Jacobean Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 This is a company who have a network of dog trainers all over the UK. Has anyone had any dealings with them. Do they use kind, positive methods. Do the trainers come across as confident and good in their field? Or does it depend on the person. They appear to run franchises and I have asked them for more information regarding this as I want to start a new career in dog behaviour/training. Thought I would ask the all knowing fugees their opinions before giving Bark Busters serious consideration. For the sake of the refuge maybe if you have negative things to say you had best pm/email me lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 (edited) i wouldnt touch our local rep from BB with someone elses barge pole, have no experience with other reps though Edited September 17, 2007 by phoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rileyroo Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 Based on a friend's experience, so not first hand, I'd avoid like the plague. All focussed on 'dominance' - any issue was dominance-related and could be fixed by eating first, walking through doors first and liberal use of water sprays, key throwing etc. They recruit anyone - often former clients - with no need for any dog experience and give them a short training course. Friend's resource guarding / insecure dog went from warning growls to full on biting thanks to their interventions. It's taken over 12 months intensive work with a proper behaviourist to get him back and restore his confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanishPastry Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 Stear clear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 insecure dog went from warning growls to full on biting thanks to their interventions. this is what happened to a dog i know a (large) chain was thrown at the very scared dog, after several other sequences of events that i wont go into, the dog became very aggressive and it was PTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted September 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 Thanks folks. I knew you'd set me right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 the only other franchise I have heard for training is Puppy School Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mop Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 You don't need a franchise to get started in dog training/behaviour, start part time while keeping your job and advertise in vets, pets shops etc. Also go round the local village halls and ask if you can run training classes there, local farmers or your local council for classes outside. As your business grows you can then give your job up. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted September 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I didn't set out looking for a franchise to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safneo Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 barge pole springs to mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 barge pole springs to mind! Same here, I know of two people who wasted money with them Juliex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted September 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 (edited) Unfortunately a friend at work has just used them at the weekend which is how I came to hear about them. The methods used were kind. I haven't had chance to ask her everything she was advised to do but the little bit she did tell me sounded good at least. It possibly depends on the individual trainers concerned. I certainly am only interested in using kind, positive methods. Edited September 17, 2007 by Jacobean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboae Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I dogsat for a friend who had used them. Her dog pulled on the lead. If he pulled I was supposed to throw chains at his feet, shout BAAAHH and jerk his collar. They also threw water balloons at his feet, and a couple of other things that I don't recall. I couldn't control him, and wasn't willing to jerk him around, so it was all a bit difficult. They gave up that regime in the end and now he walks well on a head halter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 It possibly depends on the individual trainers concerned. I don't think it does. It seems that there is a house style which is outdated and based on aversives. It's rather like those annoying cold callers who ring at tea time and give you a scripted spiel. I would say run for your life from any organisation that doesn't require any dog experience when recruiting its operatives. I don't think it's insignificant that people skills are deemed more important from their web site. All the better to sell the product, of course. Pam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted September 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 (edited) There is a course that people have to do before they can start to train dogs. The lady who was visited at the weekend has told me everything that was said. Some things I disagree with as they seem daft but then all trainers have a tendency to use their own ways. Nothing big or to worry about. She hasn't been shown to use any tactics such as throwing things to disturb her dog. Most of what she was told was pretty sound and nothing I haven't heard before. Maybe this particular trainer has completed the course, read other books etc and is using some different methods to the main. I've received the information and decided it isn't for me. This has helped though so thanks. On to the next one now. Edited September 18, 2007 by Jacobean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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