First, I should say that this review is long overdue. Gusty deserves such high praises that I was waiting for a creative writing mood to strike — but I can’t wait any longer! In any case, I don’t have adequate words for the feeling I have, now that Gusty helped me and my dog, Panda. (Though this is so long that I definitely found some words!)
The first lesson was in a neighborhood, where my dog exhibited so many of the reactive behaviors that prompted me to look for a trainer. Panda barked at Gusty. She lunged at Gusty and although I believe my dog would not bite, anyone who hears her deep bark is surprised by her small stature. I think it really worked well was that Gusty was just talking to me and telling me what to do to redirect, Panda, to get her attention, and to get Panda to settle down. Gusty‘s feelings weren’t hurt that Panda was not her biggest fan at the first lesson. We left incredibly exhausted, both emotionally (at least for me) and physically.
During the first lesson, even though Panda was reactive, it was more about learning the Bark Busters method for communicating.
I was really reluctant to do anything like negative reinforcement or negative methods, and I ended up really valuing the harness that Gusty gave me, which is a Bark Busters branded harness. It was unbelievable! It didn’t take but a short time before Panda stopped pulling on the leash! She used to practically pull me out of my shoes when she would see her favorite dogs or people and she’d run towards them! Now I can really communicate with her through the harness, and I feel better that there’s a piece of elastic behind the metal so that her skin and hair don’t get pinched at all.
The second lesson, however, was in my apartment. Panda remembered Gusty and not exactly with positive feelings lol! She barked a lot again, just like the first lesson. Gusty was focused on me and not so much on Panda. By me being the bad guy, I supposed Panda felt less and less threatened by Gusty. It was so stinking adorable when Panda eventually went up to Gusty for pets, and then even climbed in her lap and gave her kisses! What a turn around!
In the second lesson, we worked on not barking at Gusty walking in the door, or getting too close to the door if I opened it for someone that I didn’t know. But what was the most magical to me — and the most surprising — was to be able to put pieces of cheese on the floor in front of Panda, and have her come to me, walking past the cheese, and not eating any of it! Normally, that would really really get her. That is a high value treat for sure! I am able to practice that again and again, and I have seen such improvement. It feels like I have a different dog in someways, but she’s still a dog, not a robot, I never want Panda to lose her goofy personality.
In the weeks since I first met Gusty, I have been really happy that I went not only with Bark Busters, but with Gusty in particular. She supported me despite my anxieties and Panda despite hers, lol! Gusty is a patient and thoughtful person in the way that she teaches. She knew that I was worried about any negative training methods so she showed me a video of a mama dog correcting her puppies, and that put my new communication methods in a whole new light to where I think of myself not just as a dog mom, but also kind of like a leader. That’s so much easier for me to understand and feel comfortable with then more aggressive words like pack leader.
I have told people around town about Bark Busters, like when we’re in the park and folks are amazed at how well Panda behaves (most of the time!) Definitely give her a call or a text! You and your dog will be happier!
First, I should say that this review is long overdue. Gusty deserves such high praises that I was waiting for a creative writing mood to strike — but I can’t wait any longer! In any case, I don’t have adequate words for the feeling I have, now that Gusty helped me and my dog, Panda. (Though this is so long that I definitely found some words!)
PermalinkThe first lesson was in a neighborhood, where my dog exhibited so many of the reactive behaviors that prompted me to look for a trainer. Panda barked at Gusty. She lunged at Gusty and although I believe my dog would not bite, anyone who hears her deep bark is surprised by her small stature. I think it really worked well was that Gusty was just talking to me and telling me what to do to redirect, Panda, to get her attention, and to get Panda to settle down. Gusty‘s feelings weren’t hurt that Panda was not her biggest fan at the first lesson. We left incredibly exhausted, both emotionally (at least for me) and physically.
During the first lesson, even though Panda was reactive, it was more about learning the Bark Busters method for communicating.
I was really reluctant to do anything like negative reinforcement or negative methods, and I ended up really valuing the harness that Gusty gave me, which is a Bark Busters branded harness. It was unbelievable! It didn’t take but a short time before Panda stopped pulling on the leash! She used to practically pull me out of my shoes when she would see her favorite dogs or people and she’d run towards them! Now I can really communicate with her through the harness, and I feel better that there’s a piece of elastic behind the metal so that her skin and hair don’t get pinched at all.
The second lesson, however, was in my apartment. Panda remembered Gusty and not exactly with positive feelings lol! She barked a lot again, just like the first lesson. Gusty was focused on me and not so much on Panda. By me being the bad guy, I supposed Panda felt less and less threatened by Gusty. It was so stinking adorable when Panda eventually went up to Gusty for pets, and then even climbed in her lap and gave her kisses! What a turn around!
In the second lesson, we worked on not barking at Gusty walking in the door, or getting too close to the door if I opened it for someone that I didn’t know. But what was the most magical to me — and the most surprising — was to be able to put pieces of cheese on the floor in front of Panda, and have her come to me, walking past the cheese, and not eating any of it! Normally, that would really really get her. That is a high value treat for sure! I am able to practice that again and again, and I have seen such improvement. It feels like I have a different dog in someways, but she’s still a dog, not a robot, I never want Panda to lose her goofy personality.
In the weeks since I first met Gusty, I have been really happy that I went not only with Bark Busters, but with Gusty in particular. She supported me despite my anxieties and Panda despite hers, lol! Gusty is a patient and thoughtful person in the way that she teaches. She knew that I was worried about any negative training methods so she showed me a video of a mama dog correcting her puppies, and that put my new communication methods in a whole new light to where I think of myself not just as a dog mom, but also kind of like a leader. That’s so much easier for me to understand and feel comfortable with then more aggressive words like pack leader.
I have told people around town about Bark Busters, like when we’re in the park and folks are amazed at how well Panda behaves (most of the time!) Definitely give her a call or a text! You and your dog will be happier!