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!
28th July 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Separation anxiety
After just the first session rockets anxiety is incredibly better. I couldn’t put him outside and leave without him absolutely losing it. Putting him to bed of a night time he would cry. I’m now able to leave the house again without him absolutely losing it and crying. I can’t wait to see the dog he becomes in the next few months as he’s already shown so much progress I can’t believe it.
Trainer note from Kelly
Thanks Georgia! Taking on a mature dog as a rehome can come with some inherent issues, and I am so thrilled that this amazing Amstaff is now in your care. Separation anxiety needs to be treated with calm confidence, letting the dog know that you're handling everything and it's ok to be alone. He picked up the gentle training like a dream, even responding to separation time at lesson one with scene setting. Thanks so much for following through with the easy daily programming, and I can't wait to get into his external manners (pulling, excitability with dogs, road manners) at lesson two! Well done :-)
Thanks Georgia! Taking on a mature dog as a rehome can come with some inherent issues, and I am so thrilled that this amazing Amstaff is now in your care. Separation anxiety needs to be treated with calm confidence, letting the dog know that you're handling everything and it's ok to be alone. He picked up the gentle training like a dream, even responding to separation time at lesson one with scene setting. Thanks so much for following through with the easy daily programming, and I can't wait to get into his external manners (pulling, excitability with dogs, road manners) at lesson two! Well done :-)
12th July 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Barking, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall
We had heavenly bliss the first night after Kelly's visit, from a dog who barked at every little noise he could hear to nothing, I just never thought it would be this easy. The training begins to making him even better than I could imagine. Thank you Kelly
Trainer note from Kelly
Poodles are the most wonderful companion, and it is so important that the training improves the negative habits, without changing their beautiful personalities. Bark?! Wow, what a top notch guard dog - but tempering the barking to things that are to guarded against (door knock, someone on the premises, etc) was crucial. No one needs to know a leaf fell 3 suburbs away and has to be barked at LOL! Your gorgeous baby picked up door manners, corrective barking habits, lead work, and recall were all focused on at lesson 1, and we'll get down to some fine tuning, and on the street manners at lesson two. Such a great wee doggo!!!
Poodles are the most wonderful companion, and it is so important that the training improves the negative habits, without changing their beautiful personalities. Bark?! Wow, what a top notch guard dog - but tempering the barking to things that are to guarded against (door knock, someone on the premises, etc) was crucial. No one needs to know a leaf fell 3 suburbs away and has to be barked at LOL! Your gorgeous baby picked up door manners, corrective barking habits, lead work, and recall were all focused on at lesson 1, and we'll get down to some fine tuning, and on the street manners at lesson two. Such a great wee doggo!!!
6th July 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Puppy management, Sibling rivalry, Toileting
Kelly has been amazing. We were feeling so anxious about buying two dogs and already she has given us so much information and guidance and we haven’t even had our one on one training yet!
Trainer note from Kelly
Double Trouble! Getting a puppy is overwhelming, getting two is a major committment. I applaud your family for taking the step of getting training done before the pups came home, and then following through once they arrived. Setting up safe zones, positive crate training, gentle lead introduction, recall - it's all happening! I'll see you all soon for lesson 2, then you and bring both pups to an FOC session of puppy school to start their social journeys in a safe environment. Huge well done, I am looking forward to continuing their training journey!
Double Trouble! Getting a puppy is overwhelming, getting two is a major committment. I applaud your family for taking the step of getting training done before the pups came home, and then following through once they arrived. Setting up safe zones, positive crate training, gentle lead introduction, recall - it's all happening! I'll see you all soon for lesson 2, then you and bring both pups to an FOC session of puppy school to start their social journeys in a safe environment. Huge well done, I am looking forward to continuing their training journey!
23rd June 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Aggression, Barking, Hyperactivity, Pulling, Separation anxiety
After just the very first training session with Kelly, my very busy young collie/Kelpie cross has been walking at my side like an angel! Instead of always being in front; on guard. I am really amazed! Naturally me, as the owner, needed the training, and my dog Missy, responded immediately to Kelly's methods. I am just so happy, and really looking forward to our next session. I would absolutely recommend Kelly. She read my dog from the getgo, and provided so much great information & an education.
Trainer note from Kelly
Thanks Jonquil! I can't even begin to describe the first vs second lesson. Her attempts at lunging, nipping, and definitely barking (at the first lesson) were causing you so much stress, especially with close neighbours in proximity. She absolutely soaked up the training, her tail went from tucked under in fear, to relaxed and wagging - from needing to be at least 3m to make her feel safe, to standing right next to me, trying to sniff my work boots - what an amazing dog! Fear reactivity needs to be handled correctly with working breeds - and the second lesson was a breath of fresh air. What a relaxed, attentive, and obedient girl she has become in such a short period of time. Massive well done, see you soon at group training!
Thanks Jonquil! I can't even begin to describe the first vs second lesson. Her attempts at lunging, nipping, and definitely barking (at the first lesson) were causing you so much stress, especially with close neighbours in proximity. She absolutely soaked up the training, her tail went from tucked under in fear, to relaxed and wagging - from needing to be at least 3m to make her feel safe, to standing right next to me, trying to sniff my work boots - what an amazing dog! Fear reactivity needs to be handled correctly with working breeds - and the second lesson was a breath of fresh air. What a relaxed, attentive, and obedient girl she has become in such a short period of time. Massive well done, see you soon at group training!
20th June 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Barking, Hyperactivity, Pulling, Recall
Very happy and confident that we will have a positive outcome. Kelly was very knowledgeable and confident in her delivery of the session and communicating.
Trainer note from Kelly
Thanks Kevin! Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a gorgeous chunk of love and muscle, and implementing some gentle training and boundaries for the safety of your at home work was crucial! Door manners were mint at lesson 2, so we moved onto Chicken chasing and stock control, which he responded to like a dream. We now have his pulling on lead under control as well - what a delightful companion he is! Thanks so much for all your consistent efforts, well done :-)
Thanks Kevin! Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a gorgeous chunk of love and muscle, and implementing some gentle training and boundaries for the safety of your at home work was crucial! Door manners were mint at lesson 2, so we moved onto Chicken chasing and stock control, which he responded to like a dream. We now have his pulling on lead under control as well - what a delightful companion he is! Thanks so much for all your consistent efforts, well done :-)
23rd April 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Aggression, Barking, Jumping up, Pulling, Recall, Separation anxiety
We contacted Kelly as our year old English bulldog was nipping at our son.
Immediately Kelly recognised the problem and instructed us with the tools to help resolve this problem. Our dog responded instantly. It has only been 3 days since our lesson and our dog is behaving and following instructions.
I would highly recommend Kelly
Trainer note from Kelly
Thanks Paula! You absolutely did the right thing with instigating training, as nipping hurts, and apart from the physical bruises, it can cause fear in a child, and often a fractured relationship with the dog as well. Your British Bulldog is delightful, but as shown at lesson 1, she had decided she'd rule the roost! By amending some very simple day to day rules, she immediately relaxed, and learned that her behaviour was undesirable, and also learned what you all wanted from her. Pulling, barking, jumping up, nipping, all targeted at lesson one, and I look forward to supporting your training journey!
Thanks Paula! You absolutely did the right thing with instigating training, as nipping hurts, and apart from the physical bruises, it can cause fear in a child, and often a fractured relationship with the dog as well. Your British Bulldog is delightful, but as shown at lesson 1, she had decided she'd rule the roost! By amending some very simple day to day rules, she immediately relaxed, and learned that her behaviour was undesirable, and also learned what you all wanted from her. Pulling, barking, jumping up, nipping, all targeted at lesson one, and I look forward to supporting your training journey!
23rd April 2026 - Kelly McClelland
Kelly dealt with Aggression, Chewing, Hyperactivity, Jumping up, Pulling, Puppy management, Recall
Kelly has been working with us for 4 months now and her commitment and support has been excellent. We are first time dog owners, and had concerns about our puppy’s behaviour. With her knowledgeable tips on food, nutrition, dog behaviour and psychology, Kelly has continued to provide step by step advice to help us tackle issues concerning us. In the 4 months we have learned so much, have a better behaved dog and know we’re on the road to a happy dog! Thank you Kelly for your support, advice, commitment and dedication in supporting our family with Alfie.
Trainer note from Kelly
Thanks Sharon! You noticed very undesirable traits from a young puppy, including aggression, and your family has been fantastic with training consistency and providing structure. Although this is a Zoom associated training relationship, we have also done face to face training when I have travelled interstate, and it has been our pleasure to support this process!
Thanks Sharon! You noticed very undesirable traits from a young puppy, including aggression, and your family has been fantastic with training consistency and providing structure. Although this is a Zoom associated training relationship, we have also done face to face training when I have travelled interstate, and it has been our pleasure to support this process!