Building Better Bonds Through Balanced Training.

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A woman wearing glasses and a casual t-shirt, sitting outdoors with two dogs, with buildings and other people in the background. Reactive Dog Training Cranbrook BC

I’ve dedicated my life to helping dogs become their best selves through balanced, compassionate training. My approach blends proven methods with real-world experience to meet each dog where they are — whether it’s guiding a new puppy through obedience basics, fine-tuning manners in group lessons, or helping reactive and anxious dogs find calm and confidence.

I specialize in behaviour transformation — from leash reactivity and fear-based aggression to anxiety and overexcitement — focusing on understanding the “why” behind the behaviour and rebuilding trust between dog and human. Through structured training, consistency, and clear communication, I help dogs learn to relax, think, and make better choices.

Based in Cranbrook, B.C., I’m proud to offer training that helps families and dogs thrive together — creating calm, confident companions and lasting bonds in the heart of the Kootenays.

Hi, I’m Maxime ….

My Bio

What They Say About Me….

  • A woman wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt sitting next to a brindle and white dog with gray eyes among flowers and greenery. Reactive Dog Training Cranbrook BC

    Tasha & Freya

    “Maxime has been amazing to work with! We adopted our dog from a rescue and were a little unprepared for some of the issues that can come with an abused dog. Max came to our home and worked with me as much as with our dog. She taught us how to communicate with Freya and was able to show us how to make her feel safe and secure in her new home. She helped us with her leash aggression, fear and aggression towards men, separation anxiety and proper kennel training on top of the basics. “

  • Close-up of a happy, wide-mouthed dog with tongue hanging out, showing teeth and nose, outdoors on a dirt surface. Reactive Dog Training Cranbrook BC

    Marlana & Annie

    “We had our Dog Annie at B&T for 3 wks and Max and her team are fantastic she came back to us well trained and with lots of follow up to maintain everything she was taught! I recommend Balanced K9 for all your dog training needs”

  • Close-up of a black dog with mud on its face and tongue out, outdoors with trees in the background. Reactive Dog Training Cranbrook BC

    Tiffany & Henry

    “Max has been incredible. We exhausted the trainers that came recommended to us and in a last ditch effort we discovered Max. In just over a month, we went from "can we really do this" to "yeah, we've got stuff to work on but nothing we can't handle" Max is knowledgable, honest and makes sure you are comfortable with the lessons. As long as you are willing to put in the work, you will have nothing but success. Anyone having any kind of dog issues; no matter how small or large wouldn't go wrong hiring Balanced K9 The best doggie decision we ever made!”

  • A woman standing outdoors in a grassy park area holding two dogs on leashes, one on each side. She is smiling and wearing a gray fleece vest over a black long-sleeve shirt with striped sleeves, black shorts, and sunglasses on her head. Trees and a Canadian flag on a pole are visible in the background.

    Lena & Finn

    Maxime has been an absolute game changer with helping me train my high-strung and reactive dog. With every single session, I feel that both my dog and I have gained so much knowledge and confidence in how to deal with the day to day situations that used to feel impossible to navigate. My dog also genuinely enjoys the training sessions with Maxime - he is always happy to be there and engage in the training. I'm so grateful for all of the progress we've made!

My Services

  • 6-Week Puppy Training Program
    Teach your pup good manners, confidence, and focus in a small-group setting designed for early learning and lasting results.

  • Private Lessons – Personalized Training for Every Dog
    Fully tailored sessions focused on your dog’s unique needs, behaviour, and goals. Perfect for reactivity, anxiety, or one-on-one obedience work, off-leash recall.

  • Pack walks are designed to build confidence, focus, and social stability in a controlled, structured environment. Each walk helps dogs learn to stay calm around others, follow direction, and enjoy movement as part of a balanced group. Ideal for dogs working on and off leash manners, or simply needing mental and physical enrichment in a calm, guided setting

  • Our Board & Train program offers an immersive learning experience where dogs live in a structured, balanced environment and receive daily, personalized training. This program is ideal for dogs needing help with reactivity, leash manners, obedience, or overall confidence building. Through consistency, calm leadership, and clear communication, your dog will learn how to relax, focus, and respond appropriately in everyday situations — setting you both up for long-term success once they return home.

Learn More

FAQs

  • At Balanced K9, we believe in balance — plain and simple. We use all four quadrants of operant conditioning (yep, science!) to create clear communication and real results.

    In simple terms: we reward the good, fairly correct the bad, and teach your dog exactly what’s expected. When your dog understands both “yes” and “no,” life becomes way less confusing — and way more fun for everyone.

    Every dog is different, so our methods are customized for your dog’s temperament and goals. Whether we’re building solid obedience or tackling tricky behaviors, we use proven techniques like desensitization, counter-conditioning, shaping, and exposure work to create confident, well-mannered dogs that actually listen.

    It might sound fancy, but that’s our job — to turn the science into practical, real-world skills you can use every day. Clear, fair, and effective training that makes sense to both ends of the leash.

  • Every dog (and every human) learns at a different pace — and that’s totally okay! Some clients only need a couple of sessions to fine-tune the basics, while others with bigger goals or behavior issues need a bit more time to lock everything in.

    Our programs are fully customized to you and your dog, so you’ll start seeing real progress right away. We make sure you leave each session feeling confident, capable, and ready to keep the momentum going at home.

    On average, most training programs run 4–6 weeks, depending on how much you practice between sessions. The more you put in, the faster your dog levels up — teamwork makes the dream work!

  • The following list are the most common behavioural issues that will bring a dog and their owner to start training. Don’t worry if what you need help with is not on the list. Please contact us to discuss.

    • Dog or Human Aggression 

    • Separation Anxiety

    • Pulling on the leash

    • Food or Toy Possession

    • Disobedience

    • Jumping up

    • Not Coming When Called (recall)

    • Destructive

    • Barking

    • House Training

    • Basic Obedience (sit, come, stay, side, down, stand, heel)

    • Prey Drive (cats, deer, or the dreaded neighbourhood squirrels taunting your dog!) 

  • Easy !— we kick things off with a consultation! This one-hour session is where we meet you and your dog, dig into what’s going on, and map out your path to success.

    We’ll talk about your goals, assess your dog’s behavior and temperament, and build a custom training plan that fits your lifestyle. You’ll leave knowing exactly what’s next and how we’ll get there — no guesswork, no fluff.

    At Balanced K9, we believe that with structure, consistency, and clear guidance, any dog can turn things around. No dog is “too far gone” — just waiting for the right plan and the right trainer.

    During your consult, we’ll also recommend which of our programs fits your needs best, based on your goals, schedule, and how much hands-on time you can commit.

    Your journey to a calm, confident, well-behaved dog starts here — let’s make it happen!