Bark Busters Reviews and Customer Testimonials
14th August 2024 - Mark Gall
Immediate Results!!!
Molly & Dre are two very energetic boxers aged 4 & 2.5 respectively. We'd been having trouble with communication/control of them when they get into a hyperactive state (which was a lot!) in various situations such as when we get visitors, when they see people walk past the property, out on walks, in public settings etc - and we really needed to figure out how to break this behaviour which was getting gradually more difficult over time.
When Mark arrived, he was immediately able to gauge the personality/needs of both dogs just from initial behaviours and was able to diagnose the best starting point for us to try tackle the multiple issues we were having with very simple and clear leadership and communication strategies. The thing my wife and I were most worried about with looking into dog-training was fear of being judged, but Mark's approach was the complete opposite of this, he was able to articulate to us how the dogs get to this level of anxiety/hyperactivity and how we can best manage it via communication-based training (rather than food-motivated training or physical-based punishment or reward). This was exactly how we want to be able to manage our dogs behaviour - by tackling these problems at their source.
As the session went on, we were able to address each area of concern we had one step at a time, and just having the dogs' focus on us and our leadership for this amount of time was so amazing for us - we couldn't believe the transformation happening before our eyes!
When Mark introduced the included barkbusters equipment (such as leads, collars, and harness options) we were further amazed by how much having the right equipment can help with training. When practicing lead walking there was no pulling, no overexcitement, and most importantly no anxiety from the dogs feeling like they need to be aware of everything happening around them (distraction was always one of the biggest issues for us).
We'll be booking a follow up appointment with Mark in a few weeks' time to start building out the walking practice to situations with a bit more stimuli, so are really looking forward to the next steps.
But 4 days on post-appointment, we couldn't be more impressed! The dogs seem so much happier and as a result so are we! We really highly recommend this trainer to anyone facing any type of issue with their dogs - with Mark there seems to be a solution for any problem, no matter how big or small!
Thanks Mark! :)
Trainer note from Mark
Molly and Dre are both Boxers . They have dog reactive issues , bark at passers by , were jumping up , and pulled hugely. All the family responded well to our training , humans included . Huge improvements in just the first lesson but still more steps to take to calm the farm further. Next session we'll work on the dog interactions and walking more. Work in progress but great strides forward already. Great job Boxer team .
Molly and Dre are both Boxers . They have dog reactive issues , bark at passers by , were jumping up , and pulled hugely. All the family responded well to our training , humans included . Huge improvements in just the first lesson but still more steps to take to calm the farm further. Next session we'll work on the dog interactions and walking more. Work in progress but great strides forward already. Great job Boxer team .
12th August 2024 - Mark Gall
I am very happy with all the advice and training that Mark gave me. Lily is already walking beside me while on the leash. I would certainly recommend him for anyone needing dog training.
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Trainer note from Mark
Well done to this lovely but determined 82 year old lady and her rehome Staffy Lily. Lily has some behaviours that have come from previous owners. She pulled and recall is not great , but small dog aggression was also apparent. Our first lesson was just developing focus and basic controls . lily did well and the owner more so. Fantastic work guys . We'll catch up for a 2nd session soon.
Well done to this lovely but determined 82 year old lady and her rehome Staffy Lily. Lily has some behaviours that have come from previous owners. She pulled and recall is not great , but small dog aggression was also apparent. Our first lesson was just developing focus and basic controls . lily did well and the owner more so. Fantastic work guys . We'll catch up for a 2nd session soon.
10th August 2024 - Mark Gall
We had a great session with Mark and we were really impressed with the change in Ernie's behaviour after just one lesson. Our wee guy is headstrong and is definitely a work in progress so we are so grateful that we have Mark's ongoing support.
Trainer note from Mark
Ernie is a very head strong Cairn Terrier x West Highland white Terrier. barker boy but super puller and recall not very flash. I'm sure his idea is he was running the house. He responded well but will be a work in progress and the next session should see significant improvements on the 1st lesson as the owners apply his pack rules and language to retrain his behaviours. Great work so far guys. See you soon.
Ernie is a very head strong Cairn Terrier x West Highland white Terrier. barker boy but super puller and recall not very flash. I'm sure his idea is he was running the house. He responded well but will be a work in progress and the next session should see significant improvements on the 1st lesson as the owners apply his pack rules and language to retrain his behaviours. Great work so far guys. See you soon.
5th August 2024 - Mark Gall
Darci responded really well to her training
Trainer note from Mark
Darci is a head strong 9mth old Schanauzer x Cocker spaniel. very barky and reactive to strangers , visitors, dogs , Anxious in temperament . She responded well but will need to be guided and a work in progress. Nice work guys . Revisit soon.
Darci is a head strong 9mth old Schanauzer x Cocker spaniel. very barky and reactive to strangers , visitors, dogs , Anxious in temperament . She responded well but will need to be guided and a work in progress. Nice work guys . Revisit soon.
1st August 2024 - Mark Gall
Very pleased with progress so far after one session. Rebel has completed her first walk on a lead outside and behaved well. Still has a bit of a problem with recall but that is more my fault than hers.
Trainer note from Mark
Little rebel a 4mth old puppy. Starting with the basics for this little Shih Tzu x Maltese. Lifetime support to guide Rebel and more so the owners how to speak dog and get it right from the start. Nice work guys, revisit soon to take more steps in Rebels education process.
Little rebel a 4mth old puppy. Starting with the basics for this little Shih Tzu x Maltese. Lifetime support to guide Rebel and more so the owners how to speak dog and get it right from the start. Nice work guys, revisit soon to take more steps in Rebels education process.
27th July 2024 - Mark Gall
Mark was great.
Trainer note from Mark
Todds dog is timid lovely but shy temperament English x American Staffy. 9mths old. He couldn't get her to come to him ,even in the house, by calling her . She would if he sat down, but it took ages for her courage to rise to come over to him . She also pulled a lot . Only one session so far but walking is greatly improved and she comes when called now, Great job Qwen and Todd. Check up in a week.
Todds dog is timid lovely but shy temperament English x American Staffy. 9mths old. He couldn't get her to come to him ,even in the house, by calling her . She would if he sat down, but it took ages for her courage to rise to come over to him . She also pulled a lot . Only one session so far but walking is greatly improved and she comes when called now, Great job Qwen and Todd. Check up in a week.
2nd July 2024 - Mark Gall
Mark was awesome took his time to explain and show how to get results.
Trainer note from Mark
Max is an interesting dog, Amstaff x Doberman x Labrador. Very high prey drive. Hence the call to help. We had to work on some distance control ie: stop her leaving the owners side or chasing, pulling, and over excitement. Marlborough Council had been involved due to hunting what she shouldn't, completely unaware by the owner, new skills have certainly curbed her tendency to just run off to dogs or people but especially native protected birds. Great work Max and owners. Update me soon.
Max is an interesting dog, Amstaff x Doberman x Labrador. Very high prey drive. Hence the call to help. We had to work on some distance control ie: stop her leaving the owners side or chasing, pulling, and over excitement. Marlborough Council had been involved due to hunting what she shouldn't, completely unaware by the owner, new skills have certainly curbed her tendency to just run off to dogs or people but especially native protected birds. Great work Max and owners. Update me soon.
18th June 2024 - Mark Gall
Mark was great and Steve responded straight away. Steve is like a different dog now and can’t wait to do more work with Mark
Trainer note from Mark
Steve the Spoodle had lots of fears and reactive to bikes and movement , vehicles and barks a lot. He responded well but will be a work in progress as he scored very high in not a great way on the behaviour quiz. Lots to work with. Great work guys , see you in a couple of weeks.
Steve the Spoodle had lots of fears and reactive to bikes and movement , vehicles and barks a lot. He responded well but will be a work in progress as he scored very high in not a great way on the behaviour quiz. Lots to work with. Great work guys , see you in a couple of weeks.
17th June 2024 - Mark Gall
Ace responded really well to Mark and the training we had given, in just the short session he had improved so much. Previously he had issues with rushing to the door and barking when someone was approaching as well as aggressive behaviour towards other dogs due to an incident that happened. He was also bad for pulling on the lead during walks. Since our session with Mark the pulling on the lead is almost non exisitent and he’s much more relaxed and calmer on walks, he still has a bit of learning to do but will only continue improving. Mark was great with us and Ace and explained everything easily talking us through each step of the way. Would highly recommend him!!!
Trainer note from Mark
Ace aced it. 4 yr old Staffy x Mastiff with dog reactive issues among other things . Pulling , jumps , all the family did great and sounds like the techniques of speakdog to teach dog worked . As all dogs Ace is a work in progress but great work so far guys . Checkin in a week with an update.
Ace aced it. 4 yr old Staffy x Mastiff with dog reactive issues among other things . Pulling , jumps , all the family did great and sounds like the techniques of speakdog to teach dog worked . As all dogs Ace is a work in progress but great work so far guys . Checkin in a week with an update.
16th June 2024 - Mark Gall
Mark was super helpful is every which way! I can’t believe how much progress our dog made in one visit! Highly recommended
Trainer note from Mark
Diesel is a strong minded Dachshund, dog reactive , barker and rusher of the door and front fence lines , also kiddy grumpy. Pushy on lead too. Shortly after starting the lesson Diesel showed his stubborn side but we worked through and he came to the party . By the sounds of it has improved hugely already. Great work by this young Winton couple. Nice work guys.
Diesel is a strong minded Dachshund, dog reactive , barker and rusher of the door and front fence lines , also kiddy grumpy. Pushy on lead too. Shortly after starting the lesson Diesel showed his stubborn side but we worked through and he came to the party . By the sounds of it has improved hugely already. Great work by this young Winton couple. Nice work guys.
16th June 2024 - Mark Gall
After our session with Mark, We felt so much more confident and capable with our 2 dogs. We have had issues with fear aggression when visitors come over and barking when the doorbell rings among other small things we didn't even know were issues! Such as height dominance, possession of space. A week after our session both dogs are a lot calmer and have taken excellently to the crates and training exercises. The whole house is more relaxed and the dogs know they need to listen to us.
Trainer note from Mark
Invercargill's resident barker boys ,Hugo Poodle 3yr mini poodle , and Murphy 1yr Foxy . Both very much reactive to door knocks, visitors , dogs , pullers of the leash, jump up and run the house mostly. Both dogs and both Humans worked really well and huge steps forward in the firsts session . Baby on the way so it was important to get it right and quickly. Great job team. keep me in the loop .
Invercargill's resident barker boys ,Hugo Poodle 3yr mini poodle , and Murphy 1yr Foxy . Both very much reactive to door knocks, visitors , dogs , pullers of the leash, jump up and run the house mostly. Both dogs and both Humans worked really well and huge steps forward in the firsts session . Baby on the way so it was important to get it right and quickly. Great job team. keep me in the loop .
13th June 2024 - Mark Gall
We were very impressed with how well Ziggy responded to the training in the first session as she is quite stubborn, Mark was great to deal with and had an answer to all of our questions. A week later and she’s making good progress! She’s improved a lot on her walks outside of the house which is awesome to see
Trainer note from Mark
Ziggy is a determined and stubborn French bulldog, loves people, not so much other dogs but is reactive to lots of things, barking for arrivals, barking screaming for people leaving, attacked the vacuum, and other household items. Very pully on lead. After teaching the owners how to communicate and use the right body language, the difference in Ziggy's behaviours was significant. Great work by the owners to apply the speak dog techniques. An Update in a couple of weeks show how well She's doing. Nice work guys.
Ziggy is a determined and stubborn French bulldog, loves people, not so much other dogs but is reactive to lots of things, barking for arrivals, barking screaming for people leaving, attacked the vacuum, and other household items. Very pully on lead. After teaching the owners how to communicate and use the right body language, the difference in Ziggy's behaviours was significant. Great work by the owners to apply the speak dog techniques. An Update in a couple of weeks show how well She's doing. Nice work guys.