Bark Busters Announces Online Dog Behavior Quiz.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Research Shows Bad Behavior Is the Top Cause of Dog Mortality; Bark Busters' Mission Is to Reduce Incidents of Maltreatment, Abandonment, and Euthanasia of Companion Dogs

With National Dog Bite Prevention Week approaching (May 15 -21), Bark Busters, the world's largest and most trusted dog training company, today announced it has released a new Dog Behavioral Quiz, available on the company Web site. The Quiz, developed in collaboration with veterinarians and Bark Buster customers, is designed to give dog owners a realistic assessment of their dogs' behavior and to motivate them to seek professional help if needed. Used worldwide by Bark Busters trainers, the Quiz is available online at www.barkbusters.com, in Bark Busters' brochures, and on pads provided to veterinarian hospitals so the Quiz can be given to clients in examining rooms.

According to recent research from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, many of the pets brought to shelters are surrendered because of behavior problems that their owners believe to be permanent. Approximately 70 percent of these animals end up being "put to sleep," making death from behavior problems the leading cause of pet mortality, ahead of trauma and disease.

"Most dog owners simply accept the disruptive behavior of their dogs because they think it's normal or don't know how to change it," explains Liam Crowe, Bark Busters COO. "They are very frustrated before they call us and experience the results of our method. After the training, they are sincerely grateful. In many cases, we save dogs from being unnecessarily euthanized. With the right training, any dog can be a wonderful, loving part of a family."

Over 7,500 people have rated their dog's behavior during the month-long test period for the Quiz on Bark Busters' new interactive website. With a rating scale of "A" to "F," the average score of all dogs tested was in the "D" range, with 55 percent of all dogs receiving either a "D" or "F" score. The "D" range, for example, is descriptive of dogs that have issues that can become very serious if not addressed. Owners of these dogs indicate they are constantly annoyed and irritated by their dogs' behavior, and know something needs to be done. Unfortunately, many "D" and "F" rated dogs are placed in shelters and ultimately destroyed. Training would have eliminated this tragic consequence and the resulting grief and guilt of the owner.

Many veterinarians have asked Bark Busters to provide a tool for the vet or vet tech to help motivate their clients to have their dogs trained. They have indicated that it is frequently difficult to tell a client that his or her dog needs training. The Bark Buster Behavior Quiz, developed in conjunction with vets and Bark Busters' clients to insure content validity, has proven to be the tool that is needed. Many vets and techs ask a client whose dog is in need of training to fill out the 20-question behavior quiz while the dog is being examined. When the exam is complete, they review the Quiz results with the client. Vets, groomers, pet sitters and others indicated that it is much easier to convince an owner to seek dog training after the Quiz has been taken.

"At first, many dog owners overlook their dogs' behavior," explains Rich Hollist, a veterinarian and owner of Southmoor Veterinary Clinic in Fountain, Colorado. "But the problem behaviors start to add up and push some people over the edge, often resulting in an owner giving the dog up. The Bark Busters Quiz is a great tool to identify the problem and motivate owners to seek help. Behavior training is extremely underutilized. The main reason I refer Bark Busters exclusively is that the results are so dramatic."

Bark Busters' training system can successfully train any dog, even puppies. The company's natural training technique leverages the same communications methods -- body language and voice control -- that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. All training takes place right in the home where the problems generally occur. And Bark Busters' training is the only service of its kind that is guaranteed for the life of the dog. In every market where Bark Busters is established, a majority of veterinarians familiar with the technique recommend the company's services. In addition, about 80 percent of Bark Buster clients require only one two-hour home visit from a licensed dog behavioral therapist, if they continue with just 10 to 15 minutes a day follow-up exercises for several weeks.

For more information about Bark Busters' training approach and franchise opportunities in all 50 states, call 1-877-280-7100 or visit www.barkbusters.com.

About Bark Busters

Bark Busters started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, over 250,000 dogs have been trained worldwide. With more than 110 franchised offices in 33 states and a total of 190 offices in six countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment, and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers a lifetime guarantee. Therapists will provide future sessions free of charge if problem behaviors recur, or if any new problems develop. Bark Busters USA is ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as #278 of the top 500 franchises, #137 of the top 200 global American franchises, #75 of the top 101 home-based franchises, and #73 of the top 140 low-cost franchises. Bark Busters USA is based in Denver, Colorado. For more information, call 1-877-280-7100 or visit www.barkbusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs' behavior.