Has anyone used them?  If so, what are they like?  Cheers :-)

Put it this way I have heard (not sure how true) that no experience necessary to join.  That to me speaks volumes.

I've not heard good things about their abilities to use a variety of tools to solve problems, they seem to use a 'one size fits all' approach, usually involving throwing chains or squirting things in the vicinty of the dog when it's performing the behaviour. IMHO this normally results in the dog either learning only to do the behaviour when it knows it won't get a chain thrown at it, or developing other behaviours which may be even less tolerated by the owner. 

http://www.barkbusters.co.uk/

Barkbusters is a franchise which you can buy into.

All you need is £25k and a 6 week training course, no previous experience necessary, and you too can go out and identify  behaviour problems in dogs and advise on the appropriate course of "treatment" :D

Isnt it amazing that you pay someone some money and within weeks you can call yourself a 'behaviourist'.  Think I will wait until I have finished my masters :-)

I have used them, last year.  At the time she seemed to work wonders with Bailey but on reflection i don't like some of the techniques she used - like throwing a chain on our wooden floor now everytime he hears a chain he cowers down on the floor.  £195 is a lot of money to spend if you're not sure about using them.  They come back as many times as you need them to but we have never called her back yet. 

let me know if you need anymore information

Yikes! don't like the sound of chucking chains about - especially not for £195!!

Also didn't realise that they only had to train for six weeks.  Don't think I'll be giving them a call in the near future!

Thanks!

Does anyone know of anyone reputable in West Yorks??

I have heard incredibly bad things about the franchise near me....

A friend of a friend had a Wiemaraner that was never walked regularly, and was left alone for long periods of time and surprise surprise didn't walk too well on a lead - the "chain technique" mentioned earlier was used for this dog.  Why scaring a dog with a chain should make it walk better on a lead I'll never know!

£195?!

I know of someone good in East Yorkshire, if you need details PM me, I expect they would travel :)

Lindsay
x

Barkbusters? Dont they teach you how to howl and prance around like puppies :)