Through dogged determination, Hiller ‘busts’ barking

STOP BARKING ON HILL: Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company, has come to the Chestnut Hill area. New franchise owner, Michael Carr, selected a Bark Busters franchise for this market because of its dog-loving culture and the strong demand for a gentle and natural approach that delivers results. Bark Busters therapists like Carr offer dog owners a variety of training services in their homes. Call 215-696-6294 or 1-877-280-7100 or visit www.barkbusters.com.

by LOU PERSEGHIN

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, as Michael Carr gave a short presentation about the methods used in the Bark Busters Dog Training program, a friendly but somewhat overbearing greyhound named Sandler played on the living room carpet. His owner, Dr. Michelle Bishop, decided that after adopting Sandler two months ago, it was time for some basic training.

“I do a lot of work with dogs on barking, jumping, pulling on the leash, separation anxiety and aggression,” said Carr. “Door manners are a biggie.”

Carr, 57, took early retirement from teaching science and fourth grade, and began looking around for something else to do. He found Bark Busters through the internet and went through the six-week training course at the United States headquarters in Colorado this past summer. He is in the middle of his grand opening in the Chestnut Hill area, which until now did not have a Bark Busters trainer in the area. The majority of his business is generated through vet referrals.

Bark Busters is the world’s largest dog training company, and has locations in eight different countries. Participants in the training program spend all day in class, and then use the evening for practical experience and observation. Bark Busters is the only program that carries a lifetime guarantee for the dogs that they train. If the dog needs further lessons, the trainer will return for subsequent visits free of charge.

“In looking for something to do, I thought it was a good fit,” said Carr. “I’m a dog person. My relatives all thought [taking the course] was great, my friends thought it was funny, but nobody really made fun of me.”

Bark Busters came as a natural fit for Carr, who has had a lifelong fondness for animals. As a child, he said that various tanks of animal populated his room. Currently, he has two dogs of his own, a seven-month old Whippet named Nigel and a 12-year old Greyhound mix named Patches. Even his truck, decked out with the Bark Busters logo, smells like Lavender oil. Carr explained that the oil is used for housebreaking dogs rather than as a pungent air freshener.

Carr has really found his niche in his first few months as a Bark Busters Trainer. “Dogs aren’t that complicated,” said Carr. “Not like people.” Many people are shocked at the effectiveness of the training program, he said. Often times, the dogs will have a noticeable response in behavior after only an hour or two.

“My first lesson was successful,” said Carr.

Though some dogs are harder than others to train, Carr said that those dogs often have the best long-term results.

“When they do come around, they are better because they’re strong-willed,” said Carr. “They work out better in the end for the same reasons they were tough to get through to in the first place.”

Some things are universal in training, such as asserting leadership, but Carr also works with the dog’s specific needs. Carr works with the dog owners to develop a training program for their pet’s specific needs, but stresses the importance of showing dominance through any type of training.

“It’s really up to you,” he said. “If you let your dog on the furniture, bark whenever, if you give them a treat when they ask, you have a dog that thinks they run the place. They’re showing passive dominance.”

When developing a training program for a specific dog, Carr usually picks three or four problems that the owner has identified to work on.

“If there are more problems than that,” said Carr, “I’ll come back.”

While working with Sandler, Carr first gave a short presentation to Dr. Bishop on the Bark Busters training methods and motives, speaking for a little less than an hour.

“Dogs are good people trainers,” Carr explained. He made sure to emphasize the techniques that the family can use to ensure that the Sandler knows who’s in charge. After the talk, he began working with Sandler directly on ‘door manners,’ and specifically not accosting visiting guests when they enter the house.

Over the course of the next hour, the young greyhound’s response to the training was noticeable. On Carr’s second trip through the front door, Dr. Bishop’s oldest son, Andrew, remarked that Sandler did not bark at or try to jump on Carr. Using a strong assertive voice, Carr had a noticeable effect on Sandler.

During his training session, Carr works with the owner and family for a few hours. He has the family work under his direction to train the dog, making sure the dog understands that they are in charge.

“If I can do six lessons a week, I can be successful,” Carr said.

For more information, call 215-696-6294 or visit www.barkbusters.com.