The Balanced K-9, LLC

If you want to know more about us, behavior consulting and training, please visit our website. Behavior Modification $3,750 to $4,890 This 3 to 4 week program is designed to address minor behavior issues (i.e. jumping, mouthing and counter surfing, etc.) as well as basic obedience: recall sit/down heel place Basic obedience is NOT for dogs with aggression issues or extreme levels of anxiety or fear. Depending on the intensity of the dog's issues additional weeks may be required (at $850 per week). This recommendation will be made based on the initial consultation or shortly after the beginning of training.

Typically, we collect detailed information on the animal via an online questionnaire. Once we have that information, we contact the owner to develop a program to address the dog's issues in a way that will promote real and lasting change.

Like any profession dog training requires not only active study but lots of hands on time. I participate in multiple professional seminars annually, exchange ideas with fellow professionals frequently and try to never stop learning. I work with over 100 dogs per year across all breeds and sizes so no issue, behavior or breed is new to me. I also consult with a local Animal Rescue that handles more challenging cases at our local Municipal Shelter. Working with and understanding the added stress a shelter situation places on an animal helps me better assist owners who have elected to adopt rather than buy. Recent examples of my annual continuing education include: One-week seminar on Body Language

Some years ago I was sharing an apartment with a roommate who adopted a Bull Terrier puppy named Astor. She knew nothing about raising a young dog and, as you can image, Astor had all the typical puppy behaviors. He was not house trained, he chewed anything he could get his mouth on and he had every bad behavior a young (or untrained) dog can have: pulling on the leash, jumping, barking, begging for food, counter surfing, mouthing and nipping. I grew up with dogs (a Belgian Shepard, a Dalmatian, and a hound mix) and knew that Astor just needed some guidance to be a wonderful pet. Like many first time owners my roommate lacked the knowledge to help Astor and was mistakenly hoping maturity would magically "fix" him. Since he was not getting any training from my roommate and the situation needed to be addressed, I started to train Astor. Helping Astor was a natural instinct for someone who grew up with dogs and understood their potential. Becoming a trainer was not part of my carrier plan at that time but sometimes your passion finds you. No matter the breed, the age, or the sex all dogs simply need some clear guidance to become cherished members of a family

The majority of my clients came to me because their dog required some amount of behavior modification. Whether the dogs never mastered the foundational skills (i.e. walking calmly at the owners side, relaxing in place without being anxious or needing to greet every guest, etc.), failed to learn as a puppy that interactions with humans (no jumping, barking or mouthing) are different from fellow dogs or developed unwanted behaviors (ie guarding food, people, growling, lunging, etc) we have fixed it all.

Recently I worked with a 12 year old Yorkie (no dog is too old to learn) who had developed guarding behavior around his family as well as his space. That behavior had progressed to the point that he tried to actively bite anyone who came near him (I actually needed help to get him out of my dog mobile). After his second day in my Board and Train program I was able to handle him without issue and start the process of re-socializing him around strangers. We went for daily visits to dog friendly stores and restaurants and downtown areas as well as creating safe environments for him to interact with new people. After two weeks he went home a more social dog.

Understand the trainer's philosophy and how they work before you hire them. Videos, social media, and client referrals certainly help that process but there is no "one" approach that works for all dogs. Look for a "balanced trainer" who treats each animal as an individual and adjusts their approach to what motivates the animal. A good trainer starts will a deep knowledge of dog psychology and works to things the dog values (i.e. food, affection, play, etc) to reward desired behaviors. But balanced trainers can add tools to the mix to help extinguish or redirect undesirable behaviors.

Dogs are animals not machines. A trainer can shape an animal to produce any desired behavior. The key for any owner investing in training is a willingness to reinforce the training when the dog returns home. The owner also needs to be open to understanding how their own actions can reinforce undesirable behaviors and be open to adjusting their actions.