Force Free Paws

03/21/2024

It’s that time of year pet owners! Time to take note of what’s out there during planting season

Time for planting season, keep your fur babies and community cats safe!
- Sarah

02/23/2024

So important to learn to read their body language

07/03/2023

As a business we felt that we have a responsibility to make this clear to all of our clients and all future clients.

Dogs don’t discriminate and neither do we.

We welcome everyone at Force Free Paws. It doesn’t matter who you were born, your background, your culture, your sexual identity, your skin color or anything else.

Your dog loves you and so do we.

02/12/2023

The dog training industry is in a state of emergency.

I think it is completely accurate to say the dog training industry is in a complete state of emergency at the moment. I don’t think this is an exaggeration in the slightest.

The vast majority of dog trainers, in the USA at least, are using methods that are scientifically inconsistent with a dogs overall well-being and welfare. In the scientific community this is not a controversial statement. Even though it might seem like it here.

This doesn’t mean dog trainers who train this way are bad people. In fact, virtually every one of them is a person who loves dogs and wants to better their life. But it does mean that there is a lack of VERY BASIC scientific understanding of learning theory BIG TIME in the dog training industry.

The perception of the public is that particularly dogs who have issues with aggressive behavior, that those dogs should be taught with physical aversives to resolve these issues. The science is very clear on this. Everywhere humans have observed how animals learn from us, we have found physical punishment to be counterproductive in lieu of the alternatives that focus on a more proactive and appropriate approach.

If you are one of the people who really feels that aversion is necessary in dog training for whatever reason, allow yourself to think critically on the matter and please ask yourself where your views of dog training originated. Did they come from a scientifically valid source? Did they come from a relative? Did they come from a dog trainer who uses physical aversions frequently in their training approach? Where did THAT trainer get their understanding of dog training?

How often are you trusting your instincts over science? Consider how culture and various roles, particularly those related to gender, influence how our dogs are trained. For example, do you view your relationship as a partnership or a hierarchical relationship?

With the tiny bit of influence we have in this industry, it is vital that we are on the record very clearly for all to see on this issue. It is by far the most important issue in dog training.

Finally, as mentioned in the video, please keep in mind that the burden of proof lies with the party making the claim. If one is to make the claim that aversives are necessary in dog training, they must provide the scientific data to support the claim if they are to be taken seriously. Simply dismissing the data I provided, even if valid, would not be sufficient evidence. Furthermore, such a scientific finding would turn learning theory on its head and would be brand new science…

(If you have no idea what I’m talking about, see my previous posts or click here: https://youtu.be/BWM_gHMQaUQ to watch my latest video. This is the most researched and solid effort Bree and I have ever made to present the science in a neutral fashion as it relates to how we train dogs. The information is wide ranging and detailed. Please watch the whole video.)

Please spread the word and let us know your thoughts in the comments ❤️

06/23/2022

Got a new puppy? Or maybe an older dog that just needs to brush up on their skills?

Cali and Lulu just graduated their Manners and Obedience class with us! Our classes are designed to help prepare dogs for therapy and service work. We focus on training for good manners in public, not just basic obedience. Our dogs graduate ready to take the Canine Good Citizen test and often go on to therapy, service, search and rescue, scentwork, and other great tasks!

To get signed up for one of our classes visit our website

www.forcefreepaws.com

Click the "book now/login" button and create a free profile.

Our next Manners and Obedience class starts
Tuesday July 19th at 6:30 pm

Classes meet on the same night every week for 6 weeks.

Call 612-564-3165 for more information.

06/15/2022

Congratulations to tonight’s manners and obedience graduates, Cali and Lulu! Great job guys! Onto level two to prep for the CGC test!

06/14/2022

We will soon be offering reverse board and train packages. Rather than going to a facility for 30 days, the dog would spend 2 hours a day for 5 days a week working with our staff on training and then go home. We would spend 30 minutes going over the training 2 days a week to transition it to at home. It is an intensive program designed for unruly and reactive dogs. It will cover reactivity, obedience training and manners. For cost and availability call us

612-564-3165

06/14/2022

Congratulations to our newest Canine Good Citizens, Duke, Kota and Teddy! These 3 are moving onto level 3 where the hard stuff starts

06/10/2022

06/09/2022

If you have a reactive dog and you want to be able to take an obedience class while working on getting your dog comfortable around other dogs we have an answer.

We now have a safe setup using barriers to allow one reactive dog to join each obedience class. The dog will be seperated from the other dogs in class but will be able to see them through the cracks in the wall. We definitely recommend doing a few reactivity sessions with us first to get your dog used to seeing other dogs at a distance.

Don’t give up on obedience, tricks, scentwork and other fun classes because your dog is scared of other dogs. We are here to help.

Sign up for our upcoming level one manners class to get started!

05/20/2022

You can’t fix a reactive dog in a week. Or two weeks. Or three weeks. It takes a long time and a lot of work and it can be a slow process. Slapping a painful collar on them will make it appear as if they are ”fixed” but all you are doing is suppressing their behavior. You aren’t paying any attention to the emotional systems that are causing the behavior to begin with.

If you were afraid of spiders and I hit you with a stick every time you reacted to spiders you would stop reacting to spiders too. For awhile. Til you got sick of it and then turned on me.

That is what you are doing when you are using devices as a quick fix to short circuit the long process it takes to help these dogs heal and grow. So how long… before these “fixed” dogs start turning on other dogs and turning on their owners. You’re not fixing it… you’re taking the timer off the bomb. And one day

It will explode.

Let us help you with your reactive dog. We aren’t here to fix them, they’re not broken. They are just a little bent. Bent can be repaired. Bent can be repurposed. Bent can be beautiful.

We are here to help your dogs learn to feel safe with you, to trust you, in any environment, using kindness and empathy.

Call us today and ask about our “Bent Not Broken” program for your reactive dog.

613-564-3165

05/12/2022

Due to the tornado watch classes tonight will be postponed until next Wednesday.

05/11/2022

Congratulations to tonight’s level one manners and obedience graduates, Kai, Luna, Karl, and Marshall.

Super proud of these superstars, moving on and ready to start level 2 next week to help them prep for earning their Canine Good Citizen titles

04/29/2022

If we can train 140 species using positive reinforcement there is no reason we can’t train any dog using positive reinforcement.

04/29/2022

AN OPEN LETTER TO VETERINARIANS ON REFERRALS TO TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR PROFESSIONALS

Dogs are cognitive, intelligent creatures that experience emotions such as fear, anxiety, and joy. They are subject to the same laws of ABA as any other living organism. Forcing dogs to comply to avoid being shouted at, told “no” in a threatening manner, or having some other discomfort forced on them through voice control, body language or eye contact does not enhance the canine-human relationship, nor does it create an environment where healthy learning can take place. Rather, a pet repeatedly subjected to aversive stimulation may go into a state of “shut down,” or a global suppression of behavior. This is frequently mistaken for a “trained” pet, as the pet may remain subdued and offer few or no behaviors. In extreme cases, pets may refuse to perform any behavior at all, known as “learned helplessness.” In such cases, animals may try to isolate themselves to avoid incurring the aversive stimulation. This is evidently counterproductive to training new, more acceptable behaviors. (O’Heare, 2011).

https://dogsmith.com/an-open-letter-to-veterinarians-on-referrals-to-training-and-behavior-professionals/

04/29/2022

Check out Luna and Reptar showing off their stay and recall skills! These two are two weeks away from taking their canine good citizen test. Both dogs are on their way to becoming therapy dogs.

Level one manners and obedience classes start every few weeks. These classes are designed to prepare dogs for service and therapy work, so whether you have big goals for your dog or you just want a well behaved companion, these classes will help you get where you are going. All classes last for 6 weeks.

As of right now there are 9 spots available but these classes fill fast.

Classes are set for the following dates:

Thursday May 26th - June 30th - 7:45 pm
Sunday June 5th - July 10th - 12 pm

To sign up visit

www.forcefreepaws.com

Click the login button to create a free profile and this will give you access to all of our classes.

Or call for more information 612-564-3165

04/18/2022

Congratulations to tonight’s newest manners and obedience graduates, Tully, Mozzie and Summer.

04/13/2022

Congratulations to our newest level one manners and obedience graduates, Kota, Teddy, and Stella! All of them are moving onto level 2!

04/08/2022

April is a very hard month for me. Because it brings up the reason why I am passionate about helping reactive and aggressive dogs. One year ago on the 14th I said goodbye to the most challenging dog I have ever owned. The story is long and complicated and has been shared many times. In the end Bogus was put down for severe aggression issues after he attacked multiple dogs and had inflicted several bites on people.

I never want anyone to have to carry the pain I carry after I let him go. It is a deep soul ache that never goes away. But he made me passionate. He taught me a lot. He taught me how to successfully leash train a very strong dog without aversives. He taught me how to train tricks. He taught me how to read emotions in dogs. He taught me how to love a broken dog and he taught me how to let him go in the end. I loved him enough to let him go safely and peacefully in my arms. It was the hardest day of my life. But he made me the trainer that I am. Not a day goes by when I don’t miss him.

And he taught me how to have empathy and compassion for owners who have to make that hard call. He taught me how to withhold judgement and how to be a support to those who are in these shoes. Bogus changed my life. And despite the ache I will never forget the two years we were together.

04/06/2022

Happy birthday to miss Rika who just graduated her Manners and Obedience class tonight!

04/03/2022

“Hold your trainer to the same standard”

Aversive tools are largely responsible for a rampant increase in aggression cases. I used to rarely see people aggression and now I see these cases a few times a month. There is almost always a shock collar or a prong collar on the dog. We remove the device and most of the time the dog recovers. But not always. We lose a lot of dogs this way too. And I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.

Whether you choose us or another trainer, ask questions, do research, if it doesn’t feel right listen to your gut. If they try to put a training collar on your dog instead of a harness or regular buckle collar then walk away. Be kind to your dogs when choosing a trainer. I promise you there is a kinder way to train and it works just as well without the potential for negative fallout.

Shock-Free Coalition

Apology alert! I came across a post by a local dog trainer. The post says “what’s in your tool kit?” and the photo shows a bunch of aversive tools such as a prong collar and a shock collar.

I can see why people get roped into these techniques. They are sold by trainers who appear likeable and confident and compelling. We see similar techniques by harmful “trainers” well packaged on network TV. But here’s the thing: what they are marketing is actually designed to make your dog more afraid. It works because it’s not pleasant for the dog. Pain, intimidation and discomfort are potent motivators.

My apology is this: I’m sorry that my profession has done such a poor job of getting consistent and correct (and fear free) messaging out to diligent owners like yourself.

I’m sorry you’re being advertised:
🚫Painful tools, such as prong collars
🚫Electric shock devices labeled as “ecollars” to diminish the reason they work
🚫Outdated techniques such as leash corrections, packaged incorrectly as “mimicking the way dogs communicate”
🚫The diversion that positive reinforcement training is just “cookie pushing”

I have a lot of things in my tool kit, but pain + intimidation aren’t in it. Ask questions. Do research. Feel comfortable. ✅

If your hair dresser wasn’t taught in a proper program, you would fire them. If your plumber learned by watching a home renovation show, you would fire them. If your mechanic broke your car, he would be fired. Hold your trainer to the same standards!

04/01/2022

Meet Luna! Luna just graduated from her Manners and Obedience class and is preparing for her Canine Good Citizen Test.

Got a new puppy? Or maybe a dog at home who could use a tuneup on their obedience?

We have 2 spots left in our level one Manners and Obedience classes starting April 5th at 7:45! Classes last for 6 weeks.

Manners and Obedience classes prepare dogs for the Canine Good Citizen test and the Advanced Canine Good Citizen test. These tests are a prerequisite for many therapy dog organizations. Our classes are designed to prepare dogs for therapy and service work.

Even if your dog is just a family pet, these classes will help you build a strong, healthy bond with your dog and ensure that they learn good manners and solid obedience.

To sign up visit www.forcefreepaws.com and click on the “login” button. Create a free profile and get access to all of our classes.

You can also reach out to us by phone with any questions

612-564-3165

03/31/2022

I will be doing a Facebook live tonight at 9:15 pm on the topic of aggression and reactivity and safe placement for potentially reactive or aggressive dogs in the shelter in rescue in world. What can we do, as trainers and rescue advocates, to make sure everyone remains safe in placing these dogs?

Check out my public livestream on my main page - Heidi Joy Clem - trainer

03/28/2022

I have taken a lot of hate lately for my firm stance on force free training. Because of that my business has been hit with some negative reviews from people that have never worked with me. Sometimes we take heat for standing up for what we believe in. We can fix this.

If you’ve worked with me and you’ve seen progress with your dog i would love it if you could leave a positive review here or on Google. Positive reviews can go a long way in burying the ugly. Keep fighting for your dogs, keep building their confidence, keep growing and learning with them, together. There’s nothing like the bond you build with a dog when you focus on positive training.

03/24/2022

Congratulations to tonight’s manners and obedience graduates, Luna, Joey, and Apollo. They all passed with flying colors and are moving on to level 2!