Balanced Dog Training With Ashley

Balanced Dog Training With Ashley Unleash the potential of your canine companion with Balanced Dogs Harrow.

With over 6 years of professional experience and a specialization in dog behavior, Ashley is your go to for building strong, balanced relationships between humans and dogs.

07/06/2025

Dumb It Down: The Case for Keeping It Simple in Dog Training
In the world of dog training, there’s a phrase that needs dusting off and given the respect it deserves: “Dumb it down.” Not because dog owners or dogs are incapable of learning complex things, but because clarity beats cleverness every single time.

Coming from a military background, I’ve always valued the KISS principle—Keep It Simple, Stupid. It’s not an insult. It’s a rule for success. Whether it’s planning an operation, briefing a team, or training a dog, the simpler you make it, the fewer things go wrong.

And in dog training? That principle should be tattooed on every lead.

Why Simplicity Matters, for the Dog and the Human

Dog training is not about impressing others with fancy terminology, over-engineered cue systems, or fifty-step drills. It’s about effective communication between you and your dog. That means speaking in a language your dog understands.

You might have an eight-year-old Labrador with years of life experience, but cognitively, emotionally, and behaviourally, you’re working with something more akin to a two or three-year-old child. That’s not an insult to your dog, it’s a biological reality. Dogs live in the moment, process cues visually and tonally, and rely on clarity and consistency to make sense of the world.

When you talk too much, cue too much, or complicate the task, you lose the dog.

Common Ways People Overcomplicate Training

Let’s take a look at some of the typical pitfalls:
• Too Many Words
If you say, “Come on, let’s go, this way, come on now, heel up, walk nice,” your dog hears white noise. If you simply say “Heel,” and pair it with a clear action and reward, you’re building understanding.
• Changing Commands
Telling your dog “Down,” then “Lie down,” then “Settle,” and expecting them to respond the same each time is asking for confusion. Choose one word. Stick to it.
• Unrealistic Criteria
Expecting a young, energetic Spaniel to lie calmly on a mat for 30 minutes in a busy café when they’ve only just learned the “Place” command in the kitchen is setting them up to fail. It’s not the dog’s fault, it’s a human expectation problem.
• Lack of Clarity in Body Language
If your body says “stay” but your voice says “come,” your dog will do neither confidently. Your body and voice must align.

The Power of Keeping It Simple

Here’s what happens when you dumb it down properly:
• Your dog becomes more confident because it understands what’s being asked.
• Your training sessions are shorter, more successful, and more enjoyable.
• You reduce frustration for both you and your dog.
• You build a stronger, clearer communication channel that supports trust and reliability.

Put simply, you become a better handler, and your dog becomes a better learner.

How to “Dumb It Down” Effectively

Here are five practical ways to apply the KISS principle in your training:

1. Use One Command per Action

One word, one meaning. “Sit” means sit. Not “sit down” or “sit now please.” Say it once. Follow up with action and reward.

2. Train in Clear Steps

Break every behaviour into tiny, bite-sized steps. Don’t jump from A to Z. Go from A to B, then B to C. Build success.

3. Remove Background Noise

Don’t train next to a barking dog park when you’re introducing a new cue. Control the environment. Reduce distractions. Make it easy to win.

4. Slow Down Your Expectations

Just because a dog did something once doesn’t mean it knows it. Repetition, reinforcement, and proofing in different places are key. If your dog doesn’t respond, don’t assume defiance, assume lack of clarity.

5. Use Simple Rewards

Don’t overthink your reward system. Food, play, praise, pick what your dog values most in that moment and use it. Avoid gimmicks or excessive “marking noise.” A calm “Yes” or a click will do just fine.

A Final Word: If Your Dog Looks Confused, It’s You

Let’s be honest. If your dog’s staring at you like you’ve just asked it to recite Shakespeare, you’ve made it too complicated.

Your tone might be off. Your timing might be late. Your reward might be unclear. Your cue might be muddled. But the responsibility lies with you, not the dog.

The good news? You can fix that immediately, by dumbing it down.

Summary: KISS Your Dog Training

If in doubt, always fall back on the KISS principle. Keep it simple, stupid. It’s not about dumbing down your training. It’s about distilling it to its purest, most effective form.

Because training a dog isn’t about being clever. It’s about being clear.

So next time you step out with your dog, remember: fewer words, clearer body language, smaller steps, smarter training.

And above all, keep it simple.
www.k9manhuntscotland.co.uk



Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks?We’ve been working on a whisper, a speak, and a quiet command with 6.5 year o...
04/26/2025

Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks?
We’ve been working on a whisper, a speak, and a quiet command with 6.5 year old Honey.
Such a smart lady.

Check out AshleyB’s video.

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04/04/2025

It’s important for your dog to have down time! Use your crate, use a place command etc. it’s ok for your dog to do nothing!

Just a little desensitization and counter conditioning work with Honey.
03/26/2025

Just a little desensitization and counter conditioning work with Honey.

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

Come one come all! I’m teaching the seminar and the classes!
03/15/2025

Come one come all! I’m teaching the seminar and the classes!

Join our behaviour team for a seminar on leash walking. Learn techniques to improve leash walks for a more enjoyable experience for both you and your dog! In-person spots are limited, and Zoom is available. Different tools and techniques will be discussed, but please, no dogs at the seminar - this is for humans only! However, there will be 2 group classes (owner and dog!) in April, that attendees will have the option to sign up for. The classes are $30 (for 2 classes). This seminar is $15 - please call 519-966-5751 to register.

11/18/2024
10/01/2024

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!
It may be really disappointing and frustrating when our dogs are not the social beings we expected them to be.

Many believe dogs should just naturally get along with other dogs, after all they’re the same species.

Some believe the “unsociable” dog has a behaviour problem that needs to be “fixed”.

Early, appropriately timed and correct socialisation is vitally important, but sometimes despite all of this, some dogs are just not that sociable.

Sometimes this can be improved, especially if the cause is from a negative experience, but genetics, breed tendencies, individual personalities, health and age all contribute to tolerance and sociability, which also change throughout life.

If we, as a human species, don’t get along with everyone we meet, how can we expect our dogs to?

Do we label every person that has an argument, doesn’t make friends with everyone they meet, doesn’t like every other person, prefers not to socialise - as having a problem that needs to be fixed?

Why is it so easy to accept that every individual person is different than to accept that every individual dog is different?

When we have done what we can to improve our dogs’ social skills, we need to accept and acknowledge our dogs for the individuals they are, allow and respect their choice of whether to be sociable or not and never force interactions that a dog is not comfortable with.

Use your crate!! Crate crate crate. Please! it does help solve a lot of issues. Crate train your dogs.
09/24/2024

Use your crate!! Crate crate crate. Please! it does help solve a lot of issues. Crate train your dogs.

08/06/2024

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.

06/10/2024

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

Just a bunch of lazy doggos lol
06/09/2024

Just a bunch of lazy doggos lol

🐶🐾 Join our Beginner/Basic obedience dog training classes starting June 10th! Learn essential communication skills, sit,...
05/26/2024

🐶🐾 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! 🐾🐕

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