Modern training. Real-world results. Built on trust, clarity, accountability, and respect.

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Hi, I’m Criselda Quan, founder of A Bark Away NJ, certified dog trainer, and someone who knows firsthand what it feels like to be at the edge of giving up.

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I didn’t start this journey in a fancy classroom. I started it in survival mode, with my own dog, anxious, reactive, and completely out of control. The walks were chaotic. Guests were a nightmare. He couldn’t relax, and neither could I.

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I tried everything I was told to try: positive reinforcement only, redirection, food rewards, and endless avoid-the-trigger games. But the more I avoided, the worse he got. I worked with trainer after trainer who told me to “just keep trying”—until one finally said what no owner ever wants to hear:        

             “Maybe euthanasia is the only option.”

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That moment broke me. But it also lit a fire.​

I dove headfirst into balanced training. Not punishment-based nonsense. Real training—the kind that gives dogs boundaries, leadership, confidence, and clear consequences. The kind that teaches owners how to stop walking on eggshells and start communicating.

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What I Believe:

I believe in giving owners the truth, not just what’s trending online.

I believe dogs thrive with structure, clarity, accountability, and respect. I believe most behavioral issues aren’t about disobedience; they’re about confusion, lack of leadership, and no follow-through.

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Yes, I use training tools—slip leads, prong collars, e-collars. No, I don’t use them carelessly. And yes, sometimes those tools are used to correct behavior. Not just to “communicate,” but to teach accountability and reestablish respect in the relationship.

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Because respect is everything, you can love your dog deeply, but if they don’t respect you, they’re not going to follow you. And when there’s no respect, there’s no safety, no structure, and no trust.

 

These tools, when used fairly and with intention, create clarity. They’re not about fear or force, they’re about saying:

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     “I see you. I hear you. But this behavior isn’t okay, and I’m going to guide you through it.”

 

That’s not punishment. That’s leadership.​

And when that leadership is consistent, dogs change. They relax. They trust. And over time, the tools become unnecessary because the foundation has already been built.

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Why I Do This:

A Bark Away NJ was never just about obedience—it was born out of desperation, survival, and eventually... purpose.

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A Bark Away exists to give second chances.​

Too many dogs are surrendered not because they’re bad, but because no one gave their owners the tools or support to succeed. I want to change that—one dog, one family at a time.

I’ve worked with reactive dogs, shutdown dogs, bratty dogs, and explosive dogs, and I’ve helped families turn chaos into calm. Not through hacks or treats a A Bark Away NJ but through structure, clarity, and real guidance.

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Because when owners are equipped, and dogs are led with fairness and consistency, they don’t just behave better. They get to stay.

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If you're feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure of what to do next, I've been there.

You’re not alone. There is a way forward. Let’s take the first step together.

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At A Bark Away NJ, this is where barks turn into confidence.