Has anybody in the UK ever used a dog behaviourist called Bark Busters?

They are a franchise as far as I am aware, which means that some might be good and some not, however, anyone worth their paperwork is not going to go into a franchise but start up on their own.

I can't really say, but I would much rather look for a privately run one.

It is a franchise, which means anyone can buy into the brand, and market themselves as a dog trainer/behaviourist. No particular prior interest or knowledge of dogs is required. I would avoid them.

A far better option would be to contact a trainer registered with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Dog training is an unregulated business, but the APDT requires members to undertake an assessment, use positive, kind methods and continue to develop their own learning. You can search for and contact a local, independent, dog trainer via their website. Many deal with behaviour as well as training. The APDT has a page dedicated to advice on how to choose a trainer.

The user who said behaviourists are a waste of money is spot on.

There is nothing a “doggy shrink” can do, that an experienced dog trainer cannot, with the difference being that trainers with a reputation for what they have achieved for clients, know what makes a dog tick, can read and interpret what it is “saying” and train the owner how to understand their dog, get is respect and achieve their goals with it.

I do know of someone who employed their serves in the Midlands because of nuisance barking that was driving the owner and their neighbour crackers. After a consultation and form filling, the “advice” was to say BAH to the dog in a firm voice when it barked. The dog carried on with what it was doing, ignoring the “correction” as easily ignorable.

The owner purchased a martingale collar, cut down a long lead so it did not get caught up on anything, and before the dog barked, when it showed interest in a trigger, stepped in and said leave, dog ignored them, quick pop on the collar. Did not like what happened when it barked, so choose to do what its owner wanted, problem solved.

1-2-1 lessons or a good dog training club is far more likely to get a good result than paying a behaviourist. Years ago I took a dog to two different apparently highly regarded behaviourists and neither of which were worth a penny, as the advice of one was less than useless and increased the dog’s reactivity and the other caused the dog to shut down.

I would choose a good dog trainer over a behaviourist, as they know dog behaviour and how to train dogs and their owners.

there are some things that any trainer should know, especially one who is working with behavioral issues. Below is just is just a sampling.

1. What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning? How do you implement these in your training?

2. What are the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning?

3. When do you use P+ in your training (This is a trick question. don’t hire anyone who uses P+. Also don’t use anyone who uses R-)

4. When do you use leash corrections (Another trick question. Leash corrections are psychologically, and possibly physically damaging)

5. Tell me about Ian Dunbar and how your training philosophy agrees with or differs from his.

Same question about Karen Pryor and Bob Baily. These 3 are really big ones and s/he should know about them well.

Professionals should also know Patricia McConnell, Turid Rugaas and Jean Donaldson.

6. Tell me about your continuing education. What seminars have you attended. S/He MUST have some type of continuing education or you should NOT use him/her. This needs to be in addition to any initial training s/he has had (like Petsmart, ABC, Triple Crown, etc..)

7. Who is/are your training mentor(s)? Note: this should be someone s/he has worked with in person or at least by webcam or something. Watching an edited and sensationalized television program does NOT count as mentoring.

8. Tell me about the following people. How their philosophy applies to human learning, how their philosophy applies to canine learning; and how you use their techniques or why you choose not to use their techniques

Skinner

Premack

Pavlov

9. What is a reward marker? And how do you use one in your training?

10. What’s the difference between using a clicker and saying “good boy” or “good girl”?

11. What is a functional reward?

12. What is a primary reinforcer? What is a secondary reinforcer?

When interviewing a private trainer or behaviorist, take note of the words he/she uses during your conversation.

The following is a list of some words that would give me pause. Not because they are bad or wrong words but because these words are often misused or overused or they just don’t mesh with scientifically based positive reinforcement.

I’m not saying you should never hire a trainer who uses the below words, but hearing the words is cause for a deeper investigation into the trainer’s experience level.

No – (when talking to a dog or when showing a dog parent how to train)

Corrections

Leash Corrections

How to use the leash

Pack Leader

Dominance (this is a big one that is used way too much and mostly used wrongly)

Red Zone

Master the Walk

Show them who’s the boss

Leadership

Challenge (as in a human challenging a dog)

It’s up to the dog

He/she will have to get over it

It’s the dog’s choice

The dog knows..

Pull up on the leash

This dog or this breed is untrainable

Any negative term when talking to or about the dog (i.e. “brat” or something to that effect)

Any term that labels the dog instead of describing behaviors i.e. “this dog is weird” or neurotic, or crazy, etc..

Unacceptable or not acceptable – when speaking any dog behavior

Don’t let him/her get away with that

Spoiled

Coddle or Coddling

It's hard to find out if these people are genuine but I have never heard of them and even if I did I would'nt require their help as I bet they don't do it for love.

I do live in the UK and I just use commonsense to train my dogs and at one time I had 13 that I had rescued now I only have a puppy GSD and U just use my instincts to make him an obedient happy dog.

I hope you find what you are looking for.

They're a legitimate company, but I wouldn't hire anyone from a huge company to teach me how to train my dog.

That's what they're supposed to do, btw. Teach you how to train your dog. I hope you're not expecting someone to just arrive and magically turn your dog into Lassie.

Anyway, these people would only care about the money. They'll have a cookie cutter one size fits all approach to dog training. They will not be able to develop a plan tailored to your dog's individual personality and needs.

If your dog does not respond to their textbook training methods, they will most likely try to sell you a shock collar.

Probably,since there are innumerable gullible SUCKERS who fall for all kinds of obvious scams.

There's no such thing as "dog behaviorist".

&

*I* can make your dog behave & when I leave,it'll still know you're a doormat.