Bark Busters Dog Training Fairfax Burke & Manassas
Specific behaviors to address
Responds within a day
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About
I have been working with dogs since 2013. I have two rescue pitbulls, one that was too dog aggressive to be adopted out. I use a very simple method that doesn't involve shock or prong collars. My goal is to give you to the tools to communicate with your dog in a non-physical way that they easily understand.
The thing I love most about this job is seeing people and their dogs stress free and happy. That's what I have with my dogs and that's what I want everyone to have.
Overview
Hired 2 times
Serves Fairfax, VA
Background checked
1 employee
9 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, and Venmo.
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
36 reviews
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Read reviews that mention:
Michael S.
May 19, 2026
We adopted our good boy Buddie from a shelter in December. A sweet boy, but years in a shelter (five!) has made him somewhat a sensitive pup prone to barking to loud noises and strangers approaching. Passing cars on walks yielded barking and lunging, doorbells ringing, more barking. We tried some “do-it-yourself” online things with zero success, and realized actual one-on-one training was the only option. Enter Tommy from Bark-Busters. His initial three-hour in-home training course was amazingly effective, so much so the change in Buddie was almost night and day to us. Upon meeting Buddie for the first time, Tommy immediately knew the kind of sensitive dog Buddie was and tailored his training to suit. His techniques were easy to understand and master and can be practiced anytime we’re with Buddie. No more barking when the doorbell rings, or when a car passes, or a stranger approaches. Buddie’s a lot calmer now which is more in keeping with his overall sweet nature. Highest recommendation!
Betsy L.
Mar 1, 2026
Can't speak highly enough of Tommy Meyerhoeffer! After one in-person session, and a few follow-up check-ins, our cute GSD mix Penny is so much calmer and actually listens to me for a change! Penny lived on the streets for a bit before we adopted her - she is very sweet and affectionate but also very stubborn, and a scavenger on walks, grabbing any bit of food off the sidewalk and lunging at squirrels. She also hated our living room television and would act up in the weirdest ways when it was on -- jumping up on counters and the nightstands in our bedroom, knocking lamps and anything else in the way of her 83-pound body to the ground. Tommy taught us how to address these disruptive behaviors with patience and kindness (trust me, yelling does not work!). We practice every day, and our lovely girl has evolved into a happier, sweeter pup and the chaos at home and on walks has virtually stopped. Tommy's love for all animals is undeniable which makes working with him all the more special. You know he truly cares and wants the best for your dog and for you! I highly recommend Tommy to anyone who wants to address behavioral issues with their dog.
Jessamyn D.
May 27, 2025
Tommy was a game-changer for our household. I reached out in a moment of real stress—my 3-year-old English Bulldog had developed serious behavioral issues, and nothing I tried on my own was working. I was overwhelmed and honestly afraid of where things were heading.
From our very first session, Tommy brought structure and clarity into our home. He taught us how to set boundaries, communicate effectively, and create a calmer, more respectful dynamic among our dogs. The difference was noticeable almost immediately. Our chaotic mornings became peaceful routines, and the tension that used to hang in the air was gone.
Tommy also provides a Lifetime Guarantee of Support, which has been incredibly reassuring. He’s responsive, thoughtful, and truly invested in helping your household succeed—not just for the moment, but long-term. The tools, guidance, and follow-up he offers go far beyond what I expected.
If you’re looking for someone who truly understands dog behavior and how to rebuild trust and balance in your home, I can’t recommend Tommy highly enough.
Teresa C.
Mar 13, 2025
Tommy spent about 3 hours with me and my dog Charlie on our first visit. We learned so much and I saw immediate results using Tommy’s methods. It’s great to share our progress and I can always reach out to Tommy with questions and for guidance! I highly recommend Bark Busters! You won’t regret it!
LAILA K.
Sep 13, 2022
We recently enlisted Tommy's assistance to help with training our 1 yr old pup and are writing to recommend him 100%. We had previously done group training classes with our puppy that he excelled at but were having more "advanced" issues specific to him. For context, he is a rescue from Puerto Rico and he's been at home with us since he was 2 months old. He loved other dogs too much, was scared of bicycles/scooters/anything on wheels, and was nervous passing people on walks, all of which resulted in out-of-control barking, lunging, etc. He also got to 50 lbs. so I was really struggling to control him physically, which was really dangerous for both of us. Lastly, he absolutely was not able to tolerate having guests over in the house when I was home alone with him and would bark and rush the door, and aggressively bark nonstop even when in his crate or a separate room. It got to the point where I dreaded our walks and was constantly tense, looking out for potential triggers. It was tough and embarrassing dealing with his freak outs and we were definitely the owner/dog pair that had to cross the street to avoid things he was fearful of or excited about. I similarly dreaded any time we did maintenance in the house, etc. because I could not have a conservation over the loud barking.
After much research and some over-the-phone consultations with different trainers, we decided to work with Tommy mainly due to the stellar reviews and his ability to come to our house and address problems specific to our dog in his home environment (where his issues were the worst). Within 5 minutes of walking through the door, Tommy was able to help our dog calm down, something that has NEVER happened before. In just the first visit Tommy covered almost all the problem behaviors on my extensive list. Tommy gave us explicit directions and training techniques with notes for practicing to help us stay on track. He was completely judgement-free and listened in-depth to all the scenarios and problems I described so he could tell us how to work on them. He really seemed to understand what my dog was feeling and why. He taught me how to get my dog to respond to me with little to no treats. Immediately after the first visit, I noticed a HUGE change. We had a follow-up visit to go over additional things like recall, coming to my husband when called, reviewing ways to set him up for success with leaving him home alone etc. and to get an assessment from Tommy on the progress we've made. Tommy is also very quick/responsive via email for follow-up questions.
From the first visit to the second, it's like we have a completely new dog. I joke that it's like he's had an exorcism- but really, it is! We are now able to have relaxed, long walks that are enjoyable for the both of us. We used to receive a lot of compliments from strangers commenting that our dog is handsome, but now we are able to receive compliments without our dog subsequently barking away said stranger. We also receive a lot more "I like your dog" compliments from small children (which our dog used to bark at). We even can pass dogs on the sidewalk that our dog used to lose his mind at. He has completely stopped pulling and we can have guests over with minimal reaction from him. He frequently "checks in" with us on walks/anytime we encounter something that used to set him off.
I had seen many other reviews that mentioned changes in the dog after the first visit. I was skeptical because I thought our dog was so out of control, it would surely take a few visits to see an improvement. I was wrong- Tommy really has the magic touch that has helped our family immensely.
Credentials
Background Check
Thomas Meyerhoeffer
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My training is for the lifetime of your dog.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Our first lesson is 2-3 hours. I will show you the exercises to do with your dog and how to practice. I try to keep things light and not push you or your dog too hard, too fast. From there we can schedule follow up lessons as needed, and I am always available for check-ins via email or phone.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have done everything from clicker training to Schutzhund, but I much prefer "speaking dog." There are no harsh punishments and it's in the dog's natural language/culture. My original mentor works in Los Angeles dealing with aggressive dogs and then I went to a course through my current company.
