The Balanced Lab

10/02/2025

Some moments over the past few weeks…

Welcome Nala to the pack 🐾

Nala is a 2 year old pitty/lab mix who was adopted by her owner a year ago. After getting to truly know her over the past few weeks, this is my overall assessment: she is a sensitive dog that feels overwhelmed in certain environments - she desperately craves leadership so she doesn’t have to make decisions for herself. She thrives with clarity & consistency. Truly. She is SO relaxed & peaceful with me. She sleeps deeply. She plays effortlessly & she follows my lead as if she’s always known me.

When Nala’s owner brought her home, there was too much focus on freedom, privilege and lack of structure. Nala’s owner loves her so much (she’s a very lovable dog) but it’s important to understand HOW to love a dog, it’s so much more than spoiling them. Dogs need a pack leader to feel safe. Nala started off amazing with her owner but over the course of the 12 months owning her, some serious behaviours started popping up. She was lunging and snapping at neighbours in their condo, she was reacting to dogs & people that got too close, she was fence fighting and showing a lot of territorial behaviours. All of these behaviours are a result of lack of leadership - Nala decided she had to take the lead and create space because she doesn’t want strangers crowding over her and dogs in her face everyday.

The plan is to teach the humans in Nala’s life how to truly honour her spirit & nature as a canine. She needs humans that are going to provide structure, rules & discipline while also fulfilling all of her needs. I am confident Nala’s family has what it takes and I’m excited to make it happen this weekend over 3 transition sessions together 😁

09/29/2025

🐾

09/27/2025

I’m sure you’ve seen this face on my stories over the past few weeks - here is a little more info on Miss Maeve

She is a 1 year old Spinone Italiano and she is nearing the end of her 3 week board and train with us. Maeve was sent to training because her owners were struggling with confidence issues (specifically around barking dogs/ loud noises) and overall selective listening - they described her as stubborn. Maeve’s insecurity around barking dogs started when she was a puppy and was unfortunately rushed by 2 reactive large dogs, it sent her into flight and ever since, she has this strong urge to run away whenever she gets spooked.

Over the past few weeks Maeve has learned how to trust in human guidance and direction when she feels insecure - this has essentially eliminated the flighty feelings. She is in her teenage years so attitude and boundary pushing are to be expected, but I am confident in her new listening skills and healthier mindset.

We did alot of dog barking desensitization/ structured walks, controlled experiences as well as field trips to test her new training out in the real world. We have a couple days left to touch up anything we can, but I am confident her owners will be able to take over from this point on.

Besides the drool and constant beard cleaning (lol), she has been a 10/10 house guest.

08/24/2025

Welcome (back!) Sundae!

This doodle gal was with me for her puppy program a few months ago and now she is back for her big girl advanced e-collar training.

Sundae is a higher energy dog with a lot of personality, she’s an absolute joy to work with and always has a good attitude. The biggest challenges her family was experiencing was her prey drive (that was escalating towards the family cat), her selective listening (especially off leash) and her crating manners. She was throwing some tantrums in the crate & getting into some bad habits at home. This board and train was the perfect reset for her and I know her family will continue her new structured lifestyle.

Her brother Beau did my board and train program a while back so it’s always nice to work with repeat clients 🥰

08/16/2025

Big welcome to The Balanced Lab’s first vizslas!

I said why not go big or go home and take 2 at the same time 😆

Snickers is 2.5 and Dodger is just over 1. Both of these dogs are here for overall listening skills & manners. After getting to know them over the last 2 weeks, I know exactly what areas I want to focus on with each dog. Dodger is under exposed to the world & lives in his own world. He tries to keep his brain active and entertained 24/7 by chasing bugs, shadows and hyper fixating on a ball. He does not listen (with or without distractions involved) and he is very invasive of your personal space.

Snickers is a lot more “chill” than his little brother but he struggles with anxiety & insecurity. He also doesn’t listen and if you ask him to do something that makes him even slightly uncomfortable, he has a full blown meltdown (fleeing, squealing, jumping all over you etc).

Phew. I’ve had my work cut out for me but I’m happy to report we are on a good track with both dogs. Dodger is becoming so much easier to communicate with - he actually finds value in paying attention to the human which is huge. Snickers is starting to show actual enjoyment in his training sessions as he grows confidence in himself. He’s also become a dream to walk!

We still have 1 week left and a lot more work to do! Thanks for following along 🙌

07/30/2025

It’s been a long time since I re-introduced myself - especially to anyone new to my page.

Hi!!! My name is Laura & these are my 2 personal dogs (Dexter aka Dex aka Sweet Man and Zoe aka Tootie aka Azoula). I started The Balanced Lab in September 2020 but I have been working with dogs a lot longer than that. Here are 10 (potentially interesting?) facts about me 🙃

1. When I was 18, I had a job as a part time nanny for 2 small kids. One day I showed up and they had adopted a 6 month old Toller, and I fell in love. I realized quickly how much I enjoyed being around dogs rather than kids 😆

2. When I was 19, I got my first dog job at a daycare. I loved it so much. I started to get in trouble with my boss for being too much of a “drill sergeant” with the dogs (lmao her words, not mine). I quit soon after.

3. I have a degree in Holistic Nutrition and I am a bit of a hippy. I believe the body is an amazing machine capable of healing pretty much anything if you give it what it needs.

4. I hit my funny bone so hard one time I fainted and gave myself a concussion 🫣

5. I have been bit twice in my life by 2 different dogs. 1 bite was serious and the other was moderate. I have lifelong scars from both. (Both incidents happened before The Balanced Lab started).

6. I love black labs because I fostered a black lab for back in the day. Her name was Frisbee and she was such a special soul. Dexter and Frisbee have the same dad. Dexter was a failed guide dog student and I adopted him.

7. My fiancé Josh is my favourite human. We’ve been together for over 10 years. He has a band and he’s an incredible musician 🤟

8. I love tea. I drink a lot of tea per day. I go through a lot of honey and milk. My entire family on both sides are from Northern Ireland and we had tea in our bubbas growing up 🤪

9. I struggle with neck tension & migraines. It’s been going on for years and I do acupuncture & physiotherapy weekly.

10. I used to live a very unhealthy life - drugs, alcohol, toxic relationships, stupid decision making. I changed my entire life over 10 years ago. I work really hard to protect my peace & do what’s best for me 🩷

06/24/2025

Jack is on his last week of training (but this is not the end of his journey with me).

Jack is one of the most reactive cases I have ever worked with, he has been this way since he was very very young - we know schnauzers are guard/alert dogs but that mixed with poor breeding, makes for a genetic challenge.

Jack has learned how to control himself over the last few weeks. He is not a finished project and I will continue his training journey once I move into my next house. Dogs like Jack require 6-8 weeks of rehab minimum, it is a lot of work to change the way they feel about triggers & after 4 weeks with me, I believe we’re only at the halfway point!

That being said, I believe his owner will have an easier time with him when he goes home next weekend. His reactivity is not explosive anymore and that alone will make working with him a lot more enjoyable. He’s a very fun, young dog that has a lot of potential, time is our biggest obstacle. Jack will be more personal project dog before the year ends - that’s a promise! 🐾

06/10/2025

Welcome Quinn to the pack!

Quinn and her owner Brooke just completed my E-Collar Basics Course!! 🥳 I really enjoyed working with these 2.
When I first met them, I could tell right away what the main issue was - Quinn was a sensitive & insecure dog that needed leadership. Brooke brought Quinn home as a puppy soon after her previous dog tragically died at a young age. She was heartbroken and thought getting a new dog would mend her broken heart (of course it did because puppies are good at that). I explained to Brooke that because she was not in the best headspace when she brought Quinn home, she was not able to provide leadership and instead, allowed Quinn to take over the leadership role. This is where a lot of bad behaviours stem from. Quinn was an insecure dog being forced into the leadership position where she didn’t belong. Behaviours like; reacting to people coming over & “stalking them”, blowing up at the window in the car and biting the seatbelt, barking at dogs & overall anxiety/ stress (from both dog and human).

I kid you not, as SOON as I showed Brooke how to be a more confident leader, Quinn’s anxiety and reactivity just melted away. Her last test was tackling the waterfront and she passed with flying colours 🤩. I might see these 2 back for off leash training in the future but for now, enjoy your new life together!!!

05/23/2025

Welcome this little lady to the pack!

Junebug is a 1 year old miniature poodle and she is almost halfway through our Advanced E-Collar Program. Her owner Allison wanted to fix her leash pulling/ mild reactivity/ impulse control (chasing everything) and unreliable recall. I’m happy to report we have already fixed 80% of those issues and now our focus will be on off leash for the remainder of the program!

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love poodles, standard, miniature or toy, I’m not picky 😆. They often get overlooked because of their appearance but these dogs are AMAZING! If you think you want a doodle, you probably should just get a poodle hehe.. I love their temperaments, they learn quickly, they are super athletic & up for any adventure! Junebug is no exception, this kid is absorbing information like a sponge and I can’t wait to see her off leash living her best poodle life 🥳💃🏻

05/22/2025

Barrie’s Gold Winner 2nd year in a row!

Thank you to anyone who voted 🙌🏆

05/19/2025

Marshall is officially back home with his family after his 2 week board & train!

Marshall is only 7 months old but he was causing his owners a whole lot of distress & anxiety because of his behaviours.

Extreme mouthing that was escalating to actual biting, barking in your face, mounting your legs, SUPER destructive to their home and had zero off switch. Now imagine this going on all day every day and only being able to rest at 10pm, just to wake up and do it all over again 😫🤪. Marshalls owners tried everything they could to discipline his behaviour but whenever they tried, Marshall would escalate and become even more mouthy, snarling & jumping at your face. Tsk Tsk Marshall.. I’m happy to report that those days are long gone!!!

Marshall not only learned on and off leash obedience, but he also learned how to be respectful & well mannered around humans, dogs & a cat! His owners were a dream to work with, they did their part by being prepared for our sessions, ready and willing to follow my instructions and put in the work. Marshall definitely tried his old antics while working with his owners (it will take weeks before they can fully repair their relationship with him) but with clear & consistent e-collar communication and a calm/confident energy, Marshall was on his best behaviour for his final session. His owners know that it’s up to them to follow through with their homework so they can repair their relationship with him and be the pack leaders they were meant to be!

I posted some of my favourite videos and photos of some Marshall moments over the past 2 weeks, enjoy! 😊

05/19/2025

Only a few more hours to vote for The Balanced Lab for Barrie’s Best Dog Trainer 2025!!!

Every vote counts 🩷

Official 2025 Community Voting Awards Platform for Barrie, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.