Balanced Pups Dog Training

Is your dog more motivated by toys or treats?

The goal for training is to provide your dog with more freedom! We teach the heel position to pet dogs so that we can use it as a tool to keep them and others safe. They should not be in a heel position for the entirety of the walk! However, if you have a reactive or highly distracted dog I highly encourage you to take the time to teach heel so that you AND your dog can enjoy the walk 🦮

Teaching the TOUCH command as an interactive redirection tool can be highly effective in managing continuous distractions while on the walk. While you can’t control how loudly your neighbor’s dogs bark when you walk by, you can help your dog feel more comfortable during these situations. Instead of allowing them to become agitated or attempt to flee, you can engage them with the TOUCH command. By establishing a strong response to the TOUCH command, you can consistently ask your dog to engage with you, keeping their mind occupied as you navigate past challenging distractions.

Treat to nose distraction when you KNOW you’re about to pass by dogs that would normally set your dog off… I do not release the treat until we have passed the distraction. This can be used as an interactive redirection if you haven’t hammered in those redirection cues like Let’s Go, Leave It or Touch. Notice how much I’m talking to him during this process…. He feels threatened by barking dogs so he continues to rush forward after he received the treat which I allow because this is his flee response and I prefer it over the alternative. Once he feels safe he waits for me to catch up and continues in his heel position… This ENTIRE process should be done quietly. Keep it SILENT & SIMPLE👌🏻

Create clear communication between you and your dog!!! I hear people say “my dog just won’t listen” or “my dog is stubborn and pretends not to hear me”, etc. Part 1: treat lure your dog into the action you want them to perform until they can perform that action fluently Then NAME that action and repeat the process using the name of the action Part 2: Pair that action with a VISUAL cue Part 3: Use ONLY the words that you have taught your dog when you are communicating with them Stick to these three things when you are training your dog and they will be much more obedient and much more clear on what it is you’re asking.

BINGO!! 🐕 So this was my first time ever handling Bingo and we went for a stroll through the park where other dogs, people and kids were involved in activities from jogging, screaming on the playgrounds, playing basketball, etc. First of all, Bingo warmed up to me right away. I think a big part of why he hasn’t been adopted yet is due to his reactivity when in the kennel (he barks at anyone passing by). Here’s what I learned about him in the hour or so we were together: 🐾He loves to work for food! 🐾He doesn’t walk in a perfect heel but he stops to wait for you to catch up and never pulled the leash to the point where I needed to stop him 🐾He comes when called, sits and lays down on command and catches treats in the air 🐾He’s got SOOO much love to give! He’s just happy to be around someone who wants to sit next to him or do fun activities with him 🐾He LOVES the grass, specifically rolling around on it. 🐾While I’ve been told he’s a little unsure of other dogs, I’ve never seen him have any explosive reactions towards dogs walking by him. 🐾With his food motivation and working drive, he’s VERY easy to train 🐾He’s a bit older than most of the other pups, so after some exercise and play he’s happy to just relax at your side What an amazingly wonderful dog to have around and he’s been at @yucaipaanimalplacementsociety for atleast a few years 😭 And GREAT NEWS - His adoption fees are SPONSORED (thank you @bully_boys_bakery) That means costs are covered and he’s just waiting patiently for his forever human to come meet him and fall in love 🥰 Don’t let kennel behavior drive you away from adopting a dog! Ask the staff at shelters what the dogs are like outside of their kennel to get a better idea of their personalities. ♥️

🎄 Dog training holiday bundle is available until the end of December! Take advantage of this MAJOR deal! Met SO many talented and affectionate pups at YAPS Yappy Pawlidays event today! And best of all, there were four dogs that got adopted including Dobie!!!!! I’m so happy for him and can’t wait to continue training with him in his new furever home! 🥰

So grateful to all of my amazing clients and supporters! 🙏🏻 Starting a business is NOT easy and you all have been so wonderful in referring and reviewing for me and keeping me on my toes this year! I am also SO grateful to all of my clients who have worked so incredibly hard and stayed so committed to their pups … we know it’s not always easy 😅 but your pups and I are thankful you’ve stuck it out for them! Hope you’re all enjoying today with family, friends and furbabies 🥰 Happy Thanksgiving 🍂🦃

Get FIVE (60 min) 1:1 Sessions for $400 or SIX virtual Lessons! 🐾5 in-home training sessions per month, scheduled at your convenience! Or 6 Virtual lessons (60 min) 🐾Handouts pertaining to your specific goals to refer to as needed 🐾Customized training plan specific to your goals for your dog & More! Basic obedience, leash handling, behavior modification, puppy a to z training, in-home manners, public neutrality and more!! 🎁 Give the gift of dog training to a loved one or get started with your pup today! ✨Ring in the New Year with a confident and well-behaved pup! ✨

This video is a perfect example of how our dogs mirror our energy. My recent pacing around the house and inability to sit still for a task has made it difficult for Bowie when it’s time for him to settle down and relax. I’ve been working on meditating daily (going on 22 days straight now!) and decreasing caffeine intake, so now moving into these exercises where I want him to relax on his place cot should come much easier to him (and me!), even with the added challenge of the front window and neighborhood distractions. Ensuring that Bowie doesn’t bark excessively at outside stimuli and receives enough exercise throughout the day is just as important as me maintaining the energy level I want him to mirror. It’s a process of finding balance and consistency in training. Setbacks may occur, but with patience and dedication, progress can be made. Remember, our dogs are always observing and learning from us, so it’s crucial to be mindful of our energy and remain positive and *patient* throughout the journey.

Dogs raised without consequences struggle to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. It is crucial to be able to correct your dog when needed. This is not a cruel act but rather a way to provide clear communication and expectations for your pet. If a dog engages in unwanted or potentially dangerous behaviors and faces no repercussions or even encouragement, they are likely to continue and even escalate these behaviors over time. Labelling a dog as “stubborn” or unruly may simply mean they are unsure of what is expected from them. Using a combination of positive reinforcement and appropriate consequences is essential to effectively communicate with your dog. Consequences do not equate to abuse. If we drive 100mph on the freeway, our consequence is a speeding ticket. The likelihood of us repeating this reckless driving habit is a lot less because of this consequence. But without the consequence, the behavior will simply continue. Consequences help dogs understand the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Blaming the dog for their actions is not productive. Instead, providing training to establish leadership and communication will help eliminate unwanted behaviors, along with consistent reinforcement. I’ll keep shouting this until it’s heard: YOUR 👏🏻 DOG 👏🏻 IS 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 STUCK 👏🏻 WITH 👏🏻 THEIR 👏🏻 CURRENT 👏🏻 BAD 👏🏻 BEHAVIORS 👏🏻 It CAN get easier with the right training