Bark Busters Reviews

Loved our first session. I learned so much and Deetoo was so responsive to the techniques.
Looking forward to the rest of the training journey!

• #Separation anxiety
• #Other

Thelma is a 6 year old black lab/pit bull mix that we adopted 2 years ago. Thelma is very well trained except for leash walking. We have tried many methods to train Thelma, but we were unable to control her sudden aggressive lunges when passing other dogs while walking. Thelma is a very powerful 75-pound dog who is extremely difficult to hold back. Her sudden lunges have resulted in a couple falls and one dislocated shoulder
Our vet recommended Jeri Wagner of Bark Busters. During Jeri’s initial visit, she taught us a number of leadership and communication exercises that immediately corrected the undesirable behaviors. Jeri also identified a few other undesirable behaviors that we were able to correct. For example, Thelma would run past me on the steps and push through the door as soon it opened. Now, Thelma always follows at least two steps behind me on the stairs, never passing me; and she waits away from the door until I tell her to enter or exit. When walking, Thelma stay precisely at my side with her collar never passing my leg. She stays on my right side when walking, never crossing in front or behind. She doesn’t try to charge ahead or lag behind to smell the flowers. After one week of me implementing changes recommended by Bark Buster, Thelma doesn’t charge at dogs, but she is definitely alert when passing. I expect, as long as I consistently follow the training schedule Jeri Wagner developed for us, that Thelma will soon be passing strange dogs as calmly as she currently passes walkers, joggers and bike riders.
I am very excited about the progress Thelma has made after only one week. Calling Bark Busters was the best decision I made regarding Thelma.

• #Pulling

Great info during the lessons.
Great knowledge and great advice.
Good time to start training - so pleased.

• #Chewing
• #Hyperactivity
• #Jumping up
• #Pulling
• #Puppy management
• #Sibling rivalry
• #Other

We had a young male rescue being fostered by an experienced dog lover. Alfie is a long tall Golden Retriever who didn’t have an off switch.
He was bossy to the foster dog and a toy hoarder. Everything and everyone was his, including furniture and humans. He wasn’t hostile but just had no manners that he thought should change. He was getting walks and playtime but decided he could set the rules and dismiss attempts to change them. This didn’t set him up to be a wonderful companion to potential adopters. We called Patrick based on a glowing referral from another of our adopters.
Patrick listened to our issues. Came to visit at the fosters, explained the system and then proceeded to patiently speak dog to Alfie and show him (and us) what was expected and it was a thrill to see how effective it is to ‘speak dog’. I am amazed at how receptive Alfie became immediately. It’s true that most dogs want to fit in, and some have so much energy that needs to be redirected. In under 3 hours Alfie was a happy boy, learning new things and feeling good about it.
All it takes from the humans is repetition.
Alfie now is in a wonderful home and living his best life understanding his place and loving every minute.
Patrick set him up for success and we, experienced dog owners, learned a great foundational skill we can apply to help our rescues in the future.
If you want a trainer who loves and respects your animals and knows how to teach you and them how to break through the communication gap - you need to call Patrick at Bark Busters. I know we will continue to tap into his expertise. He’s a wonderful asset and a terrific human.
He’s more than a 5 Star experience.

• #Hyperactivity
• #Jumping up
• #Pulling