Certified and Balanced Dog Training: What Dog Owners Should Know

If you are looking for a dog trainer in Airdrie or the surrounding area, you may come across terms like certified and balanced. These terms are commonly used but are not always explained clearly. This blog is meant to help explain how these terms are generally used within the dog training and behavior field, so dog owners can better understand their options.

A quick note: these terms are not legally defined, and how they are used can vary between trainers and organizations. This post is meant to offer general information and support dog owners as they explore what feels like the right fit for their dog and family.

What is a certified, science-based dog trainer?

A certified, science-based dog trainer has completed education in dog behavior and learning and follows a professional code of ethics. They also continue learning over time. These trainers focus on understanding why a behavior is happening. When creating a training plan, they look at factors such as fear, stress, past experiences, the dog’s environment, and missing skills. Many trainers who work this way have education or certifications from professional organizations that focus on learning theory, animal welfare, and ethical practice, such as the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Karen Pryor Academy, or the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

What is a balanced trainer?

A balanced trainer uses both rewards and corrections when working with dogs. This means a trainer may reward behaviors they want to see again, and may also use corrections to stop behaviors they do not want. Corrections can include physical tools, leash pressure, or verbal cues meant to interrupt a behavior. This approach is often described as being based on the idea that dogs learn from both positive and negative experiences. Some trainers believe that using rewards and corrections together leads to faster or more reliable behavior.

Risks

Veterinary and behavior organizations have raised concerns about the use of corrections. Guidance from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior explains that punishment-based methods, including corrections, can increase stress, fear, or confusion, especially when a dog does not understand what is being asked or is already feeling overwhelmed. In some cases, a behavior may stop briefly but return later or appear in a different form. Veterinary-reviewed articles, including those published by PetMD, note that corrections do not teach a dog what to do instead, which can limit long-term behavior change and lead to mixed results. Because dogs respond differently to stress and learning experiences, the effects of corrections can vary widely from dog to dog.

Science-based training methods are widely supported by veterinary and behavior organizations because they reduce the risk of fear and stress when applied correctly. However, outcomes still depend on the trainer’s skill, education, and ability to assess the individual dog.

The main difference

Certified, science-based trainers focus on behavior change, learning, and emotional well-being by addressing the reasons behind behavior and teaching skills that support long-term improvement. This approach places strong emphasis on understanding how a dog feels, what the dog has learned in the past, and how the environment affects behavior.

Balanced trainers include correction as one of the tools they may use to influence behavior, with the goal of stopping or reducing unwanted actions.

While both approaches aim to change behavior, they rely on different methods, place emphasis on different aspects of learning, and follow different professional guidelines around welfare and training practices.

Sources and further reading

The organizations and publications listed below provide detailed information on dog training, behavior, and welfare. They reflect current research and professional guidelines used by veterinarians and behavior professionals. We encourage dog owners to explore these resources, ask questions, and take time to understand how different training approaches may affect their individual dog. A good professional should be open to discussing their methods, education, and decision-making process so you can make an informed choice that feels right for you and your dog.

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/policy-and-outreach/position-statements/statements/humane-training-of-dogs/

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
https://www.dacvb.org/page/PositionStatement

ASPCA
https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-training-aids-and-methods

PetMD
https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/balanced-dog-training-vs-positive-reinforcement

IAABC Foundation
https://iaabcfoundation.org/standards