Bark Busters Overview
Bark Busters has a 1.5-star rating, derived from feedback provided by 250 customers. In the Animal Services category, it secures the 1th position out of 269 companies.
Rating
Contact Information
Website
www.barkbusters.com
Phone
(877) 500-2275
One Front Street, Danville, California, 94526, United States
Bark Busters Reviews
Randee
Awful experience
I had a local trainer come to help with my dog unable to be left home alone. The cost was absurd but I was open to trying anything if it would help. I felt sexually harassed during the session, extremely I comfortable, and the training plan couldve been sent as a PDF for a fee.
Terrie1959
Total waste of money
I spent $2500 for 2 of my dogs to be trained. $2000 for the 1st dog and $500 for the 2nd dog. The trainer spent about an hour with us during the training visits. However, most of the time was spent with the trainer telling success stories and bragging. When I emailed the trainer with questions, the trainer would reply with "read the materials I left for you" The bags with chains in them to throw to the foot of the dog were useless. They used them as toys.
Omarian
This is a horrible waste of money
Wish I had done more research. BAH-humbug! Learned good info on dog behavior in class for us; but our dog did not respond well to their Alpha dog teaching. Lifetime follow up - telephone conversation is simply repeat of class training and they send out newsletters. Whoopi! Look for more reputable alternatives.
Maddy
Scam!
I contacted bark busters in a desperate attempt to help me with my rescue dog. He apparently was a "behavioral specialist l," he not only told me to yell Baaahhh at my dog on every command but after 2 sessions when I explained to him leash pulling and reactivenes with other dogs while walking... rather then use other tactics, since he was a "behavioral specialist l," he gave me a rubber lead and side if this doesn't work then there is nothing to work wit him. Is was charged 1400+ for 2 lessons
Nas
Absolutely not as advertised
This company is not at all what is advertised and is a total waste of money. They are not behavioral therapist, which is what they advertise. It's one guy who has his girlfriend and his best friend, with no formal canine education or training, working for him. I paid 2.5 grand with a the guy that was assigned to me had no training or experience whatsoever and didn't feel comfortable with my dog and had me walk the dog because of his inexperience. After that, he had the main guy come to the lesson who proceeded to insult me and make me feel so bad about how my dog is too much for me to handle as a woman who doesn't have the physical strength of man (after also asking me about my personal life and whether or not I have a partner) that I did not use them again, despite their "life time guarantee," which is essentially fraudulent. Their business plan is to have customers pay a ton of money for a lifetime of training and then make you feel so bad about yourself that you never use them again.
Anonim
Company is false advertising
They do not have experience with high anxiety aggressive dogs. My trainer ran away from him because he was barking and lunging and all he told me was to pull on the leash harder which only made him want to lunge more. They take a small course and become certified. Its a corporate pyramid scheme. I wasted valuable time which prolonged my dogs improvement. Luckily a real trainer saw my story on facebook reactive dogs and offered me some great advice which she didn't need to but saw my pain. I since dropped BB got partial refund and my dog is well on his way to becoming a more agreeable dog. I learned on my own watching videos and giving treats rewarding which is something BB tells you not to they use scare tactics which only made my dog not trust me. 5 star google rating is a joke. seriously not 100% of the people of satisfied clearly they mis-lead and get rid of any bad comments.
Anonim
Overwhelmed
It has been almost a year and I do not see no results with my pop. He's still barks when he sees other dogs barkbusters gave me a bean bag filled with chain link in it for me to throw at my pup's feet when did not listen. Also a spray bottle if the bean bag doesn't work, no treats then I'm told do this for 2 weeks. You'll see results do that for 2 weeks. You'll see results well as far as the dog barking at other dogs. He's been doing that since he was 10 weeks old and his now almost one then I call with my problems and say I don't think this is working and then they talk to me in the same thing. I just don't think this is for my baby method isn't working
Abigail
Save your money
I paid almost $2,000 for my two dachshunds who needed help with behavioral issues. They basically wanted me to slam doors, growl at my dog, and spray them with water. They had me change my dog food to a food that made them lose way too much weight they looked sickly. And then I never heard back from them again. She said we would schedule another session in 5 weeks and I needed to do my homework. Never heard back from her after that. If we are paying so much money for this lifetime training I would think a follow-up would be appropriate. I reached out to her a few months later to try and schedule a session and she asked if we had been doing our homework. She would not come back to our house until she saw videos of us doing our homework. So now I am out $2000 and I am still in need of a dog trainer. I refuse to use them when they care more about quantity than quality. Maybe put more time and care into the customers that you already have. I am highly disappointed by this company and I wish that I had done more research.
John
Resolved: This is a scam
Updated by user Jan 16, 2023
Company fixed the issue and I have been provided with partial refund. Company refunded the amount that I requested.
Original review Dec 10, 2022
I paid $2,000 for the promise of training as many times and as long as I needed it. I asked him to come three times in six months. When I asked him to come a fourth time for obedience training he told me that he will see and that we have to look at what I am doing at home. He also told me that he does not have anything else to teach my dog for obedience. That was over a month ago. I have not heard back. I was doing my part at home, but it was Bark Busters methods that do not work because they are rooted in fear (spraying my dog with water, dropping an object to make a loud noise, saying "bah"). I know that they will blame me, but for the money that they took, the least they could have done is come to my home and looked into this. I had to hire another trainer.
Kirstin
Stop others from traumatizing their dog and stop further training by company
7/30/22. I will keep posting my complaint sent to BBB until I get a response from the company. 08/05/2020 We have paid Bark Busters $795.00 for a life long training and support service. The trainer (Susan M*****) that came to our home (only 2 times) never followed up with our concerns and issues. Her response when I was able to connect her only one time was keep practicing. I have had 2 Shelties in the past and my sheltie now, Theo, has become more aggressive. He bites me and my husband and our dog walker. He barks and charges at us when we turn on the shower, hair dryer, microwave, get ice, seeing cars drive by,just to mentions a few of a long list of problems that were never as out of control until after using Bark Busters training instructions. Spraying water at him or throwing a bag of coins at him has caused several serious bites. He now is extremely anxious, frightened, and unable to even be consoled when he is completely scared. Our Vet has prescribed Aprazolam for Theo for major anxiety attacks and it has no effect on decreasing his anxiety or aggression. I cant even brush him without him biting and growling at me. Our trainer Susan was shown these behaviors both in person and on video. She seemed shocked at his behavior. When she found out my husband and I were nurses, she completely lost interest in Theo and focused on her knee issues. This incident occurred on August 10, 2019 (Theo was about 1 year old) and we are now approaching a year of complete frustration and a terribly anxious and scared dog. Every time I see the pain and fear my dog is experiencing it is heartbreaking and I feel I have caused horrible damage and distress to our family member. I would greatly appreciate any assistance or guidance regarding how to deal with Bark Busters company. It is not only the large amount of money we spent for no training and support, but the damage they have caused from their horrible training methods. I have never complained to the BBB about any company. But our dog is our family member and we have no way of soothing his anxiety and pain. We need your help.
Christine
Scam. Total waste of money. This is advice to tell you how to train your own dog, not a training program.
They come ONCE and tell you to growl at your dog and spray them with water. Then charge you $2,000. Extremely expensive advice and then you have to train your dog yourself. SCAM. And they won't give your money back no matter how much you complain. The good reviews on the website are from customers who have to write out a review standing in front of the trainer who is watching what you write, and no way to take back your review after.
Susan
TO LET PET OWNERS KNOW OF THIS WONDERFUL SERVICE.
AFTER TWO HOURS OF TRAINING FOR BOTH MY LITTLE 10-MONTH- OLD YORKIE, COOPER, AND MYSELF, I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE CHANGE IN COOPER. HE NO LONGER BARKS AT PEOPLE. IN FACT, PEOPLE COMMENTED ON HOW WELL BEHAVED COOPER IS NOW. IN FACT, I WAS APPLYING ONE OF THE COMMANDS TO COOPER AND A DOG WALKING BY WHO WAS MISBEHAVING, STOP AND SAT FOR ME. THE OWNER COULDN'Y BELIEVE IT! ROBERT MACHI IS AMAZING.
olivia
Foolish of me to take the sales guy at his word. Lies and deception.
$1700 upfront. A sales guy that said "yes, we can help with that" to me asking if they could teach tricks, recalls, i had expressed i wanted my dog to be super obedient, sit, stay, come, stop jumping, know off means off, and no means no. Instead I get told to bark, clap, spray water, use a high pitched voice and "stand tall","stick your arms out", "look away", "are you growling and clapping at the same time?","dogs dont speak english"(to teaching him commands). I was on the phone with the sales guy for close to 40 minutes. Not once did he mention they don't use commands, not once did he mention 7:30-4 weekdays was the schedule after session one (doesnt fit my work schedule). I expected and was clear about my intent to train my dog - instead everything they teach is reactionary. To make it even better, its been 18 days no response since I respectfully expressed my feelings of being misled to my trainer. $1700 for a four hour session and to get ghosted. Barkbusters is getting their clients by withholding information, promising the moon, and leaving customers high and dry. What a disappointment. My goal with spending this small fortune on training was to do my part as a responsible dog owner. Instead, I have to keep him away from children and use caution around visitors so his excitement doesn't hurt someone. I have a kind dog, who needed some training to thrive. Barkbusters let me and my dog down. Wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy.
Dennis
Waste of money
For $1300.00 this training was of no value. All I get is off leash training invites. Bark Busters is a rip off. Dennis Carr
Anonim
THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM
SCAM!!!! We spent a year with this company and made no improvements with our dog's fear aggression. When I tried to express my concerns the trainer cut me off mid-sentence and just said I was doing it wrong. He would critique (and rather rudely and passive aggressively) every little thing I was doing. He made me feel like my dog's aggression was MY fault because I wasn't doing it right and because I was a bad leader. After research, I found that the company has had 7 complaints with the Better Business Bureau in just the last 3 years. They don't even allow Google reviews! It's because the company is a scam!! The techniques are FEAR based and will scare your dog into listening to them. They will have positive reviews because some dogs will bend to submission and listen. But that's NOT HEALTHY! It also will only work with command training, not if you have a dog with behavior issues. They have a one size fits all philosophy and will BLAME you if it's not working. After extensive work, both of my dogs are scared of me now because I was doing what they said to do. They offer a "lifetime" membership because they know you'll quit after a year or less and they still get to keep the $1,300 you paid them. PLEASE Google Bark Busters Complaints or Bark Busters Negative reviews. I wish I had and saved myself and the dogs the trauma. There are THOUSANDS of people out there with the same problems I was having and got no help or response from their trainers either. Please please please don't use this company I'm begging you.
Kathie
Refund
I dont if you can help me, but I am not satisfied with this program. 3 hours one time is not enough. On the phone does not work either. Since belonging to bark busters, my dog has bitten me twice And is still very aggressive..NOTHING IS WORKINGcant take anything away from him with being bitten. It got to the point that I could not cook in my kitchen safely. I love my dog , dont know if I can keep him. Its only been a month but I regret the large investment as I can train this dog by myself, Im afraid. I would like some type of refund if possibleIm very overwhelmed please help me out. I hope you are a good corporate citizen. I think the first visit for 550.00 you should keep please refund balance. Thank you for your time and I await your response.