Bark Busters?

[APBTLove]

http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/...irectory/1276/
This is the only one in my area...

The trainer I was to start classes with did not feel right to me.

http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/...medogtraining/
They sound too good to be true, one price for as many lessons as needed, lifetime support free of charge, positive, customized, and in home.

I am a wreck right now and am just trying to find what will help.

[onyx'girl]

I would think twice, but each individual is just that, you may get an awesome person to work with your pup.
I have only heard of negative experiences with this franchise. Do they have experience in J's individual needs? I would go with a behaviorist vs a trainer for J. I know they use throw chains in a pouch(with their logo!) for a distraction-I have one that was given to me by a friend...

[APBTLove]

From their site in my area:

"This is a great organization, very effective and humane. I Love it! Thanks for everything! I’d rate 4 paws for Bark Busters! Best methods that truly work! --K. Reese, Norfolk, Virginia Tidewater Animal Hospital

Amazing!! Magic! Fun too. Quick Results. --D. Conlon, Carrollton, Virginia

[This] is the only thing that has worked for us! --E. Malin, Norfolk, Virginia
Every week with every lesson we see progress. --C. Herrod, Portsmouth, Virginia

Amazing – changes the same day. [It] makes so much sense – I think [our dog] is pleased we’ve learned to speak “dog.” Simple and effective. Friends and family have already seen the change. --M. Gray, Norfolk, Virginia

I learned a lot of new things about how dogs think and why they do the things they do. It works!! --N. McDonald, Newport News, Virginia
"


I'm going to hammer this person with questions and give details on the problem.

I saw a thread about them here a while ago, I guess I'll do my best to research this person.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Interesting - all those glowing testimonials, but not a single detail about what methods they use to achieve them. That always makes me nervous. Their "training tips" section is very vague. Under pulling on leash it says this:

Quoteoes your dog take YOU for a walk, dragging you at the end of the leash? You are not alone, and the solution is easier than you might think.

Your dog should walk at your side on a loose leash. You don’t want to physically hold him in place because that is tiring for you and uncomfortable for your dog.

We can teach your dog to watch and follow your leg.

When you stop, he stops. When you turn, he turns without being pulled around by the leash.

Jumping up:

Quote:Jumping up is all about dog psychology.

Dogs communicate with body language. To them, height is dominance, and dogs will naturally jump up on us to test their dominance or gain our attention. You have probably noticed that they do this to each other, too.

Correcting this behavior will not only keep your clothes and furniture clean, but it will improve your dog’s respect for you.

Yeah.....and? I'd want a LOT more info before signing up.

[Riley's Mom]

Don't forget, any trainer can teach a method at a class or in your home. The dog may catch on quickly during one session but the trick to make it really work is the dog's owner following the method consistently until it becomes a learned, engrained behavior.

Then there's the "if it seems to good to be true it probably is" school of thought.

Not necessarily trying to discourage you, just hoping to help you keep your eyes open.

I think it's cool you followed your instincts when the trainer you tried didn't feel right ... good for you!

[sleachy]

Originally Posted By: onyx'girlI would think twice, but each individual is just that, you may get an awesome person to work with your pup.
I have only heard of negative experiences with this franchise. Do they have experience in J's individual needs? I would go with a behaviorist vs a trainer for J. I know they use throw chains in a pouch(with their logo!) for a distraction...

I am with Jane. I have only heard negative things about this franchise. I know 2 people who have used Bark Busters and both were completely dissatisfied (one was even mortified!) with their methods.

[APBTLove]

This particular guy seems pretty good, he said he's willing to come see J and just wants to spend some time with him and find out who he is. He said he is not worried about money for his first time, to see if he will work for us.

He has four of his own behaved dogs, and said if we go with him after working with J until they're both comfortable with each other and us, and making progress we can start using his dogs as guinea pigs...

I like him, but I'm not going in blindfolded.

I am listening to your accounts, but I want to give this guy a chance, I feel comfortable with him.

[APBTLove]

Dale is going to be here in a few hours... Here's to hoping J won't bite him first thing

[APBTLove]

"Me? BITE? Yeahh..."

[FlyByNight]

Sounds like you've got your head about you, which is good.

....one of my professors a few years back used Bark Busters with her standard poodle. She had her trainer come in to talk to our class (why??), and he presented us with a slide show on the company and their methods. All of it was based on old-school dominance theory. The poodle herself came to class, and when she came up to me to sniff my hand and say hello (very politely, I might add), he told me I had just been dominated.

Yeah.

The guy had been a funeral director before, then decided one day he wanted to train dogs. He joined BB, watched a video and took a class, and voila, was certified.

Perhaps this fellow will be different.