Balanced Behavior Dog Training
Using Scientifically Backed Strategies to Strengthen the Relationship with your Dog
Based out of Ansonia, CT and serving clients throughout Connecticut, Balanced Behavior Dog Training offers you private dog training in your home, community, and provides Board and Train options. My goal is to support you in having a stronger relationship with your dog working on basic obedience, leash etiquette, reactivity, socialization, and everything in between.
Training We Offer
And So Much More!!!
Basic Skills
Just brought home a new dog and aren't sure where to start? Or have a dog that needs a tune up on listening skills? We use positive reinforcement to build the foundations of a "good dog" from potty training, to crate training, "sit and stay," recall, leash etiquette, and everything in between. This is where the start of a relationship between you and your dog happens, let's make it a positive and fun one!
About The Owner
Passionate. Patient. Persistent.
My name is Angelina, I have worked with a variety of breeds from Chihuahua to Cane Corsos, challenges from recall to reactvitiy, resource guarding, dog and human aggression, and everything in between!
My passion working with dogs started when I was young and participated in Dog 4-H. I owned my first dog as a child and she ended up competing in high jump competitions after self-taught agility training. As a teen, I attended an agricultural high school where I learned more about animals, their health, and behavior, while I also trained my horse!
Years later, my love for animals and passion for understanding their behavior continues. I went on to obtaining my undergraduate degree in psychology and then my Master's in Behavior Analysis. Using my knowledge and experience, I utilize scientifically-backed behavioral strategies focused in reinforcement to improve the relationship between you and your dog with results that are effective and last!
Why "Balanced"?
In the dog training world, there are all types of trainers, from positive only to aversive only. Balanced refers to somewhere in the middle, but every trainer is different. At Balanced Behavior Dog Training, we follow the "LIMA" (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) training technique.
Our goal is to prioritize positive reinforement, which is the primary technique used in most cases. When working on general obedience, recall, and most cases of reactivity, positive reinforcement is most effective and all that is needed. However, at Balanced Behavior, we also work on cases that involve behaviors which are dangerous and put dogs at risk of being returned to shelters or even euthanized due to aggression and bite histories. In cases like these, where positive reinforcement alone is not sufficient, other methods must be considered to ensure the safety and well-being of the dog and those working with the dog. Dog training is based upon Operant Conditioning. With more intense cases like these, "quadrants" other than positive reinforcement are used.
Learn more about the 4 Quadrants of Operant Conditioning Below. Please note that these examples are simplified for the reader to gain a better understanding of each quadrant. In cases where punishment is used, reinforcement and other learning methods are also used in conjunction.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive=Add
Reinforcement=Increase Behavior
When teaching a dog basic obedience, we utilize gestural prompts (hand signals) to teach. When the dog sits, we provide a treat. In the future, the dog is more likely to "sit" when asked.
Behavior=Sit
Positive= Provided a treat
Reinforcement=Increased "sit"
Negative Reinforcement
Negative=Remove
Reinforcement=Increase Behavior
You are out with your dog and he reaches the end of the leash. With prior training (positive reinforcement), the dog turns around and comes back to you, removing pressure from the leash.
Behavior: Walking on a loose leash
Negative=Removal of the pressure of the leash
Reinforcement=Increased loose leash walking
Positive Punishment
Positive=Add
Punishment=Decrease Behavior
A dog that is undergoing behavioral modification due to a bite history approaches a person and lunges at them. The handler provides a leash correction to the dog. The dog discontinues lunging at the person.
Behavior=Lunging/Aggressive Behavior
Positive=Add a leash correction
Punishment=Decreases Lunging/Aggressive Behavior to avoid a leash correction in the future
Negative Punishment
Negative=Remove
Punishment=Decrease Behavior
You are feeding your dog and working on impulse control (waiting until a release command is given (Ex. "OK") rather than jumping up for food). Your dog is waiting but when the food is about to be put down, the dog discontinues waiting and tries to get to the food. The food is removed (ex. put behind the owner's back). Over time, the dog stops jumping up for food.
Behavior=Jumping for food
Negative=Removing food bowl
Punishment=Decreasing instances of jumping for food.
