About · Methodology

Force-free training: built on trust and behavioral science

No shock collars. No prong collars. No dominance tactics. Positive reinforcement grounded in modern behavioral science — proven to last.

Why force-free

Not just the ethical choice — the more effective one

Dogs trained without fear are more confident, more reliable, and more bonded to their owners. The results last because the method treats causes, not symptoms.

Science-based

Modern behavioral science, not outdated dominance theory. Methods that work with your dog's psychology.

Trust-first

A real bond between you and your dog — the foundation every reliable behavior is built on.

Root cause

We treat the why behind the behavior, not just the symptom you can see.

You're coached too

You learn alongside your dog, so you can maintain the change yourself.

Backed by Science

Don't take our word for it. Take the evidence.

The independent research below validates the training methodology Coach Francis practices; these organizations do not endorse individual trainers.

AVSAB · 2021

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends only reward-based methods — for all dog training, including behavior problems.

Read the position statement →
J. Vet. Behavior · Ziv, 2017

A review of 17 studies found aversive training jeopardizes dogs' physical and mental health — with zero evidence it outperforms reward-based training.

See the study →
PLOS ONE · 2020

Dogs trained with aversive methods showed higher stress, elevated cortisol, and more pessimism in a controlled study of 92 companion dogs.

See the study →

Experience the difference

Book a Behavior Coaching Session and see force-free training in action.