“The key to Balanced Training is to communicate with clear guidance, so your dog knows what to feel and what to do in all situations. Meeting these core needs creates a strong bond and safe space for you to teach your dog how to behave and have fun in a human world.”
THIS IS WHERE I’VE BEEN HEADING ALL MY LIFE.
It took 20+ years of training my 12 personal dogs and many foster and dogs in rescue (and teaching yoga - yes, it’s connected!) before I found myself led to dog training as a profession. My most illuminating moments came by noticing what was working — and what was not working — with my 4 most recent adult rescues (now my own personal dogs). I did a lot of research into methods and teachers, seeking to improve my knowledge and skill set and most of all, understand what works and why. I am continuously studying and mentoring with other trainers and consulting with local rescues.
The key to Balanced Training is to communicate with clear guidance, so your dog knows what to feel and what to do in all situations. Meeting these core needs creates a strong bond and safe space for you to teach your dog how to behave and have fun in a human world. Dogs naturally live by rules. The strict hierarchies and structures of pack life make dogs feel safe and confident, giving them clarity and purpose. Just as with life in a dog pack, Balanced Training relies on rules and structure. We use corrections for unwanted behaviors and positive reinforcement for desired behaviors. Overall, about 90% of the training process is based on positive reinforcement. You will let your dog know when they’ve made a “mistake” but it’s also important to let them know when they have fixed it with rewards for making the right choices. Prong collar and e-collar are both wonderful tools for this, because they provide guidance and positive feedback in ways that dogs immediately understand.
As founder of Butch and Sundance K9, I’m currently offering private session and day train packages. Sessions take place on site in Raleigh and other locations as needed. Home visits are also available. My programs include assessment and consult so that we can choose the best tools for your dog, whether it’s slip-lead, e-collar or prong collar. See details below and also feel free to call or email me with your questions.