Balanced Training vs Positive Reinforcement

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

Balanced training. Tools. Corrections. Slip Leads. E-collars. Prong collars. Even just saying those words makes some people squirm. But they shouldn’t. Not when they’re being used the right way. Not when they can be the thing that saves a dog from being rehomed, surrendered, or worse—put down—because “positive-only” didn’t work and there wasn’t a backup plan.

The biggest difference between balance training and positive reinforcement is that balance training doesn’t box you into a one-size-fits-all approach. It gives you more tools for the dogs that need something beyond treats and praise. I like to think of balance training as the solution for the dogs who need a little more structure — the ones who aren't fitting the mold. Positive reinforcement is great for the dogs that are a bit easier, but not every dog is easy. There are plenty of owners out there with dogs that need balance training but were told they’re doing it wrong in a positive-only class, or worse, that their dog is dangerous and should be put down. Both are completely off-base. Every dog deserves a shot at success, and balance training can give them that shot, especially when positive reinforcement just isn’t cutting it.

Positive Reinforcement Is Great—But It’s Not Always Enough

Let me be clear: I love positive reinforcement. It’s where I start every dog. It builds trust, teaches wanted behaviors, and makes learning fun. But not every dog learns the same way. Just because your dog didn’t need more structure, more pressure, or more clarity doesn’t mean every dog can thrive on cookies and redirection alone.

Some dogs need more. Some owners need more.

I've seen elderly people come into PetSmart with 6-month-old Doodles already too strong for them to handle. I've trained alongside petite owners with 90 lb dogs who would get dragged down the street without a tool in place. I've worked with dogs who have fear aggression or reactivity that lunge, bark, or might bite a dog or a person who approaches them. I've met families on the brink of giving up because they were told that if they couldn't do it with treats alone, they were doing something wrong. That mindset is dangerous. Instead of helping people and dogs succeed, it shames them into silence and failure.

These situations aren't about being "bad dog owners"; they’re about real-life challenges, and sometimes, we need tools to ensure safety and stability—for both the dog and the owner.

Balanced Training Is NOT Dominance Training

Let’s also set something straight: balanced training is not dominance training. That old-school “alpha roll” stuff made famous by TV personalities? That’s not what we’re doing here. That model has been debunked—even by the original researcher who came up with it. Balanced training doesn’t mean force, fear, or “showing your dog who’s boss.” It means teaching with praise and consequences. Rewards for doing the right thing, and pressure when a dog chooses to ignore what they’ve already learned. The key word? Communication.

Tools Aren’t Cruel—They’re Clear

Here’s the truth: tools are just tools. A prong collar in the wrong hands can hurt, or it just won’t work. A prong collar in the right hands is a communication device that can give a dog and their owner a second chance. Like driving a 2 wheeled car in snow vs a 4 wheel drive. More control. Same goes for an e-collar. Balanced trainers don’t slap tools on and start correcting. We teach. We layer it in slowly. It’s about pressure and release, like leash pressure. Like reins on a horse. It’s fair, it’s clear, and when used right, it’s kind. If you’re constantly correcting than you’re not teaching correctly.

Nobody wants to hurt their dog. But dogs do need consequences that make sense to them. You can’t reason with a dog the way you reason with a 10-year-old. You can’t explain why stealing food off the counter is bad. You have to show them—with fair timing and clear feedback—what’s okay and what’s not.

My Dog Is Why I Started E-Collar Training

I didn’t start using an e-collar necessarily because I wanted more control. I started because I wanted more freedom. I run with my dogs (canicross). I bike with them (bikejoring). I sled with them in the snow (dog sledding). In all of these sports, they’re out in front of me, not beside me. There are no reins. Just my voice.

Now imagine what happens when a high-prey-drive dog sees a squirrel or a deer. Voice means nothing. I’ve been yanked off my feet. I’ve taken bruises to the spine from a bike seat slamming into my back. I’ve been dragged into the dirt. It wasn’t safe. Not for me, not for my dog, not for the squirrel. That’s when we added e-collar training. Not as punishment. Not to zap my best friend. But to communicate from a distance—to whisper in his ear from half a mile away. It’s leash pressure at a distance. A tap on the shoulder saying, “Hey, come back to me.” Because now, he gets to do what he loves—run, pull, explore—safely.

No One Has the Same Dog You Do

Your dog is not my dog. My dog is not your neighbor’s dog. And just because one method worked beautifully for one dog doesn’t mean it’ll work for the next. That’s why judgment has no place in dog training. No one should be shamed for doing what they need to do to keep themselves and their dog safe, happy, and together. If someone needs a tool to walk their dog safely? That’s not failure. That’s problem-solving. That’s love.

Balanced Training Isn’t About Taking Shortcuts

Balanced training isn’t about shortcuts or harshness. It’s about helping dogs and humans live better lives together. It’s about giving people options when they feel like they’re out of them. It’s about clarity, communication, and compassion—not just for dogs, but for the people who love them.

When it comes to tools like prong collars, I want to be clear: I’m not going to put a prong on a dog that could learn just fine without it, simply because the owner doesn’t want to put in the effort to teach on a buckle or martingale. That’s just lazy. Tools like prongs and e-collars are here to help, but they aren’t shortcuts to avoid the hard work of teaching. If your dog doesn’t need a tool, they won’t get one. But for those dogs who need more control, we’ll use what works.

If you’re still unsure, I get it. There’s a lot of noise out there. But I promise, when tools are introduced with patience, skill, and kindness, they don’t hurt relationships—they save them.

Just Remember, You’re in Control

At the end of the day, you are the one in control of the tools. I won’t be putting a prong collar or an e-collar on your dog without a solid reason, and if it’s not something that fits your dog’s needs, we won’t use it. Simple as that. The point is that these tools are just that—tools—and their purpose is to help us communicate more clearly. As long as your goal is to help your dog without causing harm, there’s no need to fear them. It’s just like wearing a seatbelt. It’s there for safety, and when used correctly, it helps protect everyone. So don’t let fear get in the way of giving your dog what they need to be successful. If it helps them learn, it’s worth considering.