Become a Balanced Canines’ Puppy Partner

A Puppy Partner is a local business who is dog friendly, has committed to having all of it’s staff learn from Balanced Canines how to appropriately interact with dogs/puppies to foster positive human/dog relationships and are willing to welcome well behaved leashed dogs/puppies into their facility and appropriately interact with that dog as the handler instructs.

All business who make this commitment to be a Balanced Canines Puppy Partner will receive free training on how to appropriately interact with strange dogs/puppies from Balanced Canines, a Puppy Partner sticker to proudly display on your window or counter, a space on the Balanced Canines website with your logo, web address, physical address and any instructions about where and when is the best time for dog/puppies and their handlers to visit, a shout out on our Facebook page to welcome our newest puppy partners as well as verbal advertising from Balanced Canines to their clients as a place that is dog/puppy friendly. Most of all you will have the knowledge that you are going above and beyond to partner with and support our community of dog lovers to help them create well balanced and socialized canine members of our community.

No problem and ABSOLUTELY! On our Puppy Partners page, we can specify if you are seasonal or can only allow dogs/puppies in certain areas.

This is a free program. Balanced Canines is working hard to create a positive dog friendly community for the people of the Alexandria Lakes Area.

YES! All dogs and puppies need to remain on leash at all times and safely under the handler’s control while visiting our Puppy Partners. IF you have a fearful, anxious or aggressive dog, they should not be subjected to situations that will cause them more stress (like being out in public) and instead of visiting one of our puppy partners, you should consult with a qualified positive dog trainer, like Balanced Canines, to resolve their issues and teach them skills they need to thrive in our human world. Once they have the skills they need to feel comfortable in public and are able to be relaxed on a loose leash, then you will be ready to explore our Puppy Partners. But in any situation, always let your dog/puppy tell you what is comfortable for them and what is not, then respect what they tell you!

Yes, they can. Our Puppy Partners are amazing businesses and so very generous to allow our dog/puppy community to come into their place of work in the name of helping these beautiful animals learn how to be comfortable in our human world. That being said, our Puppy Partners ABSOLUTELY reserve the right to ask any dog/puppy and handler team to leave for any reason. Please don’t take it personal if this happens. It may just not be a good time or your puppy/dog could be a distraction, in that moment, for their business to go on as usual. Please be ultra respectful of these organizations so that we can continue to build an amazing and positive dog community in the Alexandria Lakes Area.

No, that is not a requirement. You can if you choose, but all handlers that have worked with Balanced Canines or have read the rules above from our site, know to bring whatever treats their particular canine friend loves.

This is a great question! If your dog/puppy can be calm, relaxed and walk with you on a LOOSE leash when outside of your home, then he or she is probably ready to visit a Puppy Partner. I always tell my clients, to pay close attention to their dog/puppy. If at anytime, your dog or puppy becomes tense, anxious, fearful, aggressive, is barking a lot, has their tail tucked between their hind legs, is pulling on the leash and/or just seems uncomfortable, then it is your responsibility to take your dog or puppy out of that situation. If having your puppy or dog be social is important to you, then you need to make every interaction he/she has positive and if needed reach out to a qualified positive dog trainer, such as Balanced Canines, to help you learn how to teach your dog or puppy the skills they need to feel safe and comfortable in whatever situation you have in mind. Keep in mind not all dogs are social butterflies and some would prefer a more quiet and more homebody lifestyle. Bottom line, listen to your dog, believe them and respect what they say. They will not lie to you.

Then Puppy Partners isn’t quite what you are ready for, yet. If you are wanting to take your dog or puppy to different places with you, including to our Puppy Partners and he/she cannot relax and be calm when outside the home. Contact Nicole at Balanced Canines and she will work with you to help both you and your dog/puppy learn skills to make outings more enjoyable and relaxing. Disclaimer: There may be certain situations where being out and about in the public may not be the best option for certain dogs/puppies.