Home Dog Training
Greater San Diego
Justin Scher, Jenna Finch, JD Chapman & James Cresswell
16+ Years Experience Resolving the Most Severe and Challenging Dog Behavioral Cases
Are you completely stressed and embarrassed by your dog’s aggression, pulling, leash reactivity, barking, jumping, separation anxiety, fearful, anxious or out of control behavior issues? Our proven training methods have generated 550+ 5-star reviews that provide detailed, heart-felt testaments as to why you should choose to work with our Bark Busters team in Greater San Diego.
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Watch Justin Scher present at this year’s TEDxTalk UCSD held on May 18, 2024!
“It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Dog’s Behavior Issues”
Listen to a recent heartfelt voice message from a grateful client who’s dog was extremely aggressive to strangers.
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Before and After Videos: Watch the Bark Busters Method in Action
Before and After: Aggressive & Protective Dog
Before and After: Dogs Barking & Jumping
Before and After: Excessive Barking
Before and After: Separation Anxiety
Before and After: Leash Reactivity
Before and After: Intro to a New Cat
Dog Behavioral Training Services
Common Dog Behavioral Issues Resolved
- Aggression
- Barking
- Leash Pulling/Reactivity
- Jumping/Boundary Issues
- Separation Anxiety
- Fear/Anxiety
- Improving Confidence
- Biting
- Chewing/Destruction/Digging
- Housebreaking
- Lack of Respect
- Lack of Focus
- Out of Control
- Resource Guarding
- Sibling Rivalry/In-Home Fighting
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Your In-Home Dog Training Experts
Serving Greater San Diego
Justin Scher: Dog Behavioral Therapist and Master Trainer
“Dogs are my life passion.” As the reigning 2014 & 2016 International Trainer / Therapist of the Year, as well as the 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020 U.S. Trainer/Therapist of the Year, Justin’s passion for his work speaks for itself. Justin has over 16 years experience as a dog behavioral therapist and having worked with thousands of dogs, he can help any dog with any problem! Justin finds nothing more gratifying than discovering a solution for every client who hires him. The beauty lies in the fact that each day he continues to learn and improve, with his clients benefiting as a result.
Justin also had the honor of being a speaker at the TEDx Talk event at UCSD titled “It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Dog’s Behaviors” See the event site for more information or watch Justin's video here.
Jenna Finch: Dog Behavioral Therapist and Animal Rescue COO
Justin’s wife, Jenna, will educate and help you to dramatically resolve your dog’s behavioral issues by getting to the root cause of the issues. Jenna is also the Director of Operations for the Cantu Foundation, a non-profit dog rescue organization that was started in 2020. Their mission is rescuing homeless dogs off the streets of Mexico. Last year alone, they were responsible for adopting out close to 500 dogs into homes.
JD Chapman: Dog Trainer and Behavioral Therapist in North County
Justin's long time friend, JD, has devoted his life to mastering his craft as a professional dog trainer, and helping his clients transform their dogs lives utilizing this proven Bark Busters formula. JD serves client’s in San Diego’s North County area including Poway, Escondido and Oceanside.
James Cresswell: Dog Trainer Behavioral Therapist in North County
Justin's brother-in-law, James, has taken his passion for dogs and natural communication abilities to another level as a master trainer. He works with dogs and their owners to successfully resolve the most extreme and challenging dog behavior cases. James’ work in Encinitas, Las Jolla and Del Mar have dramatically changed their lives of his clients, their families, and most importantly their dogs.
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Find the Trainer Closest to Your Neighborhood.
End Bad Behaviors Now.
Almost every single client we work with experiences a dramatic, if not a complete change in their dog’s behavior after the first lesson! We do this without the use of ANY form of physical corrections or punishment whatsoever, or without the use of treats. Bark Busters uses a form of primal communication that mimics the way dogs communicate with each other; more specifically the language the mother dog uses to communicate with her pups. This is a very primal, science-based methodology that dogs instinctively understand immediately.
Why? Because it is their language. Praise, love and encouragement is critical in solidifying your dog’s newly formed and wanted behaviors! We aim to deliver the best possible and customized experience for every single client that invests in our services so they can live happy, stress-free lives together with their dog(s). And we will never take on a case that we are not certain we can help resolve. We work as a team and will coach and guide you on how to attain your goals. And all of this starts in your home!
We offer a Life of Dog Support Guarantee which means we will support you and your dog’s needs on an as needed basis for the entire life of your dog.
Client Reviews
Proud to share our 5-star reviews! See what our clients in Greater San Diego have to say.
We started working with Justin one month ago, and by the end of our first lesson alone, we had two different dogs. Justin gave us all the knowledge, tools, and confidence we needed to take on the daily training for these pups, and they have only gotten better each day. Before starting our training, the dogs would bark randomly at noises outside throughout the day, anxiously follow us wherever we moved around the house, and were unruly and reactive on walks. Now, we are able to control the random barking, they are noticeably more relaxed (as are we), and they walk calmly next to us on walks. The skills Justin taught us are so effective and simple that we can easily correct them as needed. Recently, Rupert and Benny spent the night at our roommate's parents' house and behaved so well that they reached out to Barkbusters to train their new puppy, Juanita. We are so proud of Rupert and Benny for adapting to this change, and of ourselves for committing to this daily practice of changing our behavior to improve their lives and ours!
After working with Justin, our house is calmer, and we have a sense of control that would not have been possible without his help! He is friendly, communicative, knowledgeable, and professional. I could go on and on about how great his service is! Scheduling follow ups has been quick and easy, and he is available to answer any question that comes up in between our lessons. Myself, my boyfriend, and our roommates are beyond grateful to work with him and know he is just a text away if we ever need anything.
Oh my goodness! What a huge difference! Our home is so much more peaceful! We now have the tools to stop the barking before it escalates. Now when she barks, which is less and less, we stop it! Bark Busters are dog behaviorists and that makes all the difference.
There are still some things that we are working on, like when people come to the house and how to keep Ellie Mae in her place when we open the door to let our guests in, but we have such harmony and Ellie Mae seems so much happier! She's not on guard all the time and not on high alert. She is much more relaxed!
We had friends over the other night and they couldn't get over the change in Ellie Mae. It's so noticeable.
We are absolutely thrilled and so grateful to have found Jenna and Bark Busters. We are clients for life!
JENNA, YOU ARE AMAZING!
Thank you so much,
M~ & M
he has stopped chasing the cat too!
I will post more pictures this weekend. We are so proud of him and THANK YOU JUSTIN!!
- He was 90 lbs and pulled on a leash, even with a prong collar.
- He was extremely reactive and could not contain the malamute in him. He just HAD to say hi (bark) at every person and dog to meet them.
- He was constantly on high alert, and his solution for every situation was the craziest solution.
Walks were unpleasant for both of us, I would constantly just yell and be frustrated and he didn’t have the correct guidance.
The first session with Justin, he was able to get Ranger to loose leash walk next to him in 5 seconds. That’s when I realized, it’s not Ranger. It’s my fault and our miscommunication. I didn’t know how to tell him properly that he shouldn’t be pulling on the leash. I didn’t know how to tell him that he has to be calm to be able to great people and dogs.
We’ve only had about 4-5 sessions, 30 mins each. His teaching style is very clear and super EASY! Ranger and I now have better communication and work better as a team. Ranger is now my service dog in training, he comes to my classes with me every week and flies with me. He can now:
- Loose leash walk, and heel properly.
- Ignore people and dogs when we’re out
- Be CALM everywhere we go.
- Realize the difference between play time and work time.
Justin doesn’t teach service dog tasks, but he WILL make sure your dog can become calm and confident. He was able to help me turn my reactive dog into a service dog. I am so so grateful for everything Justin did for us!
I highly recommend BarkBusters. This is the best decision we ever made! Both Ranger and I now have a better and happier life with better training and communication.
This sweet 8-year-old little dog would always want to be near us, but could be skittish, shy, and somewhat distant. He was quiet, calm, and well behaved until left alone. Then the separation anxiety caused non-stop barking and howling and we would return to find him wide-eyed, panting, and agitated. Our activities became limited to those that could include Wally, basically avoiding and likely worsening the problem.
Justin spent nearly 3 hours at our initial visit, listening patiently to our worries and frustrations and evaluating Wally’s behavior. He explained his approach and demonstrated some techniques, then left us with a solid plan for the coming week. Justin participated in these “homework assignments” via text or phone call and we saw immediate steady improvement in the first week - Wally went from barking & howling to a little whining & panting. Now three weeks out we hear a quiet sigh or moan in the first few minutes and that’s it. He’s happy to see us when we return and he settles down quickly.
An unexpected benefit of this work on Wally’s separation anxiety has been a reduction in his general anxiety. He’s no longer skittish, doesn’t run after us if we leave a room, and has become a lap dog. We can’t thank Justin enough and recommend him highly. His work is not just about solving an annoying problem – it has created a whole new much healthier dynamic for this little dog family and we are so grateful!
First off, let's talk about the barking situation. Maverick is an excited pup and would 'play bark' at almost any dog that was bigger than him (50lb Boxer Pit) to get their attention, but Justin gave us the tools to dial this down tremendously.
Secondly, our walks… Maverick really bodied the, "I'm gonna pull you everywhere on our walks" mentality. Justin came with a game plan that turned our strolls into a focused dog walk that didn’t involve any pulling (on our very first session). Night and day difference.
Lastly, when it comes to Maverick’s greetings… he is a big lover and would jump on every guest that entered the house. With a bit of ‘pawsitive reinforcement’ and some corrections (‘Bah’s and throw pillows’), now Maviboy greets our friends without turning everyone into his personal launchpad.
But what really sets our therapist apart is the ‘Scher’ love he has for animals/genuienly wanting to understand ‘YOU’ and your furry friend as individuals and a team. It's not just a job for Just; it's a passion, and you can tell. He is truly a dog whisperer.
So, if your fur baby needs a behavior boost or if you just want to understand how to communicate with your pup best friend, Justin is the man, hands down. Thanks for all that you do for pups, Justin! Big licks from Maviboy.
Justine, JD and Jenna are 100% committed to solving the issues, making the pup happier and empowering the owners through knowledge and tools. Their communication and availability is superb and if you commit to doing the work, the results will bring a smile to your face. This is an investment into the relationship you will enjoy with your dog for a lifetime and without a doubt would recommend Bark Busters.
What truly sets Jenna and Justin apart is their ability to create a positive learning environment for both myself and my beloved dog, Benji. They employ effective techniques that build trust, respect, and cooperation between us. Never once did it feel like we were using harsh or punishing methods on Benji - instead, it felt like we were finally speaking his language! They effortlessly understood each of Benji's unique quirks when it came to his reactivity towards other dogs, tailoring their approach accordingly for maximum our success.Not only did Jenna and Justin address specific behavioral issues such as dog reactivity but they also equipped us with valuable tools for maintaining harmony inside and outside our home. It was abundantly clear from day one how much they genuinely cared about both Benji's progress as well as mine!
Their ongoing communication has been outstanding too! After our initial session ended, Jenna immediately asked about my availability so we could schedule follow-up sessions with both her AND Justin present - talk about dedication! She even provided me with her personal phone number encouraging me to not hesitate reaching out if any questions arose between sessions. And let me tell you - she followed through by messaging daily just to check up on Benji's progress! The level of support continued after subsequent sessions when she initiated a group chat including Justin so they could stay updated on how things were going. They also quickly followed up with a third session the following week! If you are looking to be ghosted by your trainer, LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE. They checked in like clock-work from my morning walks to my evening walks and I never felt alone during the whole process. When they say unlimited sessions, they mean it whole-heartedly - it’s not just a marketing ploy!!!
Jenna & Justin are true professionals who mean business when it comes to helping dogs reach their full potential. If you're searching for a top-notch dog trainer who combines expertise with compassion, look no further than Jenna and Justin at Bark Busters. Working with them has been an absolute joy, and I am incredibly grateful for all the work they've done with Benji. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I moved to San Diego temporarily for work, and was looking for training for Leo, my rescue pup. I was desperate to find help for Leo since his separation anxiety was inhibiting us from living a happy life. He couldn't stay in the house for more than 5 minutes alone before howling at the top of his lungs. As a pup, he destroyed my books, and plants. Justin trained us to guide Leo and empowered him from feeling safe and happy at home alone. With Justin's help, we are able to leave Leo to go to the grocery store and run errands as well as date nights! I've contacted Justin for follow ups and he's always available for me for advice to guide and empower
Me to help Leo live his best life. Justin and Barkbusters is hands down the best choice I made since rescuing Leo. Thank you so much Justin!
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't initially a bit skeptical. I appreciated the time Justin took to talk me through why their methods were successful, as it really helped reassure me. I also appreciated that Justin didn't blame me for what was happening. I felt enough guilt as it was.
It was truly amazing seeing how quickly CoCo responded! Within an hour of Justin arriving, she was responding well to my cues. She immediately walked well, with no leash aggression. She now sits quietly at my side as I prepare her meal. It's rare for her to bark at the door.
The greatest outcome has been seeing CoCo more relaxed! Frankly, I'm more relaxed. It's also incredibly reassuring that Justin is a text or phone call away! He's been very supportive.
I am in control now of their barking and behavior. Today, my dream of walking them together at Calavera Lake came true--3 months later. I am so grateful for JD teaching ME how to be the alpha and thereby giving them more than a backyard life.
juliana de beers, vista I am astonished! My trainer JD accomplished a miracle within the first three hours (1st visit). I have 2 behemoth american bulldog puppies weighing in at 220lbs total at 18 months--strong willed and protective. Pre JD, they walked all over me: I wasn't able to take them in my car, go on hikes with them, or walk them together.
I am in control now of their barking and behavior. Today, my dream of walking them together at Calavera Lake came true--3 months later. I am so grateful for JD teaching ME how to be the alpha and thereby giving them more than a backyard life.
juliana de beers, vista
We worked with various trainers over the years, but nothing comes close to the progress we've made because of BarkBusters. Jenna has been so kind, patient, and knowledgable. In just two sessions, we've seen major improvements and we continue to practice the skills and exercises she taught us. Together we worked on Rav's leash reactivity, keeping her in the "green zone" when guests are over, and stopping her resource guarding when it comes to our house. Shortly after our second session, we had friends stay at our house for several days. Ordinarily, we would have to hide Rav away the whole time, especially because one of our friends is male. However, Rav was able to keep her distance and actually lie down comfortably in the living room while we all socialized together-- something that wasn't even possible before!
I actually considered Bark Busters a few years ago when I was researching different training options, but balked at the price. Now, having tried several different programs, I can wholeheartedly say the cost is absolutely worth it. It's so comforting to know that we can continue to train with them for the rest of Rav's life, which has undoubtedly improved by leaps and bounds because of the progress we've been able to make so far. Thank you Jenna, and thank you Bark Busters!
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect when I booked the appointment. The reviews on Yelp seemed promising so I was hopeful, but still very worried that Maple wasn't going to be receptive of help. I. Cannot. Rave. About. Justin. Enough. I don't think there is anything I can say that will explain how grateful I am for him. JUSTIN IS BEYONNNDD INCREDIBLE. Not only is he one of the most personable people ever, but he took time to explain to me the psychology behind Maple's misbehavior. I was able to understand what was going on and why my other attempts in correcting her behavior weren't working/ why what he was about to teach me was going to be successful. Justin exudes confidence and made me feel empowered when modeling how to redirect her. He was patient with the both of us, encouraging and validating all my anxieties though the whole process, the list goes on... He is clearly so knowledgeable about his craft and I honestly do not know how I got so lucky to be paired with him. In just two days, I have noticed major improvement. She no longer lunges at dogs and she walks right next to me on our strolls. I know it may sound absurd that he was able to create this much change in just a 2- hour session, but he is a MIRACLE WORKER!! I am just blown away!
Thank you, Justin for being so passionate and helpful with us. You changed our lives!
In One visit, we learned how our dog communicates and how we could begin to speak "dog.". One month later, Zeus is not only housebroken (COMPLETELY!), but he is calmer and more compliant. We also have the reassurance that we have Justin as a support for the life of our dog. Thank you so much! I don't write reviews usually, but Justin went above and beyond to help us with our dog. I highly recommend Bark Busters.
When we met Justin, he was calm, confident and transparent. He took the time to walk through our challenges, listen to our concerns, and provide kind but honest feedback as to the root of the issues. He educated us on how to best communicate and set boundaries with our dogs in a way they would understand and respect.
His training methods are not only extremely effective (seriously!), but they are meant to create a lifelong trusting connection between you and your dog. Within the first session, we saw marked improvement and walked away with tangible training tools that we continue to implement daily. Justin remains committed to our dog’s training by checking in consistently via text and holding additional training sessions as we need them.
The relief and joy that we feel to be able to live life with calm, happy and trusting dogs is hard to put into words. It may sound as though we are exaggerating when we say that Justin changed our lives - but it’s simply the truth.
We reached out for help with our 4 month old german shepherd's pup a couple months ago. We were constantly being bit at home and dealing with leash reactivity towards other dogs outside. This created a lot of stress and frustration for us. We didn’t want these things to get any worse so we had to take action.
Justin has been so understanding since the first encounter and was very honest with us. An advanced dog requires advanced leadership skills and we needed to build those. He gives us homework and exercises to do at home and constantly checks in with us.
We have a very sensitive pup, but he is also very stubborn which can sometimes serve as a barrier to progress. Justin has been super understanding and humble enough to try different things. His focus is on finding techniques that will help our dog and not forcing a technique to work. I’m most grateful for his eagerness to help and having constant open communication with honest feedback. We don’t need someone to sugar coat everything for us, we need someone to be assertive and tell us what it is we need to fix.
Our boy is a work in progress but we cannot be happier. He walks so much better, reacts significantly less to other dogs, and most importantly has a new found respect for us as leaders.
Allow Jenna and Justin to guide, advise, and encourage you to give your pup the best life.
I first met Jenna in February 2022. At this time, I was waving a flag of surrender. Anaya, my Doberman, American Staffordshire terrier, and Rottweiler mix, would bark uncontrollably. There were times when she would pull me with all of her strength. She would come off as an aggressive dog, and truthfully I was scared she would hurt another person or dog. I was a first-time dog owner. I did not know what to do!
I met other dog trainers before falling upon Bark Busters. Something different about them as dog trainers is that they learned my dog's personality and worked around what worked best for her. Another thing I appreciated was that they informed me WHY my dog would behave the way she did.
From my experience, my dog had needs that I did not know how to meet. Ultimately they helped me understand my dog better and helped me build trust with Anaya.
Today Anaya can befriend other dogs, appropriately welcome guests into our home, walk on a leash correctly, and more. Something that gives me confidence is that if by chance we backslide, I know Jenna is a phone call away.
He is also extremely friendly and responsive. Within a week of our first training session he reached out to us to check in. We explained a small issue we were having and he came over a few days later to help us out.
He has restored peace to our home and we can happily love on our baby girl again. I cannot stress enough that Bark Busters is worth every penny.
We’ve been working together since she was a very small puppy and we couldn’t get her to stop barking in her crate. He showed us how to fix that in our first session. Along the way Justin has shown us how to keep her in a calm and relaxed state. He’s shown us how to fix her reactivity and barking which was driving us crazy, both in the house and on walks.
He has been so helpful and responsive along the way, and I’m not sure how we would have had a shot figuring out this stuff without him. Couldn’t recommend him more!
Ranger has a problem with pulling when on leash. Justin was able to get him to stop pulling within 10 ft of stepping outside. I've never seen him that calm and walking slowly on a walk before!
Ranger is also reactive to the doorbell. Within the second doorbell test, Ranger was calm, away from the door, and no barking. Back then, even if I get him to quiet down, as soon as the door opens he goes berserk again. But with Justin we were able to open the door, let the guest in, and Ranger didn't get up to greet whatsoever.
Our biggest concern was that Ranger liked to herd my niece and nephew by nipping at their ankles. The first day, we weren't able to recreate it. After 3 days, we finally went back to my sister's. He has not herded the kids ONCE. He's been sooo nice to them. He's been going up to them and laying next to them on his own. He's been giving them kisses instead of nipping at them. I have NEVER seen Ranger like this before. This is such drastic improvement in just one session!
We can't wait for future sessions with Justin. Can't recommend BarkBusters enough! If you're looking for a behaviorist, I HIGHLY recommend BarkBusters!
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Connect with us Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.
San Diego Bark Busters Trainers in the News
TEDxUCSanDiego 2024: Expiration Date
Our very own Justin Scher presented a lecture on his dog training methods titled "It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Dog’s Behaviors" at TEDxUCSD's 12th annual conference, held on May 18, 2024.
Canvas Rebel
Canvas Rebel creates a space for creatives and entrepreneurs.
Justin Scher talks about the beginnings of Bark Busters San Diego, from discovering the Bark Busters method to expanding his reach and his team of dog trainers.
Canvas Rebel
Canvas Rebel creates a space for creatives and entrepreneurs.
Jenna Finch, Bark Busters trainer and Director of Operations and Co-founder of The Cantu Foundation, talks about the nonprofit organization based in San Diego that rescues and rehabilitates dogs.
SDVoyager
SD Voyager highlights the best of San Diego.
Justin Scher shares his inspiration for beginning a career as a dog trainer and how finding Bark Busters gave him the opportunity to manifest his dream job.
What Makes Bark Busters Greater San Diego Unique
Bark Busters is the worldwide leader of in-home dog training, helping over 1 million families and their dogs around the globe since 1989. We wholeheartedly believe in our methods and 30+ years of results. At Bark Busters Greater San Diego, we clear up the miscommunication between dogs and humans at the root of many behavioral issues by teaching everyone to speak the same language – dog!
Our nurturing, dog-friendly approach teaches you, the pet parent, the same natural communication methods that dogs understand instinctively. Our efficient, results-oriented, training program prioritizes clear communication and leadership while addressing issues in the locations they occur.
This means faster, longer-lasting solutions for you and your dog.
Dogs learn best in a familiar, safe environment, free of outside distractions and disruptions. That is why we come directly to your home, on your schedule to build an effective foundation for better behavior. We work first to build an effective foundation for better behavior. We teach you how to communicate with your dog. Dogs naturally live in families and look to their family leaders for guidance, safety, and love. Most people don't know how to appeal to a dog's natural sense of leadership or communication. We teach you how to use friendly, canine leadership and to "speak dog" using your body language, voice tones, and timing so you and your dog communicate better! You will see results. You want to see a change in your dog’s behavior, preferably sooner rather than later.
Any Breed. Any Age. Any Issue. Get Started Today!
We customize our training sessions to achieve your specific goals and meet your dog’s unique needs. When you learn to "speak dog" the Bark Busters way, you get real results – and nurture positive relationships and lasting emotional bonds with your canine family member.
Our Services
Bark Buster trainers conduct the one-on-one training in your home, without the distraction of other dogs or the stress of being sent away for dog obedience training at a kennel. After learning in your home, our behavioral therapist and trainer will work with you as needed outside and around real distractions, once you and your dog are ready.
Life of Dog Support Guarantee
Bark Busters Home Dog Training provides a Life of Dog Support Guarantee that is unique in the industry. It is designed to help owners resolve their dog's behavior and obedience problems and to provide customers with the satisfaction of ongoing support and peace of mind.
Tips & Advice
We're here to help. From general dog training tips, to puppy toilet training best practices, to learning about various dog breeds we've worked with, Bark Busters offers our free tips and advice on common dog behavior problems and more.
Professional Dog Training Near You!
Servicing: Bonita, Cardiff By The Sea, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, San Marcos, San Ysidro, Santee, Solana Beach, Spring Valley, Vista
Get Started Today!
CALL 1-877-500-BARK (2275) OR ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE TO SEND US A MESSAGE.