Vancouver - 6 February, 2006 -

It's not easy being one of more than 200,000 dogs in the Lower Mainland. Mild weather means you can be left outside more often, creating more barking opportunities that bother neighbours. A growing population means you often have to share public space with other dogs, creating more opportunities for conflict. Bark Busters Canada president Jeffrey Cooke said canine behaviour issues like those fuel his burgeoning dog-training business, which offers in-home training for dog owners determined to get the upper hand on their unruly pets. "We can solve 70 per cent of problems in just one session and 25 per cent in two sessions," he said in an interview. "The remaining five per cent are more problematic because you're dealing with problem dogs or problem owners." Cooke holds the Canadian franchise rights to Bark Busters, a dog-training operation that began in Australia in 1989. Franchisees pay $39,000 for territorial rights to a certain area and education in dog-training techniques at a 23-day course in Oshawa, Ont. After completing the course, the franchise holders then market their in-home training services to clients willing to pay a $395 fee. Cooke said it's a premium service that comes with a lifetime guarantee, so if your dog's behavioural problems reappear in two years, the trainer will come to your home and deal with the problem for no extra cost. He first learned of Bark Busters when living in Australia and was impressed when the dog trainer there solved his dog's barking problem in about two hours. Cooke said the training is unique and effective. "We understand how dogs communicate with each other and apply those same body language and voice tone signals," he said. "So you really act more like a dog and they get it." For example, Cooke said people can "passively dominate" a dog by choosing to ignore it at certain times -- like when it demands attention. "After a while, that sets up the idea that you're the boss," he said. Cooke said any breed of dog can be trained to behave properly, even those with bad reputations, like pit bulls. "If someone gets a dog to guard a crack house, they want them to be vicious so they treat them roughly," he said. "But people who are loving, caring owners usually have dogs that turn out pretty well, no matter what breed." Cooke has sold 14 Canadian franchises, including one in Vancouver, since introducing the business two years ago and feels the market can handle 45. He feels the Lower Mainland can handle three more franchise territories -- each responsible for at least 50,000 dogs living in their area -- while there's room for one on Vancouver Island and one in the B.C. Interior. Franchise holders, who give 11 per cent of revenues to Bark Busters Canada, are expected to generate at least $50,000 in business in their first year, $75,000 in year two and $90,000 by their third year. He said that once a business is established, trainers should be able to conduct 300 to 350 training sessions a year, creating $120,000 to $140,000 in revenues. Cooke said the service industry for dogs has taken off in recent years, with many new small businesses setting up shop for services like dog walking, boarding, day care, grooming and pet photography.

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