Balanced Canines

06/15/2024

Just a friendly reminder, as summer temps creep up, please be aware of the type of surfaces you are asking your dog to essentially walk or stand “barefoot” on….

06/10/2024

NEW WORKSHOP!!! Registration just went live for our new Auto Check-In and Loose Leash Workshop which will be July 18th. This 2 hour workshop will focus on teaching Suzanne Clothier's amazing Auto Check-In technique as well as how to actually walk with your dog on a loose leash. Check out more details on our website!

When: Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Back up date in case of heat index or storms, as this is at an outdoor location, is the following Thursday, July 25, 2024 also from 5:30 pm - 7:30pm Where: Brophy Park (down by the beach and walking path) , Alexandria, MN What: This 2 hou

05/31/2024

So blessed to have such a kind, brilliant and loving soul to inspire us and learn from. Suzanne Clothier you are by far one of the most amazing humans we have had the honor to know! Thank you for being you and sharing your wisdom and heart with us! ❤️🐾

The online dog training community is not a particularly nice place to be these days. The Us vs Them mentality...

04/27/2024

Happy World Veterinarian day to all of the amazing veterinarians out there! Thank you so much for all you do for our beloved furry family members!

04/20/2024

So excited to be back at the Dog Behavior conference! Learning so much and loving the speakers!

03/20/2024

Only 1 spot left for our Spring Puppy Class starting April 11th. Don't miss out!

When: Thursday, April 11th, Thursday, April 25th, Thursday, May 2nd and ending on Friday, May 10th from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm. (We will NOT have class on Thursday, April 18th) Where: Woodland Elementary School Gymnasium, Alexandria, MN What: This class is for puppies between 8 weeks to 11 months

02/29/2024

If you are wanting to get signed up for our spring puppy class, don't delay, there are only 4 spots left. Here is the link to register. I hope to see you there! https://www.balancedcaninesmn.com/class-registration/p/puppy-class-496nf

01/29/2024

This video is spot on!!! (I agree with Suzanne, comments only after you’ve watched the video!!!).

Why doesn’t force free training work?Force-free is taking over the dog training industry. It’s easy to understand why! People love their dogs, dominance or a...

01/13/2024

Hey everybody, as you know, the temperatures have dropped and the cold is here. Just as we take extra steps to stay safe and warm, it is important to remember that our furry family members need help staying safe and warm too. I am sharing this amazing and handy chart put together by Clever Dog Adventures based on the Tufts Animal Care and Condition Weather Scale that can help you determine what is too cold for your dog. At the time of this post, with the temps plus windchill that we are currently seeing in central MN, no dogs should be left outside for any length of time. They can go out, do their business and come right back in. To help keep them from driving you crazy inside however during this cold weather, here are a few ways to burn off mental energy to help them feel more relaxed and calm. 1. Teach them some new tricks. This is not only fun for them but fun for the guardians as well. It can be anything from a simple “touch” cue to roll over, shake, fetch etc. 2. Do lots of fun games in the house. Some examples are: hide and go seek (which also has the advantage of practicing recall too), “go find it” there are a million variations of this, indoor obstacle course, free work, if you have a flirt pole you can use it indoors to practice many of the skills they may already know like: wait or stay, give, drop it, leave it, sit, down and so on. 3. Use enrichment puzzles like snuffle mats, lick mats, kongs, puzzle toys, bully sticks (with supervision or a bully buddy) etc. All of these ideas will help them burn off their extra energy inside! Whichever activities you choose, have fun with them! If you wear your dog out mentally, both you and your dog will feel much better about being stuck indoors.

01/09/2024

If you are planning on attending the January/February Puppy Class and haven't registered yet, we only have one spot left. Looking forward to another amazing class with some amazing puppies and their fantastic guardians!

This class is for puppies between 8 weeks and 11 months old and their human parent(s).

12/26/2023

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year from Balanced Canines!

12/23/2023

Such a great post!

If a dog is repeatedly not following a cue, it's important we don't decide they are being 'stubborn'. Dogs are not stubborn because they choose to be.

It may be that they haven't actually learned the cue properly.

They may be feeling unwell.

There may be distractions in the environment that mean they can't concentrate and respond to the cue.

The reward on offer might not be motivating enough for them in that moment.

Look at the environment for distractions, look at the coaching history to see if the cue has been fully established and proofed in the wider world, and look at the value of the rewards you are offering.

11/11/2023

Only 4 more days left to register for the last Really Real Relaxation class for 2023. Click the link to learn more and register! https://www.balancedcaninesmn.com/events/really-real-relaxation-for-dogs-intensive-tcmtm-xwble-lscdp-8h3yw?fbclid=IwAR3l5-AZ2FQ23LUKMqnNv-jzdG3Td_jvI8NRtIJSthQ4L4XWUSYTECYt3z0

Have you ever wanted a dog that will choose to lay down and truly relax with you in almost any situation or location without having to be micro managed? Does your dog get over excited easily in certain situations and struggle to calm down? Does your dog have difficulty finding the “off” switch? ...

11/04/2023

Just a friendly reminder that real change takes time, consistency, patience, understanding and clarity! Dogs NEVER lie and they don’t do things on purpose to upset us, it just isn’t in their psychological makeup or capacity to do so. There is no quick fix to real learning or change, so don’t be fooled.

10/25/2023

Wonderful post from Alexandria Veterinary Clinic!

Twas the week before Halloween and all through the towns, owners were prepping their dogs for a night filled with clowns.

Thanks to CattleDog Publishing - The Legacy of Dr. Sophia Yin for the information this post is based on.

10/07/2023

There is only 1 spot left for our last puppy class of 2023. Don’t miss out! Register now at the link here.

This class is for puppies between 8 weeks and 11 months old and their human parent(s).

09/28/2023

Registration for our Really Real Relaxation for Dogs Intensive on November 21st is now open.
Have you ever wanted a dog that will choose to lay down and truly relax with you in almost any situation or location without having to be micromanaged? Does your dog get over excited easily in certain situations and struggle to calm down? Does your dog have difficulty finding the “off” switch? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this RRR intensive class may be just what you have been looking for.
The Really Real Relaxation protocol was developed by Suzanne Clothier and is a technique that helps dogs learn how to modulate their own arousal levels, it teaches both handler and dog to be connected and stay connected with each other as well as for the dog to choose on their own to dial down their own arousal and relax whenever the handler is in a relaxed state.
This one session intensive is offered for both handler and dog teams as well as for handlers only. If your dog has a history of aggression, has had any physical incidents towards other dogs or humans, or has a contagious health issue, do not sign up for the dog/handler registration, sign up for the Handler ONLY registration. This class is for dogs/puppies that are at least 12 weeks old all the way through senior dogs.

Have you ever wanted a dog that will choose to lay down and truly relax with you in almost any situation or location without having to be micro managed? Does your dog get over excited easily in certain situations and struggle to calm down? Does your dog have difficulty finding the “off” switch? ...

09/12/2023

To say I am honored to be in this woman’s presence and be able to learn from her is an understatement! I was so blessed this past weekend to learn more about thresholds, transitions, and triggers from this amazing teacher! Thank you Suzanne Clothier for your wisdom, patience, kindness, inspiration and humor!

09/11/2023

Best weekend ever!!! So many great take aways and amazing dogs and humans! Thank you West Jersey K9 Search and Rescue and Suzanne Clothier for such a fantastic experience! ❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾

08/09/2023

I can say from personal experience with Cassie and her work with our rescued pup, Athena, she is nothing short of amazing and this hydrotherapy service is phenomenal!!!

07/22/2023

Great post by Alexandria Vet Clinic!!! If you are considering getting a puppy from a breeder, please read this! Also know that any responsible and reputable breeder will not only take your puppy/dog back if there are any problems or if you can no longer keep him/her, but they will also have already begun safe and positive socialization with all of the puppies that they breed prior to them going to their forever homes.

What to look for in a reputable breeder.
Health testing could include OFA approved hips, elbows, or shoulders. BAER hearing testing.
Genetic tests could include Degenerative myelopathy in Dobermans and German Shepherds, exercise induced collapse in Labradors, and drug sensitivities in Collies.

07/12/2023

Thank you Alexandria Veterinary Clinic PetCare Center! It was so much fun working with all of you amazing women and your sweet dogs! ❤️🐾

07/12/2023

A HUGE shout out to the Alexandria Police Department for becoming our newest Puppy Partner!!! If you are unfamiliar with what Puppy Partners are, check the the link to our Puppy Partners web page at https://www.balancedcaninesmn.com/puppy-partners and reach out if you have any questions about either visiting a puppy partner with your pooch or becoming a puppy partner yourself. Thank you again Alexandria Police Department for going above and beyond for the canines in our community and their amazing humans!!!

07/12/2023

Great article! It you have ever questioned the efficacy of rewards based training, or “treat training” this article is for you! Thank you Victoria for posting this!!!

Positive reinforcement training using food works. It's fun and helps build a great bond with your dog. Here's what's wrong with articles that say otherwise.

07/05/2023

Just one day left to register for our only Puppy class of the summer. Don't miss out, we have a few spots left. Click below to get registered.

This class is for puppies between 8 weeks and 11 months old and their human parent(s).

07/01/2023

Such a great post from Alex Vet. Make sure to keep your pets safe this weekend and week. Spend a little extra time creating a plan to set your furry family member up for success! Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend/week everyone!

Now is a great time to check and make sure your pets microchip is in place, working, and that the information is up to date. If you'd like us to scan your pet we can do it as a walk in.

06/29/2023

This is a great article from Eileenanddogs on tips to prepare your pup for this seasons fireworks noises. Check it out!

There are things you can start doing today to help your dog who is afraid of fireworks.

06/06/2023

Registration for our next puppy class is live. This class is for puppies between the ages of 8 weeks - 11 months and their human parents. This will be the only puppy class we are holding for this summer, so don't miss out! Space is limited, so click below to get registered.

This class is for younger puppies between 8 weeks and 12 weeks old or very small/toy size puppies under 10 months old that are also under 15 lbs. and their human parent(s).

05/28/2023

Another seasonal PSA. Don’t ever leave your dog in the car when it is hot outside, even to “quickly run in to get something” and be aware of how long your pup is outside on a hot day. Be sure to provide pleanty of water and shade whenever you are outside with your pup this summer and know the signs of heatstroke. A dog can die in as little as 15 minutes when overheated, they cannot sweat quite like we do and have a permanent fur coat they cannot take off. If you think your dog could be overheated, call your veterinarian immediately.

05/27/2023

It’s that time of year again, here is my post again from last year. PSA: The warmer weather is here and with it comes hot pavement. Here is a nice little reminder of exactly how hot it can get on your pups poor “bare” paws. A good way to test it is if you have to do a little jig in bare feet because the pavement is too hot to comfortably stand on, then it is way too hot for your dog to be walking on it. Happy Summertime everyone! 🐶❤️