About Balanced Beginnings K9

Who they are

Balanced Beginnings K9 works out of 117 W Market St in Corning and describes itself as helping

families "build better, balanced relationships with their k9 companions through professional dog

training services – specializing in basic obedience and behavior modification." Natalie Lambert is

named on the site as founder and head trainer.

How they train

The site is unusually direct about method. It calls the approach balanced and names the three

tools it uses: an e-collar, which it describes as TENS-unit technology used to send information to

the dog and as "a gateway to off-leash freedom"; a prong collar, described as pressure and release

that distributes evenly around the neck; and food, used to motivate and build the relationship

early, with the stated goal of having every dog working for its daily meals in the first week. An

owner who wants a purely food-and-marker program, or who wants tools on the table, will know which

of those they are reading before they call.

Programs and prices

Three residential programs are published with prices and durations. Foundations runs two weeks at

$2,500 and covers place, down, stay, come and heel plus conditioning to the tools, alongside

jumping, counter surfing and destructive chewing. Behavior Boost runs three weeks at $3,400 and

adds reactivity, resource guarding and minor anxiety. Rehab and Reset runs four weeks at $4,200 and

is described as the most immersive option, for dogs with aggression toward people or other dogs and

severe anxiety. All three include owner coaching and follow-up support for the handover home.

For owners who want the dog home at night there are two day-train options: a two-day-a-week

program over four weeks at $1,350, and a three-day-a-week program over four weeks at $1,800, the

second aimed at leash reactivity, mild anxiety and resource guarding. Both include a weekly

one-to-one lesson and homework between sessions.

Group courses

Two group courses run at The Dog Wash Co. in Corning. Puppy Foundations is four Sunday sessions at

$250 for puppies from eight weeks to six months, covering basic cues, leash pressure, socialization

and handling. Foundations to Freedom is six Sunday sessions at $450 for dogs six months and older,

covering the structured walk and heel, waiting calmly at thresholds and on- and off-leash recall;

the course description states that an e-collar and prong collar, slip lead or martingale are required.

Also on the premises

The same company runs Balanced Beginnings Canine Club at the same address, a boarding and daycare

operation its own About page calls "an extension of our professional training company, Balanced

Beginnings K9." Boarding is priced by kennel type from $40 a night, and daycare is sold in monthly

commitments rather than drop-ins.