The most important thing I learned from this class is to be patient. Not to rush the dog or myself. That we are not going to spend 6-8weeks training and be done. It will take months or years to learn some things and if I can develope a love of learning in my dog we will spend his whole life having fun learning together. I need to change my expectations of how fast can we learn and move on to this is a long learning adventure we are enjoying together.
I also think you did a good job of showing the importance of breaking learning down into smaller parts, teaching each part and then putting it all together. Just because I understand what I want my dog to do, doesn't mean he does or does in the same way, so it is really important to break things down. I must teach the parts, then put them together not teach the whole.
I learned that when my dog doesn't understand what I am asking, he is not bad and I am not bad! I just need to sit down, think through things, maybe make some changes or even be willing to reteach a behavior with new commands. There may/will come a time correction is needed, but not when they are learning. We learn together.
The importance of high value food rewards over kibble as rewards makes a lot of sense for the dogs motivation. Dogs will work harder for better rewards.
My job is keeping my dog safe not him keeping me safe and helping him learn to really enjoy learning were also take aways from this course.
thank you.
- Natalie Wierenga on 09/28/2026
To me, the most important aspect of balanced dog training is "engagement". Engaging with Sophie is teaching both of us how to communicate effectively. Without the engagement, it would be difficult to learn or train any part of this program.
It has been a lot of fun for both of us. I love seeing Sophie so eager to learn and happy to learn. And, it has been a great education for me. I am learning to read Sophie's moods, whether she is up for "interacting", and her level of comprehension of what I am trying to teach her at any given time. It hasn't all gone perfectly, but we are both learning, and we get it right eventually. I now fully understand how important it is to train the dog handler as well as the dog.
Thank you for offering this program. Sophie and I are looking forward to the next level of training.
- Jane Enderlin on 07/01/2026
I have learned a great many things. One of the most important is there is always an answer. There may be multiple components to the work needed to execute on that answer. Taking the time and effort to learn and apply the course work to our dogs has been invaluable. Plan on continuing in the various courses suggested an anticipate they will prove as valuable as the courses I have taken to date.
- David Marchant on 03/27/2026
I adopted my dog at 1 and a half years old from our local shelter and boy, did I have no idea what I was getting myself into. After owning him for a week, I went to a local trainer who through working with him found out he was extremely aggressive. He muzzled him to see the extent of the aggression and Ghost bit at him multiple times for doing nothing but petting him. It’s been 4 years and 7 stitches later and I had almost given up, but I found Leerburg and your videos on dominate/aggressive dogs and the basic obedience. Needless to say things are going very well! I’ve purchased a leather muzzle and dominate dog collar with plans to purchase your advanced obedience and e-collar videos! Just wanted to message and say thank you very much!
- Noah on 02/18/2021
Phenomenal course, I run a dog sports (Agility, disc, scenting and obedience) club and I am now going to have every one of my instructors take this course. It was easy to understand and is BY FAR the most reliable course I've come across.
- Monica Wall on 05/11/2017
From what I learned in this course was the power of using food. My dog (Stark) became excited to go in his crate and was excited to start training. The step by step training in this class was clear and was easy to understand. The first two modules were amazing and helped the most to better understand my dog. I also better understand how to correct my dog unwanted behavior. I did notice on some module test i would click the right answer but one I submitted it the answers would change. Other then that the class was amazing and can't wait to take more class.
- James on 11/04/2016
I have learned so much from your online classes! I thought I was going to prepare for a new puppy...wow was I in denial! I learned that my pack of little darlings were disrespectful , rude and out of control. Luckily the breeder I am working with to purchase an American Bulldog from understood I may have to wait until next year's breeding to get my pack under control. He felt the additional training would help us select a better match. Again, thank you to you and your wife.
- Joy Hutsenpiller on 03/22/2016
I thought this course was excellent. I am hoping for more to come. I don’t know what to tell you on how to improve but I can say videos are the easiest way for me to learn so I appreciated all of them. And I did practice on my dog after watching some of them. Thank you again I Loved the course and am hoping for more. Thank you very much for the opportunity to take this and to learn from your knowledge.
- Shantelle
I gained a ton of insight on learning about building a trusting relationship with my dog and being a good pack leader. I now can understand why "engagement" is such a valued skill to teach your dog. its all about building a strong connection with your dog and being able to have them follow you and listen to your commands no matter where you take them. I think socialization is so important and them always looking to you because like you say, they always want what you have and look to you.
Balanced dog training is awesome because you teach the dog through motivation and only use corrections once you know they are 110% sure of the command (using durations and distractions).
I dont have any suggestions other than maybe more short essays at the end of the week to write an example of how your training for that week with a story about your training sessions... and us have access to read others like in the discussion board. Just more live examples of what people are doing wrong so we can learn from that. it helps me to do comparisons.
I really enjoyed how this course is broken up and how we have extra long access. Thank you.
- Vanessa
I purchased your basic obedience course several months ago and it was one of the best 100 dollars I've ever spent. I completed the course several weeks before bringing my 8 week old GSD home. I now have a 6 month old "best friend" who is house trained, on and off leash trained, and has no food or people aggression. Thank you so much for all the help and guidance.
- Ashley W.