charlies_mum Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Hi everyone we have two chihuahuas molly who is 1 today and charlie almost 2. molly is the dominant one and lately she has been barking at everything. they both run to the front door barking when someone comes to the door but they are getting worse. they bark at everything that moves in the backyard etc. has anyone had any experience with Bark Busters? we are desperate one neighbour has already complained. i looked on the bark busters website and they claim to be able to fix alot of problems in 3 hours which sounds like a god send to me. Our puppies are on the whole so good they never make a sound unless they are outside or someone comes over. will bark busters be able to help? thanks for reading sorry its a long post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I would stay away from any trainer that claims they can fix an ongoing problem in 3 hours ( ) I have heard of Bark Busters.... they seem horrible! Where are you located? Maybe we can recommend you a trainer or a behaviorist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildatHeart Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I don't like bark busters either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlies_mum Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 hi thanks for your feedback we are in the illawarra area in nsw if you know of a great trainer we would be very happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paganman Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 (edited) Ive never heard anything good about them there a franchise so I suppose it depends on what trainer you get. K9 Force is very good but I dont know if hed be close to you coz I dont know where Illawarra is Edited May 10, 2009 by Paganman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 If you can't come up with a behaviourist, you might want to try a bark collar. I think they generally recommend sonic or citronella collars for small dogs. The collars provide consistent, instant correction for barking, which is better than most of us can do. You might also find a behaviourist who lives some distance from you who would be willing to provide guidance in use of a bark collar . . . like most tools, they give better results if used correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan of Arc Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 We know a couple who used Bark busters for their cattle dog pup. Supposedly to train it for basic obedience etc. They took the dog for ages, a few months I think and then 'graduated' and stopped going. When the dog was 9 months old they discovered teh dog was deaf. While I admit that the owners should have reailsed this at some stage, one would expect that if a trainer is coming to your house and seeing the dog two or three times a week, they would notice it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karelea Aussies Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) We had a complaint so asked barkbusters come out. In our session the training involved the use of chains and water balloons to act as a detterent. The complaint was that they used to bark constantly day and night. We used to hear them bark but only if someone was around at night, and our other neighbour said that she rarely heard them through the day. Once again only if someone was around. So this was what we were working to stop. Barkbusters showed us to use the chain and throw it at the fence (very near them without hitting them). The bang would startle them and then we had to call them to us and praise/reward. Gradually all we had to do was rattle the chain and they would stop and come to the door. With the water ballons the aim was to get them away from the fence. I guess the end result was to make them think that if they went near the fence, they would get a water balloon lobbed at them. They very ralely barked after that but then the people who complained had their car broken into a week later. Our dogs did not bark to alert of someone being around and they had the inside of their van gutted. So I guess you could say it worked fine. Turns out it was actually a GSD on the other side of the road that was doing all the barking. Edited May 11, 2009 by thelinks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I wouldn't touch Bark Busters with a ten foot pole, I never recommend them. Being a franchise you have no idea what the actual trainer you end up getting will be like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlies_mum Posted May 11, 2009 Author Share Posted May 11, 2009 Thanks for your help. the neighbour who complained says she only barks when we are not at home. which is true when we are home she rarely barks and if she does once we call her she is quiet. i dont know what would work because we cant be home to throw the chain at the fence etc when she is barking as she only does it when we arent there so would a collar be better? if so where do i get a collar from and do they need to be properly fitted. thanks for your help and feedback im thinking i will have to give bark busters a miss. i love the story about the car being broken into too. bet they wish they had waited to complain to you hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonymc Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 As Huski said. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Midol Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 As Tony and Huski said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) We had a complaint so asked barkbusters come out. In our session the training involved the use of chains and water balloons to act as a detterent. The complaint was that they used to bark constantly day and night. We used to hear them bark but only if someone was around at night, and our other neighbour said that she rarely heard them through the day. Once again only if someone was around. So this was what we were working to stop. Barkbusters showed us to use the chain and throw it at the fence (very near them without hitting them). The bang would startle them and then we had to call them to us and praise/reward. Gradually all we had to do was rattle the chain and they would stop and come to the door. With the water ballons the aim was to get them away from the fence. I guess the end result was to make them think that if they went near the fence, they would get a water balloon lobbed at them. They very ralely barked after that but then the people who complained had their car broken into a week later. Our dogs did not bark to alert of someone being around and they had the inside of their van gutted. So I guess you could say it worked fine. Turns out it was actually a GSD on the other side of the road that was doing all the barking. Do they really use chains and water bombs, sounds like something out of "Friday Night Games" on the TV or whatever it used to be called Think of the damage that could do to a dog mentally, and in my case, being a lousy shot, physically. I prefer my dog trainers/behaviourists to use less cartoon capers type of methods. If I were going to look for a trainer besides ones that are recommended on here, I would at least be looking for NDTF qualifications, references from satisfied customers etc etc and be steering clear of franchises... ETA as with anything in life I like to get feedback from people who I trust who have had success with whatever, ie mechanic dentist etc. Also someone told me they charge around $400 (with free lifetime advice)... that seems kinda steep. They also didn't cure that person's issues either. Edited May 11, 2009 by Quickasyoucan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 charlies_mum, how abut you start a new thread asking about a recommendations for a behaviorist/trainer in Illawarra area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I live in the Wollongong area but don't know any trainers to help you. I could ask around if you are interested thou? I am curious as I have chi x's . Yours are young but are they socialised and do they get much exercise or training? Mine bark if someone comes as well but are quiet when I say. The girl is very territorial and can be noisy if we get people hanging around the back lane. Good luck. And I also agree that it is dependant on the trainer in your area. You would need to check first that your Bark Buster trainer is recommended. I would go to the local dog clubs for help first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karelea Aussies Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 We had a complaint so asked barkbusters come out. In our session the training involved the use of chains and water balloons to act as a detterent. The complaint was that they used to bark constantly day and night. We used to hear them bark but only if someone was around at night, and our other neighbour said that she rarely heard them through the day. Once again only if someone was around. So this was what we were working to stop. Barkbusters showed us to use the chain and throw it at the fence (very near them without hitting them). The bang would startle them and then we had to call them to us and praise/reward. Gradually all we had to do was rattle the chain and they would stop and come to the door. With the water ballons the aim was to get them away from the fence. I guess the end result was to make them think that if they went near the fence, they would get a water balloon lobbed at them. They very ralely barked after that but then the people who complained had their car broken into a week later. Our dogs did not bark to alert of someone being around and they had the inside of their van gutted. So I guess you could say it worked fine. ;) Turns out it was actually a GSD on the other side of the road that was doing all the barking. Do they really use chains and water bombs, sounds like something out of "Friday Night Games" on the TV or whatever it used to be called Think of the damage that could do to a dog mentally, and in my case, being a lousy shot, physically. I prefer my dog trainers/behaviourists to use less cartoon capers type of methods. If I were going to look for a trainer besides ones that are recommended on here, I would at least be looking for NDTF qualifications, references from satisfied customers etc etc and be steering clear of franchises... ETA as with anything in life I like to get feedback from people who I trust who have had success with whatever, ie mechanic dentist etc. Also someone told me they charge around $400 (with free lifetime advice)... that seems kinda steep. They also didn't cure that person's issues either. Should have mentioned that this was about 4 years ago so there methods might have changed but YES then they used chains and waterbombs. I must admit I was a bit shocked by the whole process but it did work and the dogs personalities did not seem to suffer for it. But you are right in the fact that you need to have good aim lol. The session cost $350 for lifetime guarantee. If it was now, I might not go along the same path. Charlies_mum I am pretty sure I saw a couple of behaviourists, in the Illawarra, in the yellow pages when looking for training schools up that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) IMO an anti-bark e-collar is likely to have less risk of detrimental 'pairing' to the environment than throwing a chain would and done correctly (I always recommend professional advice first) doesn't involve the element of fear that chain throwing would or at the very least could have. Edited May 12, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poochmad Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'd steer clear of Bark Busters as well. They use the same 'method' for every single dog, regardless of the fact that every dog is different. I contacted them (years ago) and then changed my mind about engaging them. Well! I was abused and threatened and told I had to pay 50% of the fee, even though I hadn't signed anything! Needless to say, I dug my heels in and in the end they backed off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ci Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Do they really use chains and water bombs, sounds like something out of "Friday Night Games" on the TV or whatever it used to be called Think of the damage that could do to a dog mentally, and in my case, being a lousy shot, physically. They did with a friend of mine's dog. The couple only wanted basic training - he was a huge dog (crossbreed), gentle but huge and strong and they just wanted training so the wife could walk him without worrying. After two sessions with Barkbusters - the dog was so terrified of check chains that they were only able to use a leather collar on him. All they had to do was pick the chain up and he would be shaking and back away into the corner of the yard. They could never get him over it. Needless to say what they thought of Barkbusters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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