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Bark Busters Reviews and Customer Testimonials

29th January 2014 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Barking, Chewing, Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Pulling, Puppy management, Recall

From the first session with Alex, it's like we have a different puppy. We now use the techniques Alex taught us all and the passive leadership checklist is used daily. We can't wait for our next family session this weekend. Thank you Alex Fraser.

- -.A, whitworth, Rochdale, Lancashire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
Woody was your typical boisterous English Bull Terrier and when I first met him he definitely thought he ruled the roost. What really pleased me about his family was that they all wanted to learn and work with Woody. It is really important that Woody identifies all 3 members of his family as solid pack leaders, so that he listens and does as he is told for all of them. It is therefore crucial that they are all consistent so that he doesn't receive any mixed messages. I honestly couldn't believe how much calmer he was when I returned for our second session and I look forward to see what further progress has been made when I visit them again. Keep up the good work.

20th January 2014 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Pulling, Recall, Other

After just 1 session it was like I had a new dog! We still have a bit of work with the pulling but all in all in all a vast improvement. I cant wait for next session!!

- -.A, flixton, Cheshire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
There were definite visible signs of improvement after just a few hours which was great to see. Happy customer equals happy dog and vice-versa. The walking to heel using the Bark Buster collar (communication collar) went well. It takes practise to get the technique 'spot on' using this collar and lead, but once you get it right you will never lose it (and I will help you to get it right every time). I can't wait to go back and see how they are both getting on!

14th December 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Aggression

Fantastic. Belle our Border collie is a rescue dog all we know is she is approx. 18 months old and from Ireland. She was aggressive towards other dogs. After just two visits from Alex she is 90% calmer, beginning to walk to heel and no longer feels threatened by other dogs. Thanks Alex

- -.P, Eccles, Greater Manchester (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
This is a real success story and Belle has really landed on her feet. I was so pleased with how much calmer she was after just two weeks. She showed no aggression - even when a very boisterous Pointer thwacked her on her head. Clearly her owners have worked hard with her following my first visit - I'm chuffed to bits.

30th November 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Puppy management, Separation anxiety, Toileting

Fantastic! Alex spent a good couple of hours on my puppy Chihauhaua. I learnt so much, this is the first time I have ever had a dog. I had a couple of issues with Eddie and wanted to nipped it in the bud. Alex reasured me on most of my issues, ie feeding, toilet training. I have more of an understanding of my little boy Eddie. We look forward to Alex doing some more of his magic on Eddie. Also a massive learning curb for me as well. I feel I have more of an understanding with Eddie.

- -.M, Manchester, Lancashire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
I have been back to see Eddie and his owner a second time now and they are both doing really well. Eddie's owner is much more confident and has really bonded with her little man. This is one of the reasons why I get so much job satisfaction from puppy training sessions - especially when I work with first time owners. Like young children, dogs need some ground rules so that they grow up to be well-behaved adult dogs, and I can help owners achieve this. I look forward to meeting up with them both in the new year to do some lead work.

29th October 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Recall, Other

Cosmo is a fun loving little boy and we like to encourage his curiosity and playful nature, so we didn't want an oppressive training which would knock the stuffing out of him. As he is a SBT, however, it is important for us to be in control as sadly SBTs have a poor and unjust reputation. Alex explained a few simple techniques and taught us the way to make Cosmo see us as in charge and not himself!!! This was a break through and something which made complete sense to us. This allowed us to take the training on board easily and it felt intuitive once we started. Alex himself is a star, he spent time understanding Cosmo and delivered training which he thought Cosmo would understand and respond to. It didn't feel like it was "one training fits all". After only 2 visits we and Alex feel Cosmo has come on leaps and bounds but let's admit it now, it's John and I who have come on leaps and bounds really. We are now the pack leaders Cosmo needs so he can enjoy life understanding John and I are in control. I wonder if it will work on John too :o

- -.D, Middlewich, Cheshire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
Cosmo, like so many other SBTs I have worked with, is an absolute delight. It's been a pleasure to work with Cosmo and his owners, retaining all the fun, just building in the boundaries all dogs want and need to be happy, confident and well adjusted. Job well done on your part guys. Cosmo is a shining example of a SBT that will do his breed proud. Regarding partner training, I recommend my wife. 😉

28th October 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Aggression, Jumping up, Separation anxiety

Chloe was a rescue dog, 9 years old, with no history and a lot of problems. She was testing boundaries, jumping all over the place, hated other dogs and suffered from separation anxiety. My partner and I were at a loss of what to do - we adored her but her behaviour was very challenging. Just taking her for a walk was giving me a stress headache. Alex really helped. He showed us techniques for calming her down (90% improvement in the home!) and for when we were out walking her. She really is a better behaved, happier dog. I don't think we are ever going to completely resolve her fear of other dogs (I hate to think what happened in the past to her) but because I can control her, understand the signs and feel an awful lot calmer after working with Alex, walking her is nearly a stress free experience.

- -.E, Sale, Cheshire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
Chloe has a real fear of other dogs and was extremely hyper in the home. I am delighted with how she has progressed since I have been working with her and her owners. Some behavioural issues such as fear of other dogs can take a long time to resolve, but in order to do so it is crucial that the owner manages the situation. Staying calm on walks when a dog's adrenalin kicks in is vital. With a consistent and calm approach I am confident that she will continue to improve so that both Chloe and her owners can enjoy their walks. Keep up the good work.

24th October 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Puppy management

"Alex, showed great empathy with our lively 5 month old setter puppy Tess; he showed us how to cure her jumping up and how to get her to walk quietly on her lead. She's now a much calmer puppy, thanks Alex!"

- -.R, Wilmslow, Cheshire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
I love working with puppies and following their progress as they grow up. I often meet Tess and her owner when I am out walking and she is always a very well-behaved dog which is so nice to see.

24th October 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Barking, Jumping up, Recall

Flo is a two year old Puggle who was barking and jumping up at anyone who came in the house, barking at the window and every time someone knocked on the door. She also barked and nipped occasionally when me or my family were leaving the house without her. She couldn't be off the lead on the park because she chased bikes and people walking fast/jogging. Alex has been twice so far and spent a couple of hours with Flo, me & my family and explained to us what the problem was a why she was acting this way. Alex gave us a few manageable techniques to use with her to get her out of these habits. He explained them really well so we understood why we were doing what we were doing, showed us each thing a couple of times and then watched us do it. He wrote down a full guide for us before he left and told us what the most important things were. Alex was great with Flo (he clearly loves dogs!) and she responded to him really well which gave me confidence to try what he was doing. The best part about Alex coming out to see us was that he could see what the problems were and as he understands dogs so well he could tell us why she was like this, we got to the root of the problem and are now trying to change her behaviour so she is better behaved in general! Since Alex first came 4 weeks ago Flo has been much calmer from day one! I feel more confident and in control of her. She has not completely stopped barking at the window or the door yet but I think she will get there soon and it hasn't been that hard to follow Alex's instructions and get her to where she is now. I am really glad I called Alex, I feel happier, I think Flo is happier and her problems would have only gotten worse and now they are getting better each day and I know how to control her and teach her what she is and isn't allowed to do. Thanks Alex! I would recommend you to anyone having problems with their dogs.

- -.C, Swinton, Greater Manchester (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
This was another case of a little dog who thought she was in charge of her house which, over time, not only caused her owner problems at home, but also on walks. For me it is so important that both dog and owner enjoy their time together when out walking. I went for a long walk with them both on our last session and I was delighted that Flo completely ignored a number of bikes that were racing around the park. Clearly her owner has put the work in and they are now both reaping the rewards. Well done!!

23rd October 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Aggression, Jumping up

We were experiencing difficulties when walking Maxi because of her aggression toward other dogs. In almost every other way she was a perfect dog but as walking and exercise are such an inherent part of dog ownership this was becoming a big issue. We contacted Alex Fraser through the Bark Busters website and arranged for him to come and assess Maxi. Within the first few minutes of the meeting Alex was already working with Maxi and getting results. The technique of growling at your dog, a little odd at first, has had a phenomenal effect. Maxi now walks to heel, using the special chain and lead we purchased and is much improved when the post man comes to deliver. The concern with her behaviour with other dogs was treated head on and Alex has taught us to reassess Maxi's place within the family. By placing her back in a subservient position she is much less stressed, happier and is greeting and socialising with other dogs in a way that we could never have imagined. We are delighted with Alex and with Bark Busters and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone experiencing issues with their dogs. For the sake of your beloved pets, if they need help, get it from these guys, you will not look back.

- -.A, Manchester, Lancashire (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
Maxi and her owners are a pleasure to work with. They are really focused on what I taught them and keen to put my training into practise. Any aggression shown by a dog can be extremely stressful, however, as Maxi has shown, with the right training carried out by dedicated owners, harmony can be restored. This was backed up by a relaxed walk we all enjoyed when I brought my dog along with me - I was so pleased!! (...and I'm not sure who was more proud of Maxi - me or her owners?)

1st October 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Aggression, Barking, Chewing, Pulling, Recall, Separation anxiety

We adopted Burtie from the RSPCA at burton on Trent soon after losing our beloved teddy who, also a jack Russell x, during our 12 years together gave us no trouble at all. We naively thought there are no bad dogs , just bad owners, however, we soon found that Burtie had a number of issues. Teddy was always walked off the lead but Burtie when walked on the lead would be aggressive when encountering other dogs & when we tried gradually with him off the lead he would be easily distracted & not come back when called. When left at home alone, teddy had the run of the house without problem but Burtie was anxious & destructive. We realised that at 2 1/2 , having spent the last 3 months in Kennels, Burtie may need more time to settle than we anticipated. Although we have had dogs in the past, it now seems they were pussy cats by comparison. We were unsure how to handle him for the best & a bit of research on the net led us to Barkbusters. A phone call resulted in Alex coming to our house & after chatting & getting our & Burt's background, we went into the garden to try a few simple exercises. We were amazed at how Burt responded & were encouraged by Alex's confidence. We were given simple instructions & exercises to practice with Burtie & in the weeks that followed saw real progress. We also realised we were as much Alex's pupil as Burtie. We have had to put in the work for the results but if has been worthwhile. Alex has been in regular contact & we met up for a walk with him & his own dog Max, giving us confidence walking Burtie with other dogs. He has been quick to respond when we were at our wits end & has been so supportive. Burtie is a much more settled dog. Great fun to walk off the lead & play with, we are still progressing, & Alex is still available if we need him. Would recommend without hesitation.

- -.A, Moss Nook, Greater Manchester (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
Due to the time and effort Burtie's owners have put in they have seen a real improvement in his behaviour which is excellent. Burtie is a lovely dog but he did have a number of behavioural issues. I am delighted with how he has improved during the time I have been working with them and I hope they have many happy years together.

30th September 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Puppy management

Beau is my first dog and having never owned a dog before I certainly wasn't aware of how much work a young puppy can be, hence the need for Bark Busters. I like the fact that Alex came to my home to meet us. He has given me the skills to train her and I am really happy with how she behaves. I can even take her in the car now without her barking her head off and trying to get on my knee whilst I am driving. I also know that if I need Alex's advice or help in the future, all I have to do is pick up the phone!

- -.K, Manchester, Greater Manchester (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
Beau is a Beautiful Chocolate Labrador but she certainly has a mind of her own and needed some direction. Following my first visit her owner has certainly put the hours in, which has resulted in a very well behaved dog. Well done!!

30th September 2013 - Alex Fraser

Alex dealt with Puppy management

So sorry for taking to long to leave you some feedback - but you will be pleased to hear that Toby is doing really well. As you know, although we have always had dogs, Toby was my first very own dog and I really wanted to get him off to the best possible start. I would like to thank you for your support over the first few months of me having Toby. He is now a pleasure to walk and always comes back when I call him. Thank you Alex

- -.R, Urmston, Greater Manchester (Testimonial)

Trainer note from Alex
As you can see from his photo, Toby was a beautiful little boxer pup when I first met him, and like all puppies - he was so full of beans. Toby simply needed some rules and guidelines as to what behaviour was acceptable and his owner has done a great job. Toby is now a well balanced and calm boxer and I am confident he will continue to behave himself in the future.