About Ryan butalid, CDT-C

Hello, my name is Ryan, I am the Head Trainer and Owner of Release The Leash Dog Training. I became interested in training dogs when I adopted Lizzy, my Siberian Husky. She is a very independent and stubborn husky. She was very difficult to train and she developed a lot of behavioral issues such as: food aggression, being fearful, anxious, scared and even being reactive with other people and dogs. I also have small kids, so I wanted to make sure that we have a loving and a calm dog. Because of these issues, it gave me determination and encouragement to do my own research and tried my very best to train her with my own knowledge and understanding. I tried different kinds of approaches such as: positive only training and balance training, but I found that balance training was the best training approach for my dog.

I started training dogs professionally since 2020 and founded Release The Leash Dog Training with a goal to help misguided dogs and owners. People come to me for answers to their concerns about their dog’s problems.

To expand my knowledge about dog training and to get deeper understanding about every dog’s body languages, I enrolled myself in International School for Certified Dog Trainers (ISCDT) and I am also a member of International Association of Canine Professional (IACP). I also became an apprentice at Grassroots K9 here in Ontario to gained more experience in handling different kinds of breeds and challenging behavioral cases especially reactivity and aggression.

I continue to educate myself on all aspects of dog trainings by attending seminars, workshops and mentoring from other professional. I specializes in behavioral modifications and I am committed to improving the lives of dog owners by providing calm and well-mannered canines that becomes loved family members. I have a keen understanding of dog behaviors and their body languages and uses multiple techniques to train.  I work with all breeds and I continue to educate owners on my very successful and unique training programs.

Our approach to dog training is rooted in a deep understanding of animal behavior and psychology, utilizing proven methods of operant conditioning and classical conditioning to bring out the best in your furry friend. 

Operant conditioning, pioneered by psychologist B.F. Skinner, focuses on modifying behavior through consequences. At Release The Leash Dog Training, we apply this principle by using positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment to shape desired behaviors in dogs.

• Positive Reinforcement: We use rewards such as treats, praise, and play to reinforce behaviors we want to encourage. By associating these rewards with desired actions, dogs learn to repeat those behaviors.

• Negative Reinforcement: Contrary to common misconception, negative reinforcement doesn't mean punishment. It involves removing an aversive stimulus when the dog performs the desired behavior. For example, we might stop applying gentle pressure on a leash when the dog sits, reinforcing the sit behavior.

• Positive Punishment: While we aim to minimize the use of punishment, sometimes it's necessary to discourage undesirable behaviors. Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus, like a verbal correction or a sharp noise, when the dog engages in an unwanted behavior.

• Negative Punishment: This involves removing a pleasant stimulus when the dog displays an undesirable behavior. For instance, withdrawing attention or stopping playtime when the dog jumps on people teaches them that jumping leads to the end of the fun.

Classical conditioning, famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov, involves associating a neutral stimulus with a meaningful one to elicit a specific response. We utilize classical conditioning to create positive associations and emotional responses in dogs.

We use this style of learning when helping fearful and anxious individuals, including dogs, overcome their anxieties. By pairing pleasant experiences or stimuli with the feared or anxiety-inducing stimuli, individuals can gradually learn to associate the feared stimulus with something pleasant, thereby reducing their fear or anxiety response. For instance, in the case of a fearful dog, a trainer might pair the presence of strangers (feared stimulus) with treats, toys, or praise (positive stimuli). Over time, the dog begins to associate the presence of strangers with positive experiences, leading to a reduction in fear and anxiety. This process is often gradual and requires patience, consistency, and careful management of the dog's environment to ensure that the fearful stimuli are presented at a manageable intensity. Through classical conditioning, fearful and anxious individuals can learn new, more positive associations, ultimately leading to a decrease in their fear and anxiety responses. 

• Experienced Trainer: Our trainer is certified with years of experience in dog behavior and training.
• Reward-Based Methods: We stay up-to-date on the latest research and techniques in dog training, ensuring that our methods are effective and humane.
• Tailored Solutions: We understand that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to training. That's why we customize our approach to meet the unique needs of each dog and owner.
• Ongoing Support: Our commitment to you and your dog doesn't end after the training sessions. We provide ongoing support and guidance to help you maintain and reinforce the skills your dog has learned.

We believe in training dogs with compassion, patience, and respect. Our certified trainer understand that every dog is unique and tailor our methods to suit individual personalities, temperaments, and learning styles. We emphasize building trust, communication, and mutual understanding between dogs and their owners, fostering a strong bond that lasts a lifetime.