Balanced K9 Services

5.0 Stars,209 Reviews
179 Ryan Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

Service area: Serves Pasadena, Columbia, Annapolis, Ellicott City, and surrounding areas near Baltimore, MD.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

  • Family Dog
  • Therapy Dog
  • Competition / Agility
  • Working Dog
  • Behavior Modification

Specialty Focus Areas

  • Puppy Training
  • Leash Pulling
  • Reactivity / Aggression
  • Barking Excessively
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Biting / Nipping
  • Potty Training
  • Resource Guarding
  • Fearfulness
  • Recall

Training Formats Offered

  • Private Lessons
  • Private Facility
  • Board and Train
  • Day Training

Program Formats

  • One-Time Consultation
  • Sessions Package
  • Intensive Program

Types of Dogs

  • Working
  • Sporting
  • Herding
  • Terriers
  • Doodles
  • Brachycephalic

Age of Dogs Trained

  • Puppy (<1 year)
  • Adolescent (1-2 years)
  • Adult (2-8 years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods: 

  • Positive Reinforcement Only
  • Balanced Training

Equipment: 

  • Clickers
  • Food Rewards
  • Harnesses
  • Flat Collars
  • Obstacle Courses

Programs include Private Lessons (one-on-one in-home or location-based), Stay & Train (dog lives with trainers for 2–8 weeks with daily structured training and owner coaching upon return), Puppy Training (6-week program focusing on crate, potty, leash, and manners), Therapy Dog & CGC Training (real-world exposure and obedience for certification), Deaf Dog Training (using hand signals and structure), and Protection/Sport Training (tailored for obedience, bitework, and trial prep). All programs include owner coaching and lifetime support.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

Pricing details are not explicitly listed on the website; however, they offer a 10% discount on all training until September 1. Programs include private lessons, Stay & Train packages, and puppy training with lifetime support. Consultations are free to determine the right program and pricing.

Policies

No specific cancellation or rescheduling policies are stated on the website.

Testimonials

Rescued a 1.5-2 year old Shepherd Shar Pei mix and he was a great boy with our family. He grew over protective of my 3 kids and his house . Couldn’t take him on walks to the bus stop any more , and couldn’t let him in our front room without him going nuts if anyone came by . Ryan came right over and the first day “Banks” responded to him instantly . He didn’t try to see if he was the Alpha . He gets excited when Ryan comes over now to train. He’s very gentle and soft spoken with the dog and obviously full of treats. Ryan takes the time to explain why he’s doing something and why the dog acts the way they do . He isn’t scared to come in the house to a barking and aggressive sounding dog. I’m not sure if we could have picked a better trainer in our area to see the results we have. If you are on the fence about getting your dog trained , and reading this , I promise you can’t pick up the phone fast enough.
Ryan will go above and beyond to accommodate your schedule and give you the customer service you are looking for !

We couldn’t be happier with our experience! Ryan was incredible with all three of our pups — patient, consistent, and truly gifted at understanding their personalities. Thanks to his work, we can finally welcome people into our home without having to lock the dogs away, which feels like a huge milestone for our family. The progress has been amazing, and we’re so grateful for his expertise. Highly recommend to anyone looking for real, lasting results!

As a first-time dog owner, I was overwhelmed when I brought home two littermate puppies. The more I researched, the more anxious I became–especially reading about the challenges of raising sibling pups. From our very first phone call, Ryan immediately put my mind at ease. He listened without judgment and gave me hope that things could get better.

When I sent my puppies to Ryan for what became an 8-week training program, they were extremely reactive–barking at leaves blowing in the wind, chasing cars, playing too rough with each other, and reacting to just about everything. I was genuinely worried about their behavior and my ability to manage it.

When the puppies came back home, I was blown away. They were calm, responsive, respectful of boundaries, and their recall was incredible. No more counter surfing or chaos–just two happy, balanced pups. Ryan also took my lifestyle into account when designing their training, making it easy to integrate into our daily lives.

I chose Ryan and Balanced K-9 Services because he believes, as I do, that dog training isn’t just about teaching commands–it’s about developing confident, well-adjusted dogs who can make good decisions. Throughout the eight weeks, Ryan would send pictures and videos of their progress that served as reference for their training. And he didn’t just train my puppies–he trained me, too. He gave me the knowledge, tools, and confidence I needed to maintain their training at home and build a strong, respectful relationship with each of my puppies. Thanks to Ryan, I now understand how to communicate with my dogs and create the structure they need to thrive.

But perhaps what I appreciate the most is that Ryan didn’t disappear after the program ended. He continues to be a reliable, supportive presence. Whether it’s answering questions, reassuring me through new developmental phases, boarding my puppies as needed– he’s always there. His ongoing support through every stage–from puppyhood to adolescence, and now approaching adulthood–has been invaluable.

Ryan has not only helped shape two incredible dogs–he’s helped me become a confident, capable dog owner. Because of him, our little pack enjoys peace, trust, and a truly loving bond. I am forever grateful.

About the Trainer

Balanced K9 Services is a family-owned dog training business based in Pasadena, MD, offering personalized training programs for dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments. They focus on training both the dog and the owner to build lasting behavior change, strong bonds, and confidence in everyday life. Their approach is rooted in compassion, structure, and clear communication, with programs tailored to each family’s lifestyle and goals. They specialize in puppy foundations, off-leash reliability, behavior modification, therapy dog certification, deaf dog training, and protection or sport training. Their trainers provide lifetime support, follow-up lessons, and hands-on coaching to ensure progress continues beyond the program. They train in home-based and facility settings, emphasizing real-world application over classroom-only obedience.

Their team includes Ashley, a Certified Master Trainer and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and Ryan, a nationally recognized Level 3 French Ring decoy with over 15 years of hands-on experience. They do not use cookie-cutter methods and instead adapt training to the dog’s drive, the owner’s routine, and the household environment. They also offer Stay & Train programs where dogs live and train with the trainers, followed by owner coaching sessions to transition skills home.

They serve families, working dog handlers, rescues, and sport enthusiasts across Pasadena, Columbia, Annapolis, Ellicott City, and surrounding areas near Baltimore, MD. Their mission is to reduce dog relinquishment to shelters by educating owners in effective, humane training techniques.

Accomplishments

Trainers include Ashley, a Certified Master Trainer and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and Ryan, a nationally recognized Level 3 French Ring decoy with over 15 years of hands-on experience. Both are graduates of the Tom Rose School of Dog Training and have trained dogs for families, rescues, and working handlers with proven results.

How to Get Started!

Begin with a free consultation to discuss your dog’s behavior, your goals, and your lifestyle. From there, a customized training plan is built and program options are recommended, including private lessons, Stay & Train, or puppy programs.

Balanced K9 Services featured image for this Dog Trainer
  • 15+ Years Experience

  • Free Consultation

Availability

  • Weekdays
  • Weekends
  • Morning
  • Afternoon
  • Evening

Hours

Monday: 7am-7pm
Tuesday: 7am-7pm
Wednesday: 7am-7pm
Thursday: 7am-7pm
Friday: 7am-7pm
Saturday: 7am-7pm
Sunday: 7am-7pm

Certifications

  • CPDT-KA
  • Credentialed

Associations

  • AKC

Languages

  • English

Other Services Offered

  • Pet boarding service

Location

179 Ryan Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

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