What is balanced training & how can it help you?
I like to describe balanced training as filling up your owner toolkit.
I used to think training only consisted of using treats to reward dogs for things - but what about the problem behaviors? What if food doesn’t help?
I am a balanced dog trainer, which means I use different tools to help me communicate clearly with dogs. Some of these tools include food, a prong collar and E Collar.
The most misunderstood tools that I use are the prong and E Collar, so let’s go over how each one can help you and your dogs.
First up - the Prong Collar. The great thing about the prong collar is your dog will only feel it when they pull against it. If you think of a flat buckle collar, it applies pressure to one spot on the neck - usually on your dog’s throat - and it’s very easy to pull against. Many dogs start to cough because they are able to pull so strongly, but continue to pull because they can.
Since the prong collar applies pressure around the entire neck, it is much tougher for a dog to pull against it.
FAQ: It looks scary. Is it painful?
No. When used correctly, fit properly and up high on a dog’s neck, it makes it slightly uncomfortable enough for a dog to not want to pull against it- but not painful.
The good news - walks will be much more enjoyable! If you struggle with a dog that pulls, the prong collar can be so helpful. And you don't have to be a professional trainer to use one.
I recommend looking for the brand Herm Sprenger and most dogs do well with a 2.25 size. The larger size (3.0) is good for bigger dogs. Brand matters! Usually the prong collars at local pet stores are not made as well as the herm sprenger brand.
Next up is my favorite training tool for owners - the E Collar.
There are many E Collars out there, but there are only a few that I recommend using.
Always look for one with at least 100 levels. The one I recommend is the Mini Educator from E Collar Technologies. I love how the remote is round, making it user-friendly, they have great customer service and I love the customizable colors you can get.
What it CAN and CAN’T do
Check out this post from our Instagram account to see what the E Collar can do for you!
Some E Collars only have 10-20 levels, which sometimes makes lower levels uncomfortable. The technology is also much different. Feels more like a “shock” compared to the E Collars we use.
The mini educator uses similar technology as a TENS unit - used in physical therapy - a muscle stimulator. With 100 levels to work with, we start at lower levels first to introduce your dog to it. Think of using the E Collar like teaching your dog a new language (learn more in our E Collar Starter Guide here). You find your dog’s working level and pair it with leash guidance to teach your dog what to do when they feel the E Collar pressure and how to turn it off.
Using an E Collar can help you add clarity on walks, work through reactivity, help your nervous dog become more confident (see this post for more info about nervous dogs and how the E Collar can help) AND say no to things like barking and jumping.
This training is life changing! If you want to get started but you’re not sure how, check out our E Collar Starter Guide which shows you exactly how to start using this new tool effectively today.
Want to find a balanced trainer near you? Check out our new Balanced Dog Trainer Directory! The US and beyond.
Balanced training helps you fill your owner toolkit so you feel prepared to handle any situation that pops up. If you would like to continue learning about this kind of training and how it can help you and your dog, follow along on our Instagram @walkingdogtraining where I share information daily. Can’t wait to see you over there!
And click this picture to find out which guide is right for YOU
