At Bark Busters, every trainer has a story, a moment that shifted their path toward helping dogs and their families.
For Carol and Greg Guy, your Bark Busters trainers in Edmonton, that moment came through years of living with dogs and realizing that clear communication was the missing piece. Nearly 23 years and multiple awards later, they’re still transforming dogs and families across Edmonton and Alberta.
We asked Carol and Greg what drives them, what they love about working with dogs, and the one thing they wish every dog owner knew.
What Brought You to Dog Training?
“Having shared our lives with many dogs over the years, we’ve experienced both ends of the spectrum- some were naturally easy companions, while others presented more challenges. We often found ourselves thinking, ‘If we could just get into their brains and clearly communicate what we wanted, we know they would be willing to do it.’
When we discovered Bark Busters, they were being featured in a news broadcast promoting a new approach to dog training. We were immediately intrigued and impressed by what we heard and what we saw with the dogs featured in the segment. We knew we needed to learn more, so we contacted Bark Busters Head Office right away.
When we learned that Bark Busters operated as a franchise business, it didn’t deter us. In fact, it motivated us even more. We were determined to secure a spot in the very first Bark Busters training program, which was starting just two weeks later—and we did!
The more we learned, the more convinced we became that Bark Busters was exactly what we had been searching for. Their philosophy of clear communication and understanding between dogs and their families made perfect sense to us.
In October 2004, we launched our Bark Busters business in Edmonton. What started as a desire to better understand our own dogs quickly became a passion for helping other families build stronger relationships with theirs.
Now, after more than 22 years of helping dogs and their families, it remains one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives..”
What Are Your Favourite Breeds?
“Terriers have always been a favourite for us. We love their spunk, intelligence, confidence, and independent spirit. Over the years, we bred West Highland White Terriers, and today we share our home with our second wonderful Welsh Terrier.
We’ve also always had a soft spot for Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers. While we’ve never owned one ourselves, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many Wheatens throughout our careers and have enjoyed every minute of it. Their personalities never fail to make us smile.”
What Is a Favourite Moment You’ve Had as Trainers?
“Our favourite moments as dog trainers happen when we meet families who feel they have run out of options. Often, they have worked with multiple trainers, tried countless approaches, and are feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and discouraged. Many tell us they are giving training one last chance.
By the end of that first lesson, we can often hear the relief in their voices and see the stress begin to melt away. As they learn to better understand their dog and discover how simple clear communication can be, everything starts to change. The frustration is replaced with confidence, hope, and renewed enjoyment of their dog.
Watching that transformation, both in the dog and the family, is incredibly rewarding and remains our favourite part of what we do.”
What Do You Wish You Could Tell Every Dog Owner?
“Dogs aren’t trying to give us a hard time, they’re often having a hard time themselves.
Dogs are not vindictive or spiteful. They are simply responding to the world based on what they understand and what they believe their role is within the family.
Perhaps most importantly, dogs are capable of changing their behaviour remarkably quickly when communication becomes clear. When we learn to understand our dogs and they learn to understand us, positive change can happen faster than most people ever imagined.”
Ready to Work With Carol & Greg?
If you’re in Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Devon, Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan, or Stony Plain, Carol and Greg are your local Bark Busters trainers. They specialize in puppy training, aggression, separation anxiety, leash training, excessive barking, food aggression, and general obedience — all in the comfort of your home.
Every Bark Busters training program comes with our Written Lifetime Guarantee, so you’ll have ongoing support for the life of your dog.
Contact Carol & Greg today to schedule your in-home training session or call 780-457-2559.