Reviews & Testimonials For Kelly McClelland
Back to Trainer5th August 2025 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Barking, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall, Separation anxiety
My dachshund Frankie developed separation anxiety after the passing of our second dog. She would howl nonstop whenever left alone, making it nearly impossible to leave the house, let alone go to work. It was heartbreaking and incredibly stressful for both of us.
Working with Kelly from Bark Busters has been an absolute game-changer. Her calm, knowledgeable approach and tailored training plan gave us real hope. With consistency, patience, and Kelly’s guidance, Frankie now stays home peacefully and sleeps while I’m at work.
It’s been such a relief emotionally—and Frankie’s behaviour overall is better than ever. I can’t thank Kelly enough for helping us get through such a tough time. Highly recommend her to anyone dealing with behavioural issues, especially separation anxiety.
Trainer note from Kelly
Such a sad reason for training, it is so hard for the human to lose a loved pet, but so confusing for the dog, as they don't understand why their BFF is suddenly gone. I applaud you both, in your grief, for putting Frankie's care and welfare first, and WOW, isn't she such a good girl! From fearful, skittish, barking, growling to a lovely Dachshund with a happy wagging tail, who is now listening to commands, will recall when told, and doesn't race out doors like a gremlin. But, the separation anxiety has always been the main focus, and to get the news that she's sleeping the whole day away (lucky girl!) is music to my ears! No food bribes, no harsh shock collars, nothing but training the humans to understand their dog, and creating a much stronger relationship at the same time. I am thrilled to pieces for you both, and I am looking forward to lesson #3, walking in a high dog/people dense park, and managing those beahviours - massive well done, Tim!
Such a sad reason for training, it is so hard for the human to lose a loved pet, but so confusing for the dog, as they don't understand why their BFF is suddenly gone. I applaud you both, in your grief, for putting Frankie's care and welfare first, and WOW, isn't she such a good girl! From fearful, skittish, barking, growling to a lovely Dachshund with a happy wagging tail, who is now listening to commands, will recall when told, and doesn't race out doors like a gremlin. But, the separation anxiety has always been the main focus, and to get the news that she's sleeping the whole day away (lucky girl!) is music to my ears! No food bribes, no harsh shock collars, nothing but training the humans to understand their dog, and creating a much stronger relationship at the same time. I am thrilled to pieces for you both, and I am looking forward to lesson #3, walking in a high dog/people dense park, and managing those beahviours - massive well done, Tim!
4th March 2025 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Chewing, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall
We couldn’t believe the change in Luna after just The first day with Kelly
Trainer note from Kelly
Puppies are a handful, but when they're a Great Dane x Shar Pei, well, we need to set some boundaries and rules LOL! Luna is just delightful, and you have absolutely done the right thing by engaging in early years training. Fear reactivity, visitor manners, jumping up, mouthing, stand over tactics on the lounge - all of this and more was targeted at lesson #1. Her brain was very tired sand relaxed by the time that we finished, and it was lovely to see her tail wagging - she might be timid but she loves a pat! Door and gate manners were also implemented, and at lesson 2, we'll start working on confidence external of the home. Thanks again for allowing me to assist, she's a great dog!
Puppies are a handful, but when they're a Great Dane x Shar Pei, well, we need to set some boundaries and rules LOL! Luna is just delightful, and you have absolutely done the right thing by engaging in early years training. Fear reactivity, visitor manners, jumping up, mouthing, stand over tactics on the lounge - all of this and more was targeted at lesson #1. Her brain was very tired sand relaxed by the time that we finished, and it was lovely to see her tail wagging - she might be timid but she loves a pat! Door and gate manners were also implemented, and at lesson 2, we'll start working on confidence external of the home. Thanks again for allowing me to assist, she's a great dog!
21st September 2023 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Aggression, Barking, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall, Separation anxiety, Sibling rivalry
Kelly from Bark Busters is a God send. Our 2 girls have had lots of trouble with sibling rivalry and aggression, jumping on people and anxiety. Kelly has helped us with all of these problems and we noticed an IMMEDIATE change in the dogs. When she had left from our session we had 2 new dogs. We have been continuing our program training every day and they keep getting better and we can finally live in peace! Thank you thank you thank you 🙏🏼
Trainer note from Kelly
Nothing will make anyone smile more than a pair of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, happy faces, wagging tails! Your girls are just gorgeous, but when there is fighting, everyone walks around on eggshells, trying not to set them off :-(. You have both done a great job to date with their training, but with an unbalanced pack, we had to look at food and sleeping options, structure within the home, and how we could show leadership without losing affection - no one wants a robot! They responded like a dream to the training (so grateful they didn't have to try and be the boss!), and I am looking forward to lesson #2, where we'll work on pulling, roadwork, and dog to dog management / reactivity. Then onto your free group sessions, with confidence! Awesome work!
Nothing will make anyone smile more than a pair of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, happy faces, wagging tails! Your girls are just gorgeous, but when there is fighting, everyone walks around on eggshells, trying not to set them off :-(. You have both done a great job to date with their training, but with an unbalanced pack, we had to look at food and sleeping options, structure within the home, and how we could show leadership without losing affection - no one wants a robot! They responded like a dream to the training (so grateful they didn't have to try and be the boss!), and I am looking forward to lesson #2, where we'll work on pulling, roadwork, and dog to dog management / reactivity. Then onto your free group sessions, with confidence! Awesome work!
18th October 2023 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Aggression, Barking, Chewing, Digging, Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Pulling, Toileting
Kelly not only helped our puppy but us too. She showed us how to work with the dog and get the best out of him. He went from being very hyperactive to relaxed and happy within a few minutes. It was amazing to watch the results that Kelly achieved with Boof and how easy it was for us to achieve the same results under her guidance. We had issues with Boof biting and jumping and well as destructive behaviour but it has improved immensley in just one lesson. We are looking forward to Kelly returning in a few weeks to help with the next stage of his training. She also discussed his diet and we found that it contributed to a lot of his bad behaviour so we are in the process of changing his diet and have found aclamer dog all round. I would highly recommend Kelly to anyone who needs help with their canine furbabies as her expertise and understanding of dogs is inspiring.
Trainer note from Kelly
What a dramatic change! From a bouncing, barking, biting puppy (Great Dane cross), to a calm, relaxed, lay by your feet happy fur kid! Your young pup is so super sweet, and responded to our calm methods in the first 5mins of the lesson starting. Focusing on mouthing and biting, lead training, obedience, lounge manners and night time craziness, as well as crate training and preventative night time barking - so pleased with the results! As always I have provided support after the first lesson, and I can't wait for lesson 2, where we'll focus on road safety, pulling and size management (he's going to be a big boy!). Thanks again for allowing me to assist :-)
What a dramatic change! From a bouncing, barking, biting puppy (Great Dane cross), to a calm, relaxed, lay by your feet happy fur kid! Your young pup is so super sweet, and responded to our calm methods in the first 5mins of the lesson starting. Focusing on mouthing and biting, lead training, obedience, lounge manners and night time craziness, as well as crate training and preventative night time barking - so pleased with the results! As always I have provided support after the first lesson, and I can't wait for lesson 2, where we'll focus on road safety, pulling and size management (he's going to be a big boy!). Thanks again for allowing me to assist :-)
9th May 2024 - Kelly McClelland
I can’t thank Kelly enough! Cooper weighs almost half of my weight.
He is a gentle giant Labradoodle but I haven’t been able to control his very loud bark, jumping and pulling on lead, meaning I had lost my confidence out in public with him.
Kelly’s advice was absolutely straight forward and sensible and I am buzzing that both Cooper and I did well in our first lesson.
It’s really about training me as the human!
Kelly has given me so much confidence with such positive results in just 1 lesson. I am so excited for our next session!
Cooper ignored the rubbish trucks today, and ignored a courier delivery next door and for the first time ever hasn’t entered the kitchen.
Cooper enjoyed the training just as much as I did…
I 100% recommend Kelly as a dog and owner trainer…I can’t believe what we were able to achieve in 2 hours!
Thank you so much Kelly!!!
Trainer note from Kelly
I had so much fun working with you, Barb, thanks for allowing me to assist with Cooper! Labradoodle's can be a whole lot of trouble with their strength, and noisy barking, but Cooper is just delightful! He responded well to our gentle training methods, and within 15 minutes of the programming starting, his eyes relaxed, his body language settled, and his focus on you was noticeably better. We even got outside at lesson 1 for a walm walk (at heel!) down the street. So pleased for you! I am looking forward to lesson #2, for some training consolidation and new, fun, exercises. Thanks again!
I had so much fun working with you, Barb, thanks for allowing me to assist with Cooper! Labradoodle's can be a whole lot of trouble with their strength, and noisy barking, but Cooper is just delightful! He responded well to our gentle training methods, and within 15 minutes of the programming starting, his eyes relaxed, his body language settled, and his focus on you was noticeably better. We even got outside at lesson 1 for a walm walk (at heel!) down the street. So pleased for you! I am looking forward to lesson #2, for some training consolidation and new, fun, exercises. Thanks again!
10th March 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Chewing, Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Puppy management, Recall, Toileting
I cannot say enough positive things about Kelly. From the moment we met and she came to our home we felt reassured and knew we had made the right decision in joining BarkBusters. Kelly was so informative and caring, really listened and knew exactly what was needed to do in assisting us to train our cheeky toy poodle Rusty. :) We are excited for our next lessons and for the well trained dog I know Kelly will help us achieve. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.......
Trainer note from Kelly
Oh, my absolute pleasure, thank you so much for your kind words! Rusty is a cheeky, confident, super smart and active poodle pup, and we don't want to squash his personality! But apartment living can be very stressful if there is barking, separation issues, lead training, nipping, social manners and obedience - constantly going past other dogs (lift, common areas) is very stressful when your dog is being a clown! The first lesson was fabulous, you both were so kind and attentive, and Rusty soaked it all in - second lesson we'll do more work with distractions, and get the walking and public happenings under control. Well done!!
Oh, my absolute pleasure, thank you so much for your kind words! Rusty is a cheeky, confident, super smart and active poodle pup, and we don't want to squash his personality! But apartment living can be very stressful if there is barking, separation issues, lead training, nipping, social manners and obedience - constantly going past other dogs (lift, common areas) is very stressful when your dog is being a clown! The first lesson was fabulous, you both were so kind and attentive, and Rusty soaked it all in - second lesson we'll do more work with distractions, and get the walking and public happenings under control. Well done!!
10th March 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall, Separation anxiety, Sibling rivalry
Kelly has already after lesson 1 been able to assist our family , enabling boundary setting , setting hierarchy in place to deal with behavioural issues and getting us to a calm space
Trainer note from Kelly
Your whole family gets 5 stars! Everyone was at our first session, ensuring there would be consistency, and that everyone knew how the service worked for the benefit of the dogs. Sibling rivalry (fighting between 2 or more dogs in the same home) is terrifying for the owner/s, and once the owners are injured trying to split the fights, it is definitely time for professional help. We've started with base training for your two Frenchies, setting boundaries, providing safe zones, and teaching them that it's all ok! Gentle, consistent, and with loads of love - I am thrilled by your photo updates of the dogs already walking together, and resting in the loungeroom near each other, completely at ease - see you all soon for more fun training!
Your whole family gets 5 stars! Everyone was at our first session, ensuring there would be consistency, and that everyone knew how the service worked for the benefit of the dogs. Sibling rivalry (fighting between 2 or more dogs in the same home) is terrifying for the owner/s, and once the owners are injured trying to split the fights, it is definitely time for professional help. We've started with base training for your two Frenchies, setting boundaries, providing safe zones, and teaching them that it's all ok! Gentle, consistent, and with loads of love - I am thrilled by your photo updates of the dogs already walking together, and resting in the loungeroom near each other, completely at ease - see you all soon for more fun training!
28th February 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Barking, Recall, Separation anxiety
From the very first lesson, Kelly was able to explain some of the reasons for the issues we were having, with appropriate training routines to suit provided immediately. We have been following her instructions with very good results. From anxious barking dogs to a calmer home and greatly reduced barking. Looking forward to our next lessons now! Thank you!!
Trainer note from Kelly
Apartment living is just brilliant, until your dogs are waking the neighbours or breaking into the peace and solitude through the day when you're working. We really understand how mortified you were to find out that your babies weren't being angels - I am so grateful that you invited Bark Busters Home Dog Training to come and assist you in your home - your two pups are absolutely delicious! Tenterfield Terriers and Maltese x Foxie's are both such fun breeds, but can certainly be verbose if not worked mentally - apart from the main focus of barking, we also addressed and focused on jumping up, pulling on lead, recall, stair racing and door manners. I am looking forward to doing more training off site at lesson 2, dog to dog confidence and manners, and walking politely to be the main points to improve. The quick changes you're seeing are 100% down to you as an owner, thanks so much for your committment to our easy system!
Apartment living is just brilliant, until your dogs are waking the neighbours or breaking into the peace and solitude through the day when you're working. We really understand how mortified you were to find out that your babies weren't being angels - I am so grateful that you invited Bark Busters Home Dog Training to come and assist you in your home - your two pups are absolutely delicious! Tenterfield Terriers and Maltese x Foxie's are both such fun breeds, but can certainly be verbose if not worked mentally - apart from the main focus of barking, we also addressed and focused on jumping up, pulling on lead, recall, stair racing and door manners. I am looking forward to doing more training off site at lesson 2, dog to dog confidence and manners, and walking politely to be the main points to improve. The quick changes you're seeing are 100% down to you as an owner, thanks so much for your committment to our easy system!
1st February 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Barking, Jumping up, Pulling
We were so impressed that Kelly was able to solve the demand barking problem of our 20 month old cavoodle, Margot ,within the first 1/2 hour of her visit! She went on to explain this, and further training in a clear and easy to follow way. Since the first visit, not only is there NO demand barking but Margot is walking on the left, and bothering our cats much less. Thank you for bringing harmony back into our household Kelly, your visit was truely life changing!
Trainer note from Kelly
What a fun lesson! Working with your delicious Cavoodle, Margot, was truly enjoyable, she has a beautiful temperament (which we don't want to change)!!! Creating balance within your home was crucial, as the cats have a right to freedom (after all, we are their staff!), but also for Miss Margot to understand that barking, play demanding, over guarding, pulling, jumping up and door racing were just not the behaviours your family deem appropriate (and rightly so!). She responded like a dream, and the fact that your family has followed through with the easy instructions is so amazing, massive well done - can't wait for lesson #2 :-)
What a fun lesson! Working with your delicious Cavoodle, Margot, was truly enjoyable, she has a beautiful temperament (which we don't want to change)!!! Creating balance within your home was crucial, as the cats have a right to freedom (after all, we are their staff!), but also for Miss Margot to understand that barking, play demanding, over guarding, pulling, jumping up and door racing were just not the behaviours your family deem appropriate (and rightly so!). She responded like a dream, and the fact that your family has followed through with the easy instructions is so amazing, massive well done - can't wait for lesson #2 :-)
6th January 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Chewing, Digging, Jumping up, Puppy management, Toileting
Really happy with the information that Kelly provided me with. She knows A LOT and helped me so much already! I love that you can contact her anytime with all sorts of (dog) questions! This is my first pet and I already feel much more comfortable in the training and nutrition after just one session. Would definitely recommend Kelly!
Trainer note from Kelly
First time puppy owner, thanks so much for choosing a rescue! Your wee little Staffy x, Winter, is a delight, and really enjoyed the training. With babies, at the first lesson, we focus on mouthing, biting, jumping up, lack of focus, toilet training, lead training, gate training and recall. We have just completed your second lesson, where we focused on heel work, sit, stay (obedience), gate racing and recall with distraction. I am looking forward to lesson #3, you're doing an amazing job with him, well done!
First time puppy owner, thanks so much for choosing a rescue! Your wee little Staffy x, Winter, is a delight, and really enjoyed the training. With babies, at the first lesson, we focus on mouthing, biting, jumping up, lack of focus, toilet training, lead training, gate training and recall. We have just completed your second lesson, where we focused on heel work, sit, stay (obedience), gate racing and recall with distraction. I am looking forward to lesson #3, you're doing an amazing job with him, well done!
2nd January 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall
Kelly was very helpful with the problems were were facing with our 14 month old Golden Retriever. We’re first time dog parents and every thing Kelly explained was easy to understand. Thank you Kelly and look forward to our next training session. Cheers, Margaret Busby x
Trainer note from Kelly
Oh, I do love a Gundog! Melo is such a lovely Golden Retriever, but habits like barking, jumping up, door racing, licking family and visitors, visitor manners, pulling on lead and sleeping habits were certainly becoming a concern. I was thrilled with his intake at lesson 1, and at lesson 2 we got out and about, practiced heel work, road and kerb safety, gaining focus, and lunging. I can't wait for lesson 3, well done to you and your family, great result!
Oh, I do love a Gundog! Melo is such a lovely Golden Retriever, but habits like barking, jumping up, door racing, licking family and visitors, visitor manners, pulling on lead and sleeping habits were certainly becoming a concern. I was thrilled with his intake at lesson 1, and at lesson 2 we got out and about, practiced heel work, road and kerb safety, gaining focus, and lunging. I can't wait for lesson 3, well done to you and your family, great result!
31st December 2025 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Barking
Kelly was great with showing us how to deal with Teddy.
Trainer note from Kelly
Thanks so much for inviting us in to assist with your gorgeous Groodle, and his not so gorgeous barking habit. He is unique in that he only barked when he could see the owner (dog outside, owner inside), as a demand behaviour, and not when the owner left the home. This habit was causing the owner to change their daily routine, habits, and was causing massive amounts of household stress! Before we were even a quarter of the way through the theory component of lesson one (and because we couldn't hear each other LOL!) I showed these lovely owners how to correct the barking, without physical force or contact, and for the next theory timeframe it was the sweet sound of silence! We moved onto programming and Teddy responded like a dream, and we were able to make his mind settle, and he simply went to his day bed and fell asleep. Finally relaxed. Good job! I am looking forward to continuing your training journey at our second lesson!
Thanks so much for inviting us in to assist with your gorgeous Groodle, and his not so gorgeous barking habit. He is unique in that he only barked when he could see the owner (dog outside, owner inside), as a demand behaviour, and not when the owner left the home. This habit was causing the owner to change their daily routine, habits, and was causing massive amounts of household stress! Before we were even a quarter of the way through the theory component of lesson one (and because we couldn't hear each other LOL!) I showed these lovely owners how to correct the barking, without physical force or contact, and for the next theory timeframe it was the sweet sound of silence! We moved onto programming and Teddy responded like a dream, and we were able to make his mind settle, and he simply went to his day bed and fell asleep. Finally relaxed. Good job! I am looking forward to continuing your training journey at our second lesson!