what dog owners say about Jo & Graham Milgrew
Dog Training & Behavioral Therapist
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5th February 2013
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
We took on a Battersea rescue Staffie Cross, called Coco in August 2012. As relatively experienced dog owners we thought that when she presented any behavioural issues that we would be able to deal with it.
We were wrong, in reality, Coco was a very scared little dog, who if we left her alone in the house would chew her way through crates, eat and scratch our internal doors, be terrified of loud noises (fireworks and thunder storms) and in general looked very unhappy and unsettled whilst living with us. Outside of the house she would kill any ball within her eyesight and bark and jump at any dog larger than herself, all without us being able to distract or calm her. We had thrown every little tip and trick we had learnt with our previous dogs but had little to no success with these methods.
In January 2013, we could no longer deal with seeing our beautiful little dog looking so miserable with her life. I saw that Jo had worked with my local rescue, Hornchurch Animal Rescue with some success so as we had literally nothing to lose decided to make the phone call. This was one of the wisest decisions we had ever made.
Jo visits your home for a few hours and quickly assesses your dog by their body language. We had a very anxious dog and we were making her worse by not addressing her bad behaviour and reassuring her when she was really fearful. Jo leaves you with a given a tailored program of re-training her and reinforcing her good behaviour. As she is such an intelligent little girl she really took to the new regime like a duck to water. Jo really proves that if you are willing to put in a little of your time every day in training your dog that you will get repaid a thousandfold. We have a happy relaxed little dog who is now seen in the local neighbourhood as an ambassador for her breed.
Thank you Jo x
This family had taken on a beautiful Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross who was so anxious she found it hard to handle everyday situations. It is impossible to know if her time in rescue caused these problems or if she was in rescue because of them, but the end result meant that Coco spent her time reacting to situations she couldn’t handle with some pretty unpleasant consequences for her loving family. The worst of this being her separation anxiety where she would destroy the house if left on her own. Her owners have worked hard to build Cocos confidence and she has blossomed into a lovely friendly dog who now looks to them to look after her and is a dog who is enjoying her life to the full. An amazing turn around in this little dogs life.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4238
Hornchurch, Essex (Testimonial)
2nd February 2013
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
Before Jo became our trainer I almost could not walk my own dog on leash. Pepper would jump at me, bite the leash and at his worst he bit me in his over excited frenzies. As a 31kg boxer, this was becoming dangerous for us all, as well as heartbreaking
as all I wanted was to walk and jog with my boy. The previous (non Barkbusters) training we received in Germany (where we had been living) involved some overly harsh methods, meaning Jo had to undo and put right some bad learned behaviours (both Pepper and mine). Jo has some great training techniques and identified the areas that Pepper and I needed to work on. Not everything works for every dog, so Jo always had alternative training methods if our initial efforts did not go well and kept going until we found the solution. Jo gives very clear instructions and always leaves you with a clear plan of what you need to work on with your dog. The result? I can now walk, jog, run with Pepper and I can fully enjoy the benefits of dog ownership, like everyone should be able to. I know that Jo will continue to support us throughout our 12 month agreement and always responds quickly to any questions i have in between our meetings. One final comment, Jo recommended we shift to a raw food diet, which we did. Pepper loves it and looks really well for the diet change. I second her recommendation and advise dog owners to research and consider a raw food diet for their pet.
This owner had a really tough job on her hands. She had tried numerous ways to resolve the problem without success. Her Boxer Pepper is a really confident dog and although his general level of training was very good he would simply do what he wanted to do with no heed to his owner when over excited. Pepper has proved to be an extremely intelligent dog and his owner has worked very hard at getting her dog to listen to her in all situations and respond to her instruction even when distracted. This work means that Pepper is much calmer and his owner is now able to re-focus him onto her so that he doesn't run off after other dogs balls and more to the point doesn't treat the lead as a big game to play tug-of-war with. A fantastic result.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4229
Basildon, Essex (Testimonial)
1st February 2013
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
Our Dog Archie had very bad separation anxiety. The training was hard but fun and we kept on with the recommendations until eventually Archie stopped! Whilst we are still fearful of leaving him and record him while we are out, so far he has been brilliant.
This family had a very tough job. Their Cocker Spaniel had severe separation anxiety and became distressed as soon as they left the house. They managed the situation with family help and doggy daycare but wanted their dog to be settled and happy when they were out and have worked hard to get to where they are now. Archie can now be left without him howling, barking and pacing the house waiting for them to come back. A wonderful transformation they can be truly proud of.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4228
Basildon, Essex (Testimonial)
28th January 2013
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
We didn't know what to expect,but after a chat and an explanation to why Bonnie was acting the way she was (trying to be pack leader over the men in the family), we was told she was a frightened little pup who didn't want the responsibility that she had taken on. After a few training tasks set by Jo, it was amazing to see Bonnie react well. We have been doing the tasks for 2 weeks now and Bonnie is no longer pushing past us up and downstairs, she comes when called indoors and from the garden and growling is down to 2-3 times a week rather than countless times per day.
This lovely family adore Bonnie their collie cross dog and treated her as queen in the home, but Bonnie was uncomfortable with this and spent her time constantly growling at the men and would only listen to her female owner. Bonnie has thrived knowing what her boundaries are now and her true dog nature is showing through. Congratulations to her owners who have worked very hard to put rules in place for Bonnie and stick to them. She is a testament to their hard work and commitment.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4222
Hornchurch, Essex (Testimonial)
28th January 2013
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
Third time lucky. Should have gone to Bark Busters the 1st time round. Been telling everyone about Jo our Trainer, even if they don't have a dog! The training is just what I have been looking for. Jo comes round to your house and spends time with you and your dog and that is great. Don't need to explain a lot as she can see what your dog is like and training is put in place straight away (and done from your own home). Jo makes it so easy. You can ask anything and Jo will help you solve the problem. I was helped with Tips diet which I have had trouble with since I have had him. Thank you Jo. Thank you Bark Busters.
This owner has a very active border collie and simply wanted to know how to deal with his problems quickly and efficiently. Tip was so hyperactive she struggled to get him to stop to try to learn anything and a series of health issues when he was a pup meant that general training had been almost impossible. Tip has responded brilliantly to the training. His owner simply needed to know what to do and she has stuck at it and now has a dog she can truly be proud of. Top marks!!!
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4223
Chadwell Heath, Essex (Testimonial)
6th January 2013
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
Having never had a dog before I never realised how hard it would be to train one. My Pomeranian Marley was a terror, every bad behavioural trait you could expect in a dog he had, aggression, chewing, barking, attention seeking you name it. After my first phone call with Jo I knew she would be exactly what we needed, not only was she experienced she immediately made me feel at ease with her. From our first session Marley was a different dog, everyone who knew him was noticing the difference. Not only had his behaving improved dramatically it was clear to see that he was a happier dog. This is all thanks to Jo. She has shown me that with a few simple changes I can have the loving well behaved dog I thought I was getting in the first place.
Thank you Jo
Marley was an extremely nervous dog and almost all his behaviour came from fear. This owner got her whole family involved in his rehabilitation and took great delight in the amazing changes she saw in Marley as the training progressed. She enjoyed it so much she has even gone on to do additional obedience training with him and Marley is now confident enough to entertain family and friends rather than to bark and try and bite them. A truly amazing result.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4196
Chadwell Heath, Essex (Testimonial)
18th December 2012
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
Jo was brilliant. She showed us that our puppy could be trained quite easily with the right knowledge. She also showed us that we were at fault in lots of ways and gave us great guidance in how to resolve these issues. Bailey is coming along a treat and whilst it's work in progress, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks Jo
Bailey is a lovely little Bichon Frieze puppy who has had some health problems which made his issues harder to deal with. He didn't like to be on his own and was very demanding of attention to the point where he would bite his owners if they didn't give in. A lot of work has been done by his owners to make him more confident and settled and he is now very obedient and well behaved. The final issue - still toileting on puppy pads - has had to be put on hold owing to his ill health, but I am confident his owners will do a great job when he is well enough to tackle this.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4175
Romford, Essex (Testimonial)
17th November 2012
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
We have been astounded by the change in our German Shepherd puppy, Blue, since starting the training with Jo. He used to spend a lot of time outdoors as we were not sure how to integrate him properly within our home, even though he was already house trained and always sleeps indoors. Jo identified that Blue was very anxious and worked on techniques to help him overcome this. Since her first visit, Blue spends most of his time indoors and we all feel so much more confident with him and him with us. Jo also advised us of what he should be eating and this change in diet has really benefitted him. Blue still has more training to do in terms of lead walking etc but we are confident now that we are on the right track. We always look forward to seeing Jo as her input and training has been invaluable. We just wish we had contacted her sooner.
This lovely family wanted their dog to be part of their family and were disappointed to find that Blue seemed to prefer to be outside. Blue had few social manners and simply wanted to do his own thing so it was a case of them all working hard to teach him what was acceptable manners and to actually listen to his owners. He has come on in leaps and bounds and now prefers to be inside with his owners rather than outside and has become a loving and obedient family pet. He is a true credit to his owners.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4148
Ilford (Testimonial)
8th November 2012
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
Wow... What an impressive trainer. I had a problem dog and was pregnant with twins and panicked about how I could turn things around so that my dog would accept the babies and how I could correct/change her behaviour problems. Not only did the trainer help me turn my dog around but she also taught me how to be the owner/pack leader that I had always wanted to be. Her continued support has been soooooo helpful and has ensured that we don't regress. Jo has not only supported me and cassey at a very difficult/challenging time but has extended this support to my dog walker and family members.
I would recommend Jo and Bark Busters to all family and friends and have been that impressed that my friend has also enlisted the help from Bark Busters for her dogs. My dog is sooooo content and completely different from before Jo came.
I have recently had my twins and cassey has instantly accepted them as her pack members (as I religiously followed Jo's instructions). I had a small blip with cassey becoming protective of the babies but that was made worse as I had not recovered fully from the op, so Jo came for a follow up visit and now we're changing this behaviour and cassey seems happier for it. I will always be indebted to Jo for her expertise/compassion and continued support.
This owner is has done everything she can to ensure that her dog and new babies live happily together. She had previously invested time in the training of her dog and had a very good relationship with cassey, but cassey felt that she had to protect at all times and was acting like a guard dog rather than a family pet. Everyone has pitched in and Cassey is now able to accept visitors and relax around strangers and is able to show her true loving personality without over stepping the mark.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4147
Woodford Green, Essex (Testimonial)
11th October 2012
Jo & Graham Milgrew dealt with:
I was sceptical at first about whether this would work. After the first appointment I felt much happier in what was needed to achieve the results we needed. I didn't think we had made much progress but on the second visit it was surprising how far we had come. This is still an ongoing process but I feel that with Jo's help we have achieved so much. My two dogs still have their 'naughty' moments and I always have my water bottle handy in case they start to fight again. I am at last beginning to enjoy the dogs instead of thinking how stupid I was to have 2 dogs. I have to say a big thank you to Jo and have that reassurance that should I need her in the next year she is only a phone call away.
This owners dogs were constantly fighting. It would start off as over-exuberant playing and rapidly degenerate into scrapping and fighting. When left on their own it would include destruction and the neighbours were complaining about the noise. The owner and her family have put in a lot of hard work to get the dogs to listen and without them having to shout or physically pull the dogs apart any more. The dogs true personalities are now showing through and they can be enjoyed now rather than constantly told off. This is a major achievement in a very short period of time.
Permalink: www.barkbusters.co.uk/dog-training-review/4120
Chelmsford Essex (Testimonial)
The Bark Busters worldwide home dog training service guarantee is unique in the industry. It is designed to help owners resolve their dog's behaviour and obedience problems and to provide customers with the satisfaction of ongoing support and peace of mind.
