BARK University
We are a small, local business based out of Hot Diggity Doggie Camp in Northport, AL. Owners Brooke and Liz saw a need for affordable, long term, and flexible training options in the area and started building up training programs out of their doggie day care business. These programs eventually grew big enough to turn into its own training department - thus BARK University was born.
“BARK” are the initials of Brooke and Liz’s dogs at the time of BARK U’s creation - Bentley, Aljo, Riley, and Koda. “University” came from their goals to offer continued education to both dog and owner, as well as an ode to our proximity to the University of Alabama.
Our goal as a local dog training company is to help educate and guide dog owners to a better life with their companions. There are a lot of expectations on our dogs to live in our human world, and we want to offer support and guidance on how to balance manners and life skills for dogs as well as meeting dog’s natural and instinctual needs. Life with our dogs should be fun and enjoyable, but we know some dogs need help and guidance to make this possible.
Liz also envisioned a company that offers a professional career working with dogs outside of the veterinarian world. We strive to offer continuing education to all of our staff and trainers and improve our knowledge in all areas of the business. From attending the annual Association of Professional Dog Trainer conference to funding certifications and educational programs, we strive to continuously improve and educate our staff.
Our Training Philosophy
BARK University values positive reinforcement practices for human and canine clients alike. A critical part of this cooperative approach to training involves reorienting our human perspective. BARK University hopes to teach human clients how to “speak dog,” just as we work with canine clients to “speak human.” Our ultimate goal is to minimize human micromanaging of canine behavior by teaching dogs how to make choices that uphold the needs and wants of both person and canine. We know that a cooperative partnership is key to the development of long-lasting harmony in the home. We do not practice outdated and disproven aggression-based dominance/alpha training methods. We support the science-backed conclusion that dogs participate in behaviors they believe will get their needs met. One of the most important needs for every dog is the attention of their human companions. Therefore, our trainers emphasize teaching and rewarding desired behaviors in canines while ignoring undesired behaviors. Consistently withdrawing human attention from unwanted behaviors and redirecting dogs to wanted behaviors is often enough to eliminate undesirable behaviors. Our trainers do not resort to harsh or abusive positive punishment methods.
Because we recognize that each dog and situation are unique, we approach training from a Least-Invasive, Minimally-Aversive (LIMA) position. In practice, this means that our trainers do not condone physical punishment, abuse, intimidation, or forceful positioning of dogs. As trainers, we view tools as value neutral. We also understand different tools apply different amounts and types of leverage. Individual dogs and owners may have various sensitivities to the same tool. We work with human clients who use a wide variety of training tools with their canines, including flat collars, slip leads, martingale collars, harnesses, prong collars, gentle leaders, e-collars, and muzzles. When properly used, these tools enable clearer and more effective communication between person and dog, which results in a better and safer quality of life for everyone.