04/09/2025
Force free or balanced?
Both come with baggage, so here’s why I don’t use intimidation.
It’s not because of “force free extremism.”
Not because I think dogs should always come first.
Not because I’d scream “abuse” if you don’t let them on the couch. 🤦🏻♀️
No one said punishment doesn’t work at all. Any input and reaction will inevitably affect behaviour. So it works — but it’s messy. It’s less predictable when emotions are at play. How can we guarantee the lesson is “don’t bark at strangers” and not “bark louder so the stranger walks away”?
That’s why I’ve spent 8 years diving into behaviour, emotions and the neuroscience of the canine brain. 📚🐾
Countless books (including audio, e-books etc), endless papers, CPD and webinars. And the study is never over.
I study dogs so you don’t have to. So you can just enjoy them, without spiralling into Google at 2am, because your dog isn’t settling.
That’s what force-free looks like: not quick fixes, not intimidation — just science, empathy towards both parties, and a healthy obsession with my job.
Dominance is dead, long live dopamine!
