In my opinion the most important aspect of balanced training that I’ve learned from this course is properly developing engagement with your dog, learning the value of markers and rewards and not rushing your dog into something that hasn’t been highly conditioned.
I’ve learned how to have a clearer communication system with my dogs, I no longer have the confusion of what marker I’m supposed to use for different behaviours at different times.
The information given was very clear to understand while also having lots of value to it.
Any person (experienced or not experienced) can benefit from this as well with any dog, this course shows not all dogs are the same but Michael adapts to what the dog in front of him needs.
- Layne Staley-Parry on 06/03/2025
In my opinion the most important part of balanced dog training is, clear and concise communication between the handler and the dog. Always being firm but equally fair will build the best relationship and communication system between the handler and the dog, leaving little room for miscommunication. I always love taking courses on Leerburg from Michael Ellis, they always leave me with so much more knowledge then I had coming into them. Michael always leaves me wanting to learn more and more, so that I can be the best trainer and handler possible. Hopefully one day I will be able to make out to Michaels school for dog trainers!
- Michael Briones on 06/03/2025
Whenever I have time I always love coming back to Michael Ellis to learn key fundamentals of dog training. I’ve been applying this into my program for the past couple of days, and am seeing noticeable improvement in how my dogs learn and condition to new skills.
Biggest thing I’ve realized was how I messed up with using duration and positives. Always thought it was encouraged to reward ONLY on the positive rather than using motion to bring a clear distinction between a positive and duration during a reward event. By understanding and utilizing rewards under duration marks in the shaping phase of training now, I have seen a big improvement with dogs in keeping their motivation in training when learning new tasks.
This seminar really brought back not only key reinforcement of the fundamentals, but even helped me relearn the correct way of utilizing rewards to properly motivate my dogs. I will be continuing to look back over this course over the coming years.
- Gunnar Kranenburg on 06/03/2025
This course taught me how important it is to develop a relationship with your dog and build engagement with your dog before training. The early stages of training should be more about how you, the owner, are the most important thing to your dog. Once that has been established, it becomes easier to deal with reactivity or competing distractions.
The early stages of training, if done correctly, will eliminate or at least reduce the chances of training scars later in the training. So many people are quick to punish their dogs before their dog understands what is expected of them. Take the time. Do the work. The rest will fall into place and be easier to teach.
- Paul Stowe on 06/03/2025