Learn to train proactively! We’ve been voted Best Dog Trainer in MT 2022, 2023, and 2024! Schedule a call to learn more about our program offerings today!
We provide holistic training that ensures the best welfare for your pup. We train basic manners, behavioral issues, and service/therapy/facility dogs. portal.busypaws.app/customers/bark-4-joy-dog-training-llc
08/06/2025
Summer is halting to a stop, but we are determined to enjoy every moment! ⛱️
Our paddleboarding class was so successful earlier this summer, so we want to try something new 🤩
👙Get your water gear ready for a half-day adventure at Holter Lake! This outing from 10am-2pm will provide so much information and fun, you’ll be talking about it through Christmas 🎄
🍉 Learn dog paddleboarding or kayaking skills
🍉 Enjoy a picnic on the beach (bring your own food)
🍉 Drink and talk with dog owners who share similar passions
🍉 Talk about safety regarding swimming, HAB, and more!
If we offered this in August or early September, who’s in? 🤩🥰
Comment below to let us know if this is your cup of tea 🫖
08/05/2025
We are so happy to welcome Rocket back!
2 years ago, he spent a number of months training with us to create lasting results ☺️
This training 🌟shined 🌟 through today when we encountered two deer in a neighborhood. He calmly observed, but he remained quiet and kept the leash loose.
Great job, Rocket! 🚀
08/01/2025
➡️ Are you tired? 😪
Tired of the lack of results? 😤 Tired and frustrated from ineffective communication? 🤪 Tired of not feeling supported? 👎🏻
At Bark 4 Joy, we strive to ensure our clients are supported, heard, and see clear results with our effective, holistic training methods 💪🏻
We have programs for every dog and every client, from our Joyful Foundations Puppy Program to our Calm & Confident Reactive Dog Transformation Program. We also have programs for everyone in between! 😁
Don’t settle for less than you and your dog deserve. You deserve better, and we deliver the best!
👩💻 What program are you interested in??
07/31/2025
Meet ✨Lucy✨
I had the privilege of training this amazing, sweet dog today 😍 We visited the Fairgrounds and reward her hard training efforts after with a Bark 4 Joy pup cup from Scenic Brew ☕️
I have NO idea why someone hasn’t snatched this cutie yet! She’s great with kids 👧, good with other dogs 🐕, and she does great on a leash ‼️
We took a nice long walk around the park, trained around deer 🦌 and birds 🦆, and then sat and watched the world go by.
This sweet girl has been at the shelter for almost two months 😫 She’s simply had situations fall through, so now she’s in search of the perfect family.
You can meet this gem 💎 at Lewis and Clark Humane Society! They are open 12-4pm through Saturday, and then they re-open next Tuesday.
07/30/2025
Next on our list is our popular day training programs, now called Brains & Biscuits Day School 🐶
🎓🚌 We developed this program several years ago when we saw a gap in the dog training community in Helena. Working professionals had to forego training; busy moms weren’t able to find peace in a busy household; traveling professionals had no where to turn for their young puppies. 😫 Now, this is one of our most popular, and most successful, training options 🤩
Dogs receive 8 hours with a professional trainer who meticulously creates a schedule for that dog and their specific goals 📚 Each outing provides high-level training, and a bundle of videos for the day allows clients to be part of their dog’s journey.
Day school packages can be just a half day (4 hours) or up to 8, 8-hour visits with the trainer. No matter the needs, we help clients succeed!
Ready to begin your dog’s training? Comment below! 🤓
07/28/2025
The first program we want to highlight are our membership options 😄
Our memberships are great for anyone!
🐾 New puppy? Let us help with a 6 or 12 month membership to build confidence and resilience.
🐶 Scared, lunging dog? A membership is the perfect way to have continued support through a difficult time.
🐕🦺 Just adopted a shelter dog? Start your new lives off on the right paw with support from a professional trainer.
⏩ With 3, 6, and 12 month membership options, you’ll receive access to a number of our best selling services 🤩
These spaces are limited to ensure each client receives the best care, so don’t delay!
Drop a comment below for more information 🌻
07/26/2025
We are still *overflowing* with joy 🤩 🥰
Each client we work with becomes part of the Bark 4 Joy family. You are not just a number that we check off at the end of the day.
👉🏻You’re a pet parent who deserves to walk around the neighborhood without stress.
🐶A puppy parent who deserves to raise this puppy right.
🌳A dog mom who feels more safe when her dog is out hiking with her.
No matter who you are, YOU MATTER to us 🥳 A huge thank you to everyone for your support. Whether you crossed paths with us for a single workshop or have known us for years, you mean the world 🌎 to our business!
Sincerely, Bark 4 Joy family 💙💜
07/25/2025
🎉 BIG NEWS FROM BARK 4 JOY! 🎉
We are thrilled to announce that Bark 4 Joy Dog Training has been voted Best Dog Trainer in Montana for the 4th year in a row! 🏆🐾
We are beyond grateful for our incredible clients, supportive community, and, of course, your amazing dogs. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. 💜
✨ To celebrate, we’re unveiling our brand new logo — a refreshed look that reflects who we are: joyful, passionate, professional, and committed to strengthening the bond between dogs and their humans.
But that’s not all…
🎓 We’ve updated our training programs to better serve you and your pups, with clearer pathways, specialized support (yes, even for reactive dogs!), and even more ways to build a joyful life together.
From puppies to pros, nervous pups to adventure seekers — there’s a program for every dog and every family.
➡️ Stay tuned — we’ll be spotlighting our revamped services all week!
➡️ If you’ve trained with us in the past — drop a pic or tell us what your dog learned below. 🐶💬
➡️ Curious about what’s new? Visit www.bark4joydogtraining.com.
Thank you for being part of the Bark 4 Joy family. Here’s to joy, learning, and wagging tails! 💫
07/25/2025
Tomorrow is the big reveal 🥳
Stay tuned… We will release our announcement at 5pm 😍
07/24/2025
Continuing education is top priority at Bark 4 Joy. By exploring new training methods, dog sports, and attending conferences, we learn new techniques and skills that enable us to assist clients!
Our most recent continuing education consistent of Dock Diving! Sherman and Trish, Bark 4 Joy mascots, tested the waters. This amazing sport provides incredible exercise in a safe space. We highly recommend checking out Montana K9 Aquatics in Billings, MT.
Later this year, we’ll further our education again through online courses and an international dog training conference! 🐶
07/23/2025
At Bark 4 Joy, we strive to provide the best care to dogs and best education to humans! 😇
We focus on reward-based, holistic dog training methods that address the root causes of behaviors, not just the surface level issues. By doing this, we are able to make more progress and have more success stories.
As we continue to provide top-notch training for the Helena and Bigfork areas, we continue growing and maturing our brand for the best customer experience! We have a surprise that will be shared this Friday! 🥳🤫
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bark 4 Joy Dog Training, LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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.
Here at Bark 4 Joy, we like to call ourselves positive reinforcement enthusiasts. We use treats and praise for good behavior, but also utilize time outs when a dog engages in the incorrect behavior. We pride ourselves in ensuring your dog can continue to be themselves while also not developing any negative feelings towards you. Our mission is to ensure that your reach your training goals. To do so, we believe that it isn’t just the trainer’s responsibility to train but also yours! This means that Madie strives to teach you how to train your dog. After all, life is better with a (trained) dog!
