Dog Training Testimonials

This page is expected to build as we grow and as clients are willing to share. If you have been a dog behavior consultation client or dog training student here in Michigan and would like to tell others what Balanced Canine Training did for you, please contact us!

“My miniature longhair dachshund, Jessie recently finished the BCT Basic Obedience Program. Since Jessie is very "vocal" around other dogs and people, it was wonderful to have Karen come to my home for the training sessions. Karen is very knowledgeable about dogs and their training. Her approach is gentle but firm and Jessie and I learned so much from the sessions. Probably the best lesson I learned is that I need to be the "pack leader." Jessie has come a long way and with Karen's help, I now have a foundation to build on and will definitely keep training. Thanks to Karen and her program - just what we needed!”

Nan Rieske
July 2007

Whoever heard of words like: discipline, responsibility, patience, resignation, and subordination as it relates to dog obedience? Well, that’s what Chopin and I learned while taking the Novice Rally class through the Muskegon Lakeshore Obedience Training Club (MLOTC). Previously, Chopin had taken a puppy class and two beginning obedience classes. Sure, Chopin could “sit” and “down” for a few seconds (if he knew there was a treat coming his way). “Stay,” “come” and “stand” were out of the question. But after taking Karen’s class, Chopin can do all of these commands and he can STAY in all positions for a sizeable amount of time. In fact, he can stay when I’m not even in the room. Karen’s teaching methods are clear, concise and well-written and best of all, THEY WORK. In addition and to my amazement, Karen’s expertise to MLOTC is donated!!! Karen’s love of teaching dogs and their owners is apparent when she teaches how to establish: discipline, responsibility, patience, resignation, and subordination. The bond Chopin and I have reached is now at a much higher level. In fact Chopin is so well behaved that he is now a registered therapy dog. This handler couldn’t be more proud!!!

Dee Reynolds
December 2008

Hi Karen!

Thanks for your help with our two dogs Sassy and Pistol.

Sassy has gone from a killer dog with Pistol to a playmate. When you arrived one week ago today we went from hardly any hope of getting the dogs together in the same room to having these dogs together & both of them roaming freely in the house.

Pistol is cautious, but yet happy to have a playmate. It's great not to hear that frantic panting that she was going through!

Bless you! I think you have saved our marriage!

Thanks again!

Nancy & Don Venne

Sassy was a young, newly adopted dog who seriously attacked her elderly pack mate, Pistol, within a short time of her arrival in her new home. Nancy and Don were told that they could never get the two together again. Determined to try, they called BCT. Karen went to hear their story and to provide them with a renewed sense of understanding and a new set of leadership skills. Within a week, Don and Nancy wrote us with the following testimonial. Karen returned to their home to take the photo at left, and was pleased to see that Pistol no longer trembled in fear and stress, but the two mingled freely in the house with close supervision. Another fantastic success story for us to learn from.