The Balanced Bark Training

Training programs include a free consultation followed by private in-home sessions, board and train (3-week duration with weekend home returns and homework), and day camp (8 hours daily of play, enrichment, and training plus a 30-minute private session). Board and train options: Basic covers foundational cues (sit, stay, recall, loose leash), Advanced adds long-distance recall and relaxation cues, Out and About focuses on therapy dog skills with two daily public outings. Day camp includes socialization, puzzles, and trainer-led training with weekly demonstrations.

Pricing Summary

Free 45-minute consultation. Private in-home training: $90 per 60-minute session; packages of 4 ($320) or 8 ($560) sessions available. Board and train programs: Basic ($900), Advanced ($1,400), Out and About ($1,900), Puppy ($900) — all 3 weeks long with weekend home returns. Day camp: $100 per day, $360 for 4 passes, $640 for 8 passes, or $675 monthly. Mileage fee of $0.50 per mile outside service area.

Policies

Pickups for day camp and board and train programs must be scheduled with the trainer. No other cancellation or rescheduling policies are specified.

The Balanced Bark Training is a dog training business founded by Marissa Leaser, a professional dog trainer with six years of experience. The business offers personalized training services designed to help pet parents build strong, positive communication with their dogs using positive reinforcement methods. Services include private in-home training, board and train programs (Basic, Advanced, Out and About, and Puppy), day camp training with 8 hours of supervised play and enrichment, and a free initial consultation. The trainer emphasizes training both the dog and the owner, providing weekend homework assignments during board and train programs to reinforce skills at home. The business is focused on helping busy pet owners integrate their dogs into their lifestyles, with programs tailored to common issues like barking, potty training, leash pulling, recall, and separation anxiety. Training occurs in the Northern Twin Cities area, with a mileage fee applied outside the service radius.

Marissa’s approach is rooted in her experience fostering rescue dogs and recognizing that many behavioral issues stem from lack of mental and physical enrichment. She created The Balanced Bark Training to make dog ownership more manageable and enjoyable, offering flexible, owner-focused programs that build lasting bonds. The facility includes 20 acres for day camp play, and all training is conducted with an emphasis on confidence-building and real-world application.

Additional services include therapy dog training for public access and desensitization, with daily outings to public environments as part of the Out and About program. The business does not offer grooming, boarding outside of training, walking, or retail services.

Accomplishments

Marissa Leaser has been professionally training dogs for six years, with extensive experience fostering and training rescue dogs. She developed specialized programs based on her observations of pet owner challenges, leading to the founding of The Balanced Bark Training to support busy families.

How to Get Started!

Begin with a free 45-minute consultation to evaluate the dog in person and determine the best training plan to meet the pet parent’s goals.