Bark To Basics

Melissa is fantastic! Cowboy is able to walk past other dogs and men now and NOT go crazy! She is so helpful and informed me how to tell how my dog is feeling based on his ears and body posture. So helpful to understand things about the dog. I highly recommend hiring her! Thank you! Elizabeth

We had Melissa come help teach our 4 month old puppy some of the basic commands as well as help teach us how to best deal with some issues like jumping up and other little things. Melissa was extremely nice, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. When we had troubles with some of the commands she always had a few alternative suggestions to help reach our goal. We would highly recommend Melissa for all your doggy training needs.

Melissa is an experienced dog trainer (13 yrs) has a psychology degree and specializes in solving behavior problems. Not only is she perfectly qualified, Melissa is courteous, professional and effective. From our initial first contact to getting us where we want to be I have nothing but praise. We have a 15 month old australian labradoodle. Sweet natured, and great with kids.

He is our first dog and we have had recent problems with him reacting to certain dogs aggressively barking. Our Vet recommended Melissa, who worked with us over only 3 visits. After assessing our dogs behavior she taught us what his triggers are, how to read his behavior and how to manage it. With precise training notes as follow up for each visit. I am very impressed with Melissa and could not recommend her highly enough.

Melissa has helped us so much with our two rescue dogs! When we adopted Bella from the shelter last year, she had a lot of anxiety issues. Melissa helped us make an amazing turn around in her behavior. She stopped marking in the house, stopped aggressively barking at other dogs (and actually likes them now!), and learned to walk nicely on a leash.

It felt like a night and day difference. Melissa is now helping us with our 7 month old puppy, Daisy. Daisy was a skittish puppy (terrified of even wearing a collar at first), and has had some fear-based barking issues. Again, we have made amazing progress with Melissa's help. We love that she has special experience with rescue dogs, and uses positive reinforcement. She is kind and professional, and we highly recommend her.

I had a phone session with Melissa and it was very helpful. She helped me with my basset hound Walter and his separation anxiety and other minor issues we were having with him. Since the phone session Melissa has followed up to check in on his progress. Walter is doing incredibly well and the tips that Melissa taught me were very helpful. She helped me understand what was going on with Walter and that it was nothing to be worried about. Since my phone session Walter has been steadily improving and it has made having him even more enjoyable.

Melissa really did wonders for our two little dogs. They love to bark and were not big on focusing long enough to stay still. After a few sessions, their manners have greatly improved. Walks are more enjoyable since they are quiet and now rarely tug on the leash. We covered the basics (sit, stay, come, quiet, leave it) and I no longer have to chase Casper to get my socks back or a paper before he shreds it. :) She also helped with transitioning Hazel from puppy pads to doing her business outside only. If the need arises, I will definitely go back to her for future training sessions.

Our two-year old basset hound rescue had some anxiety issues, disliked her crate, and struggled with her leash manners. After 3 sessions with Melissa, our little hound showed improvement with loose-leash walking, her anxiety has significantly decreased, and she now considers her crate a safe place (where she goes voluntarily now)! We are confident that with a couple more sessions with Melissa (and plenty of practice on our part), our pup will be walking on her leash near other dogs like a pro! Also, as new pet owners, we really appreciate Melissa's willingness to share great resources for anything we've run across (e.g., local vets, harnesses that fit our basset hound, and good treats, etc.). We highly recommend Melissa and Bark to Basics!

Melissa at Bark to Basics is an excellent dog trainer and pet sitter. I initially started with her as a pet sitter while I traveled for business. She is very professional, caring and compassionate. My two little girls get very excited to see her. That is what every pet owner wants to see when someone else cares for your companions. I also engage Melissa for some training for my little Chihuahua mix.

She is a very sweet loving log, but likes to feel like the big protector when other dogs come around. Melissa worked with me on how to distract her, calm her down and stay focused on me instead on what was happening around her. My little Chihuahua is now a much happier dog. I highly recommend Melissa and her team.

When we adopted Calle, she seemed perfect for our lifestyle and temperament, but soon after bringing her home, we learned that she had major anxiety issues and wasn't potty trained. She was approximately two years old, and it was apparent that she had been mistreated. I immediately researched training options and came upon Melissa's website. We enlisted her based on reviews of other clients.

That was the BEST decision we made for us and for Calle. Melissa has a calm, loving demeanor, is very knowledgeable when it comes to training dogs with 'issues, ' and uses positive reinforcement in her training. Melissa's tips on potty training Calle worked immediately. Melissa also educated us on how to work with Calle in a positive manner and it wasn't long before Calle's anxiety was reduced tremendously. (We have enjoyed her companionship for the past seven years and I can speak for Calle and say that life is good!) In addition, Melissa has provided the best overnight care for Calle. Honestly, I never thought I would be able to take a trip without taking Calle along, but I can leave, knowing that Calle will be safe and most of all, happy!

Thank you, Melissa. I am truly grateful for your services. To anyone considering Melissa's services, you won't be disappointed in her outstanding training techniques, knowledge, professionalism, reliability, and last but not least, her obvious love of dogs. I'm posting a photo of Calle taken the day we adopted her and one of her approximately six months later. You can actually SEE the difference!

We were so pleased with the sessions we have had with Melissa! Our chocolate lab learned so much, and is becoming such an amazing dog thanks to her training. We also had Bark to Basics board our dog when we were out of town, and that was a wonderful experience as well! We highly recommend her to anyone that either has a puppy or even an adult dog that needs some training.