Common Questions:

We get asked a variety of questions when working with owners of different skill levels. We are always happy to answer!

Balancing Paws Q & A

Question: What is your training style/approach?

At the core of my balanced style of training, we work from several different angles by utilizing behavior modification, obedience, and enrichment. Understanding physical health and nutrition as well as different environmental influences can be part of the puzzle. I believe permission based training can bridge the gap between you and your life long needs. Just think of me as your therapist helping you understand your dog.

Dog Answer: It is permission based training. Which means I get a cookie!

Question: Are results guaranteed?

Success can’t be guaranteed due to genetics, health, temperament, environmental factors, and owners long term commitment.

Dog Answer: No, I'm not a robot. I have my own personality, thank you very much!

Question: What tools do you recommend?

I always start off with the long line, and feel where the dog's drives are. From there, a variety of tools such as e-collar work, prong collar, halti, treats, and toys can be used.

Dog Answer: I like tools. They help me understand my human’s weird language.

Question: Can you work with aggressive dogs?

Yes! I work with dog reactive cases. Anything from leash reactivity to fights within the home. We cannot guarantee results but we can provide ways of identifying behaviors and give tools to help.

Dog Answer: Just because I’m extra sassy doesn't mean I can't learn. Most Days.

Question: What behaviors can you correct?

I can help correct most major issues. Resource guarding, Leash reactivity, Basic Obedience, Anxiety, and impulse control.

Dog Answer: What do you mean? I'm your little angel.

Question: Is your training done in home?

We start at your home to see the dog's true nature, and then work towards more stimulating environments.

Dog Answer: Well ya, gotta show off my house.

Question: Do you offer just dog walking?

All of our training clients are welcome to join our pack walks after we build a relationship through training.

Dog Answer: Did you just really call me a dog? I like walks on the beach too!

Question: What are a dog's drives?

Drives are a way your dog acts, thinks, and functions throughout life. I work with three of the basic drives, which are pack, prey, and defense. Every dog has different levels of these drives and we teach the owner how to recognize, handle and switch drives in our training.

Dog Answer: The humans' fancy way of saying how I think.

Question: What are E-Collars?

“The concept behind the e-collar is to match the pressure of the leash. The technology behind the e-collar is the exact same as TENS unit technology (used on humans in the medical world). TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. NO, this is not a shock collar. The equipment lies on the muscle of a dog’s neck, sending electrical signals to contract the muscle and communicate in a pressure on, pressure off method. E-collars should not be used on dogs that do not understand the concept of leash pressure.” - E-collar Technologies. @co_opk9

Dog Answer: It's my humans way of tapping me on the shoulder.