What is balanced dog training?

Balanced dog training is a method of dog training that includes teaching the dog both “yes” and “no”. Many people believe their dog understands the word “no” but unless it was given meaning, your dog may not understand the word as well as you think they do. 

The majority of owners do a great job instilling the meaning in the word “good” (yes) with their dog. The word “good” is generally an easy one that people naturally pair with food/affection. In order to give the word “no” meaning, we must pair it with a meaningful correction. 

This is where we eventually introduce the electronic collar (e-collar) to help in our communication of the word “no”. Once the dog understands the desired behavior for a command, and taught the language of the e-collar, they are introduced to corrections for non-compliance. This teaches the dog which behaviors we like and which behaviors/choices will not be excused. 

Essentially, the e-collar provides accountability at a distance.

This is a crucial aspect to building a solid foundation of communication and trust with your dog.

In addition to learning the yes/no of life, dogs who go through our board and train are introduced to everyday commands and their associated behaviors. Commands include but are not limited to: down, place, come, heel, kennel, break, etc.

When is training necessary?

Any dog (and their owner) can benefit from training!

Working with a professional trainer sets both you and your dog up for success by providing a framework of clear expectations, better communication, and the tools you both need for a happy, safe, enjoyable life together.

Is my dog too old, or too young, for training?

Nope! Dogs of any age can be trained, even older dogs!

That said, we do recommend that you start sooner rather than later. 

Training, and the knowledge and skills it provides, is your best bet in preventing any unwanted behavioral issues in your dog. When training isn’t done in the forefront, unwanted behaviors may appear, and we then use training to get your dog back to being a respectful member of the household. 

Think of training as an investment; the sooner you start, the longer you get to enjoy the training and the further the dollar stretches. It provides both you and your dog with the tools you need to have the best quality of life together!

My dog has some issues that are more severe than normal. Are there any types of issues you will not take on, such as dogs with bite histories or dog/human aggression?

We will work with dogs that have any issues, including human/dog aggression! Our head trainer, Rachel, has successfully worked with dogs that have bite histories, severe resource guarding, reactivity, dog aggression, and more. There are no issues or backgrounds that would disqualify your dog from working with us. 

That said, we do ask that you keep an open mind if your dog has more severe behavioral issues. It will very likely take a little longer, such as 4 weeks or more of board & train to help them, and it may require a bigger lifestyle shift for both you and your dog when they go home. You may also be asked to muzzle train your dog before joining our training program, if they are a more severe case.

We will still be here to support you every step of the way before, during, and long after your dog enters our program!

Why board with us?

Most dog boarding facilities lack sufficient structure for the dogs, and some do not have a professional trainer on-site. Unfortunately, this leads to a lot of chaos which may stress your dog and lead to unwanted behaviors. Letting a large number of dogs free roam together is not a good way to socialize them, and can lead to reactivity issues in any dog. 

Here at On The Mark, your dog will have the benefit of a safe and secure environment, in addition to professional trainers interacting with them at all times. 

Our facilities are in a quiet area with plenty of open outdoor space, and dogs are socialized in a safe and structured way according to their needs. We provide pack walks, free roam in the yard for those dogs that are comfortable with it, and a calm space to rest when they are inside. Each dog is exercised, socialized, and cared for in a way that works specifically for them.