Thought those who currently use a franchised pet behaviour counsellor may be interested in the following:

http://www.apbc.org.uk/news_items/franchise.htm

Hi Tohme,

I recently saw a 4WD emblazoned with an ad for "Bark Busters" - complete with web addess.  On visiting the site it said they would train anyone over a 6 week course - EVEN SOMEONE WHO HAD NEVER OWNED A DOG IN THEIR LIFE!!!!!! - to then buy into their franchise.

It's terrifying to think what could happen given the complexity of many behavioural problems.  Even the most experienced dog owners with a lifetime of stockmanship behind them are always ready, willing and able to learn more.

Have to say that as we allow people in this country to council and treat people, offer medication and manipulation without any training at all, is it any wonder that someone should decide what a money making idea this is, providing they can get insurance then they have no worries, sit back and watch the money roll in.

Softly softly catchy monkey springs to mind. The public are very gullible.:(

i was one of them.i had bark buster for my dog and they are CRAP! they tried to get me to become a behaviourist if thats what you call them, personnally i can think of better things. i told them i wasn't happy using the methods,asked my so called trainer a few questions,she couldn't answer.she even told me to ask the head office,got loads of knowledge regarding dog behaviour.thank god i didn't do the so called methods with him for long and got out before any damage was done.but if fairness they did improve his behaviour to some degree.the methods are all to do with chains,water etc.but with a serious problem with a dog it could turn very nasty very quick.they would make the dog worse not better (hide the real problem)
at the first visit she said it was stubborn,miss communication between us when i complained to head office,the very same person said he was a dominant dog that will challenge me ( bull) he knows his place ans always has in the pack.the omly reason i got them is because he didn't seem to pick up commands very well and thought they could show me a way of communicating with him better as i had tried other methods before with little sucess.the 1 thing i found out is most of their behaviourist are x customers who had issues with their own dogs.
it was only when i contacted head office she took my issues seriously before she kept saying the same stuff.
sorry to go on but i would like to warn others about them and please never go near them for your dogs sake.

We've just had one open up in my area.  Big full page advert in the local paper saying how wonderfull all it is.  What worries me is not only are they crap with no training but they also offer a lifetime guarantee!  If they dont get it right the first time they will keep coming back time after time until they might.  Scary isnt it?  The pet shops around here have put their leaflet by their tills which is even more concerning that the shops couldnt be bothered to check them out first.  Being someone who has just started training to be a behaviourist and knowing that is going to take me some three years at the very least to be able to feel that I can call myself that it is very insulting that someone thinks that they come along after six weeks and do any good. 

Claire

My friend used Barkbusters, as her dog used to run up to people outdoors and start growling.  For £175, their advice was for my friend to 'growl' at the dog!  Mind you, if she has any more problems, any further advice will be free, for the rest of dog's lifetime!  Unbelievable!
  Hilda

Knowing no better I used them.

I dot want to go into details but after complying with their ideas, my dog was PTS 2 months later after attacking myself, visiting relatives  and kids on the park.

I blame myself more than Barkbusters, I did not agree with what they said and probably knew more about dogs than they did.

One thing I have learned is no regrets......but its easier said than done. I have 2 miniature Schnauzers now, trained the way I like and absollutely normal so I do not blame myself for poor Dex.

I haven't used Barkbusters but I was very tempted after looking at their website - it all seemed too good to be true - now I know it probably is.  My vet referred me to a behaviourist and although they were very helpful, can I just point out that some aren't dog trainers as well.  I was sent away with a big report on what to do to correct the problem and all the training that was required, but I'm afraid I just wasn't up to training the dog myself.  I would have then had to employ a dog trainer to help me carry out the programme.

I'm afraid I'm a bit sceptical of the whole thing although I'm sure it does work for some.

CG

I suspect the lifetime guarantee Barkbusters offer is very tempting for some owners and leads them to think they are a reputable company! Good PR!

Lindsay
X

I wonder what would happen *if* Barkbusters went bust - is their gaurantee backed by any insurance like double glazing or builders gaurantees should be?????

You have a point Digger, perhaps someone should ask which insurance company covers them for (A) accidents occurring from a client following the behaviourists instructions and (B) in the event of one of their franchises going out of business and unable to fulfil the lifetime guarantee and do you get a certificate laying it all out.

CG dont think that every behaviourist is like this, they arent.  I help out at training classes and the trainer is a behaviourist as well.  The two work great together and as she says it keeps her hand in with everyday problems as well as the aggresive etc etc problems that normally get referred to her. 

Claire

I have found reading these posts very interesting, I had bark busters for my GSD bitch, I thought they were expensive but thought over a time would even it self out as they would keep coming back. and the fact that they come to your house seemed a good idea at the time.
I now know I wasted my money, the woman who came was very nice but basicly just told me to say to my dog ' BARR '  instead of no. Nothing she told me worked!!!!
I managed to train my dog on my own for a while, and now take her to a class once a week with a trainer who has GSD's herself who I find is brillant, I now have a much better behaved dog who will do as she is asked everytime and not just when she feels like it.
I wish I had known about this trainer before I wasted my money on the likes of Bark busters cos all they want is your money, and they are useless.

Kayl

Kayl

Just a query but did you complain and get your money back?

Claire

i did but it didn't get me any where or a refund.

I did but as the lady came out to my house twice it didn't get me anywhere either, she basicly said my dog was to dominent, and she wanted to bring someone else out with her the next time,
Needless to say there was not a next time as I thought she was talking a load of rubbish, and just making excuses because she didn't really know what she was doing.

Kayl

I've read these posts with interest and was just wondering if anyone had considered reporting them to Watchdog?  It would certainly make an interesting article on there.

Hayley..

What a great idea.  I just hate to think of the amount of dogs that they could be ruining with their cackhanded unprofessional and untrained method of dealing with matters.  Luckily the people on here had the sense to realise that it was wrong but every one of them I bet there are another ten people who have followed the advice to the letter and probably ended up with a worse dog than ever. 

where does every one live? i wonder if we had the same so called trainer? it seems funny how a dog can be stubborn or miss communication on the 1st appointment then dominant/aggressive when you challenge the methods.
my trainer was a women with the name of sonia.
she came to him about 3 times but then  it was more difficult to get an appointment for him.
i am just glad to get rid and no damage is done with my boy to be honest i only used their methods as told for about 1/2 weeks as i wasn't comfortable using it.  the methods was totally against the grain for me and i have never needed any help before.
if he goes to see any one with any behaviour issues (if needed) it will be through the vets with david appleby.i will not risk doing the same mistake twice.

Hi
It is funny you should mention about being told 'stubborn' on the first visit and then later 'dominant' thats what happened to me!!! It was a woman that came to me, I think her name was Jackie or jacqueline but I cant really remember it was about a year and a half ago now, she came twice. I live in Oxfordshire.
Kayl