If you’re struggling with a dog with severe separation anxiety, I highly recommend Justin.
My puppy Gus, had extreme separation anxiety, would bark nonstop pretty much the moment he was in the crate until I let him out. I used vibrating collars, left my workout clothes in his crate, bought high-value treats, tried a citronella collar, and eventually a shock collar but nothing made a difference.
After only about five training sessions with Justin, the transformation has been incredible. Gus is now able to stay home calmly while I’m away, and Im not stressing that he’s panicking, barking nonstop, or upsetting the neighbors.
I really like that Justin’s approach was effective, practical, and tailored to Gus’s specific needs. No need for constant treat reinforcement. If you’re looking for a dog trainer for separation anxiety, puppy training, and just a really meaningful way to help your dog be calm and happy, Justin is absolutely worth contacting. Awesome investment.
Rocket was a handful to say the least and I was honestly concerned he was going to get some kid on a bike hurt lunging and barking or attack a jogger so I called. Justin has been amazing and now walking my boy has become the highlight of my crazy day. I literally saw huge progress in the first session, and Justin is amazing at following up and working on reinforcing, other issues, new situations like a recent road trip vacation with other dogs. I honestly never expected to see this level of improvement and thought it would take months to do what I saw in hours.
We hired Justin for our 1 year old Frenchie, Medusa. She used to be a total nightmare. Food aggressive toward our other Frenchie, snapping whenever we tried to wipe anything in front of her, couldn't fix blankets without her attacking them, constant jumping/hyperactivity and she would NEVER sit in her car seat for a ride, constantly had to be held. After working with Justin, everything changed.
Justin never used a shock collar or boarded her. He came to our home and used his corrective action and tool kit to keep her in the green zone at all times. Within a few sessions she stopped guarding her food, allowed us to clean without any aggression, and for the first time she slept through an entire car ride.
The results have been dramatic and lasting. Justin also taught US clear, humane cues so we can keep the progress going on our own. If you want a trainer who respects your dog, works in your environment, and delivers real, lasting change, Justin is the one to call. He is also a super amazing human who has great energy and responds to every text/questions even after the sessions. He will definitely be getting a Christmas gift! He has changed our lives and hers!!
I don’t write reviews lightly and I especially don’t write emotional ones but Bark Busters of San Diego quite literally gave me my life back.
For years, I lived in silence and stress. I couldn’t leave my home without my dogs barking, howling, scratching at their crates, and spiraling into panic. The mouth watering alone was enough to break me. So instead, I stayed home. I adjusted my life around their anxiety. I suffered quietly because I loved them and didn’t know what else to do.
Until one day I broke down completely.
I realized this wasn’t living not for me, and not for them. We deserved calm. We deserved peace. We deserved to live our "best" lives and this wasn’t it.
Some people complain in reviews that dog training “doesn’t work.” Let me be very clear: anxiety whether in humans or dogs is not something you fix by checking a box. A true behavioral therapist understands one thing above all else, "awareness". Anxiety comes from surroundings and perceived safety. The work is learning how to respond and create calm and that takes consistency.
I spent three straight weeks training four hours a day, every single day. I cried. I doubted myself. I wanted to quit. But I followed the Bark Busters program exactly as taught—daily simulations, real-world scenarios, repetition, and patience.
And then something incredible happened.
My dogs slept.
They relaxed.
They trusted.
Today, I can leave my home and my dogs are calm, quiet, and peacefully sleeping, knowing I’m coming back. Visitors come and go with ease. My 9- and 6-year-old Maltipoos are relaxed, confident, and happy. And so am I.
Here’s the truth people don’t want to hear, there is no magic pill. There is no shortcut. The training never “ends” because leadership and love are lifelong commitments. And honestly? That’s the gift. Once it becomes part of your daily life, it feels natural. I walk more. The cuddles are calmer. I’m no longer being climbed on out of anxiety I’m being loved in peace.
And about the cost? Think about it. You’ve already spent more on multiple trainers, treats, wasted time, emotional exhaustion, and a very unhappy household. Bark Busters’ training is guaranteed for life. If you move. If life changes. If new challenges come you’re supported. That matters more than people realize.
Justin and his team are beyond words. Compassionate. Honest. Direct. They don’t just train dogs, they train families.
Value your pet’s life. Value the short, precious time we get with them. Happiness for everyone in the home is worth the work.
🐾💛
We can’t say enough great things about working with Justin from Bark Busters! About a year ago we welcomed our golden retriever puppy, Nala, into our family to join our already spoiled 12lb terrier mix, Joey, (who has the energy of a much bigger dog). Once Nala joined us, we quickly noticed some sibling rivalry, roughhousing to determine who was in charge, anxious/fearful energy toward visitors and noises, and some reactivity to other dogs. Walks became the part of the day we dreaded most—our dogs pulled us in different directions, which left our backs aching, and we often felt like they were walking us instead of the other way around.
We had tried other positive reinforcement trainings, and while they helped a bit, when things got really stimulating even the best treats weren’t enough. From the very first session with Justin, everything changed. He gave us tools that immediately made us feel more equipped to handle all situations, more confident as leaders, and consistent in setting boundaries. Most importantly, he showed us how to keep our dogs in the “green zone”—happy, calm, and thriving.
We continue to feel supported as we refine our ability to “speak” our dogs’ language and truly be understood. The progress we’ve seen has been amazing, and we’re so grateful for the positive changes in both of our pups. Thanks to Justin, we finally feel like we’re enjoying our dogs to the fullest, and we’re confident they’ll continue to thrive.
Having moved from a house with a yard in the country to an apartment in the city, my sweet dog Riley was uncomfortable. She was constantly barking at every sound and pulling me around on her leash. It was a hard time for both of us. Enter Justin and his magic dog training! My sweet girl is now calm and quiet in the apartment and walks easily besides me every time we go out. I’m so grateful for the help in improving my dog’s life. And I’m still shocked at how few times we had to meet! Totally worth the money! If you want to change you and your dog’s life for the better - this is it!
We got our German Shepherd at 9 weeks old, and as time went on, we knew we had to be proactive dog parents to prevent reactivity issues. We love adventure, and one of our biggest priorities was being able to take our fur baby with us to explore the world.
In the beginning, Miles struggled with leash pulling, lacked boundaries and social skills, and was highly reactive to other dogs, bikes, and motorcycles. We quickly realized that structure was essential for him, so we reached out to Bark Buster Home Dog Training - that turned out to be the best decision we could have made.
From our very first session with our trainer, Justin, we saw an immediate difference. He set the tone right away, and it felt like night and day. One of the things we appreciated most was Justin’s ability to simplify the learning process. He didn’t just train the dog—he trained us too. He helped us understand canine behavior and taught us how to communicate our expectations in a way that made sense to our pup (instead of just speaking English and hoping for the best!).
After just three weeks, our dog is so focused on walks that I actually enjoy walking him now. At only six months old, he’s become so much more mature. He’s learning to socialize, he’s calm, and his reactivity has drastically reduced.
The best advice I can offer: trust Justin to help build a strong foundation, but be prepared to put in the work. This isn’t a quick fix—it’s a commitment and a beautiful journey.
Thank you again to Dog Buster Training for giving us peace of mind and a better life with our dog!
We’ve been working with Jenna at Bark Busters for about six months to help our rescue chihuahua mix, Mimi, and the progress has been amazing. We started training just two weeks after adopting her. She came to us with several behavior issues due to past trauma. She had been rescued, returned once, and then fostered before joining our family.
At first, Mimi had severe separation anxiety. She would escape her playpen, pace, and howl loudly whenever we left the house. Now, with Jenna’s guidance and the time we’ve put into her training, we can leave her alone for up to three hours. She’ll fall asleep and wait for us quietly. You can see her in one of the photos we attached.
She was also very reactive to other dogs, making walks and public outings tough. With Jenna’s help, she’s much calmer now. We can take her on walks and even to restaurants with dogs around. We’re currently introducing her to other dogs slowly. While she still stays on a leash and sometimes growls or nibbles, she’s able to get very close. That’s a huge improvement from where we started.
Training Mimi has helped her become more confident, happy, and relaxed. We’re so grateful for Jenna’s support and excited to keep working with her to help Mimi live her best life.
Highly recommend Bark Busters to anyone with a rescue pup who needs extra care and guidance.
I could not be more happy with the service provided by Justin. In just one session my dog was transformed and I haven’t stopped smiling since! I would 100% recommend everyone to go with Justin and bark busters!
For those familiar with TAP’s work rescuing dogs from ESLR in Ensenada, Tufa is an ESLR survivor. This means she spent several years of her life in an unsanitary, unhealthy and dangerous environment where she lacked safe personal space. We adopted her in Dec 2023 and since the very beginning she’s been incredibly sweet and loving at home, but she had some work to do on her reactive and protective behaviors toward people and dogs. It seemed that as she got more comfortable in her new home she began to increase her protectiveness, which is completely understandable!
In her first few months, we completed a 6-week series of group trainings and a few 1:1s which worked on improving obedience but wasn’t providing the tools we needed to address real world situations when another dog or person would approach us or enter our home. So I found Bark Busters online and was able to set up an appointment with Justin. That was all it really took to change everything.
In our first appointment we learned how to communicate with Tufa in a way where she realized we were in charge at all times. We also were given new handing tools that immediately stopped her pulling on walks and allowed us to give her clear signals to prevent and stop reactivity. Within days her improvement was very noticeable, within weeks she was a completely different dog outside in the world! She is now showing everyone what a sweet dog she can be and is approaching all situations with joy and curiosity, rather than fear. Thank you, Justin!
Ben W.
7 days ago
— San Diego, CA
If you’re struggling with a dog with severe separation anxiety, I highly recommend Justin.
PermalinkMy puppy Gus, had extreme separation anxiety, would bark nonstop pretty much the moment he was in the crate until I let him out. I used vibrating collars, left my workout clothes in his crate, bought high-value treats, tried a citronella collar, and eventually a shock collar but nothing made a difference.
After only about five training sessions with Justin, the transformation has been incredible. Gus is now able to stay home calmly while I’m away, and Im not stressing that he’s panicking, barking nonstop, or upsetting the neighbors.
I really like that Justin’s approach was effective, practical, and tailored to Gus’s specific needs. No need for constant treat reinforcement. If you’re looking for a dog trainer for separation anxiety, puppy training, and just a really meaningful way to help your dog be calm and happy, Justin is absolutely worth contacting. Awesome investment.
Michelle O.
16 days ago
— Greater San Diego
Rocket was a handful to say the least and I was honestly concerned he was going to get some kid on a bike hurt lunging and barking or attack a jogger so I called. Justin has been amazing and now walking my boy has become the highlight of my crazy day. I literally saw huge progress in the first session, and Justin is amazing at following up and working on reinforcing, other issues, new situations like a recent road trip vacation with other dogs. I honestly never expected to see this level of improvement and thought it would take months to do what I saw in hours.
PermalinkAndrea A.
3 months ago
— San Diego, CA
We hired Justin for our 1 year old Frenchie, Medusa. She used to be a total nightmare. Food aggressive toward our other Frenchie, snapping whenever we tried to wipe anything in front of her, couldn't fix blankets without her attacking them, constant jumping/hyperactivity and she would NEVER sit in her car seat for a ride, constantly had to be held. After working with Justin, everything changed.
PermalinkJustin never used a shock collar or boarded her. He came to our home and used his corrective action and tool kit to keep her in the green zone at all times. Within a few sessions she stopped guarding her food, allowed us to clean without any aggression, and for the first time she slept through an entire car ride.
The results have been dramatic and lasting. Justin also taught US clear, humane cues so we can keep the progress going on our own. If you want a trainer who respects your dog, works in your environment, and delivers real, lasting change, Justin is the one to call. He is also a super amazing human who has great energy and responds to every text/questions even after the sessions. He will definitely be getting a Christmas gift! He has changed our lives and hers!!
Cristina M.
7 months ago
— San Diego, CA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Life-Changing. Truly"
PermalinkI don’t write reviews lightly and I especially don’t write emotional ones but Bark Busters of San Diego quite literally gave me my life back.
For years, I lived in silence and stress. I couldn’t leave my home without my dogs barking, howling, scratching at their crates, and spiraling into panic. The mouth watering alone was enough to break me. So instead, I stayed home. I adjusted my life around their anxiety. I suffered quietly because I loved them and didn’t know what else to do.
Until one day I broke down completely.
I realized this wasn’t living not for me, and not for them. We deserved calm. We deserved peace. We deserved to live our "best" lives and this wasn’t it.
Some people complain in reviews that dog training “doesn’t work.” Let me be very clear: anxiety whether in humans or dogs is not something you fix by checking a box. A true behavioral therapist understands one thing above all else, "awareness". Anxiety comes from surroundings and perceived safety. The work is learning how to respond and create calm and that takes consistency.
I spent three straight weeks training four hours a day, every single day. I cried. I doubted myself. I wanted to quit. But I followed the Bark Busters program exactly as taught—daily simulations, real-world scenarios, repetition, and patience.
And then something incredible happened.
My dogs slept.
They relaxed.
They trusted.
Today, I can leave my home and my dogs are calm, quiet, and peacefully sleeping, knowing I’m coming back. Visitors come and go with ease. My 9- and 6-year-old Maltipoos are relaxed, confident, and happy. And so am I.
Here’s the truth people don’t want to hear, there is no magic pill. There is no shortcut. The training never “ends” because leadership and love are lifelong commitments. And honestly? That’s the gift. Once it becomes part of your daily life, it feels natural. I walk more. The cuddles are calmer. I’m no longer being climbed on out of anxiety I’m being loved in peace.
And about the cost? Think about it. You’ve already spent more on multiple trainers, treats, wasted time, emotional exhaustion, and a very unhappy household. Bark Busters’ training is guaranteed for life. If you move. If life changes. If new challenges come you’re supported. That matters more than people realize.
Justin and his team are beyond words. Compassionate. Honest. Direct. They don’t just train dogs, they train families.
Value your pet’s life. Value the short, precious time we get with them. Happiness for everyone in the home is worth the work.
🐾💛
Wendy
11 months ago
— San Diego, CA
We can’t say enough great things about working with Justin from Bark Busters! About a year ago we welcomed our golden retriever puppy, Nala, into our family to join our already spoiled 12lb terrier mix, Joey, (who has the energy of a much bigger dog). Once Nala joined us, we quickly noticed some sibling rivalry, roughhousing to determine who was in charge, anxious/fearful energy toward visitors and noises, and some reactivity to other dogs. Walks became the part of the day we dreaded most—our dogs pulled us in different directions, which left our backs aching, and we often felt like they were walking us instead of the other way around.
PermalinkWe had tried other positive reinforcement trainings, and while they helped a bit, when things got really stimulating even the best treats weren’t enough. From the very first session with Justin, everything changed. He gave us tools that immediately made us feel more equipped to handle all situations, more confident as leaders, and consistent in setting boundaries. Most importantly, he showed us how to keep our dogs in the “green zone”—happy, calm, and thriving.
We continue to feel supported as we refine our ability to “speak” our dogs’ language and truly be understood. The progress we’ve seen has been amazing, and we’re so grateful for the positive changes in both of our pups. Thanks to Justin, we finally feel like we’re enjoying our dogs to the fullest, and we’re confident they’ll continue to thrive.
Lisa
12 months ago
— San Diego, CA
Having moved from a house with a yard in the country to an apartment in the city, my sweet dog Riley was uncomfortable. She was constantly barking at every sound and pulling me around on her leash. It was a hard time for both of us. Enter Justin and his magic dog training! My sweet girl is now calm and quiet in the apartment and walks easily besides me every time we go out. I’m so grateful for the help in improving my dog’s life. And I’m still shocked at how few times we had to meet! Totally worth the money! If you want to change you and your dog’s life for the better - this is it!
PermalinkAndre P.
12 months ago
— San Diego, CA
We got our German Shepherd at 9 weeks old, and as time went on, we knew we had to be proactive dog parents to prevent reactivity issues. We love adventure, and one of our biggest priorities was being able to take our fur baby with us to explore the world.
PermalinkIn the beginning, Miles struggled with leash pulling, lacked boundaries and social skills, and was highly reactive to other dogs, bikes, and motorcycles. We quickly realized that structure was essential for him, so we reached out to Bark Buster Home Dog Training - that turned out to be the best decision we could have made.
From our very first session with our trainer, Justin, we saw an immediate difference. He set the tone right away, and it felt like night and day. One of the things we appreciated most was Justin’s ability to simplify the learning process. He didn’t just train the dog—he trained us too. He helped us understand canine behavior and taught us how to communicate our expectations in a way that made sense to our pup (instead of just speaking English and hoping for the best!).
After just three weeks, our dog is so focused on walks that I actually enjoy walking him now. At only six months old, he’s become so much more mature. He’s learning to socialize, he’s calm, and his reactivity has drastically reduced.
The best advice I can offer: trust Justin to help build a strong foundation, but be prepared to put in the work. This isn’t a quick fix—it’s a commitment and a beautiful journey.
Thank you again to Dog Buster Training for giving us peace of mind and a better life with our dog!
Milene L.
14 months ago
— Greater San Diego
We’ve been working with Jenna at Bark Busters for about six months to help our rescue chihuahua mix, Mimi, and the progress has been amazing. We started training just two weeks after adopting her. She came to us with several behavior issues due to past trauma. She had been rescued, returned once, and then fostered before joining our family.
PermalinkAt first, Mimi had severe separation anxiety. She would escape her playpen, pace, and howl loudly whenever we left the house. Now, with Jenna’s guidance and the time we’ve put into her training, we can leave her alone for up to three hours. She’ll fall asleep and wait for us quietly. You can see her in one of the photos we attached.
She was also very reactive to other dogs, making walks and public outings tough. With Jenna’s help, she’s much calmer now. We can take her on walks and even to restaurants with dogs around. We’re currently introducing her to other dogs slowly. While she still stays on a leash and sometimes growls or nibbles, she’s able to get very close. That’s a huge improvement from where we started.
Training Mimi has helped her become more confident, happy, and relaxed. We’re so grateful for Jenna’s support and excited to keep working with her to help Mimi live her best life.
Highly recommend Bark Busters to anyone with a rescue pup who needs extra care and guidance.
Alec .
18 months ago
— Greater San Diego
I could not be more happy with the service provided by Justin. In just one session my dog was transformed and I haven’t stopped smiling since! I would 100% recommend everyone to go with Justin and bark busters!
PermalinkMarissa
18 months ago
— San Diego, CA
For those familiar with TAP’s work rescuing dogs from ESLR in Ensenada, Tufa is an ESLR survivor. This means she spent several years of her life in an unsanitary, unhealthy and dangerous environment where she lacked safe personal space. We adopted her in Dec 2023 and since the very beginning she’s been incredibly sweet and loving at home, but she had some work to do on her reactive and protective behaviors toward people and dogs. It seemed that as she got more comfortable in her new home she began to increase her protectiveness, which is completely understandable!
PermalinkIn her first few months, we completed a 6-week series of group trainings and a few 1:1s which worked on improving obedience but wasn’t providing the tools we needed to address real world situations when another dog or person would approach us or enter our home. So I found Bark Busters online and was able to set up an appointment with Justin. That was all it really took to change everything.
In our first appointment we learned how to communicate with Tufa in a way where she realized we were in charge at all times. We also were given new handing tools that immediately stopped her pulling on walks and allowed us to give her clear signals to prevent and stop reactivity. Within days her improvement was very noticeable, within weeks she was a completely different dog outside in the world! She is now showing everyone what a sweet dog she can be and is approaching all situations with joy and curiosity, rather than fear. Thank you, Justin!
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