Puppy Training

Don't walk, run to work with Bark Busters. Please read my review if you relate to any crate-anxiety issues.

Here's my story: I have a puppy GSD who's shockingly lazy, but his shepherdation (separation) anxiety was really out of control to the point where he could break out of his crate AND open my front door.

I would describe myself as highly dog knowledgable so I am VERY particular about the methods used by trainers. To each their own, but e-collars, prongs, etc are band-aids (or worseners) for most problems since most dog-owners don't really understand the timing/utility of these tools enough to ween off of them at any point. If your dog is a 100/10 lunatic, then I guess I get it :|

Anywho, I was honestly shocked to learn they don't even rely on clickers or treats, just straight up dog behavior and psychology, yet have the reviews they have.

Here's my summary. I am only 2 days post training, have received a comprehensive training plan with new crate recs, have gotten 5-7 minutes of a CALM dog in his crate once I've left (a miracle), and did nothing but learn to amend MY body languages and sounds.

Bonus that Anthony was an absolute delight to work with.

Hire them - you're welcome in advance ;)

A life-changing experience. John provided the most thorough, extensive lesson and training which had immediate effects on our puppy. John's patience, expertise and professionalism made the session productive and positive while training our dog. We are very grateful for John's help and understanding in helping us properly train Milton.

When we met Amber we were very impressed with her knowledge and with her enthusiasm we had just acquired a 10-month-old German Shepherd puppy and we needed to be able to not only integrate her into our family but she had a very bad habit of jumping on us and as a very large puppy, It was something we needed to address quickly .She gave us the tools and the steps we would need to not only accomplish this , but to also address some of the issues with our other dogs. We see this training as ongoing as the need arises. The total support that we get from this organization is ongoing for the life of our dogs and that was very impressive to us. We see this as a investment into our future and the future of our dogs and we know Amber will be there with us all the way.

It was a pleasure meeting Jeri for our first training. I learned so much on how to relate to Reiff. I was so happy to see a improvement only with the first lesson and it made me very hopeful and excited to know that Reiff will be able to be the best obedient and happy puppy that he deserves to be. Jeri was down to earth but very professional and you could see she loves and cares deeply of all pets.
Thank you so much and I’m looking forward to the future with Reiff.

Tonight was my first training session with Kayla — AMAZING.
I have 2 dogs - both 4 years old (one with very bad separation anxiety that poops in my house weekly and one that will not stop barking when someone is at the front door)

I was at my wits end with my dogs & after my first session with Kayla, I actually feel hopeful regarding my dogs again. She gave us tips that I have not found while doing research on YouTube or Google - she is like a dog whisperer. If you can afford it or can save up to afford it, it is 100% worth it. The price honestly isn’t bad when you think about it being a lifetime of working with your dog.

She also gave so many amazing recommendations from food, treats, chews, dental health - honestly felt like a wellness visit - she is extremely educated and up to date on the best products for your pup!

If you feel like you’re not sure on where to start with training your dogs or if there is just something really bothering you about your dog’s behavior and you need help, contact bark busters and ask for Kayla if you’re in MA/NH region.

Kayla is amazing! She’s great at communicating with both humans and dogs. She’s been really helpful as my new rescue dog and I get used to each other and work through things like separation anxiety.

We had Kayla come for the first time this past Saturday. She was so informative and my husband and I both really learned a lot. You can tell there is so much passion behind her work. She was really patient as she coached us to begin training our dog, Ivy. We can’t wait to build consistent routines that will last with Ivy!

Kayla is absolutely wonderful. We have learned so much about dog behavior, nutrition, and positive reinforcement training. Remington has responded very well to her instructions. Training is just as much for us as it is for the dog. It takes daily work and consistency, she has helped us draw up a plan to keep on track. Highly recommend Bark Busters and Kayla.

Excellent instruction. Easy for us to follow and we saw an improvement with both dogs. Orlando is very patient, helpful and knowledgeable!

We just moved our 9 year old rescue from New Hampshire to the city and she is having a hard time adjusting to seeing other dogs and being alone in our apartment. We had Kayla come over to help address some issues with separation anxiety and leash reactivity. She provided us with easy changes to make throughout our day that will help her adjust to her new life in the city and help us to become Luna’s leader. She’s only been here about two weeks but already we are seeing improvement in Luna’s separation anxiety and reactivity. Kayla was so helpful providing us easy changes to make and I am already feeling some relief that Luna will be just fine as a city girl! Looking forward to continuing training with Kayla and making Luna feel safe in her new environment! Thank you Kayla!!

Kayla at Bark Busters has been instrumental in our training process. We have two Bernese Mountain Dogs, one of which has high energy and a bit of anxiety. We have been struggling with a few behaviors including, excessive barking, door control, and jumping on guests (from being overly excited). We tried a few different training methods and were not having success. After two training sessions with Kayla, we are seeing significant progress. We are very thankful and look forward to continuing working with her!

The Miracle Worker------------------------------------------------------------Have you ever felt as though all you efforts to help your dog behave and be a productive member of your family are in vain? If so...read on. There is a savior!
I owned two french bulldogs--Rocky--3 years old and Gizmo--1 year old. Sadly, Rocky began having seizures daily. No medicines or surgery would help him. He was rushed to the emergency room last February and passed, not from an unsuccessful surgery but from the seizure he had AFTER the successful surgery, It was not only a heartbreaking day for our family but for Gizmo .
Weeks passed and Gizmo became very aggressive to other dogs on walks. He'd pull on the leash and tried to fight them all despite his small stature. He'd growl, tug, and jump up on us as if to say-- let me loose! Taking walks along the beach used to be his favorite hobby.. However, he was walking without his brother. Days turned into weeks---weeks into months--- his behavior was getting worse.
He would bark at the mailwoman, Amazon drivers, UPS drivers, friends, family, and anyone who just passed by our home-- walked on our sidewalk... He was a different dog....
He also became very protective over me-his mom. No one could come to our home without him barking incessantly at them. No one could walk near me....say hello to me..sit near me.....kiss me hello or goodbye without him attacking them.
My son owns a frenchie who is 5 years old... We all helped raise Grooty. He frequents "grammy's" home... Not any longer. We cannot havr him here because Gizmo attacks him. He wont let Grooty near me.. his toys... his couch... his bed... or near any of us.. I can't even pet my son's dog. I had to tell him he could no longer bring him here to our home.
That was my last straw-- or---the straw that broke the camel's back!
I was hopeless and helpless. I didn't know what to do... So, I grabbed my laptop and "googled" trainers. I scrolled through pages of trainers and read reviews. Then, I stumbled upon Michael DiStassio's reviews from Barkbusters.
I began reading. Five star after five star reviews!! I regained my HOPE... Have I finally found HELP???? YES!
I found Michael DiStassio's number and texted him this story. I told him we just had had our huge Italian Thanksgiving Family dinner and my french bulldog Gizmo was biting my guests--my family--his family!
I proceeded to tell Michael that after hours of me sitting with Gizmo on the couch, him literally on my lap for hours, me forfeiting my dinner, I picked him up and placed him in OUR bedroom (he sleeps with me).
My kids were leaving and tried to kiss their mother good-bye. Not allowed. Gizmo growled and leapt at them. I felt defeated. I asked Michael if he could and would help me...I told him I was hopeless and helpless.. I truly didn't know what to do. Saying "no" to Gizmo never worked..."Stop" never worked. "Time-outs" never worked. Neither yelling nor aggression were my mojo.
Michael literally messaged me back the day after Thanksgiving.. He told me not to worry.. He could and would definitely help me!! "Don't give up!" he reassuringly said in the calmest tone. He told me he would call me, and we could talk on the phone and set a date and time. I was ecstatic!
Michael and I agreed upon a time during the week when my husband and older children would be home.. Michael wanted everyone who had regular contact with Gizmo to be present for the training.
Michael texted me a list of instructions before his arrival.. He wanted to figure out my little guy's "issues."
Michael watched as Gizmo barked at him.. he was a tyrant.. I was actually embarrassed by his behavior; I didn't want Michael to think badly of me as a "Dog Mom."
Michael asked us all to sit down and explained so many behaviors to us all that we were impressed! Michael concluded that Gizmo was acting out because he had lost his older brother who was the ALPHA male. He determined that Gizmo was a "BOP" (bottom of the pack) dog. He wasn't meant to be the ALPHA. He was doing his brother's job yet didn't have the ability to do it. He wasn't cut out for that job. But, sadly, he would have to be employed to do so.
Michael gave us some homework, being a teacher and a mom, I was familiar with the term! Michael told me that I needed to show Gizmo that I was in charge--not him! I needed to be the ALPHA/OMEGA--not him. Showing my fresh frenchie that I had all situations under control meant that he was "relieved"of his duty to protect... What an epiphany!!!!!
After a month or so of me practicing my new teachings, Gizmo was a new dog. He was more relaxed..no barking at strangers...no biting our family...no more aggression. Wow!!!! I had just witnessed a miracle with my own eyes from the miracle worker himself-- Michael Distassio

Very easy to understand concepts, good rapport with Jamie and her humans.

We have a very high-energy sporting breed puppy, and we reached out to Mark for help on how to curb nipping, jumping on people, leash pulling, and other puppy behaviors that we worried would become bigger problems as she got older.

Within just a few hours, we saw a dramatic improvement! We also felt very confident that we knew how to apply Mark's methods to keep the progress going. The training has made us enjoy our puppy even more, and she seems happier and more relaxed, too.

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! I will not hesitate to recommend Mark to other dog owners, and I look forward to continue to work with him in the future!

John was very thorough and caring. He really helped us and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Our follow up is critical! Took us only 2 weeks to layout our plan for each dog & implement it - works like a charm! Repetition and consistency is the key. The dogs know what to do, we were the ones being "trained". Thanks Pat!

After searching for months for a dog trainer, I finally settled on Mark with Bark Busters based off two things: 1. No e-collar which meant I wouldn't have to constantly be holding something and 2. A google review mentioning how Mark was up front and honest with a client and let them know he would not be a good fit to train their dog after meeting them. This level of honestly showed me Mark wasn't in business for the money.

I have an English Bull Terrier and they are extremely hard headed, stubborn and have never ending energy along with a high prey drive. I honestly did not expect much to come from just 3 hours of training.

Prior to Mark, my dog would charge up and down the stairs (knocking me down them twice), bulldoze his way past me to the door, bark constantly at any and everything outside, jump on everyone I had over, bark/lunge at the TV, and would drag me all over on walks.

It's been one day... ONE day and what a difference! It seems like I have a completely different dog at home. He has waited at the top/bottom of the stairs before being allowed up/down them. Has not barked once at people/animals outside. He has waited to be released before greeting visitors (and didn't jump on them!) and what was most shocking to me was he did not pull a single time on our walk today.

I have used e-collar training methods in the past and I would recommend Mark and Bark Busters over those methods any day! My dog is now receptive to me and my commands without having to rely on a device.

Joshua was excellent help and provided wonderful guidance with addressing concerns with our dog. He provided lots of information and training to address those concerns.

I cannot say enough good things about James and Bark Busters! My dog, Pepper, was extremely reactive to other dogs and would pull so hard on walks that I was often getting dragged. I spent eight months trying different training methods with little success—until I found James.

In only eight weeks, Pepper has completely transformed. After the very first lesson, I saw an immediate change in her behavior. Thanks to James’ incredible guidance and training techniques, she now walks calmly on a leash, listens to me, and—most importantly—we can walk around other dogs without fear of a meltdown. Our walks have gone from stressful to enjoyable, and I finally feel confident handling her.

If you’re struggling with a reactive dog, I highly recommend James. He is patient, knowledgeable, and truly understands how to bring out the best in your pup. Thank you, Bark Busters, for giving us the tools to succeed!

Absolutely 5 stars!!!
One of the best phone calls we’ve ever made.

We’ve only had the initial session but it’s obvious that Todd is a talented trainer. We’re very happy with our choice.

Natalie Wexler came over today and helped us with our dog Bear! She was amazing and I was so happy with every tool she gave us to help Bear! Would 100% recommend!

Natalie was the most incredible trainer/teacher that we could have asked for!! Our rescue puppy struggled walking on the leash before and had several bad habits that needed breaking. With Natalie's guidance we were able to rapidly see improvements in our dog's behavior and helped us understand her better as owners as well. I highly recommend Natalie for anyone looking for a trainer in the Eastern Shore/Annapolis area!!

Thank you for all you do, Natalie. We love working with you!

Joshua was knowledgeable, attentive, and eager to help us as much as our dog. We feel so much better about everything, and we are so grateful to have a plan that will help our whole family + Tucker included.

John was very knowledgeable and gave hands-on instructions with video. We feel confident in embarking on our new training routine.

John is making a difference with our puppy pack of 5. We are very hopeful!

My dog was a huge barking problem when new people came over. In the first lesson Steve showed me some strategies that immediately worked. What is amazing is they don’t involve treats or shock collars. He is patient and I love doing the Home work with my dog. We are on the path to a calmer dog and a happier home.