Force-Free Dog Training

 What Does “Force-Free Dog Training” Mean?

Force-free dog training means teaching dogs without using fear, pain, intimidation, or physical punishment.
Instead, it focuses on trust, communication, and cooperation between the dog and human.

In force-free training, we use:

• Positive reinforcement: Rewarding behaviors we want to see more of (like calm walking or coming when called).

• Management: Setting up the environment so the dog can make good choices (like using a long line instead of risking a failed recall).

• Empathy and observation: Understanding why a behavior is happening instead of simply trying to stop it.

It’s not “permissive” training; boundaries still exist.
It’s about teaching, not forcing; teaching helps dogs learn what works in our human world while feeling safe, understood, and empowered.

At its core, force-free training means:

No fear. No pain. No intimidation. Just kindness, communication, and science.

Example:

Instead of yanking a leash when your dog pulls, you might stop walking, wait for the leash to loosen, and reward them for checking in.

The message becomes:
“Pulling doesn’t get me anywhere, but walking nicely does!”

That’s learning through positive experiences, not fear of consequences.

An example of "old school" training that uses force, even a slightly might be when teaching a puppy to sit, gently pushing down on their bottom until it lowers to the ground. However with force-free trainer, the human generally holds a treat or other item above the dog's nose raising the head just enough for the bottom to naturally lower to the floor.  

We can use that example to take the explanation of force-free a bit further!

It use to be common to expect or demand the dog to sit simply because the human requested it no matter how the dog felt about it. 

• Cold, wet ground....sit because I said so! 
• Sore hips....sit because I said so!
• Fear of strangers....sit because I said so!

Thankfully times are changing and more and more humans are asking the question, "If my dog can't sit in this moment, why?" then changing up the environment to make it easier for the dog. For example, Azul has thick husky hair on his bottom making it difficult to maintain the sit position on slippery floors. I changed my training teaching Azul to stand still in places I might normally allow him to sit, avoiding asking him to sit on slippery floors. I also taught Azul that if ever holding a sit was not comfortable for him that he could always choose the option of laying down. This way he was still in the same place but was comfortable while he waited for me. 

Dog training then becomes a compromise of what I need my dogs to do in order to be safe in an environment plus what they need to feel calm and happy in that environment. Together we can be safe, calm, and happy!

Force-free training means I'm not going to force my do to do any behavior that isn't absolutely necessary for health and safety of us together as a team. All our training time is geared to creating trust and teamwork. I can trust my dogs be still while I'm distracted having a conversation, but they can often choose the position that feels best for them. When my dogs are younger or newer to training, I may ask for a sit, down or stand in a new environment telling them what I prefer in that situation. But as our teamwork grows, I can relax my needs for specific position and trust my dog to choose what is best for them in the environment in that moment. 

That doesn't meant that I never ask for a position from my dogs. If I need them to stay in specific spot for some reason, I'm going to lead them there and ask for a down/stay. Generally, they have no problem with the positions I request but if they do, I still look around the environment to ask WHY?

Being open to keeping the lines of communication flowing both directions is what makes us a team and helps provide a feeling of balance for me and my dogs.

Do you want to learn more about supporting your dog's choices?

Check out this blog: Choice, Agency, & Boundaries 

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This series is perfect for dog owners, service dog handlers, and canine professionals who want to build confidence, resiliency, and teamwork through force-free, game-based training methods.

What you’ll learn:
✔️ Understanding the 5 Core Canine Confidences
✔️ Establishing Routines
✔️ Developing Good Behaviors
✔️ Management Techniques

With guidance, you’ll gain the tools to help your dog feel safe, confident, and capable in everyday life.

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Emotional Balance

Emotional Balance: Dogs Have Struggles Too

World Mental Health Day Reflection

World Mental Health Day is a reminder to pause and think about the importance of emotional well-being. While the spotlight often shines on people, it’s equally important to recognize that our dogs, too, can struggle emotionally.

Research confirms what many dog lovers already know: dogs can experience anxiety, depression, and even trauma. Their emotional range may not be as wide as ours, but their struggles are very real. And if you’ve lived with a dog who suffers from anxiety, you’ve seen firsthand how deeply it affects them.
What Emotional Struggles Look Like in Dogs

Dogs experiencing fear or anxiety often show one of the five “F” responses:

Fight – lunging, barking, or growling to keep danger away.
Flight – retreating or fleeing to find safety.
Freeze – shutting down or “checking out” in overwhelming moments.
Fawn – appeasing behaviors like rolling over or excessive licking.
Fidget – restless movements, pacing, or repetitive actions.

These struggles may come from trauma, genetics, or unknown past experiences. Unfortunately, many anxious dogs rarely feel truly safe. They spend large parts of their day in heightened states of stress, constantly scanning or reacting, trying to regain a sense of calm. This is exhausting for the dog and heartbreaking for the humans who love them.

It Takes a Village: Supporting Dogs with Anxiety or Trauma

Helping a dog through fear, anxiety, or trauma isn’t something most people can (or should) do alone. Just like raising children, it often “takes a village.” A supportive team might include:

• Skilled trainers or behavior consultants
• Veterinarians or veterinary behaviorists
• Family and friends who understand the dog’s needs
• Neighbors and community members who interact with the dog
• Other dog owners who have “been there, done that”

I know this personally. I started the Helping Fearful Dogs Feel Safe program because I’ve lived with a dog struggling with anxiety. I’ve poured countless hours into learning how to support both the dog and the owner, because both are carrying heavy loads.

Trauma-Informed Training at Yooper Paws

This year, I took that commitment a step further and became a Certified Trauma-Informed Dog Practitioner through @pawsupdogs.

This training deepened my understanding of how trauma impacts dogs, emotionally, behaviorally, and even physically and how it also shapes the human side of the leash. Trauma affects connection, trust, and communication, which means we must approach both the dog and the human client with compassion, patience, and individualized strategies.

At Yooper Paws Training Center, this certification means:

• More thoughtful, gentle, and ethical support for every dog.
• Practical tools for helping anxious, fearful, or reactive dogs feel safe.
• A space where owners never feel judged for their dog’s struggles.
• Recognition that the human’s stress matters, too, and that healing is a team process.

Because your dog isn’t broken, and you aren’t alone. Together, we grow. 

The CAKES Approach

A core piece of my work is my CAKES framework, which guides both dogs and their people toward balance: Compassion, Awareness, Kindness, Empathy, Support.

CAKES ensures training isn’t just about behaviors. The dog centered approach to training is about meeting emotional needs, fostering safety, and building resilience.

The Big Picture: Finding Your Balance

Here’s the truth about balance: it looks different for everyone.

A stay-at-home parent may have different resources than someone working 10-hour shifts.

A high-energy herding dog has vastly different needs than a senior rescue.

Your goals may not match your neighbor’s and that’s okay.

This World Mental Health Day, I invite you to reflect on balance in your own life with time, training, play, food, exercise, emotions, and boundaries.

Ask yourself:

1. What matters most to me and my dog?
2. Where do I feel most out of balance?
3. What small steps could I take toward more harmony?

Because balance isn’t about what works for me or anyone else. It’s about what works for you and your dog. And that bond, built on compassion and understanding, is what true balance is really about.