Bark Busters Reviews and Customer Testimonials
20th August 2024 - Keiko Ruwhiu
Keiko's precise and convincing lessons were very meaningful.
I am sure that we can become happier through Keiko's guidance.
Thank you so much.
Trainer note from Keiko
Thank you for taking time to leave a review Mai-san! I was very happy with the way Cotaro (Schnoodle 2.5 years old) responded to his first session. Keep up the good work! My help is always available for you and Cotaro 😊
Thank you for taking time to leave a review Mai-san! I was very happy with the way Cotaro (Schnoodle 2.5 years old) responded to his first session. Keep up the good work! My help is always available for you and Cotaro 😊
16th August 2024 - Mark Gall
Simply put- amazing in every way!
Mark listened to my concerns and went through everything in a methodical manner which was easy to understand. His advice was valuable. I’m now understanding dog speak! It’s definitely a work in progress but I’m sure we’ll get there.
Trainer note from Mark
Tough wee man this Alfie. Shiba Inu dogs are usually quite strong temperaments. Starting off young in the right way to curb their natural want to be in charge instinct's helps. Alfie responded well as did the owners applying the refocusing and training info and techniques. The first lesson of several while Alfie is young, pre 6 mths of age to instill the basics of good puppy management and obedience. Nice work guys well done . See you soon.
Tough wee man this Alfie. Shiba Inu dogs are usually quite strong temperaments. Starting off young in the right way to curb their natural want to be in charge instinct's helps. Alfie responded well as did the owners applying the refocusing and training info and techniques. The first lesson of several while Alfie is young, pre 6 mths of age to instill the basics of good puppy management and obedience. Nice work guys well done . See you soon.
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.
5th August 2024 - Keiko Ruwhiu
Found the initial meeting and lesson very helpful. It was very stress free and made sense. Easy to follow instructions.
Trainer note from Keiko
Thank you Linda! Lillie (20 weeks old Shih Tzu) responded to her first session very well. Keep up the good work! My help is always available for you 😊
Thank you Linda! Lillie (20 weeks old Shih Tzu) responded to her first session very well. Keep up the good work! My help is always available for you 😊
2nd August 2024 - Keith Mockett
Keith was excellent. A wealth of expertise and extremely helpful.
Trainer note from Keith
Thanks Jo, pleased to be of assistance. It's challenging having 2 puppies and then integrating a couple of much smaller older dogs into the house. I look forward to helping you more.
Thanks Jo, pleased to be of assistance. It's challenging having 2 puppies and then integrating a couple of much smaller older dogs into the house. I look forward to helping you more.
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.
29th July 2024 - Keith Mockett
After just the first session I have my dog under control when out and about and he is so much better when encountering other dogs. No longer pulls on the lead and in general he is much more relaxed.
Trainer note from Keith
Thanks Sally. Nothing like some leadership and communication to help him understand what's expected and acceptable behaviour. Pulling on the lead and dog reactivity are challenging but with his strength it can be extra challenging! Fantastic response from him, and you. He knows how to do this, and so do you! Be persistent and consistent with the great work!
Thanks Sally. Nothing like some leadership and communication to help him understand what's expected and acceptable behaviour. Pulling on the lead and dog reactivity are challenging but with his strength it can be extra challenging! Fantastic response from him, and you. He knows how to do this, and so do you! Be persistent and consistent with the great work!
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.