Has Anyone Used Bark Buster- Trainer Ken Tran?

[miss_blue99]

HI

I have read some negative comments on bark busters here. Just wondering if anyone has used Ken Tran from bark busters for in home training?

I spoke to him on the phone and he seemed really nice and caring unlike some other guy i called from a different company.

Any thoughts or feedback or other suggestions? The only thing holding me back is the steep cost $550!

i generally need him to help me with obedience training (basic puppy stuff). Key issue is the toilet training and running around jumping all over you type stuff... or not allowing me to put a harness to take her for walks.

Edited February 23, 2016 by miss_blue99

[RiverStar-Aura]

If he's the same guy who has a stall each year at the Illawarra Million Paws Walk, I'd steer well clear. The MPW Bark Busters guy heavily promotes the use of squirting water bottles for bad behaviour and this method is so outdated it's not funny. I've been tempted too many times to take my own spray bottle and turn it on him.

What toiletting issues are you having with your pup? Maybe some of the more experienced DOLers can offer suggestions to help you out. If the problem is that your pup still isn't toilet trained, it's more than likely that your girl doesn't know where she's allowed to go (or that you're just not taking her outside to toilet enough).

[miss_blue99]

If he's the same guy who has a stall each year at the Illawarra Million Paws Walk, I'd steer well clear. The MPW Bark Busters guy heavily promotes the use of squirting water bottles for bad behaviour and this method is so outdated it's not funny. I've been tempted too many times to take my own spray bottle and turn it on him.

What toiletting issues are you having with your pup? Maybe some of the more experienced DOLers can offer suggestions to help you out. If the problem is that your pup still isn't toilet trained, it's more than likely that your girl doesn't know where she's allowed to go (or that you're just not taking her outside to toilet enough).

Hi

thanks for your reply. wow squirt water bottle id rather do treats for good behaviour...

TOILET is one big issue... she knows because she was partially potty trained before i got her, to do it on the grass... but every now and then when she is outside she will do it both kinds of potty on the concrete i leave her outside for as long as possible after she eats and drinks and when i do bring her inside if i hold her/carry her she is fine but when i put her down and she starts to roam around she will randomly pee,even tho i have fake grass and she knows to do it on that patch in the living room or the bathroom (where she sleeps - it is set up with grass on one side and bed on the other.

then there is the issue of her jumping up and down when i come home (non stop) or when i open the door to let her in she just runs right in without waiting for me to let her in.

or when she fights me when i try to place the harness around her (i almost feel like giving up cause it is sucha battle and then she tries to bite because she doesnt want the harness... however she does love the walks).

[The Spotted Devil]

Don't worry - normal puppy behaviours for which there are plenty of positive reinforcement based training solutions :)

First, Google shaping/dog training.

Second, how old and what breed is your puppy?

Third, where are you? I can recommend trainers in Vic.

Edited February 23, 2016 by The Spotted Devil

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Threads on toilet training - cos I can't be bothered typing the same stuff again. Don't assume she knows anything - start again from scratch. Make sure you supervise and get a pee/poop outside before you let her inside - even if you have to keep her on lead and act completely boring until she goes.

https://www.google.com.au/search?site=&source=hp&q=toilet+training+umbilical+site%3Awww.dolforums.com.au&oq=toilet+training+umbilical+site%3Awww.dolforums.com.au

Jumping up - I train a "collar grab" and then I grab and hold if the dog jumps, and I wait until dog is calm, and then I let it go - to see what its choice is. If it jumps again, I grab and hold and wait again... The third time I think I'd be separating me from the puppy ie separate rooms or one outside one inside... or in the crate.

When I get home - I do not talk to my dog until we're both outside and she's at least peed.

Door manners game. Put puppy on lead so you have some control. (sorry about your fingers). Put your hand on the door and ask for a sit. If the puppy can sit, open the door slowly, any sign of butt lift off, close door pronto. Start again. Until you can get the door all the way open.

You will probably need to teach a sit stay and a release before you start the door game.

Harness. Play a game of treats for investigating harness. Reward by putting your hand with the treat through the bit of the harness the puppy has to put her head through. Presently greedy puppy will start putting her head through the harness to get the treat. Play for five treats and then do something else. I probably wouldn't try to use the harness until you can get the harness on without a fight. Training games wear a dog out nearly as much as a walk.

Other games you might want to google - "its yer choice" and "re-inforcement zone" or "loose lead walking" - kikopup on youtube has heaps of good stuff.

[Willem]

@ OP: if the dog is old enough I recommend normal obedience classes in a dog trainings club - likely cheaper, socialisation with other dogs and dog owners included, and the dogs learn also 'from each other', at least it is a different learning when other dogs and owners around. If a dog is only 'home' trained she might become just perfect while at home and / or in the own backyard, however, it doesn't guarantee the same good behaviour when walking the dog in public and in the presence of other distractions. Instructors (and other dog owners) will also be able to give you advice regards toilet training and other issues.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Willem

[persephone]

:) I suggest you just use a collar for now .... dog has collar on - and IMMEDIATELY gets a meal, or treat . Easy . When dog is used to having a collar put on /taken off /eating something yummy .. then move on to harness , using the same cues/words/treats....it may take a week ..maybe longer, maybe less.

When leaving pup .. just do normal things , and walk away .

When coming home ..IGNORE the jumping. COMPLETELY . no pushing away ..no talking . yes, it may get worse for a few times - but she will stop if there is no contact .

One important bit of advice which I will NOT charge $500 for ;) ONLY speak to/pat puppy if four feet are on the ground ..or she is doing what you ask . You speaking her name is a reward - so - she gets it when she is doing something you like :)

I second watching the KIKO PUP videos :)

You might also enjoy watching videos like this : My link

[Willem]

:) I suggest you just use a collar for now .... dog has collar on - and IMMEDIATELY gets a meal, or treat . Easy . When dog is used to having a collar put on /taken off /eating something yummy .. then move on to harness , using the same cues/words/treats....it may take a week ..maybe longer, maybe less.

When leaving pup .. just do normal things , and walk away .

When coming home ..IGNORE the jumping. COMPLETELY . no pushing away ..no talking . yes, it may get worse for a few times - but she will stop if there is no contact .

One important bit of advice which I will NOT charge $500 for ;) ONLY speak to/pat puppy if four feet are on the ground ..or she is doing what you ask . You speaking her name is a reward - so - she gets it when she is doing something you like :)

I second watching the KIKO PUP videos :)

You might also enjoy watching videos like this : My link

not saying that this 'ignoring strategy' doesn't work at all, but I'm always concerned that this 'waiting period' becomes a habit or part of the game - my approach was to teach her sit, drop and stay (comes with normal obedience training anyway). Once the dog response is reliable you can stop the jumping before it starts.

[persephone]

:) I suggest you just use a collar for now .... dog has collar on - and IMMEDIATELY gets a meal, or treat . Easy . When dog is used to having a collar put on /taken off /eating something yummy .. then move on to harness , using the same cues/words/treats....it may take a week ..maybe longer, maybe less.

When leaving pup .. just do normal things , and walk away .

When coming home ..IGNORE the jumping. COMPLETELY . no pushing away ..no talking . yes, it may get worse for a few times - but she will stop if there is no contact .

One important bit of advice which I will NOT charge $500 for ;) ONLY speak to/pat puppy if four feet are on the ground ..or she is doing what you ask . You speaking her name is a reward - so - she gets it when she is doing something you like :)

I second watching the KIKO PUP videos :)

You might also enjoy watching videos like this : My link

not saying that this 'ignoring strategy' doesn't work at all, but I'm always concerned that this 'waiting period' becomes a habit or part of the game - my approach was to teach her sit, drop and stay (comes with normal obedience training anyway). Once the dog response is reliable you can stop the jumping before it starts.

if a puppy can do all this - that's fine :)

the puppy concerned is a 3 mth pomeranian - so I very much doubt she has learned all this so far ... I have found the ignoring works well with our pups ( koolies) ..

[The Spotted Devil]

I agree with Pers - I want my pups taking responsibility for their actions...learn the consequences and display SELF control. My litter were all sitting to be picked up and cuddled from 5 weeks...hardest bit was training the HUMANS :laugh:

[persephone]

I agree with Pers - I want my pups taking responsibility for their actions...learn the consequences and display SELF control. My litter were all sitting to be picked up and cuddled from 5 weeks...hardest bit was training the HUMANS :laugh:

yess.. becoming immune to cuteness and big eyed appeals takes much practice ......

[The Spotted Devil]

I agree with Pers - I want my pups taking responsibility for their actions...learn the consequences and display SELF control. My litter were all sitting to be picked up and cuddled from 5 weeks...hardest bit was training the HUMANS :laugh:

yess.. becoming immune to cuteness and big eyed appeals takes much practice ......

It does indeed :laugh:

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

OMG so cute, and no mess anywhere !

[persephone]

TSD that is an unfair thing ..putting up such pics ;)

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Yes TSD pics like that deserve to be in their own thread not a BB thread - we will never think to look for them here.

[Willem]

:) I suggest you just use a collar for now .... dog has collar on - and IMMEDIATELY gets a meal, or treat . Easy . When dog is used to having a collar put on /taken off /eating something yummy .. then move on to harness , using the same cues/words/treats....it may take a week ..maybe longer, maybe less.

When leaving pup .. just do normal things , and walk away .

When coming home ..IGNORE the jumping. COMPLETELY . no pushing away ..no talking . yes, it may get worse for a few times - but she will stop if there is no contact .

One important bit of advice which I will NOT charge $500 for ;) ONLY speak to/pat puppy if four feet are on the ground ..or she is doing what you ask . You speaking her name is a reward - so - she gets it when she is doing something you like :)

I second watching the KIKO PUP videos :)

You might also enjoy watching videos like this : My link

not saying that this 'ignoring strategy' doesn't work at all, but I'm always concerned that this 'waiting period' becomes a habit or part of the game - my approach was to teach her sit, drop and stay (comes with normal obedience training anyway). Once the dog response is reliable you can stop the jumping before it starts.

if a puppy can do all this - that's fine :)

the puppy concerned is a 3 mth pomeranian - so I very much doubt she has learned all this so far ... I have found the ignoring works well with our pups ( koolies) ..

...it is horses for courses ...every method has its limitations, e.g. ignoring our jumpy BC was just impossible for our 7 year old daughter, or it is also not much fun for a not so stable adult to ignore a 38 kg lab going nuts and jumping on them...

[miss_blue99]

Don't worry - normal puppy behaviours for which there are plenty of positive reinforcement based training solutions :)

First, Google shaping/dog training.

Second, how old and what breed is your puppy?

Third, where are you? I can recommend trainers in Vic.

I am Based in Sydney

[Jumabaar]

Mel should be able to point you toward someone who can help in your area who uses positive reinforcement. This is her website- give her a call. She is lovely!

http://www.creatureteacher.com.au

[miss_blue99]

Threads on toilet training - cos I can't be bothered typing the same stuff again. Don't assume she knows anything - start again from scratch. Make sure you supervise and get a pee/poop outside before you let her inside - even if you have to keep her on lead and act completely boring until she goes.

https://www.google.com.au/search?site=&source=hp&q=toilet+training+umbilical+site%3Awww.dolforums.com.au&oq=toilet+training+umbilical+site%3Awww.dolforums.com.au

Jumping up - I train a "collar grab" and then I grab and hold if the dog jumps, and I wait until dog is calm, and then I let it go - to see what its choice is. If it jumps again, I grab and hold and wait again... The third time I think I'd be separating me from the puppy ie separate rooms or one outside one inside... or in the crate.

When I get home - I do not talk to my dog until we're both outside and she's at least peed.

Door manners game. Put puppy on lead so you have some control. (sorry about your fingers). Put your hand on the door and ask for a sit. If the puppy can sit, open the door slowly, any sign of butt lift off, close door pronto. Start again. Until you can get the door all the way open.

You will probably need to teach a sit stay and a release before you start the door game.

Harness. Play a game of treats for investigating harness. Reward by putting your hand with the treat through the bit of the harness the puppy has to put her head through. Presently greedy puppy will start putting her head through the harness to get the treat. Play for five treats and then do something else. I probably wouldn't try to use the harness until you can get the harness on without a fight. Training games wear a dog out nearly as much as a walk.

Other games you might want to google - "its yer choice" and "re-inforcement zone" or "loose lead walking" - kikopup on youtube has heaps of good stuff.

The grabbing doesn't work I had to hold her down or against me and she still fights and squeals she is a tiny 3 mth + Pomeranian).

I will try the treat after the harness although it's the type that she needs to put her legs through not her head.

Cool will defo look up those YouTube channels thanku.

As for entering after work, I try the ignore game and it doesn't work she just keeps jumping on me around me and runs like crazy around her kennel and me. I say sit but because she sees me pour food in her bowl she goes nuts and won't stop til I finish pouring however she does sit and stay waits until I put food down and tell her to eat.

So she is half obedient with that aspect

[miss_blue99]

@ OP: if the dog is old enough I recommend normal obedience classes in a dog trainings club - likely cheaper, socialisation with other dogs and dog owners included, and the dogs learn also 'from each other', at least it is a different learning when other dogs and owners around. If a dog is only 'home' trained she might become just perfect while at home and / or in the own backyard, however, it doesn't guarantee the same good behaviour when walking the dog in public and in the presence of other distractions. Instructors (and other dog owners) will also be able to give you advice regards toilet training and other issues.

She isn't old enough 3mth plus. I took her once to a dog school for all ages and I didn't find any benefit to it all it was very disappointing. ( wasn't good for me or for her)

Plus too many barking dogs of all ages and sizes. I feel like I need more of a one to one session, my main issues are at home.

I take her for walks and she isn't too bad for a puppy.