Balanced Dog Training With Ashley

06/08/2024

To those contemplating the rehoming of a pet, this is not intended to cause shame or guilt, but rather to encourage thoughtful consideration.

It is essential to recognize that there is no ideal home where individuals magically acquire more time or resources. Similarly, there is no farmer in need of an untrained dog, nor is there a rescue organization with unlimited resources and time to devote to every dog.

The reality is that many well-behaved and loving dogs languish in shelters and foster care for extended periods, sometimes exceeding a year, without receiving any adoption applications.

Before resorting to rehoming, it is crucial to exhaust all available options and make every effort to ensure a successful and fulfilling life for your pet. This may involve seeking professional training, exploring alternative care arrangements, or addressing any behavioral challenges.

Remember, rehoming should only be considered as a last resort, and every effort should be made to find a suitable and loving home for your pet.

10/06/2024

This is such a great explanation of how to teach a puppy recall! All dogs learn first with their nose, then eyes, then ears.

09/06/2024

Just a bunch of lazy doggos lol

26/05/2024

🐶🐾 Join our Beginner/Basic obedience dog training classes starting June 10th! Learn essential communication skills, sit, down, focus on walks, confidence building, and have a blast! Held at Happy Paws in Harrow for 4 weeks (excluding Canada Day).
Reserve your spot now by texting or messaging. 50% non-refundable deposit required.
Let's have a paw-some time with your furry family members! Don't forget to share this post! 🐾🐕

13/05/2024

Please watch if your dog is a humper! It’s not about sexual arousal or dominance. Watch this video to learn more.

01/04/2024

We will be providing nail trims at The Depot in Harrow from 10am-3pm this Saturday April 6th!
We hope to see you there!

01/04/2024

Wooo we were nominated for community votes Windsor! If you wouldn’t mind going to vote for us that would be amazing. Thank you!

Official 2024 Community Voting Awards Platform for Windsor, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

10/03/2024

The countdown begins... 🕰️ As we welcome spring, let's gear up for some fun and informative dog classes! Whether you're looking to improve your pup's behavior, socialize appropriately, teach them new tricks, work on reactivity, or build their confidence, there's something for everyone.
Take part in shaping our class offerings by leaving a comment below!

01/03/2024

Your either LOVE beagles...or you love to look at beagles but are glad that you don't have one.😂 Beagles are a special breed - ruled by their noses, always ready to sing the songs of their people, and about as cute as cute gets!

Polly and Perdita are typical young beagles - Polly is a bit younger and relies on her brave friend Perdita for confidence. When Polly sees her friend meeting new people, walking without a care in the world, and exploring the universe like the brave soul she is, it makes her want to be brave herself. So this pair needs to stay together, and continue their life journey as buddies! We're even waiving the second adoption fee entirely because we know that BFFs gotta BFF for life!

Visit https://windsorhumane.org/dogs-puppies to learn more and apply to adopt!

09/02/2024

The difference is always amazing to see. Also a great explanation of displacement.

23/01/2024

“Repeat after me. Muzzled dogs are NOT BAD DOGS.

Muzzled dogs have good humans.

Muzzled dogs can have more experiences because they are managed. Their quality of life is INCREASED because of the muzzle.

Muzzled dogs can still have treats.

Muzzled dogs are not miserable.

Muzzled dogs are muzzled for ALL KINDS OF REASONS. Not just aggression. Maybe they eat too much stuff off the ground and get sick. Maybe they play too rough. Maybe they over react when startled. Maybe they want to eat squirrels. Maybe they need to learn better social skills. Not all dogs in a muzzle have a bite history, some have them on to prevent that in the first place. Sometimes the muzzle is more for the HUMAN than the DOG because it allows them to feel more confident. Big dogs, small dogs, and all breeds and sizes need muzzles sometimes. It is not a breed specific tool.

Muzzled dogs are GOOD DOGS WITH GREAT HUMANS who are setting their dog up to not fail. Judging a dog in a muzzle and their owner is the same as judging someone for wearing a helmet. They are choosing safety and being proactive and it takes WORK to get your dog to a level that they are happily working and walking around in a muzzle so kudos to the humans and dogs I work with who put that time in to better their dogs lives.

If you see a dog in a muzzle, don’t stare, don’t ask rude questions, just say “nice job, great looking dog!” And carry on. Believe me, you will have just made that humans day.”

Credit for this information goes to

Helen St. Pierre
No Monkey Business Dog Training

01/01/2024

29/12/2023

This is a great visual of how to teach place.

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Pawlidays from our brood to yours!

23/12/2023

This! The goal of socialization is neutrality.

16/12/2023

This is how you crate train a puppy!

How I crate train my puppies:
Kelce is 9 weeks old today and he’s been with us for a full week. He wakes up between 6-7 am, we go outside and potty, we come inside and train with food (following hand lures, recall games, building our marker words, crate games, facilitate appropriate interactions with my personal pack of cats and dogs), play for about 30 minutes, and then he goes back in the crate for an hour. Then I wake him up and we go outside to potty. Come inside and play and train for 30 minutes. Then he goes back in the crate for an hour. Then I wake him up, we go outside and potty, come inside and play and train for 30 minutes, then back in the crate for an hour. I do this all day long until 10 at night! He’s sleeping from 11 pm- 6/7 am consistently in the crate. I do not wake puppies during the night. If he wakes up, I will take him outside to potty but no kisses, no eye contact, no cuddles, no praise, no treats at night... just potty and back in the crate. I do wake them during the day- even if they’re sleeping in the crate. This is how I get my puppies sleeping through the night! He’s not having any accidents in the house or the crate, because I strictly supervise him and scoop him up if he is showing signs to eliminate and I manage his free time. Too many people give puppies WAY TOO MUCH FREEDOM before the dog has earned it. The puppy is no longer crying in the crate and he immediately self soothes and takes a nap. Sometimes I put bedding in the crate, sometimes I don’t. Kelce is not soiling the crate or chewing bedding, so we are giving him safe bedding sometimes, and no bedding sometimes. I want him to be able to self soothe with many different variables, and without getting him used to it being a certain way. We have avoided any unhealthy possibility for separation anxiety or containment phobia (or bratty tantrums) because we practice crate time all day long. We are on our way to creating a healthy balanced mindset and a dog that can perfectly self soothe. Kelce is going to have a great life filled with traveling and it’s important that he loves his crate! Plus he’s got a long flight to Florida in his future to go live with my sister!

01/11/2023

10/10/2023

This. So much this. I try to explain this to clients everyday.

06/10/2023

06/10/2023

Only 2 spots left for Mondays intermediate class.
If your dog knows the basics but you are looking to tighten up that heel or down stay while also having fun and learning some tricks then this is the class for you!
Message to get signed up!

Intermediate classes are starting soon!
Monday October 23rd. Classes run for 4 weeks and will be held outside at .paws.harrow
Classes fill up quick. Please text or message to reserve your spot!

23/08/2023

These 2 are looking so spiffy after both of their grooms.

13/08/2023

Arlo had a great time at Windsor-Essex Pride Fest today! Great socialization. We stayed sway from the crowd and kept distance from the actual parade itself so that he learned how to remain calm amidst all the people.
I was so proud at how well he ignored all of the people and other dogs even when they walked just a foot away from him. You did great my boy 🌈

31/07/2023

Arlo having one of his first public outings in a non pet friendly place. He did very well. He didn't hold a perfect down stay, he got excited when people talked to him BUT he was able to refocus quickly, focus on me very often and did not panic or bark.
This outing was short and for exposure purposes only. Also to see if he can handle going out in public as a service dog (eventually).
I did get express permission from the business owner to bring him to my appointments before ever actually bringing him. NEVER bring your pets to to places that only allow service dogs (or non pet friendly places).
Love my boy. Lots more training to go but he's a very good fit.

20/06/2023

What a handsome boy after his groom.

05/06/2023

Good evening fellow dog lovers,

I will be holding a basic obedience class on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm. The first class will most likely be held on June 21st (as long as we have enough people sign up).
The cost of the class is $200 and it will run for 6 weeks.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in attending. Share this post with anyone who may be interested as well.

Thank you so much,

Ashley-- Balanced Dog Harrow

28/05/2023

Im looking to see if there is interest in basic, intermediate or advanced dog training classes or workshops? What are you looking to learn with your dog? What issues are you facing in owning or training your dog? And what would you like to learn about dogs in general?

Let me know on the comments so we can get more classes set up!

12/05/2023

Only one spot left for puppy socialization class. Train them from the beginning to have a happier relationship with your pup!
Message us today to hold your spot.

Class begins at 5pm on May 15th
Runs for 4 weeks excluding holidays.

05/05/2023

Arlo got to go visit his brother yesterday. Both Arlo and Enzo did great after not seeing each other for a few months.