About Bark Busters Sarasota

In-home training in Sarasota

Bark Busters Sarasota is run by Susan McNichol, the local Bark Busters Master Dog Trainer, who trains dogs and their owners in clients' homes across the Sarasota area. Susan says she came to training after struggling with one of her first dogs, a rescue named Desiree, until her daughter introduced her to Bark Busters, and that she has since trained hundreds of dogs throughout Sarasota.

How it works

Training takes place in the home, where most issues occur and the dog is most comfortable, and the first lesson runs two to three hours. Susan describes positive, humane, dog-friendly methods and builds a one-on-one program around each dog's issues. Her focus is on training owners: learning to be the "Top Dog" and take control so the dog can relax. Issues she takes on include aggression, barking, biting, chewing, digging, housebreaking, jumping, leash pulling, fear of dogs or people, lunging at the door, separation anxiety, sibling rivalry and preparing for a new baby. Clients receive lifetime support.

What owners say

A Longboat Key client wrote that after about two weeks there was "significant improvement in my dog's reactivity," calling the exercises "simple and practical." A Palmetto owner said Susan "has brought peace to our house."