Puppy Training

Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but those first few weeks can also be overwhelming. Potty accidents, nipping, chewing, barking, jumping and sleepless nights can leave new puppy parents wondering if they're doing everything right.

Bark Busters provides personalized, in-home puppy training to help you start good habits early and prevent common behavior problems from becoming bigger challenges later.

From potty training and crate training to leash manners, socialization and basic obedience, your Bark Busters trainer will show you what to do and help you build a strong foundation for life with your puppy.

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Build a Strong Foundation with Puppy Training

Puppies need guidance to develop good manners and a well-balanced temperament. Just like infants and toddlers, they are constantly learning from their environment. That’s where you come in!

While much of a puppy’s early socialization happens with their mothers and litter-mates in the first 8-12 weeks, you play a crucial role in reinforcing proper behavior and setting the foundation for lifelong obedience.

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Is Puppy Training Right for Me?

Why Start Puppy Training Early?

Puppies are learning from the moment they come home. The habits they develop during the first weeks and months can influence how they behave as they grow.

Puppy training isn't just about teaching commands. It's about helping your puppy learn how to behave in your home, respond to guidance, experience new situations and become a confident member of your family.

Starting early gives you the opportunity to establish good habits before unwanted behaviors become difficult to manage.

Puppy Training is About More Than Obedience

Puppy training can help whether you're bringing home your first puppy or adding another dog to your family. Bark Busters can help if you're:

  • Bringing home a puppy for the first time
  • Struggling with potty training
  • Dealing with biting or nipping
  • Exhausted by nighttime or crate problems
  • Worried about jumping or barking
  • Unsure how to socialize your puppy
  • Having trouble with leash walking
  • Wanting to prevent behavior problems before they start
  • Looking for guidance on raising a confident, well-behaved dog

You don't need to wait for a problem. Puppy training can help you get ahead of one.

What Your Puppy Can Learn

  • Potty Training: Establish a consistent routine and help your puppy learn where and when to go.
  • Crate Training: Help your puppy see the crate as a safe, comfortable place while building healthy independence.
  • Leash Manners: Teach your puppy how to walk with you without constant pulling or distraction.
  • Coming When Called: Build a reliable recall and teach your puppy to pay attention to you even when something else is more interesting.
  • Calm Greetings: Help prevent jumping, nipping and overexcitement when your puppy meets people.
  • Socialization: Teach your puppy how to calmly experience new people, dogs, environments and everyday situations.
  • Basic Obedience: Build foundational skills such as sit, stay, down and other behaviors that make everyday life easier.

Why Choose Bark Busters for Puppy Training?

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Puppy playing wth a dog toy

Personalized Puppy Training at Home

Puppies are learning from the moment they come home. Bark Busters trainers come to your home to help you establish good habits and teach your puppy how to behave in everyday situations.

Build Good Habits Early

Early puppy training helps establish good manners before unwanted behaviors become harder to manage. Your trainer can help with potty training, crate training, leash manners, socialization, recall and basic obedience. 

Training for Your Puppy and Your Family

Puppy training is about more than teaching commands. Your trainer shows you how to communicate with your puppy and provide consistent guidance, so you can continue building good behavior every day.

Personalized, One-on-One Puppy Training

Every puppy is different. Your Bark Busters trainer tailors training to your puppy's personality, needs and your family's goals, providing practical guidance you can use at home and beyond.

Ready to Get Your Puppy Off to a Great Start?

Find a Bark Busters Puppy Trainer Near You!

Bark Busters provides personalized, in-home puppy training to help you establish good habits from the start. Whether you're looking for puppy training near you or private puppy training sessions, our tailored approach can help with common challenges like nipping, chewing, barking, jumping, potty training, and more.

Puppy training can begin just days after your puppy settles into their new home. Because young puppies tire quickly, some training may be explained rather than demonstrated during the first session.

Ready to get started? Simply fill out the form, and a Bark Busters professional will be in touch to learn more about your puppy and help you take the next step.

Call us at 1-877-500-BARK (2275) for more information

Hear What Dog Owners Say About Puppy Training with Bark Busters

Don't walk, run to work with Bark Busters. Please read my review if you relate to any crate-anxiety issues.

Here's my story: I have a puppy GSD who's shockingly lazy, but his shepherdation (separation) anxiety was really out of control to the point where he could break out of his crate AND open my front door.

I would describe myself as highly dog knowledgable so I am VERY particular about the methods used by trainers. To each their own, but e-collars, prongs, etc are band-aids (or worseners) for most problems since most dog-owners don't really understand the timing/utility of these tools enough to ween off of them at any point. If your dog is a 100/10 lunatic, then I guess I get it :|

Anywho, I was honestly shocked to learn they don't even rely on clickers or treats, just straight up dog behavior and psychology, yet have the reviews they have.

Here's my summary. I am only 2 days post training, have received a comprehensive training plan with new crate recs, have gotten 5-7 minutes of a CALM dog in his crate once I've left (a miracle), and did nothing but learn to amend MY body languages and sounds.

Bonus that Anthony was an absolute delight to work with.

Hire them - you're welcome in advance ;)
Robin R.
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A life-changing experience. John provided the most thorough, extensive lesson and training which had immediate effects on our puppy. John's patience, expertise and professionalism made the session productive and positive while training our dog. We are very grateful for John's help and understanding in helping us properly train Milton.
Andrea L.
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When we met Amber we were very impressed with her knowledge and with her enthusiasm we had just acquired a 10-month-old German Shepherd puppy and we needed to be able to not only integrate her into our family but she had a very bad habit of jumping on us and as a very large puppy, It was something we needed to address quickly .She gave us the tools and the steps we would need to not only accomplish this , but to also address some of the issues with our other dogs. We see this training as ongoing as the need arises. The total support that we get from this organization is ongoing for the life of our dogs and that was very impressive to us. We see this as a investment into our future and the future of our dogs and we know Amber will be there with us all the way.
Cathy A.
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It was a pleasure meeting Jeri for our first training. I learned so much on how to relate to Reiff. I was so happy to see a improvement only with the first lesson and it made me very hopeful and excited to know that Reiff will be able to be the best obedient and happy puppy that he deserves to be. Jeri was down to earth but very professional and you could see she loves and cares deeply of all pets.
Thank you so much and I’m looking forward to the future with Reiff.
Tina D.
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I am currently working with Connie Dubois with BarkBusters. She is fantastic and soon I was looking at other training techniques to address both of my dog's shortcomings. We have weekly 1:1s, and I have seen dramatic improvement in both of my pup's behavior. One was out of control re: dog reactivity, the other could not control her love of people which means jumping all over them and counter surfing. After a hell of a lot of 'work', we can now take long walks without fear of what will happen next (just not together - YET)! She will leave you with a ton of homework, so you must be committed. She will work with you until all your goals have been achieved (if realistic). It is a one-time cost, unlimited follow up even if you move. It is 1:1 in your home environment - which is not comparable to any board/train or 1 hour/week at the trainer's location. Last note - I have trained ALL of my dogs, many of them and all rescues and/or special needs pups over the years. However, my efforts with these two 11-month-old pups were not very fruitful. I have never had two puppies from different litters that have such vast differences with bad, or unwelcome, behavior. One was from a rescue in Idaho, one was a foster fail with the Everett Animal Shelter. If you are in need of training - please consider Connie. My dogs will never be 'perfect' but I do not need perfection, I need my pups to be as comfortable as I am feeling when we head out for our adventures.
janis f.
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Omar has been absolutely amazing with our dog, Tank, and we couldn’t recommend him enough! Before working with him, Tank was reactive toward other dogs on leash, had very little recall, and had even bitten other dogs. We were feeling overwhelmed and weren’t sure how to help him, but Omar completely changed our perspective.

He helped us understand Tank better and realize that a big part of the problem was our own lack of consistency and communication. He showed us how to work with Tank using positive reinforcement, and it’s been incredible to see how quickly he learns when we’re consistent and use the right techniques. Tank’s recall has improved so much, and we feel much more confident handling him.

Omar is knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and genuinely cares about helping both the dog and the owner succeed. He doesn’t just train your dog for you; he teaches YOU how to be a better owner and continue making progress long after the sessions are over.

We’re so grateful we found Omar. If you’re struggling with your dog’s behavior or just want to build a better relationship with your pup, we can’t recommend him enough! He has made such a huge difference for us and Tank!
Lily K. .
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I am so happy that I found Diane and John!!! I was almost ready to send my little pup back to the breeder because he was a bit much, but Diane and John have come to the rescue and there is NO WAY he is going anywhere. In just a few short months of training my lil pup is a different little dude. He is following commands, doing well at learning to walk on a leash, and no longer nipping and is much more settled. We have learned so much about how to become great pack leaders and what we need to do to ensure a safe and happy home for our pup. So much improvement in just a short time and I can't wait to see how much more he will improve over the next few weeks. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking for caring people who love your pup and wants to see them happy just as much as you do!
Christina .
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James was better than we even thought possible. He explained everything on the phone clearly, set realistic expectations, and was flexible on scheduling around our best days and times. He was punctual and communicated clearly. Once he arrived he was so great with our puppy George! George loves him and responded really well to training. We were trying to learn techniques on our own online before James and he made things so simple but effective! Well worth the money! Hire James!
Scott S.
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James from Bark Busters is awesome. He is quiet and knowledgeable and a great listener.
I really like the fact that bark busters focuses on a dog‘s natural behavior and uses that understanding to help discipline them.
Our biggest complaint with the dogs was barking a lot and being overprotective of our home when the Gardener or Delivery people or guests would come. By following James.’s guidance they are doing much better.
I feel confident that James could help Dog owners with pretty much any issue they might have.
Debra H.
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Here's the biggest takeaway from our experience: while our dogs benefit from training, it's really us who need to learn how to better understand them.
After just the first visit, we saw a dramatic change in our 5-year-old Maltipoo, Louie. He had always been highly reactive--pulling on the leash with surprising strength for a 14-pound dog, barking at every dog we passed, reacting to every outside noise, and going into a frenzy whenever someone came to the front door.

Having guests over was stressful and uncomfortable because he would bark nonstop at anyone unfamiliar. It honestly caused me a lot of anxiety.

Then in March, we brought home Norman, our 5-month-old puppy, and I quickly realized I didn't want him picking up Louie's bad habits. The thought of managing two reactive dogs--and double the stress--was overwhelming.

I found Bark Busters through a stranger I struck up a conversation with about my new puppy. She had dealt with similar challenges and shared how much it helped--not just her dog, but her own anxiety as well.

I reached out to James right away, and his response time was incredibly fast. We've now had three sessions with him. The first is a thorough three-hour session, packed with eye-opening and incredibly useful information. Follow-up sessions are about an hour.

What stands out most is how much this process focuses on retraining us. It's about changing our instincts and reactions, and learning how to communicate more effectively with our dogs.
James is patient, supportive, and excellent at explaining not just what to do, but why it matters.
This isn't a quick fix. It takes time, consistency, and commitment.

If you don't practice daily, progress can stall--l've seen that firsthand when we've gotten a bit inconsistent. But when you stay committed, the results are absolutely worth it.

We're already seeing such positive changes. Walking Louie is now enjoyable--something I never thought I'd say. Neighbors who used to see his reactivity can't believe how calm he is now.
We can actually stop and chat during walks.

If you're willing to put in the work and want a calmer, happier dog--and a more peaceful home--I highly recommend James.

He's kind, knowledgeable, and truly supportive throughout the process. Stick with it, and you won't regret it.
MBS
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James is an amazing dog behavioral trainer. He’s insightful, professional and truly cares about animals. We have two dogs that we wanted to make sure they were well trained and behaved and responded to our commands. James was very professional and thorough in his explanations and assistance in making sure our dogs received outstanding Training. I highly recommend James from bark busters If you want an exceptional experience.
David
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James worked with us and our dog Mia and we observed a ton of progress after a single session. Mia has a tendency to jump on us at the door, dinner table, etc and generally get overexcited. She was also getting reactive to other dogs on walks. James helped us address both challenges and it’s honestly like we have a new dog. I appreciate James for his friendly and confident approach. I’m excited for future sessions with James and certainly would recommend his services to others.
AJ B.
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I honestly cannot say enough good things about working with James. Dealing with behavioral issues with dogs you love can be stressful and emotional, and one of the biggest things for me is that James has never made me feel judged or like I did something wrong. He looks at the situation for what it is, figures out what is actually going on, and focuses on the best way to move forward.

James has also gone above and beyond in a way I haven't experienced with other trainers. He checks in, asks for updates, and makes himself available for calls when something comes up or I need help figuring out how to handle a situation. It really feels like he cares about the progress being made outside of the actual training sessions rather than just showing up for an appointment and leaving you to figure out the rest.

His approach to training is probably what sets him apart the most for me. He is very gentle and patient with the dogs, but everything he does has a reason behind it. A lot of what he teaches is actually about how you, as the human, are communicating with your dog and how to better understand what your dog is communicating back to you. He explains the “why” behind things, which has helped me understand my dogs and their behavior so much better.

He has also taken extra steps that other trainers haven't to make sure everyone is comfortable and that the dogs are being assessed fairly. He pays attention to their personalities and body language and doesn't immediately make assumptions based on a behavior. There is no one-size-fits-all approach with him.

More than anything, I really appreciate how professional and nonjudgmental James is. There is never any blame or making you feel bad about how you got to where you are. He takes the situation in front of him and works with you to figure out the best approach for your dogs. I feel so much more confident understanding and communicating with my dogs since working with him, and I am genuinely grateful for how much time, care, and effort he has put into helping us.
April V.
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We adopted Gracie, a 2-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound, from the NHSPCA in November 2025. We had previously adopted 4 other hounds from the SPCA, all with issues of being shy and unsocialized. Gracie, however, is a typical hound with endless energy. It was definitely challenging to take her for a simple walk. She was jumping on us, on the kitchen counters, stealing food off the stovetop. She was a lovebug, but she had no self-control. I was sure she was going jump off the sofa and propel herself onto the kitchen island. You could see her contemplating that move. After 6 weeks of struggling to gain some control, we turned to Mariah for help. We were stunned during our first home visit. We loved that Mariah came to our home for a one-on-one consultation. She observed Gracie's behavior in our own environment and she watched our reactions. We were doing everything wrong! It was amazing that, within an hour, Mariah had Gracie sitting and waiting for treats or her dinner. She taught us how to speak to Gracie in a language she could understand and how to control our body language to let Gracie know that we were in charge. She showed us how to keep her off the counters and how to keep her out of the kitchen while we were cooking. She gave us exercises to practice. Gracie literally improved overnight. Within a week she had mastered everything. It was truly amazing. No special equipment or treats. Just body language and speaking dog language. Once we master everything within the home, we needed to work on leash walking. Gracie was out of control when we encountered another dog walking on a leash, although she was fine at doggie daycare or around dogs off leash. She couldn't see or hear anything if she encountered another dog and she jumped, pulled, and howled until the other dog was out of sight. She was not aggressive, just extremely reactive. Mariah came back and observed this behavior. Unfortunately, it was difficult to encounter dogs due to the weather, so Mariah brought a life-sized stuffed dog to practice with for Gracie. Mariah then met us at a dog park, which was very helpful in showing Mariah her true behavior. Mariah gave us more tools and exercises to practice, which improved the behavior, but it still wasn't great. And over time, we got lazy with her inside manners. We asked Mariah to come back again. She came within a few days and spent about an hour helping us. Mariah helped us gain control inside the home again and gave us more suggestions on how to make Gracie less reactive to other dogs on leashes. In one day, we were able to get back on track. It was incredible! No yelling at or bribing Gracie. And, best of all, within two weeks of practicing walking Gracie with the new instructions, she is now able to walk the neighborhood without reacting AT ALL to other dogs. In fact, we were able to take a walk WITH another dog! It's almost unbelievable. Even my neighbors were astonished. I can't believe the difference in Gracie's behavior. She is so well-behaved but still silly, energetic and loveable! And we didn't have to travel for scheduled classes or use any special equipment. We were so impressed with Mariah! She does an amazing job teaching us how to train our dog. And we love knowing that we can call Mariah in the future if any issues arise or if we need retraining or guidance. We love having that security all for one cost. We don't have to worry about expensive lessons or traveling for group sessions in the future. We highly recommend Mariah at Bark Busters. We are so pleased with all the progress Gracie has shown is such a short period of time. Thank you, Mariah!
Marjorie S.
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We wish we had called Bonnie sooner ! We are grateful to her for showing us how to better interact with our 18-week-old shepherd pup! Step one, we enter and exit before our dog Bruin...it seems simple, but it was an eye opener ! Looking forward to our next session !
Edward L.
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Connie Dubois is highly knowledgeable, eminently practical, a calm presence, and offers great solutions. As a dog trainer, she understands dog psychology. In my first hour with Connie, I learned how to teach confidence to a scared dog. Amazing! Highly recommend.
Karen W.
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I just want to think Justin for being there for myself and Lily for helping me overcome the stress of walking her on a daily basis he was Justin was patient sincere to the point and made me feel confident and good about myself taking care of my dog in a very positive and helpful way. I have called him numerous times and he’s always made me feel good and comfortable so thank you for being so good at what you do Lily is a big 93 pound Rottweiler and we fostered her then we adopted her and now she is ours and I wouldn’t want any other way but for a while there I was so afraid to walk her, but Justin came through for me and helped me on this journey. Thank you so much, Justin.
Cherie F.
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Google Review: "My precious little rescue dog had been through a lot prior to finding her permanent home with me. Because of that, she had lots of triggers and fears which caused her to act out.
Finding Bark Busters has been a real blessing! They are teaching us how to communicate… Speak the same language. These two ladies know their stuff! I was amazed how quickly my little dog Responded! I especially love that they come to my home. With their help, I am confident that we will have a more peaceful environment and a greatly enhanced quality of life in our home and out in the world. Thank you ladies!"
Vicki A.
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Bonnie was amazing with our dog. She was a rescue dog that was super anxious, was trying to be the leader of our pack, and was aggressive at times. She came in and taught us how take control, of her and how to correct her behaviors. She also worked with my kids to be able to control our dog as well. Highly recommend Bonnie
Peter F.
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Sharon is amazing! I was so overwhelmed with 2 puppies and a few life events thrown in, training was always put off. They quickly hit the 10 month old mark and I felt like they were teaming up on me with bad behavior. Sharon spent a few hours training ME how to communicate what I expected from the pups. They were very responsive to her cues and caught on pretty quickly! I still have my work cut out for me, but feeling very positive and hopeful now. Like "I got this" and Sharon is always just a phone call away. Wish I made the call sooner, but ya can't go back!
Laura H.
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We seeked out dog training primarily due to our dog’s reactivity to other dogs on walks. Roxy is over 100 pounds and my wife was not comfortable walking her independently. We have reached this goal and then some. Omar is an expert and goes above and beyond to be sure you are comfortable with settings expectations for your dog. He was patient with all our questions. Roxy has come a long way as we continue to work on all the skills of an obedient dog. Omar also is making sure we have all the tools we need. The harness we were given is perfect and I have recommended it to friends.
Clark F. .
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As first-time dog owners, bringing home our Bernedoodle puppy felt equal parts exciting and overwhelming. She was quiet and a bit confused in those early days, and we honestly didn’t know what “normal” even looked like.

We started working with Jared literally the day after we brought her home, and that made all the difference. What stood out right away is that he doesn’t just train the dog, he helps you understand your dog’s psychology. That shift was huge for us. Instead of guessing or reacting, we started to feel like we actually knew what she needed and how to respond.

He guided us through the basics like potty training and getting her to sleep through the night, and once those clicked, life got dramatically easier. More importantly, he gave us a framework we can keep using as new challenges come up.

Our puppy still has some separation anxiety and chews stuff and can be a bit needy, but now it feels manageable. We’re making steady, incremental progress and feel confident we have the tools to keep going.
Jared has also been great with our whole family. He builds trust quickly, explains things clearly, and makes everyone feel comfortable and capable. You never feel judged or overwhelmed.

If you’re a first-time dog owner, especially with a young puppy, I’d strongly recommend working with him early. It sets the right foundation and saves you a lot of stress down the line.
Vijay
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Rob was efficient thorough and a pleasure to work with , we were left feeling confident and excited to learn the skills that were taught to us, Highly recommend Five Star!!! Bark Busters Thank you from the Bavaro's
Jennifer B.
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I honestly cannot say enough good things about working with James. Dealing with behavioral issues with dogs you love can be stressful and emotional, and one of the biggest things for me is that James has never made me feel judged or like I did something wrong. He looks at the situation for what it is, figures out what is actually going on, and focuses on the best way to move forward.

James has also gone above and beyond in a way I haven't experienced with other trainers. He checks in, asks for updates, and makes himself available for calls when something comes up or I need help figuring out how to handle a situation. It really feels like he cares about the progress being made outside of the actual training sessions rather than just showing up for an appointment and leaving you to figure out the rest.

His approach to training is probably what sets him apart the most for me. He is very gentle and patient with the dogs, but everything he does has a reason behind it. A lot of what he teaches is actually about how you, as the human, are communicating with your dog and how to better understand what your dog is communicating back to you. He explains the “why” behind things, which has helped me understand my dogs and their behavior so much better.

He has also taken extra steps that other trainers haven't to make sure everyone is comfortable and that the dogs are being assessed fairly. He pays attention to their personalities and body language and doesn't immediately make assumptions based on a behavior. There is no one-size-fits-all approach with him.

More than anything, I really appreciate how professional and nonjudgmental James is. There is never any blame or making you feel bad about how you got to where you are. He takes the situation in front of him and works with you to figure out the best approach for your dogs. I feel so much more confident understanding and communicating with my dogs since working with him, and I am genuinely grateful for how much time, care, and effort he has put into helping us.
April V.
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We called James for help with Cookie and Coal’s persistent barking and after a couple of sessions, he’s helped us get them under control! I plan on having him back for refreshers periodically - more to keep me on track with my skills than anything!

James is easy to work with and the dogs respond really well to him. We’re looking forward to a much more quiet and peaceful home, and less anxious pups :)
Laura F.
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We couldn’t recommend James more highly. He has been absolutely exceptional with our dog, Finn, and the transformation we’ve seen has been incredible. Under James’s guidance, Finn has become extremely obedient, confident, and genuinely a master of his class.

What really sets James apart is his combination of expertise, patience, and communication. He is incredibly well spoken and has a remarkable ability to explain not only what he is doing, but why it works and how we can reinforce the training at home. His feedback and follow-up are exceptional. After the sessions, he provides carefully crafted, detailed reports that clearly explain Finn’s progress, areas to continue working on, and practical recommendations for us to follow.

James clearly takes enormous pride in his work and genuinely cares about the dogs and families he works with. He goes far beyond simply teaching commands, he has helped us better understand Finn and given us the tools to build a stronger relationship with him.

Most importantly, James is just a fantastic person. He is reliable, thoughtful, professional, and an absolute pleasure to work with. Over the course of Finn’s training, he has become not only someone we trust completely with our dog, but also someone we are very happy to now call a friend.

Finn absolutely loves him, and so do we. We would recommend James without hesitation to anyone looking for an exceptional dog trainer. He truly goes above and beyond, and we feel incredibly lucky to have found him.
Pierfilippo N.
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James was absolutely amazing with our 1 year old dog Brew. He has serious stranger danger and would bark incessantly at anyone who came to our house or approached him. We were really concerned about having people over or bringing him around public places because we didn’t know how he would react. Within 1-2 lessons, James had taught us the skills needed to have control over Brew and teach him that he doesn’t need to necessarily love everyone, but that he doesn’t need to be the protector of the house. Our dog now only shows minimal reaction to people, and we know this will only continue to get better with practice. James also spent time with us teaching him how to walk on leash in an obedient manner, making adjustments on leash type etc. as he saw fit. Our walks are so much more enjoyable now. Working with James was the best decision and we feel so lucky to have found him, and that he’s in our corner for life now! Thank you for everything James!
Melissa L.
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We called Bark Busters two days after we adopted Sarge from a family that had saved him from going to the pound.
Justin had a variety of tools to use with Sarge. He met with us multiple times to fine tune how we worked with Sarge. Our biggest challenge was leash reactivity towards other dogs.
The technics used require the owner to gain the respect of the dog so there is work involved on the owners part. Justin was a cheerleader/teacher in this process. He was very responsive to our questions and willing to meet with us for multiple follow up sessions. Sarge is a great dog for our family and we’ve learned a lot about how to be the strong owners that Sarge needs. With the right tools, I now enjoy my daily walks with Sarge!! Thank you Justin!
Andrea
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Puppy Training FAQs

Every puppy needs high-quality food, separate food and water bowls, a secure place to sleep with comfortable bedding, a well-made collar and leash, and a few toys.

Each of these items helps keep your puppy safe, comfortable, and assists with their adjustment to their new home.

Start by providing your puppy the same food they are used to and make any switches slowly – an abrupt change to different foods can cause an upset stomach. For play and teething, a puzzle-type toy is ideal. Avoid buying dozens of toys and treats, however, as too many toys confuse a puppy about what they should and should not chew.

Familiar scents, such as a soft blanket rubbed against the mother and littermates, can help make separation less traumatic.

Most importantly, give your puppy lots of love and human company!

Your puppy is curious, and their mouth is an exploratory tool. Chewing is a natural function of your dog's development, a source of stress release, and if effectively managed, can be a way to prevent the onsite of destructive behaviors, including separation anxiety. Puppies do not necessarily mean to be aggressive when they nip, bite or chew.

If your puppy tries to bite your hand, stop moving them. If they try to bite your leg, stand still.

When your pup does make a mistake, do not use treats as bribes to stop undesirable behavior – instead, use a firm voice or sound to express your displeasure. If necessary, clap your hands for emphasis.

Use Bitter Apple spray on your hands, clothing, and other items – its unpleasant taste can deter biting.

Guide your puppy to appropriate alternatives, such as giving them a favorite chew toy.

We recommend providing appropriately sized chew toys and introducing these safe chews while your dog is in a crate or "place." Introducing chew toys in this way will help create positive associations and also allow you to observe their behavior with new toy to ensure its safety.

When using your hands in training, make sure your puppy always associates them with gentleness and enjoyment.

Your puppy is naturally a den animal – a crate is a peaceful haven where your pup can feel secure.

Crates allow you to relax or complete tasks that are difficult while watching your puppy. They also help with training by limiting your puppy’s mistakes to times when you are present and prepared to teach.

Dogs naturally avoid soiling their dens, so a crate is a great tool for potty training. Ensure the crate is only large enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around – any larger and they may soil a corner where they do not sleep. Built-in dividers can help, if needed.

Keep the crate near you as much as possible so your puppy doesn’t feel removed from the rest of the family.

A crate should never be used as punishment!

Be proactive! Your puppy has not yet developed the awareness or physical capability to control their bodily functions like an adult dog and needs plentiful opportunities to relieve himself.

As a guideline, puppies can hold their bladders for the number of hours equal to their age in months plus one. For example, a two-month-old puppy can last about three hours.

Confine your puppy to a specific room or smaller area of the house by closing doors and using baby gates (and/or a crate) while they are learning. Be sure to take your puppy out at regular intervals, as well as these six critical times:

  1. After waking up
  2. Before going to bed for the night
  3. After eating or drinking
  4. After/during excitement or exuberant play
  5. If frightened or nervous
  6. After the family arrives home

Remain in the designated potty area until your puppy is finished, then reward them with lots of excited praise.

Have patience! A common mistake is to return inside too soon, only to experience an unexpected mess.

The best method is to help your puppy avoid mistakes.

If you do catch them in the act, quickly take them to the designated potty area and praise them as they continue to potty. If you find a mess after the fact, all you can do is clean it up.

Accidents are part of toilet training, but good management reduces how often they occur. Treat each accident as feedback—your puppy needed a break sooner than expected. 

Clean the spot thoroughly so the scent doesn’t draw them back, and reset your routine with more timely trips outside. 

Do not “correct” your puppy for soiling, as puppies may become scared of being grabbed or learn to hide and toilet. Never become physical or hit your puppy. Your hands are for praise only.

When new dog owners ask, “How do I socialize my puppy?”, the answers they find often focus on playdates, dog parks, or meeting every dog on the block. But at Bark Busters, we take a different approach: Our recommendation is rooted in calm, controlled exposure, not overstimulation or forced interaction. 

True socialization isn’t about letting your puppy interact with everyone! Socialization means safely and slowly exposing your puppy to new experiences and environments. For example, new sights, smells, terrain, and people and dogs, as appropriate for their temperament.

Help your puppy to: 

  • Stay calm and focused around new people, dogs, and distractions
  • Observe without reacting
  • Feel secure in unfamiliar environments
  • Look to you for guidance and reassurance

The most vital period of a puppy’s development is between 8-16 weeks, which is an ideal time for education and socialization. 

What to Avoid During Puppy Socialization

Just as important as knowing how to socialize your puppy is knowing what not to do. Common mistakes can lead to fear, reactivity, or unwanted behaviors.

Avoid:

  • Dog parks – Too much stimulation, too little control
  • Leash greetings – Can lead to pulling, frustration, or aggression
  • Overwhelming environments too early – This creates fear, not confidence
  • Letting fear “work itself out” – Without guidance, fear can turn into long-term anxiety

At Bark Busters, we teach you how to read your puppy’s body language, respond calmly, and build trust at every step.

Take things slow and expose your puppy carefully to new situations. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian or your local Bark Busters trainer for advice on proper socialization.

Puppies need lots of love, play, and rest.

Most of all, puppies need sleep! In fact, they need 18-20 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period when they are young.

Each puppy is different, so let your puppy tell you when they’re tired. Do not take a young puppy jogging or force them to play – these activities can cause overexertion or injury.

Group and individual lessons serve different needs, but any type of professional training can help dog owners who are looking for personalized, trouble-free, and effective solutions for their puppy's issues. It can also help you and your puppy understand each other better, making both your lives more enjoyable.

Your puppy will provide new and different challenges as they get older. Combining puppy school with one-on-one lessons can address them with more complete and in-depth training.

If you decide to enroll your puppy in group classes, ensure that all dogs have been vaccinated to prevent exposure to disease. and that your puppy is grouped with dogs of equal size or similar personality types, so that the experience doesn’t frighten your inexperienced puppy.

Bark Busters offers professional home dog training, and, in some areas, puppy classes. Our natural training methods work with puppies as young as eight weeks.

Start Your Puppy Off On The Right Paw & Find Your Local Trainer Today!

CALL TODAY 1-877-500-BARK (2275)

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