Bark to Basics
Service area: Serves Durham, Chapel Hill, Mebane, Pittsboro, Burlington, Cary, Raleigh, and surrounding areas; also offers virtual consultations nationwide.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Behavior Modification
- puppy
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Fearfulness
- Leash Pulling
- Resource Guarding
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- In-Home
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
- Terriers
- Doodles
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
Clients begin with a 90-minute initial consultation to assess goals and challenges. This is followed by ongoing coaching sessions every 1-2 weeks, with personalized written notes and homework assigned after each session. Melissa provides continuous text/email support between sessions. Programs are tailored to individual dogs and owners, focusing on behavior modification and skill-building using positive reinforcement. Virtual options are available for those outside the local service area.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing is not explicitly listed, but clients note Melissa is reasonably priced compared to other trainers who charge significantly more for similar results. Training involves an initial 90-minute consultation followed by ongoing coaching sessions every 1-2 weeks, with written materials provided after each session.
Testimonials
It is in our message thread Melissa is an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful dog trainer. My dog was attacking my partner’s dog at, what seemed like, complete random. Melissa helped us understand that these attacks were coming from a place of severe anxiety. In addition, she taught us how to better determine when and why these attacks could happen and how to prevent them. I am thrilled to share that after our sessions with Melissa, we are all living in one home together and are so happy with the progress that our good boy has made. Our dogs (and we) are happier and more confident thanks to Melissa! She is simply the best and can’t recommend enough!
– Gina and Alex with Tobin and Roscoe – Durham
Highly recommend Melissa at Bark to Basics for a personal, tailored approach to training that uses positive reinforcement. Melissa was able to help us with our 7 y/o mixed breed dog who was very reactive on leash whenever any other dog was in sight. She gave us great strategies to work with our dog, and we have seen great improvement!
– Brittany with Jasmine – Hillsborough
Our dog developed severe separation anxiety after an injury, and we were overwhelmed in how to manage it. We asked our vet, read books, went online and nothing seemed to work. Then, we found Melissa at Bark to Basics. She took the time to speak with me and observe my dog to fully understand what was happening. She was then able to come up with a comprehensive training plan that we could do together and on my own. The training is all about positive reinforcement. Melissa made sure my dog was as comfortable as she could be while also making sure I could manage it! Our dog is now healthy and happy on her own. I highly recommend Bark to Basics.
– Sara with Ginger, Costa Mesa
About the Trainer
Bark to Basics is a dog training business led by Melissa, a certified behavior consultant who specializes in helping dog owners resolve behavioral issues such as aggression, reactivity, fear, and separation anxiety. She offers personalized, in-home and virtual training sessions using positive reinforcement techniques to build confidence and improve communication between dogs and their owners. Melissa works with dogs of all ages, from puppies to seniors, and tailors her approach to each dog’s unique needs, avoiding punishment-based methods. She provides written notes and homework after every session, along with ongoing text/email support between lessons. Her services include puppy training, separation anxiety programs, and behavior modification for challenging cases, with a strong emphasis on creating lasting change through patience, education, and consistency.
Melissa serves dog owners across the Durham-Chapel Hill-Mebane-Pittsboro-Burlington-Cary-Raleigh area and beyond, offering both in-person and virtual consultations. She is highly recommended by clients for her compassionate, nonjudgmental style, deep knowledge of canine behavior, and ability to help families reunite with dogs they feared they might lose. Her clients often note immediate progress and appreciate her reliability, professionalism, and clear communication.
Accomplishments
Melissa is a certified behavior consultant with extensive experience helping dogs with severe behavioral issues. Clients consistently praise her expertise, patience, and ability to achieve results where other trainers failed. She is highly regarded for her individualized approach and commitment to ethical, science-based training methods.
How to Get Started!
Begin by completing the online appointment form or contacting Melissa directly to discuss your goals. Once the form is submitted, Melissa will reach out to schedule your initial 90-minute consultation.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
Monday: 9am-6pm
Tuesday: 9am-6pm
Wednesday: 9am-6pm
Thursday: 9am-6pm
Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- Accredited
Languages
- English
Other Services Offered
- Pet trainer
Location
Radhikas Run, Efland, NC 27243Listing Tools for Trainers
For Bark to Basics Only
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