Back to Balance Canine Behaviourist  Reviews 

Azz came out on Monday to see our Border Terrier Ruby. She has been struggling with frustration and was very reactive to noise, people walking past the house or anyone coming to the door.

Azz was with us for the morning and was extremely knowledgeable, he noticed that Ruby was acting in a position of control and talked and showed us ways to help ease Ruby's frustration and help her to become a happier, more relaxed dog.

Within minutes of Azz working with her, we could see the difference. We are now on day 3 and can already see a difference in Ruby's demeanour, she seems more relaxed and less reactive to noise. There's still a way to go but it's great to see a difference already and I'm so glad we got Azz out to come and help. I 100% recommend Azz's services.

Azz came to visit our house to help us get Douglas our Scottish Terrier to be more enthusiastic about walking.
We spent a couple of hours discussing the dog’s behaviour and I was impressed with the knowledge Azz has about canines (describing the hierarchy of pack mentality) , particularly the dominance - related behaviours that was the root cause of the issues with our Scottie. The most impressive thing about this consultation was that the practical application of Azz’s technique and advice actually showed results more or less immediately .
I feel much more confident in my handling of Douglas after spending time with Azz and it’s great to know he’s at the end of the phone should I need anymore advice.
Azz s approach is very professional but extremely pleasant.
We’re all very glad we decided to ask him for help and would highly recommend

Azz came to us today, to help with my 13 month rescue, reactive lurcher cross (right old mixture) Azz was welcomed by Toffers hanging of the end of his leash, barking, lunging, spinning all the reactivity you can imagine. Literally within 5 mins Azz had him under control, I couldn't believe my eyes. Toffers took a while to calm down half hour/45 mins or so. Azz spent a good deal of time explaining Toffs behaviour from a dogs point of view !! , During this time Azz was also watching his behaviour around the home and very quickly saw what the problem was.... over protection of me !!! ..We went out for a walk, street walk, something I've not done for months..has now always been in a field, away from everyone/thing. To my amazement we walked past people, dogs. cars and even up to some local shops... Azz showed ME ! the signs to look for, Trigger points. Body language etc... within 20 mins I had regained my confidence, unbelievable..100% recommended... Thank you so much Azz.

We had a session with Azz today and cannot recommend enough! He talked us through everything explaining the reasonings behind the behaviours we were seeing and showed us what we need to do to achieve the outcome we want (loose lead walking, no jumping up to greet people, reacting to people and other dogs). He answered all of our questions and was a massive help! The difference in our dog is already noticeable even after only a few hours. Thank you again!

Azz came to help us with our French Bulldog George whose behaviour had been getting gradually worse, to the point we were worried he would bite someone. Azz identified the causes of George's behaviour and clearly explained the reasoning behind it. Azz is extremely knowledgeable and clearly has a wealth of experience in his field. I can't quite believe the difference in George in such a short period of time and I'm confident we will have a much happier and well adjusted dog.

Azz was great, really enjoyed the session. Feel we got some great pointers to improve our dog's behaviour, and gained confidence on how to implement changes.
Azz was super friendly and made the session really interesting and relaxed.

Azz came to us last month to help us with our beautiful working cocker spaniel, who was a little too ‘shouty’!
Azz was very helpful and clear in explaining and showing us what we needed to put in place to help her to lead a more relaxed life.
We now have a much calmer dog and much more confidence in our ability to lead effectively, thanks Azz!

We have a white GSD that was pulling like a freight train with an unpredictable reactive streak to other dogs.

Its a been a week now since our session with Azz and we have a completely different dog, he is much calmer. During the visit he gained the trust and respect of our dog whilst building our confidence that we can resolve these issue's with some few simple, consistent changes.

We have previously used dog trainers, Azz is a behaviourist, if you have read this far into the review, you know you need one, don't think on it anymore and book a session with him, he was booked up for 3 months when we called.

Azz was brilliant from start to finish of our session. Very knowledgable and informative. Towards the end of our session we went outside with Arlo and the difference in Arlo in just 20 minutes was amazing, and then we spent about another 20 mins just working through some tips. Of course I need to keep up with everything put in place for Arlo but honestly the difference in a small amount of time filled me with such hope that change was coming. Thank you so much!

Very professional, patient, understanding and particularly knowledgable. Azz understood our dog within 5 minutes of meeting him!
Whilst it’s difficult to stick to all of the advice all of the time, we feel that we’ve already seen a change in Max’s behaviour for the better! So, with time, we’re confident that we’ll get to where we want to be! Thanks Azz!

Azz came to help us with our reactive beagle about two months ago and I can honestly say that it’s the best money I have ever spent on my dog. Within minutes of arrival, it was evident that Azz knows his stuff and was a world away from trainers I had tried to work with previously.
Since his visit, Albert the beagle has gone from strength to strength and is now receiving compliments on his behaviour from both friends and strangers.
We still have work to do, but I know now that, thanks to Azz, I have the knowledge, skills and confidence to do so. Thank you so much.

Azz was incredibly useful! We've been struggling with reactivity in one of our collies for several months now, and Azz taught us some really useful techniques for getting him to feel more secure in his place in the pack, so that there's no need for him to be anxious and protective outside the house.

We could already see good behaviours in Rio straight away with Azz's techniques, and hope to gradually build is confidence more by implementing Azz's advice. Thanks Azz!

Asking Azz for help with my young Border Terrier was one of my better decisions in life! The peace and tranquility that has developed in my house in just a couple of days is amazing and continues to improve.
Azz is totally professional and focussed. He sat with me observing the household and spotting issues that had developed and explained it all so logically and in an easy way for me to understand. It all made so much sense and left me thinking "why haven't I realised that?"
I have a young Border Terrier, just over a year old. I got her as a pup at a stressful time for me and my other dog and my four cats; bereavement, retirement and moving house all within a couple of years. Olive had developed excessive barking and reactive behaviour when out on walks, which just spoilt the enjoyment of owning such a lovely dog.
Within a very short space of time, Azz explained that Olive had me wrapped round her paw, and was using effective ways of getting attention from me whenever she wanted. This had led to her feeling insecure and without a "pack leader" I needed to assert my position in the pack.
I followed the advice from day one (Friday) and already saw a change by Saturday - amazing! By Sunday it was like owning a different dog. Olive and I (and my older dog Lily) now have completely different relationship, but one that is relaxing and fulfilling. She still barks with excitement at Hoopers Canine Training but it doesn't last for long and she concentrates on her job.
I can't thank Azz enough for bringing peace and enjoyment to my household and to owning a dog.

Azz is simply brilliant. No nonsense and straight talking with an astonishing breath of knowledge based on fact and research rather than the latest fad!
Would absolutely recommend.

Today, we took our dog to a lake, and walked him past children, other dogs, and more bicycles than we could count. We sat outside a tearoom and ate lunch while he (mostly) sat calmly under the table. Then we ate ice cream by the lake with him sat by our feet on a loose lead, watching yet more children, dogs and bicycles walk past within feet of him. He only barked at a single dog all day. All of this seemed totally unimaginable before our session with Azz about a month ago! We're so grateful for his insight and advice, it cut through all the noise of bad internet advice and unqualified "trainers" and actually made a difference. Our anxious dog still has his moments, but overall the transformation has been incredible and we're so happy to see Eddie's confidence grow as we continue to work with him. Would 100% book with Azz again if we ever needed to.

Great experience. Explained everything brilliantly.

Azz is just what he describes! The best way to describe our dog was well ‘trained’ but disobedient. The time he spent with us helped my husband and I to learn exactly what we needed to do to help change our dog around without hurting her or turning her into a scared shell. Thank you Azz!

My partner & I have an extremely overactive cocker and the advice and help given by Azz has been invaluable

Azz is a very experienced behaviourist. He understands how dogs, especially foreign rescues, can find it difficult to settle into a home environment when they don't understand the 'rules'.
He visited us again for a review of our dog, a rescue originally from eastern Europe. We had made some progress, but there is always room for improvement.
We were shown how to give the correct signals to allow the dog to understand we will look after her, and there is no need for her to protect us, or to be afraid of visitors to the house. This has quickly cut down on barking, persistent attention seeking and fear of strangers.
All this just by interacting more carefully, no harsh words, no shouting.
This is not training, this is allowing your dog to settle into a home life that is alien, especially to some foreign rescues.
Azz is always thorough, thoughtful and honest. He does not hesitate to show you where you are making mistakes, but gives you the tools to correct them. He has the dog's best interests and nature at the forefront of every session.
He will do the best for the dog, and provides lots of information to continue appropriate behaviour changes. Given the difference this makes so quickly, his rates are extremely reasonable.
Absolutely recommend Azz at Back To Balance

Azz was really helpful would definitely recommend.