Training Services

Since I was a little boy, I have always loved dogs. Unfortunately, despite pleading and tears, my father sadly had a no pets policy in our house as he had grown up on a farm and said he had enough animals for one lifetime. Because of this, all the dogs in my neighborhood became my close companions.

I met my first canine friend at age five when a new family moved next door. As the moving truck was being unpacked, I ran down my new neighbor’s driveway to say hello as I had heard two little girls were moving in. Half way down, a black Great Dane started charging toward me and scared the heck out of me! Fifteen minutes later, Cici,Becky and their dog, Ebony, came knocking on my door to say hello. We all became fast friends and I was able to love and play with Ebony as if she was my own dog. She was so sweet, gentle and fun. Her memory makes me smile as I write this.

Cici, Becky and Ebony moved away when I was ten, but for the rest of my childhood and into my teenage years, I was very lucky as most of my neighbors and friends had dogs. While I loved playing with all of them, I also observed how all the different breeds and mixes had unique traits and personalities. I was fascinated by the variety and I always sought information from friends and their families as to the best way to play with, train and interact with their dogs. Their dogs became mine in spirit and my journey to become a Bark Buster had begun!

Of course, not all the dogs I encountered in my travels were loving and sweet. I learned this one day as I was exploring the small roads that surrounded my house. I rounded a corner on a dead-end street and saw the most handsome German Shepard. I knelt down to say hello and the dog charged at me barking wildly in an ominous tone. His owner, who was in the yard, rushed to intercept his dog, grabbing him by the collar. The owner informed me his dog was not a friendly play dog, but rather a guard dog of his property. He said the dog would not have hurt me unless I crossed his property line and that the dog was telling me in his ominous barks to stay away from “his” property. While I was shaken up for sure, I respected this dog for doing an incredible job and I learned a great lesson in dog communication, loyalty and given responsibility. As the years went by, many many dogs were in my life bringing me joy, happiness and many lessons. I am so grateful and thankful for all of them. I truly believe they all colluded in some way to develop me as their “champion” in my role as a Bark Buster certified Canine Trainer & Behavioral Therapist. Through this role and the Bark Buster system, I am able to help dogs and humans communicate in a healthy way based on natural canine communication and learning.

To say I feel blessed in my role would be a total understatement. I feel so grateful to give back to all the dogs and families that brought me so much joy. It is an honor and delight to daily help dogs and their owners find and experience awesome companionship, loyalty, fun and of course tons of heartwarming love!