Bark 4 Joy Dog Training, LLC

Bark 4 Joy Dog Training, LLC Learn to train proactively! We’ve been voted Best Dog Trainer in MT since 2022. We provide holistic training that ensures the best welfare for your pup.

We train basic manners, behavioral issues, and service/therapy/facility dogs. Schedule a call to learn more about our program offerings today! portal.busypaws.app/customers/bark-4-joy-dog-training-llc

🐾 Big news from Bark 4 Joy owner, Madie Brustkern ‼️I’m currently training my most important new client yet — a tiny hum...
03/10/2026

🐾 Big news from Bark 4 Joy owner, Madie Brustkern ‼️

I’m currently training my most important new client yet — a tiny human! Baby is on the way, due September 2026! 💛 I’ve trained a lot of puppies over the years… but, this will be my first human.

While I’m so excited for this next adventure, it does mean a few small adjustments to training over the coming months. For safety reasons, I’ll be prioritizing dogs who can keep all four paws on the ground during greetings. If your dog is still perfecting their Olympic-level jumping skills 😂, we may need to postpone sessions or look at alternative options for now.

Some services may also have slightly more limited availability while I prepare for this new chapter and balance business and baby. I will continue updating everyone as changes occur!

Thank you all for your continued support, flexibility, and for helping keep both trainer and baby bump safe during sessions. I feel so lucky to work with such wonderful people and their dogs! 🐶

Don't forget to sign up for the classes you want to take this month!Thankfully, we have tons of different group classes ...
03/04/2026

Don't forget to sign up for the classes you want to take this month!

Thankfully, we have tons of different group classes prepared for and your pup to stay on the grind 💪🐾

Head on over to our website at www.bark4joydogtraining.com and go to the “Classes” tab to learn about which class would be the best fit for you! 📝🏃

Can’t find what you are looking for? Shoot us a message or email! 🫶💖

We are excited to see you there! 👋🤭

The service dog world can be tough to navigate, but with Bark 4 Joy by their side, these clients are more prepared! 💪Our...
03/04/2026

The service dog world can be tough to navigate, but with Bark 4 Joy by their side, these clients are more prepared! 💪

Our clients go through rigorous training and education to ensure their dog is properly behaved. We hold our clients to high expectations, so it isn’t an easy program… But, it is rewarding‼️

Caspian is one of our newer service dog clients, and he’s here with us for a board and train! He’s learning the ropes to public access to ensure he’s always in a working position and out of the way of others.

We are at full capacity for in-person service dog clients currently, but don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about our program!

Reward hierarchy 🐾✨🦴🎾 A reward hierarchy is simply a list of what your dog finds most valuable. Ranked from “low value” ...
02/28/2026

Reward hierarchy 🐾✨

🦴🎾 A reward hierarchy is simply a list of what your dog finds most valuable. Ranked from “low value” to “high value”, your puppy can distinguish doing a good job to doing a GREAT job just by the treat you give them. For some dogs, kibble might be a great start. For others or more advanced skills, it’s cheese, tug, a squeaky toy, praise, or even getting to chase a ball that drives them!

🦮🐕 Every dog is different. What motivates one dog might not motivate another, and what’s high-value in your living room might not cut it at the park. Distractions matter!

💡🧠 Knowing your dog’s reward hierarchy helps you communicate clearly, reinforce behaviors effectively, and set them up for success in training. The right reward makes learning faster, more fun, and more reliable!

Tell us your dog’s favorite treat or toy in the comments 👇👇

HELLO MY LOVELY PEOPLE!! 🐾✨I go by Duke, and I got to go on one of those awesome Breakouts with a Bark 4 Joy trainer! 🐶💛...
02/27/2026

HELLO MY LOVELY PEOPLE!! 🐾✨

I go by Duke, and I got to go on one of those awesome Breakouts with a Bark 4 Joy trainer! 🐶💛

We explored, trained, and had a great time together, especially when I found some really good sticks to play with! 🌳🐾

The trainer says I’m a fun, focused guy who really enjoys training and learning new things. I walk nicely on leash and love getting out to explore. 💕

A few more fun facts about me:
🐶 I’m about 2 years old
🌳 I don’t need fancy toys, I LOVE playing with sticks
🐾 I walk nicely on leash, both short and long leashes
🎓 I enjoy training and learning new skills
💕 Chin and shoulder rubs are the best
🏡 I’d love a home where I can be the main focus and soak up all the attention

The trainer said I’m a sweet boy who enjoys both activity and affection. I’d really love a home where I can bond closely with my person and be their special guy. 🤗

If you have questions about me, reach out to Lewis and Clark Humane Society for more about my lifestyle!

If you're looking for a loyal buddy to train with, explore with, and cuddle with, come meet me at Lewis and Clark Humane Society. I can’t wait to find my forever family! 🐾💛

‼️‼️Courtsey Post ‼️‼️🗣️ Calling working dog enthusiasts! Do you have experience with the breed Malinois? 🦮 Rex is about...
02/26/2026

‼️‼️Courtsey Post ‼️‼️

🗣️ Calling working dog enthusiasts! Do you have experience with the breed Malinois?

🦮 Rex is about a 9mo Belgian Malinois mix who has the smarts! He is full of energy and wants to learn. He is the biggest love bug with his person and wants to please. He enjoys playing with herding balls, tugs, normal balls, and puzzle toys. He is extremely treat motivated! He gets along well with other dogs but he has not been tested around cats.

🐾 Rex is extremely under-confident and sensitive to his environment. Due to this, he is anxious around any new environments, sounds, or people. He has already made big strides since being placed in his current living situation as he thrives in training!! He is extremely intelligent and WILL outsmart you! He will thrive with a family that dedicates to his training.

Interested? Check the link out in the bio or visit

➡️ Lewis & Clark Humane Society Website
➡️ Adopt a dog
➡️ Home to Home
➡️ Find Rex!

From there, you can learn more about him and get in contact to apply for him!! Have any questions? Shoot us a message! 💜

https://home-home.org/pets/8aa6e4cc-97f1-4a3d-8cfb-4aeab52a1128

HELLO EVERYBODY!! 🐾✨Barking love at you today is me, Jean!! 🐶💛I got to go on one of these so-called Breakouts with a Bar...
02/25/2026

HELLO EVERYBODY!! 🐾✨

Barking love at you today is me, Jean!! 🐶💛

I got to go on one of these so-called Breakouts with a Bark 4 Joy trainer! We walked around the Carroll College campus and watched a lot of new friends! 🏫🌳👀

The trainer says that I am super food motivated and love to chase after my treats! 🦴 I do better training outside of the car, it moves too fast for me. That being said, I love walking up and down hills and stairs! The view from the highest places is so fun to watch! 🌄 I am a big love bug ready to please! 💕

A few more fun facts about me:
🐶 I'm about 1 year old
🐾 I get along well with other dogs!
🎓 I'm receptive to training and pick up on it fast!
🌄 I'm all for the adventure and love taking in the views!
✨ I have such a soft and fluffy coat you can’t resist petting!

The trainer said that I am sweet and full of energy, but I know when to take things calmly. I would love a home that gives good cuddles 🤗 If you have questions about me, reach out to Bark 4 Joy for training or Lewis and Clark Humane Society for my lifestyle! 🏡

If you're looking for a love bug ready to explore life together, maybe even with another pup companion! Come meet me at Lewis and Clark Humane Society! I can't wait to find my forever family! 🐾💛

lewisandclarkhumanesociety

JoyDogTraining

You heard that right!👂We are starting up TWO new 30 minute programs you and your pup can participate in! ⭐️ Woofs & Work...
02/23/2026

You heard that right!👂We are starting up TWO new 30 minute programs you and your pup can participate in!

⭐️ Woofs & Workouts - Your dog will utilize a treadmill and spend time learning how to be confident around one, then run to their hearts content!

⭐️ Ruffs & Rapids - Your dog will learn a handful of pattern games that enhance their passion for toys and/treats which builds their desire to learn!

Interested in either of these classes and want to know more? Check out our website, message us, or comment below with any questions! ❓

Tail wags to new beginnings! 🐕🐾

March is stalking us almost better than a border collie! 🐑‼️Thankfully, we have tons of different group classes prepared...
02/22/2026

March is stalking us almost better than a border collie! 🐑‼️

Thankfully, we have tons of different group classes prepared for and your pup to stay on the grind 💪🐾

From the basics of Obedience & Manners, to something as simple as Socialization, we have you covered!! 💡✔️

Head on over to our website at www.bark4joydogtraining.com and go to the “Classes” tab to learn about which class would be the best fit for you! 📝🏃

Can’t find what you are looking for? Shoot us a message or email! We would love to have you in our class 🫶💖

We are excited to see you there! 👋🤭

‼️You guessed it!! Our AKC CGC Prep Course is back! ‼️⭐️💖Starting the first weekend of March, we will be offering Saturd...
02/21/2026

‼️You guessed it!! Our AKC CGC Prep Course is back! ‼️

⭐️💖Starting the first weekend of March, we will be offering Saturday evening to sessions on how to be a good canine citizen.

🗓️🦴 This 6 week course offers skills not only important for the CGC title, but also important for dogs working on public manners as well!

🧠🦮 Think you have what it takes? Hop right in and earn your AKC CGC Title by the end of the course!

💡🚨Think your pup could use a bit more practice? That’s what this course is for! Multiple tailored exercises and locations are built in to this program to help prepare you and your pup for public manners.

We work on skills like:
✔️ Polite greetings
✔️ Loose Leash Walking
✔️ Reliable sit, down, & stay cues
✔️ Calm behavior around distractions
✔️ Handling for grooming, petting, and other real-world scenarios

This course is perfect for:
⭐️ Dogs who have completed basic training
⭐️ Future therapy dog or service dog prospects
⭐️ Owners who want a well-mannered, confident companion

📩 Message us or visit www.bark4joydogtrainining.com to enroll!

🙌🏻 We currently have THREE spots open for private training sessions!Private sessions are a great option if you’re lookin...
02/19/2026

🙌🏻 We currently have THREE spots open for private training sessions!

Private sessions are a great option if you’re looking for individualized support with things like basic manners, leash skills, jumping, barking, or working through specific behavior challenges. Each session is tailored to you and your dog so you can make meaningful progress together.

We don’t go session by session, but rather, we place you in a program to provide quality results 🥳

Spots tend to fill quickly, so reach out if you’ve been thinking about getting started or continuing your training. We’d love to work with you and your pup!

Are you a previous client looking to continue training or revisit issues? Ask about our membership program 🙂

HELLO EVERYBODY!! 🐾✨You’ll never guess who’s back… it’s me! Chewy!! 🐶💛The Bark 4 Joy trainer was surprised to see that I...
02/18/2026

HELLO EVERYBODY!! 🐾✨

You’ll never guess who’s back… it’s me! Chewy!! 🐶💛

The Bark 4 Joy trainer was surprised to see that I was selected to go out with her again because I’m such a good boy! 😇

We have done this once before, so I knew what to do: listen for her cues and get rewarded with treats! 🍖 If you haven’t met me yet, you should know I’m a talker. 🗣️ That being said, you should also know I’m smarter than I look! 😉 I adjusted nicely to riding in the car in a kennel, walking politely by the trainer’s dog, and smoothly accomplishing loose leash walking. 🐕 The trainer says that with time and consistency, I will reach my maximum good boy potential! 🌟

A few more fun facts about me:
🎂I'm about 1.5 years old
🧠I’m pretty good at learning what you’re asking of me
🍪I'm ready to show off my skills for your treats!
🌎I'm all for the adventure! Bring me anywhere and I am ready to learn!
💜And at the end of the day, I’m just a big lover!

The trainer said that if you have questions about me, reach out to Bark 4 Joy for training or Lewis and Clark Humane Society for lifestyle info! 📩 Don’t forget, I’m a lot of talk, but I’m even more full of tricks and ready for training! 🎓

If you’re looking for a love bug ready to train my way through life together with you, come meet me at Lewis and Clark Humane Society! I can't wait to find my forever family! 🏡💕

lewisandclarkhumanesociety

JoyDogTraining

Address

Helena, MT
59601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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A little more about Bark for Joy

Madie Sanford is a dog lover, just like you!

She is among the first few hundred people in the United States to receive a Bachelor’s in Anthrozoology. She studied horses and dogs and had the opportunity to train in many disciplines. Trish, one of Madie’s dogs, was trained in her undergraduate program. There, Trish learned narcotics detection, tracking, and an array of therapy/service tasks. Madie also worked with a friend to fully train a psychiatric service dog in just six months. While training the service dog, Madie assisted in rewriting Montana’s service dog law and testified as a proponent for the bill on two occasions.

Madie owns two dogs of her own: Trish (or Patrisha) and Sherman. Trish, who came from a shelter, is a Border Collie/Cattle Dog mix. Sherman was recently adopted from a rescue out of Fort Worth, TX called SPIN. Madie enjoys working with her dogs to help keep her training skills sharp.

Bark for Joy Dog Training was founded in 2018, the summer before Madie’s senior year at Carroll. She has been professionally training dogs ever since. She specializes in PTSD/psychiatric service dogs, but also does basic obedience, scent work, therapy training, and trick training. Currently, Madie is preparing to take her CPDT-KA exam. She also is earning her master’s degree in Companion Animal Science. Her thesis is on the environmental effects on canine olfaction.