Bark Busters La Jolla, Encinitas & Carlsbad Reviews
Reviews
39 Reviews ★★★★★(Average 5 out of 5)
Elizabeth L.
6 days ago
— North County San Diego
I had my first training session with James today, and it went better than I could have imagined.
As a professional in the small-animal veterinary field for over 35 years and a dog owner for my entire adult life, I have a pretty good understanding of animal handling and behavioral training methods. But my recent rescue, a 1.5-year-old Husky mix, has had me at my wit’s end. She is extremely reactive, impossible on leash, and incredibly mouthy and demanding in a way that can almost feel physically abusive.
James showed us several highly effective techniques that seemed to work immediately - and did not require the shock collar I was seriously considering. I don't know whether these techniques work for every dog, or whether he was able to recognize what was going on with Diva and tailor his approach specifically to her. Either way, I am extremely impressed with the results after just one session.
Most importantly, he gave us the tools to read and respond appropriately to her behavior along with completely new approach that gives me confidence we can make a lasting, positive change with reinforcement and follow-through.
Plus, James is a genuinely likeable guy, which made the session not only educational but actually enjoyable - even in almost 100° heat!
We have had a wonderful experience working with James on addressing our puppy Kaiju’s reactivity. The difference has been night and day. We went from dreading walks outside to taking him on multiple walks a day. The techniques and tools used to help Kaiju are intuitive and easy with practice. A lot of it is about developing a deeper bond with your pup so you can see the trigger signals and address them preemptively. If you train studiously and consistently, you will definitely see a difference like we did.
James has only been working with us a short time, yet the results are exceptional. We were looking for a trainer who was more balanced in their approach, not treats or heavy discipline. James fits - he’s given us the tools to help our dog Dory, not pull on the leash, bark unnecessarily, greet guest appropriately, just to name a few. I would highly recommend James Cresswell.
Cannot say enough amazing things about James and the Bark Buster family! I first used Bark Busters 7 years ago while we were living in Denver. The tools I learned and implemented changed my life and the relationship to my dogs, and the ease at which we were able to move throughout the house and in public.
Last week one of my two golden doodles passed on and his brother has had such heartbreaking separation anxiety. I have barely been able to leave his side on top of the heartbreak of dealing with the loss of my oldest. Needless to say things have been very difficult.
I reached out to Bark Busters here in North County and linked up with James who has shown up with the most amazingly understanding, loving, kind heart for our situation. Met with him today and in just 40 minutes had my baby boy relaxing and calm and for the first time since my eldest’s passing has me hopeful that we can find our way through this tough time and come out stronger than ever.
James has the tools and experience to overcome difficult training needs, but also the most amazing compassion for dogs and people and to say I’m grateful is an understatement.
We have been thrilled with James and The Bark Busters Home Dog Training Program in North County San Diego. We had a senior dog that passed away recently (he had moderate behavioral issues throughout his life that we never addressed properly). We adopted a 4 month old puppy in May, we have a 3 year old daughter and are expecting another baby girl in October. We knew it was important with all these new changes and a very energetic & wild puppy in the mix to seek support for any behavioral issues that may arise.
There was plenty to work on from the moment we took our German Retriever mix home. He was so excited to meet anyone new, he would nip & jump to the point of drawing blood. We needed immediate support with upcoming travel plans, knowing that we needed to establish better boundaries in order to leave our dog with the dog sitter and my in-laws. Koa, our puppy, was also very difficult to walk, pulling intensely and zig zagging all over the road. The idea of walking with a stroller, a toddler, eventually a baby & a puppy seemed impossible. We also wanted to be proactive with the baby coming, developing healthy habits with the dog early so we could be better prepared for a tiny human in the house. Lastly, we wanted guidance on how to properly socialize Koa since our previous dog did not do well with other dogs.
I found James based on rave reviews stating his approach was immediately helpful and we needed fast results! I also knew based on our 14 year experience with our previous dog, that issues arise throughout their whole life and so making the investment with James would be well worth it.
My husband and I are beyond satisfied with the level of customer care, the consistent and clear communication, and the results. We were able to leave on a 10 day trip after 2 sessions with James and the in-laws & dog sitter had positive experiences with Koa. My daughter's toddler friends can come visit and the interactions have gone very well. Walking Koa has been pleasant, we have far more control now and I can easily handle a double stroller with him.
I know we will continue to utilize James has we navigate adding a new baby to the mix and as Koa grows. I love that we have a reliable support to lean on. James clearly can teach you how to shift your dog's behavior & above all he is truly a kind and caring person to welcome into your home. We highly recommend his services! We have been thrilled with James and The Bark Busters Home Dog Training Program in North County San Diego. We had a senior dog that passed away recently (he had moderate behavioral issues throughout his life that we never addressed properly). We adopted a 4 month old puppy in May, we have a 3 year old daughter and are expecting another baby girl in October. We knew it was important with all these new changes and a very energetic & wild puppy in the mix to seek support for any behavioral issues that may arise.
There was plenty to work on from the moment we took our German Retriever mix home. He was so excited to meet anyone new, he would nip & jump to the point of drawing blood. We needed immediate support with upcoming travel plans, knowing that we needed to establish better boundaries in order to leave our dog with the dog sitter and my in-laws. Koa, our puppy, was also very difficult to walk, pulling intensely and zig zagging all over the road. The idea of walking with a stroller, a toddler, eventually a baby & a puppy seemed impossible. We also wanted to be proactive with the baby coming, developing healthy habits with the dog early so we could be better prepared for a tiny human in the house. Lastly, we wanted guidance on how to properly socialize Koa since our previous dog did not do well with other dogs.
I found James based on rave reviews stating his approach was immediately helpful and we needed fast results! I also knew based on our 14 year experience with our previous dog, that issues arise throughout their whole life and so making the investment with James would be well worth it.
My husband and I are beyond satisfied with the level of customer care, the consistent and clear communication, and the results. We were able to leave on a 10 day trip after 2 sessions with James and the in-laws & dog sitter had positive experiences with Koa. My daughter's toddler friends can come visit and the interactions have gone very well. Walking Koa has been pleasant, we have far more control now and I can easily handle a double stroller with him.
I know we will continue to utilize James has we navigate adding a new baby to the mix and as Koa grows. I love that we have a reliable support to lean on. James clearly can teach you how to shift your dog's behavior & above all he is truly a kind and caring person to welcome into your home. We highly recommend his services!
James is an amazing trainer for both of our high energy breeds. He is very responsive and always willing to meet with us or for a call as needed. Highly recommend him for anyone in the market for a new trainer!
James is an amazing trainer, and I can't recommend him enough!
I have a very challenging Border Collie named Bella, and taking her for a walk used to be incredibly stressful. Every time we encountered another dog, I had to stop and use all my strength to hold her back.
In just one session, James gave me the tools I needed to better understand Bella's body language and recognize when she needed a "reset." He taught me how to help Bella focus on me, engage her mentally, and build a stronger connection between us.
The difference has been incredible. Our walks are now enjoyable, and something as simple as stopping means Bella stops too. She's much more attentive and mentally fulfilled.
If you have a difficult dog, I highly recommend James as your trainer. His knowledge, patience, and practical techniques have made a world of difference for Bella and me. Thank you, James!
My husband had wanted me to get help for our male standard poodle for a long time. Mainly Rocket Man (Rocky) had incredible leash reactivity, among other issues. I have 2 Standard Poodles, mother and son. Haley is my service dog and will be retiring as soon as Rocky can take her place. But I was afraid I would have to "wash" him because of his reactivity. James returned my call and spent probably an hour on the phone with me. We arranged the initial meeting and it was love at first sight! by all of us.
Within the first meeting, he had already changed Rocky's behavior and we couldn't believe it...but it was wonderful. We are still working with James as our journey was delayed due to a serious health diagnosis for my husband (all well now) and me breaking my leg. During all of this, he was responsive, caring, patient and helped us stay on track. Recently he was on vacation out of the country, and still answered all of my questions.
I read the reviews here and agree with all the good things that were said.
In parting I will say that recently our dog walker was approached by a man with a wild
goldie-doodle who wanted to know how he had trained Rocky so well. What a turn- around in just a few months!
Don't postpone, don't hesitate....just call James and make your whole family, human and fur baby a lot happier.
Bark busters has been a life changing experience, we were skeptical since we’ve had little success with dog trainers. From the first lesson we saw drastic improvement in our dog’s behavior and it’s been night and day from before to now. I highly recommend James and his team he is responsive and very active in following up on our dog’s progress. If you’re serious about getting help for your dog James is the answer.
James really knows his stuff. My dog was a different dog after our first lesson. The methods he showed me made so much sense and my dog responded to them like I never seen. James is also very friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and great to work with. Very highly recommended.
Elizabeth L.
6 days ago
— North County San Diego
I had my first training session with James today, and it went better than I could have imagined.
PermalinkAs a professional in the small-animal veterinary field for over 35 years and a dog owner for my entire adult life, I have a pretty good understanding of animal handling and behavioral training methods. But my recent rescue, a 1.5-year-old Husky mix, has had me at my wit’s end. She is extremely reactive, impossible on leash, and incredibly mouthy and demanding in a way that can almost feel physically abusive.
James showed us several highly effective techniques that seemed to work immediately - and did not require the shock collar I was seriously considering. I don't know whether these techniques work for every dog, or whether he was able to recognize what was going on with Diva and tailor his approach specifically to her. Either way, I am extremely impressed with the results after just one session.
Most importantly, he gave us the tools to read and respond appropriately to her behavior along with completely new approach that gives me confidence we can make a lasting, positive change with reinforcement and follow-through.
Plus, James is a genuinely likeable guy, which made the session not only educational but actually enjoyable - even in almost 100° heat!
Thank you, James!
Tyler A.
11 days ago
— North County San Diego
We have had a wonderful experience working with James on addressing our puppy Kaiju’s reactivity. The difference has been night and day. We went from dreading walks outside to taking him on multiple walks a day. The techniques and tools used to help Kaiju are intuitive and easy with practice. A lot of it is about developing a deeper bond with your pup so you can see the trigger signals and address them preemptively. If you train studiously and consistently, you will definitely see a difference like we did.
PermalinkBarbara D.
25 days ago
— North County San Diego
James has only been working with us a short time, yet the results are exceptional. We were looking for a trainer who was more balanced in their approach, not treats or heavy discipline. James fits - he’s given us the tools to help our dog Dory, not pull on the leash, bark unnecessarily, greet guest appropriately, just to name a few. I would highly recommend James Cresswell.
PermalinkJack G.
27 days ago
— North County San Diego
Cannot say enough amazing things about James and the Bark Buster family! I first used Bark Busters 7 years ago while we were living in Denver. The tools I learned and implemented changed my life and the relationship to my dogs, and the ease at which we were able to move throughout the house and in public.
PermalinkLast week one of my two golden doodles passed on and his brother has had such heartbreaking separation anxiety. I have barely been able to leave his side on top of the heartbreak of dealing with the loss of my oldest. Needless to say things have been very difficult.
I reached out to Bark Busters here in North County and linked up with James who has shown up with the most amazingly understanding, loving, kind heart for our situation. Met with him today and in just 40 minutes had my baby boy relaxing and calm and for the first time since my eldest’s passing has me hopeful that we can find our way through this tough time and come out stronger than ever.
James has the tools and experience to overcome difficult training needs, but also the most amazing compassion for dogs and people and to say I’m grateful is an understatement.
Thank you James!
Kayleen W.
34 days ago
— North County San Diego
We have been thrilled with James and The Bark Busters Home Dog Training Program in North County San Diego. We had a senior dog that passed away recently (he had moderate behavioral issues throughout his life that we never addressed properly). We adopted a 4 month old puppy in May, we have a 3 year old daughter and are expecting another baby girl in October. We knew it was important with all these new changes and a very energetic & wild puppy in the mix to seek support for any behavioral issues that may arise.
PermalinkThere was plenty to work on from the moment we took our German Retriever mix home. He was so excited to meet anyone new, he would nip & jump to the point of drawing blood. We needed immediate support with upcoming travel plans, knowing that we needed to establish better boundaries in order to leave our dog with the dog sitter and my in-laws. Koa, our puppy, was also very difficult to walk, pulling intensely and zig zagging all over the road. The idea of walking with a stroller, a toddler, eventually a baby & a puppy seemed impossible. We also wanted to be proactive with the baby coming, developing healthy habits with the dog early so we could be better prepared for a tiny human in the house. Lastly, we wanted guidance on how to properly socialize Koa since our previous dog did not do well with other dogs.
I found James based on rave reviews stating his approach was immediately helpful and we needed fast results! I also knew based on our 14 year experience with our previous dog, that issues arise throughout their whole life and so making the investment with James would be well worth it.
My husband and I are beyond satisfied with the level of customer care, the consistent and clear communication, and the results. We were able to leave on a 10 day trip after 2 sessions with James and the in-laws & dog sitter had positive experiences with Koa. My daughter's toddler friends can come visit and the interactions have gone very well. Walking Koa has been pleasant, we have far more control now and I can easily handle a double stroller with him.
I know we will continue to utilize James has we navigate adding a new baby to the mix and as Koa grows. I love that we have a reliable support to lean on. James clearly can teach you how to shift your dog's behavior & above all he is truly a kind and caring person to welcome into your home. We highly recommend his services! We have been thrilled with James and The Bark Busters Home Dog Training Program in North County San Diego. We had a senior dog that passed away recently (he had moderate behavioral issues throughout his life that we never addressed properly). We adopted a 4 month old puppy in May, we have a 3 year old daughter and are expecting another baby girl in October. We knew it was important with all these new changes and a very energetic & wild puppy in the mix to seek support for any behavioral issues that may arise.
There was plenty to work on from the moment we took our German Retriever mix home. He was so excited to meet anyone new, he would nip & jump to the point of drawing blood. We needed immediate support with upcoming travel plans, knowing that we needed to establish better boundaries in order to leave our dog with the dog sitter and my in-laws. Koa, our puppy, was also very difficult to walk, pulling intensely and zig zagging all over the road. The idea of walking with a stroller, a toddler, eventually a baby & a puppy seemed impossible. We also wanted to be proactive with the baby coming, developing healthy habits with the dog early so we could be better prepared for a tiny human in the house. Lastly, we wanted guidance on how to properly socialize Koa since our previous dog did not do well with other dogs.
I found James based on rave reviews stating his approach was immediately helpful and we needed fast results! I also knew based on our 14 year experience with our previous dog, that issues arise throughout their whole life and so making the investment with James would be well worth it.
My husband and I are beyond satisfied with the level of customer care, the consistent and clear communication, and the results. We were able to leave on a 10 day trip after 2 sessions with James and the in-laws & dog sitter had positive experiences with Koa. My daughter's toddler friends can come visit and the interactions have gone very well. Walking Koa has been pleasant, we have far more control now and I can easily handle a double stroller with him.
I know we will continue to utilize James has we navigate adding a new baby to the mix and as Koa grows. I love that we have a reliable support to lean on. James clearly can teach you how to shift your dog's behavior & above all he is truly a kind and caring person to welcome into your home. We highly recommend his services!
Tom
37 days ago
— North County San Diego
James is an amazing trainer for both of our high energy breeds. He is very responsive and always willing to meet with us or for a call as needed. Highly recommend him for anyone in the market for a new trainer!
PermalinkShelley R.
58 days ago
— North County San Diego
James is an amazing trainer, and I can't recommend him enough!
PermalinkI have a very challenging Border Collie named Bella, and taking her for a walk used to be incredibly stressful. Every time we encountered another dog, I had to stop and use all my strength to hold her back.
In just one session, James gave me the tools I needed to better understand Bella's body language and recognize when she needed a "reset." He taught me how to help Bella focus on me, engage her mentally, and build a stronger connection between us.
The difference has been incredible. Our walks are now enjoyable, and something as simple as stopping means Bella stops too. She's much more attentive and mentally fulfilled.
If you have a difficult dog, I highly recommend James as your trainer. His knowledge, patience, and practical techniques have made a world of difference for Bella and me. Thank you, James!
Pamela S.
59 days ago
— San Diego, CA
My husband had wanted me to get help for our male standard poodle for a long time. Mainly Rocket Man (Rocky) had incredible leash reactivity, among other issues. I have 2 Standard Poodles, mother and son. Haley is my service dog and will be retiring as soon as Rocky can take her place. But I was afraid I would have to "wash" him because of his reactivity. James returned my call and spent probably an hour on the phone with me. We arranged the initial meeting and it was love at first sight! by all of us.
PermalinkWithin the first meeting, he had already changed Rocky's behavior and we couldn't believe it...but it was wonderful. We are still working with James as our journey was delayed due to a serious health diagnosis for my husband (all well now) and me breaking my leg. During all of this, he was responsive, caring, patient and helped us stay on track. Recently he was on vacation out of the country, and still answered all of my questions.
I read the reviews here and agree with all the good things that were said.
In parting I will say that recently our dog walker was approached by a man with a wild
goldie-doodle who wanted to know how he had trained Rocky so well. What a turn- around in just a few months!
Don't postpone, don't hesitate....just call James and make your whole family, human and fur baby a lot happier.
Danny E.
2 months ago
— North County San Diego
Bark busters has been a life changing experience, we were skeptical since we’ve had little success with dog trainers. From the first lesson we saw drastic improvement in our dog’s behavior and it’s been night and day from before to now. I highly recommend James and his team he is responsive and very active in following up on our dog’s progress. If you’re serious about getting help for your dog James is the answer.
PermalinkTodd W.
2 months ago
— North County San Diego
James really knows his stuff. My dog was a different dog after our first lesson. The methods he showed me made so much sense and my dog responded to them like I never seen. James is also very friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and great to work with. Very highly recommended.
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