Our Trainer
Ashley Young is the owner and lead trainer at The Balanced Canine, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience working with pet dogs, sport dogs, and working breeds. Her training background spans foundational obedience, behavior modification, structured group classes, and advanced real-world reliability — with a strong emphasis on clear communication, thoughtful progression, and functional results.
Ashley began training her own dogs seriously in her early twenties, quickly realizing that many common training approaches failed to provide clarity or consistency for dogs with higher drive, sensitivity, or environmental awareness. This led her to pursue a more balanced, adaptable approach to training — one that prioritizes understanding how dogs learn, how behavior is shaped over time, and how expectations must be clearly communicated to be reliable.
Since 2017, Ashley has actively instructed group classes and became a full instructor in 2018. She currently splits her time between private clients and teaching approximately 15 hours per week as the co-owner and head trainer of a local group training facility. This role exposes her to a wide range of dogs and handlers — from first-time puppy owners to experienced handlers working through reactivity, public access training, or competition goals.
In addition to companion dog training, Ashley competes with her own dogs in Conformation, Rally, Obedience, and Hunt Tests, giving her a well-rounded perspective on both precision training and functional performance. She believes strongly that a dog’s training should support the life they are meant to live — whether that means excelling in the show ring, working in the field, or being a calm, reliable presence in public spaces and the home.
Ashley currently owns and trains multiple German Shorthaired Pointers, a breed that demands mental engagement, physical structure, and consistent expectations. Working with dogs of this caliber has shaped her belief that structure and engagement are not opposites — they are complementary tools that, when used correctly, create confident, capable dogs.
At The Balanced Canine, Ashley focuses on helping owners develop clear communication, consistent boundaries, and practical skills that carry beyond the training session. Her goal is not just to teach behaviors, but to help owners understand how and why their dog responds — creating long-term success rather than temporary results.
Ashley currently owns and trains seven German Shorthaired Pointers, collectively holding 49 titles, and counting, across multiple venues. Training and maintaining dogs at this level requires clarity, consistency, and thoughtful progression across environments and distractions. These same standards and training principles form the foundation of every program offered at The Balanced Canine.
OUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
A Balanced Approach to Clear Communication
At The Balanced Canine, we believe training should be built on clear, consistent communication. Dogs thrive when expectations are understandable, feedback is fair, and learning is structured in a way that makes sense to them.
One of the most common debates in dog training today centers around whether dogs can be trained fully and reliably using only purely positive (force-free) methods. While positive reinforcement plays an important role in training, we do not believe it is effective or sufficient for every dog or every situation.
Understanding Training Styles
To explain our approach, imagine playing the classic “Hot and Cold” game.
Balanced Training
In balanced training, feedback is clear and informative. When you move in the right direction, you’re told “hot” — progress is reinforced. When you move in the wrong direction, you’re told “cold” — guidance is given so you can adjust. This allows you to reach the goal efficiently, without confusion.
This is how balanced training works. Dogs are rewarded for correct choices and given fair, timely correction* or redirection when they make mistakes. The goal is understanding — not punishment.
* When we refer to corrections, we are not referring to punishment or harsh handling. In practice, corrections are typically limited to verbal feedback or light leash pressure, used to provide clear information and help dogs make better choices.
Purely Positive Training
Now imagine playing the same game, but you are only told “hot” when you are moving in the right direction — and given no feedback at all when you are not. You may eventually find the goal, but the process is slower, less clear, and often frustrating.
This mirrors purely positive training. While learning can happen, dogs may lack clarity about what is incorrect, especially in high-distraction or high-stakes environments.
Coercive Training
Finally, imagine playing the game where you are only told when you’re wrong — every incorrect step is met with pressure or punishment, with no guidance toward the correct choice. You may eventually figure it out through avoidance, but the experience is stressful and damaging.
This is coercive training. While results may appear quickly, they often come at the expense of trust, confidence, and engagement.
What Balanced Training Looks Like in Practice
Balanced training bridges the gap between motivation and accountability. At The Balanced Canine, this means:
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Teaching skills clearly before expecting reliability
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Using rewards to build engagement and understanding
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Applying fair corrections or redirection when appropriate
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Matching training methods to the individual dog
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Helping owners understand when and why feedback is given
Training is not about control — it is about communication.
Our Goal for You and Your Dog
Our goal is to help dogs learn how to make good choices consistently, and to help owners understand how to guide those choices clearly and fairly. When communication is clear, dogs gain confidence, handlers gain understanding, and training becomes more effective and enjoyable for everyone involved.
We believe that clarity creates confidence, and that consistent, thoughtful training leads to lasting results — not just during sessions, but in everyday life.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use positive reinforcement?
Yes. Positive reinforcement is a foundational part of our training. We use food, praise, play, and engagement extensively to build understanding, motivation, and confidence. We also believe dogs benefit from clear boundaries and guidance when appropriate, which is why our approach is balanced rather than reward-only.
What do you mean by “corrections”?
When we refer to corrections, we are not referring to punishment or harsh handling. Corrections in our programs are informational and most often limited to verbal feedback or leash pressure. Their purpose is to provide clear communication and help dogs make better choices, not to intimidate or suppress behavior.
Do you use punishment or harsh corrections?
No. Training at The Balanced Canine is fair, thoughtful, and dog-specific. Corrections, when used, are appropriate to the dog and situation and are never intended to cause fear or pain.