Philosophy Part 1

We at Balanced Canine Training (BCT) believe in improving human-canine relationships through education. We do this by taking a “balanced” approach to dog training and management. We believe that every family’s needs are unique and therefore our training methods may vary for every individual situation.

There are seven basic points to the BCT philosophy:

1. Dogs live in a human-oriented society.

2. Humans must be responsible leaders in the human-canine relationship.

3. Humans set rules for dogs to live by in this society.

4. Dogs must be taught these rules and how to abide by them.

5. Dogs must learn that there are consequences when rules are broken.

6. Unjustified aggression is never acceptable from humans or canines.

7. Behavior problems are often symptoms of a breakdown in the above. Problems disappear when the break is repaired.

We at BCT utilize management, leadership, and dog obedience training techniques which are fair, safe, and effective for reliable companions. We help dog owners develop management, leadership, and obedience training skills which help them develop more desirable and reliable character in their dogs.

We help dogs and their owners understand how to avoid unwanted behaviors by replacing them with desired behaviors, thereby creating a “Yes!” environment. Obedience training is an important aspect of this process. We “balance” our obedience training programs by using fair and effective techniques, involving elements of both praise and corrections, while also avoiding unnecessary extremes at both ends of the spectrum.

We believe that it is important to teach dogs what the rules are and how to abide by them before making corrections. Corrections in the BCT programs are thus never intended to be harmful to dogs, but are designed to fairly and safely communicate to the dog that he has made a mistake and to motivate him for future success. Actions and events which do not motivate the dog to succeed do not involve proper praise or corrections, and we do our best to help dog owners know the difference.

Tools we may recommend include but are not limited to: a basic flat collar and leash, longe line, head halter, Martingale collar (also known as greyhound collar), prong or pinch collar, slip collar (chain or nylon training collar), electronic bark collar, and remote training collar (for vibration, tone, and/or stimulus). For more information about these training tools, visit the “Collars” article on our “Articles” page. It has complete descriptions of each tool’s proper fit and use, as well as photos of the tools to help visitors visualize their proper function.

We occasionally recommend treats or other lures as rewards for training. However, they are not an essential aspect of BCT programs.

You, the Trainer

We recognize that our clients and students are their dogs’ best trainers; it is up to the handler to teach and train their dog. Our goal is to educate the handler so they can do their best. It is our hope that through proper obedience training and behavior management, our clients can improve upon their relationships with their dogs. We encourage them to do this by sharing a positive attitude, patience, consistency, and understanding.