it, etc
- my dog is constantly looking at me to listen

I am also moving from LA to Australia and he is helping me train my dog to be comfortable in her crate for a 16hr flight. She's already doing so well in her crate. She used to escape from her old crate because of how panicked she was and now she goes in there on her own to sleep.

My dog and I have become a lot closer because of this training. My main reason for the training was that I didn't want her to be anxious all the time and Kevin has definitely helped her to feel comfortable and secure.

Thank you so much Kevin! You have made a huge difference in our lives! I truly appreciate it.

We are first-time dog owners. We got our puppy at eight weeks and were over our heads. Ever since Kevin came, we have seen improvements with our puppy Jazz immediately. He always assesses the situation to figure out where Jazz is and gives us great building blocks and pointers on handling each situation within each phase we head into with her each time we see him. He is an awesome trainer. He makes himself available and is always responsive when we text him to guide us on addressing what we are dealing with. We highly recommend this training. You will see improvements if you stay consistent with their guidance.

I was at my wits' end with my rescue dog Luckie. I got him during Covid, and he was my first dog. Over the three years that I've had him, his behavior had gotten increasingly worse. He barked non-stop, didn't like anyone getting near me, and was no fun to walk as he peed every second. I wasn't sure I could keep him, as he was really impacting my life, and this broke my heart.

My first meeting with Kevin literally changed my life. All his teachings were about me using my voice and showing I'm in control. I could not believe the changes in my dog I saw from one visit! Kevin checks in with me and is available through text. He has come a few more times to check on us and further our education.

I cannot recommend this company more. I had seen other trainers, and no one has had such a long-lasting impact as Kevin and Bark Busters. Honestly, the best money ever spent.

I had a great experience with their customer service. A lot of places didn't call me back at all after filling out a consultation request. Bark Busters definitely stood out in this regard, not only did they call right away, but Michelle had the kindest manner. She took the time to gather all the details of my situation and explained everything to me. I had multiple follow-up questions and Reginald called me back every time right away to answer my additional questions. They even went as far as to connect me with Kristen, one of the main trainers, to answer anything they could not. If they are this great even before you become a client I can only imagine how great they are when you are.

My dog Grace is a mini Australian Shepherd, she was very sick when she was a puppy and barely survived but couldn't get the proper socialization and became aggressive towards other dogs and people, mostly when walking outside, she would bark and have separation anxiety when I wasn't close by was desperate and frustrated I needed help. I contacted Bark Busters and I has been a wonderful experience, I been working with Kevin for the past 3 months and he has been knowledgeable, patient he has thought me a lot, Grace still has work to do but she is doing much better, I'm very happy with the service I have received and the passion this people have for helping both dog and owner. If you are concerned about price let me tell you that is completely worth it. Thank you Kevin.

I don't know where to start! Me and my husband and both our pups simply adore Kevin! He has the kindest, calmest energy, never judges us, and has helped us transform our eldest dog Flynn's behaviour. We decided to hire a new trainer when we got our second dog Suki as we knew we needed help with Flynn's separation anxiety and didn't want the issue to get worse! After seeing three previous trainers, reading every book on SA in existence and even asking the vet about medication, we were beginning to think there was no hope we'd ever get our lives back. Before hiring Kevin a few months ago Flynn couldn't handle thirty seconds alone. Our latest record? Four and a half hours!!! We still have some reactivity issues we're working through with Kevin's help, but overall Flynn is a much calmer and happier dog. Suki has also settled in beautifully and working through the training with both of them has meant that we've set up consistent and trusting relationships as dog parents. The first session was very intense and the first month or so was a lot of work but we'd do it again in a heartbeat! Thank you Kevin for all your support and encouragement! We don't know what we'd have done without you!

Could not recommend Bark Busters enough.

We called Kevin to help us with our blind 2 year old Aussie mix. He was getting the (wrong) idea that he was in charge of the house and neighborhood. Barking, lunging, pulling at the leash, guarding the front door. We were worried this would lead to a bite. Kevin showed up promptly and calmly. He efficiently sussed out the household. We have an elderly dog who is generally well behaved, but Kevin determined that we actually work with both dogs because we were basically a pack and the pack had no real leader. He taught us how to properly communicate with our dogs using dog language, and how to let them know that we are the ones in charge. The change seemed on the verge of a miracle and everything turned around for us after only one session. No crazy leash walking, no barking at dogs and humans. The house is calm and the dogs honestly seem happier. I recommend Bark Busters to friends who come over and wish their dogs behaved like ours!

Navigating the challenges of owning an 8-week-old Golden Retriever would have been incredibly overwhelming without Kevin's help! As first-time puppy owners, my wife and I were unsure how to handle all the different phases. Kevin provided invaluable guidance tailored to our specific situation that books and TV shows couldn't match. We are so grateful for his support!

Our dog had been untrainable prior to Kevin @ Bark Busters intervention. He had many bad habits, would not listen and could not be trusted with both people and other dogs.

The main areas that Kevin addressed was how our dog showed up in our house and on our walks. Our house is far more peaceful without our dog constantly jumping up and barking at every dog and person who walk by.

In addition, our dog has made great progress on our walks -- he feels more secure and less likely to act out.

More than anything, Kevin has empowered us to be able to interpret our dog's intensity and demonstrate how to mitigate it. We highly recommend Kevin and Bark Busters - Greater LA.

Kevin at Bark Busters has been instrumental with our boy Koda. He's an Australian Shepherd that is extra. From day one he didn't like other dogs, didn't trust people. If someone looked him in the eye, he'd go for them. Just going for walk was an adventure. It was overwhelming to say the least. We've had several sessions with Kevin and it's been huge for us and him. We understand our Aussie so much more than I thought was possible. We're now able to pass other dogs on the same piece of sidewalk. I can't express enough what a massive step that is for our boy. It's a never ending journey, we have to keep up the work. But we're now able to enjoy our Aussie. Thank you Bark Busters! Thank you Kevin!

Kevin and the Bark Busters team truly deserves a 5 star here -- Kevin has been supporting us with our border collie/pointer mix for the past year or so and we've made really great progress with his help! He's not only taught us more of the psychological aspect as dog owners, but brought a clear strategy to help our dog, Juniper, feel more at ease at home.

If you're looking for a trainer that is deeply empathetic, tailors their approach based on the behavior/personality of each dog, and is always around to support you no matter what, then Bark Busters is it. I will also say their customer support team is amazing and incredibly responsive.

Very happy we decided to go with Bark Busters!!

Big shout out to Kevin for his help with my boy Buddy! Kevin was kind and thorough from our first session together through our last. He listened to me with regard to Buddy's challenges and offered clear and direct recommendations for how to combat some of his behavioral issues, manners and walking habits. Kevin's assistance and simple guidelines for us to follow, along with the help of the Bark Busters harness, helped make a real difference in Buddy's walking manners, impulse control and overall behavior. Not to mention, Kevin developed a relationship with Buddy, occasionally in on us, and treating Buddy to special treats + lots of love when we'd see him. Now it's on me to maintain what we've learned and commit at least 15-20 minutes a day, really nothing if you think about it, for very impactful results. Really helpful and would recommend!!

Bark Busters is amazing! These trainers give you the instruction and tools to train effectively. They don’t use treats too heavily or clickers or shock collars. All you need is your voice, your presence, and your body language. I’ve seen amazing improvements in my pup since working with them. They are also so available for questions and concerns- they text back promptly and thoroughly. I would recommend to anyone looking for the best trainers. 10/10!!

Absolutely would recommend! I have a two and a half year old Labrador with a ton of energy. Specially, I was looking for help with my dog to not pull when on his leash, not excitedly greeting guests at the door, not jumping on people, keeping his attention on me when outside, and communicating better with my dog overall. In just one session with Kevin we made serious and lasting improvements! Kevin gave us tailored training exercises to do daily that are clearly having a positive impact. I’ve really appreciated Kevin’s approach to uniquely understand my dog, which has allowed for a highly personalized training program.

On top of all the good behavior the training sessions have brought, I can tell that my dog really enjoys them and the daily exercises with me. It’s all led to a deeper bond with my dog.

It is no exaggeration to say that Kevin from Bark Busters literally changed my and my dog's lives. I absolutely cannot recommend him enough.

Holly has always been an anxious dog, but after the pandemic, this got even worse. She became very fearful and aggressive towards any people she didn't know. She is very cute and eye-catching, so people are always wanting to pet her. But when she starts barking, she's so loud and scares the heck out of people.

She would bark at any person who approached her, anyone jogging, anyone carrying things -- and sometimes at random people who did nothing at all. She even started nipping at their heels, and tore someone's pant leg. She did the same thing to any new person who tried to enter the house, too. It got to the point where I couldn't take her anywhere without fear, and I couldn't have anyone come to my house unless I had her locked away.

I was terrified that she was going to bite someone, and I felt awful that she was so anxious all the time. None of the training techniques I tried worked! I saw several trainers, and did research on my own as well. The problem is that Holly isn't very food motivated, and isn't toy motivated either. Positive reinforcement just wasn't working, but I didn't want to be cruel to my dog either. I was starting to think that I'd have to make her wear a muzzle or a shock collar.

I found Bark Busters, and though I was hesitant to spend so much for training up front, it has paid off tenfold. Kevin is amazing. He really understands how a dog's brain works, and he taught me how to communicate with Holly in a way she can understand (but not in any BS "alpha dominance" kind of way).

The training helped INSTANTLY. Within days of our first session, I was able to bring someone new into the house without her scaring them away. Now that she understands what I want from her, and that she can rely on me to handle any uncertain situations, she has become so much more relaxed. Walks are a breeze now, and I can let her off leash in the park with no trouble.

I would recommend Bark Busters to anyone, but especially if you have a dog who doesn't respond to "traditional" training that's only reinforced with treats. I promise you will not regret it!

It has been a while since I have had a puppy and Harley is like no other I have ever had. He was a handful. After my first session with Kevin I knew this would be a challenge for both Harley and me. I did my homework and every time Kevin came there was improvement. We have had 4-5 sessions and Harley is a wonderful dog to be around. The change in his behavior is amazing. My walking group has noticed the change too. Thank you Kevin for your support and guidance. Bark Busters is GREAT!

I cannot say enough good things about this training! Our dog Zoey is a rescue and has struggled with behavioral problems and anxiety for almost 8 years. I have tried (and wasted so much money on) trainers and training methods that just have't worked. She is a very sweet and intelligent dog that has been through a lot and we just didn't know how to help her! When her issues started to escalate (aggression towards people) I did some research and reached out to Kevin. Right from the start he was great at communicating and made the process so easy and pleasant. He even reached out to let us know that an earlier appointment date had opened up -this was a godsend because we were pretty desperate for help at this point. He taught us so much about Zoey, her potential, and how to communicate with her more clearly and effectively. I would argue we needed the training more than she did. His approach focuses on clear, consistent communication and earning respect through establishing rules and boundaries. It takes commitment and consistency from us, but I was completely amazed how well she responded to this training. It's not like the reward based "performing tricks" methods we've been taught before (which doesn't ultimately work). Working with Kevin has completely transformed the way we interact with Zoey and in short, she is simply a different dog. She seems happier, less anxious, and eager to adhere to the training. I look forward to follow up sessions as needed! Thank you Kevin!

First day for dog and owner(s) with training and we had such an amazing first time experience!!! We are excited to experience more time with our trainer and see how much improvement our dog and us do.

Kevin is by far the best Dog Trainer ever! We wish we found him before we wasted so much time and money on the two we had before him! Our dog, Cody , is a rescue-- and is 2 1/2 yrs old -- is everything we wanted in a dog-- except has some major issues--that's why we are so grateful for Kevin--he is very calm, very patient, very kind and has this wonderful energy that we felt [ and so did Cody ] the minute he comes in the room. Kevin knows what he is talking about-- and it works--he is a great listener too--we see improvement in Cody because of Kevin's love and understanding of dogs. We feel, and so does Cody, that he is a member of her forever family too ! Lora & Danny

We were really impressed with Kevin’s polite behavior and professional approach. His advices seems to work already as we just had the 1st session today. We appreciate your help, looking forward for next lesson!