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THE BARK BUSTERS 'TAIL'

Bark Busters Home Dog Training have been helping owners and their dogs since 1989. One of the world's largest dog training businesses, operating around the world

SPEAKING DOG THE BARK BUSTERS WAY

Bark Busters Dog Training

Following is the story of how Bark Busters was born and how it came to be. Our Head Office is in Wollongong NSW Australia.

BARK BUSTERS IS BORN

Bark Busters was formed in Australia in 1989 by Sylvia and Danny Wilson, expert dog trainers and authors of many dog training books on dog psychology and training.

Sylvia managed an RSPCA shelter for 10 years, in the Southeast of NSW Australia, before forming Bark Busters with her husband, Danny.

She had studied the behaviour and communication methods of dogs from childhood. While managing the shelter she was saddened by the number of dogs she saw being maltreated, abandoned and euthanised for behavioural problems, which she knew was due to a lack of consistent leadership, understanding and clear ‘canine communication’.

 

Meanwhile on the other side of the globe Danny was working with farm dogs and helping farmers deal with behavioural issues. Danny realised early on, that ‘communication’ between man and dog was one of the most important ingredients in stabilising and calming stressed and traumatised dogs. 

The merging of their ideas became the basis for creating the Bark Busters innovative, naturalistic and holistic training techniques. Our unique techniques have propelled Bark Busters' phenomenal growth worldwide.

Bark Busters is now the world's largest dog training company with more than 300 trainers worldwide.

 

ABOUT SYLVIA AND DANNY

Sylvia was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Australia with her parents at the age of 5.

Danny was born in Australia but was brought up near Newcastle-upon-Tyne United Kingdom. He returned to Australia when he was 26.

Some years later, Sylvia first met Danny when she was managing an RSPCA branch. They realised there must be a way to stop dogs from being returned to the shelter because of their behaviour. This is how Bark Busters came into being.

Danny and Sylvia’s comments:

"We realised, while working at the RSPCA centre, that many dogs were being surrendered in their prime by their owners who could not control their bad behaviour. At the time there was no help for these people whose problems fell through the cracks“
"We noticed that many dog trainers were reluctant to deal with dogs deemed dangerous or difficult to train. Many prefer to recommend euthanasia without even meeting these dogs face to face. We never recommend euthanasia. We never turn any dog away!"

 

AWARD WINNING COMPANY

  • 2017 Sylvia Wilson named winner of the PetAge Icon Award
  • 2015 Sylvia Wilson named by Smart Companies-Top 30 Female Entrepreneurs in Australia
  • 2014 Sylvia Wilson named Entrepreneur of the Year-Women in the Pet Industry Network USA
  • 2013 Sylvia Wilson named by Smart Companies-Top 30 Female Entrepreneurs in Australia
  • 2007 Bark Busters named Australia's 5th fastest growing franchise in BRW's Hot Franchises List
  • 2006 Sylvia Wilson (co-founder) recognised in BRW's Top 10 Australian Women Entrepreneurs List
  • 2005 Illawarra Business Awards - Winner of the Wollongong City Council Innovation category
  • 2004 Illawarra Business Awards - Winner of Exporter of the Year category
  • 2002 Australia Post Small Business Awards- Small Business of the Year Winner. Integral Energy Illawarra Small Business Awards - Winner of Oz Industry, Export & Small Business Categories
  • 1999 Sylvia Wilson inducted into Business Women's Hall of Fame-Australian Women’s Business Network
  • 1998 Telstra Small Business Awards - Winner and Telstra Small Business Awards Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year (NSW) - Winner

 

BARK BUSTERS TRAINING IS AHEAD OF THE PACK

OUR TRAINERS HAVE THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING!
  • Our trainers are passionate about the welfare of dogs
  • Bark Busters training never employs any harsh methods
  • They care for their clients
  • Follow the holistic teachings of the Founders
  • They deliver a professional service.
  • They get results, where others fail.
Bark Busters is a howling success!
  • Bark Busters is a well-established, respected worldwide dog training system, established in 6 countries.
  • Our system is holistic, kind and humane, using a unique method of training which is based on communication, not treats or pain.
  • Bark Busters has trained over 1 million dogs worldwide.
  • Bark Busters’ dog training is non-physical, effective and fast.
  • We use the dogs’ own language and teach the owners how to communicate with their dogs.

 

BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES ARE NORMAL DOG BEHAVIOUR

BEHAVIOUR THAT ANNOYS HUMANS

Dog behavioural issues, those things that humans think of as unacceptable, are just normal dog behaviour.

In the dog world, dogs bark, chew, jump up, dig holes, snap, bite, and chase animals.

It's when the dog enters the human world that this behaviour is frowned upon.

It's these behaviours that humans commonly need help to address.

Dogs understand and Speak Dog

Dogs in the ‘dog world’, living with other dogs, don’t seek help to address other dogs behavioural issues, they deal with things themselves in a ‘canine way’.

It’s called ‘canine communication’ and most dogs will do what we want them to do, if we also communicate in a canine way and speak in a language they understand.

 

BARK BUSTERS TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

We know dogs have their own form of "CANINE COMMUNICATION"

BARK BUSTERS use the dog’s form of communication to train, educate and form a strong ‘HUMAN-CANINE’ BOND.

We know that a ‘mother dog’ raises her puppies to LIVE with dogs, NOT humans.

We believe that she provided the BLUEPRINT to show us how to educate and COMMUNICATE with them.

Bark Busters BELIEVE that the human has to LEARN the WAYS of the DOG.

"...if they want to form a ‘BOND that will LAST and one that is built on Mutual RESPECT’."

"...it’s amazing the results we achieve in just two to three hours.”

 

A GUARANTEE NO ONE CAN MATCH

The Bark Busters worldwide guarantee is unique in the industry.

It is designed to help owners ensure that a dog’s behaviour and obedience issues are resolved, and to provide customers with ongoing peace of mind and is redeemable in any country where Bark Busters is established.

Dog owners who have moved from the USA to Australia, for example, would be able to redeem their guarantee in that country.

The guarantee moves with the dog!

If a dog is rehomed, the Bark Busters guarantee goes with the dog and is redeemable by the new owner.

Over 35 years of history - over 1 million dogs trained!

 

WE ARE ALWAYS GROWING AND LEARNING

OUR TRAINERS NEVER FINISH LEARNING.

We are constantly upgrading their training because dogs are always teaching us something new every single day.

 

THE BARK BUSTERS PROMISE: WE TRAIN ANY DOG, ANY AGE, ANY PROBLEM!

OUR PHILOSOPHY, IS NO DOG SHOULD EVER BE TURNED AWAY REGARDLESS OF ITS PROBLEMS, AGE, OR BREED.

"My dog and I BOTH need training and Martin is the man to help. So very happy with the first lesson. Highly recommended"

Lynda
Trainer: Martin Blattman

"Cat is amazing! We've starting using the techniques we learnt in the initial training session and Indi and Kawhi are learning so much already and it's only been a few days! We are very thankful for the training and Cat for helping us learn to be able get the dogs together in one house!!"

Hayley
Trainer: Catharina Jeffery

"I found Ric was informative and very patient with us. He easily established a bond with Ginger (the dog) There was a lot of information on the day, the notes you supplied after the session really helped."

Lesley
Trainer: Ric Kennedy

"Kelly was very thorough and I couldn't believe within 2 mins of her being at my front door she had my dog away and not barking"

Jasmin
Trainer: Kelly McClelland

"I noticed a difference in my puppy in the first lesson. Ken is always there to help and always checks in with me. He makes it so easy."

Ellie
Trainer: Ken Tran

"Phillipa was extremely professional. She was very calm and had so much knowledge & experience in dogs . We felt at ease the moment she walked thru our door. She took her time to explain everything we would cover in this session . She even had videos which helped us understand the procedures we would use . Freddie responded to Phillipa with heaps of enthusiasm . We found her to be extremely nurturing and full of empathy and compassion for Freddie’s and Mikaylas recent incident . I am confident this is just a stepping stone to use to get Freddie & Mikayla back on daily walks. One of our neighbours stopped me when I was doing the training homework and she had noticed how calm and relaxed Freddie was compared to normal . Of course I told her it was because of our outstanding Trainer Phillipa. Thank you to Kelly also for assisting us with our booking . We feel very grateful for all of you making Freddie’s forever home ( instead of the alternative- we were facing ) . We love our dog and couldn’t think about giving him up after we rescued him from the RSPCA . A million thanks to all at this amazing business ."

Cheryl
Trainer: Philippa Dakin

"Willow did her first session with Emma from bark busters on the 16/09/2025. Emma was able to immediately identify behavioural issues with both Willow and myself and her training techniques were immediately effective and easy to follow. In the time since the first session Willows behaviour has dramatically changed in the household and on walks now being very positive experiences and I can’t recommend the amazing work that Emma does enough"

Joshua
Trainer: Emma Reeves

"Beyond thrilled and so grateful to Glen. We were so close to surrendering our gorgeous boy, but Bark busters helped to turn him in to a new dog. Could not recommend more!"

Rhiannon
Trainer: Glen & Maureen Guelfi

"Emma has completely changed our boys for the better! I knew what ever I was doing clearly wasn’t getting through to the boys and she gave some simple instructions and changes and finally my boys are listening to me and I can communicate what I want from them in a way they’ll understand! We have been practising loose leash walking every morning, and then consistently through out the day/evening I have been working on them politely entering inside the house, going through gates and doorways. We also haven’t had an accident of Ripp jumping up on the bench!! We are working on separation anxiety and the boys have taken on to it sooo well!"

Morgan
Trainer: Emma Reeves

"Kia turned up at the time booked. She was very good at the explaining what I had to do and showing me how to work with my dogs."

Kenneth
Trainer: Kia Parke

 

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