Force Free Dale Dog Training

Force Free Dale Dog Training Dog training that’s rooted in positive-reinforcement. We are passionate about quality training and discussion, enriching shelter dogs, and all things nosework.

Let’s have fun!

Is there any view greater than this one? We’ll wait.
01/16/2025

Is there any view greater than this one? We’ll wait.

Check out our foster puppy! 😍 Honey is a sweet 6-month-old baby dog that is actively looking for her forever family 🤍
01/09/2025

Check out our foster puppy! 😍

Honey is a sweet 6-month-old baby dog that is actively looking for her forever family 🤍

Hello 2025!! In recent weeks/days, we’ve welcomed these spunky, funny, smart, and SUPER CUTE baby dogs to our private cl...
01/05/2025

Hello 2025!! In recent weeks/days, we’ve welcomed these spunky, funny, smart, and SUPER CUTE baby dogs to our private client roster. 🥹😍 We are working with a wide spectrum of behaviors with our rainbow of dogs and each visit has been simply magical. The one true consistency is they all have the absolute best guardians leading each team.

Help us welcome Colby & Millie, Everly, Cooper, Goose & Gator, Lucy, and Nyla to the FFD fam! 🤗🩵

It’s January 1, 2025 and we started the new year with a Bowz supervised FFD work session. We have the best boss! 🥂
01/02/2025

It’s January 1, 2025 and we started the new year with a Bowz supervised FFD work session. We have the best boss! 🥂

2024 was a busy and FUN year for us - we are so thankful for our community here allowing us to do what we love every day...
01/01/2025

2024 was a busy and FUN year for us - we are so thankful for our community here allowing us to do what we love every day! Here are some of our 2024 highlights:

🌟 This was our first full year hosting drop-in sniffy classes at Scrubbers Self-Serve Dog Wash & Professional Grooming , where we were able to introduce over 50 dog and handler teams to the magic of nosework

🌟 We created and ran four 5-week sessions of our Intro to Odor nosework class, helping 20 teams move forward in their nose work journeys

🌟 We hosted two sniff & go events at two great locations - our dearest friends at Camp Egeler and Michigan Institute of Public Safety & Education

🌟 Slider School was created and piloted and we welcomed the most amazing little crew of puppies to the FFD family

🌟 We restructured our in-home behavior consulting program and truly work with some of the greatest dogs and guardians each week

🌟 We had a blast supporting Ruff Life Photography in all of her shelter dog photo endeavors - from Ford Field to the Encore Theatre to the Michigan Firehouse Museum to Jimmy John's Field

🌟 We co-hosted a few pack walks, training challenges, and virtual Q&A sessions with our friends at Training by Jacqueline, LLC & Longsnouts Dog Training

🌟 We spent a lot of time doing what we do best… hanging out with shelter dogs!

We are SO looking forward to what 2025 is going to bring 🤩 Wishing everyone a happy & safe New Year!

Jabari has the right idea 🥶
12/22/2024

Jabari has the right idea 🥶

October 17 —> December 19 🤯Have we mentioned lately how much we love our puppies?! What an honor to help them grow into ...
12/19/2024

October 17 —> December 19 🤯

Have we mentioned lately how much we love our puppies?! What an honor to help them grow into fun and confident little dogs! 🥹

If you’re planning to welcome a puppy into your family, we’re here to help! Private training, working lunch visits, Slider School ✅

Submit an inquiry at Forcefreedale.com!

We sprung Cherries Jubilee from Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control this morning for a chilly but much needed ken...
12/14/2024

We sprung Cherries Jubilee from Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control this morning for a chilly but much needed kennel break 🤩

This sweet girl was full of life and ready to GO to wherever it was we were going! This fun outing was part of the monthly pack walk program, hosted by The Un-Shelter - it’s an easy way to get involved with volunteering with shelter dogs.

This cutie girl is available for adoption at DACC! Go visit her 🤪

12/14/2024
It may be almost halfway through the month, but that actually works out in Buddy’s favor because now he gets to play cat...
12/12/2024

It may be almost halfway through the month, but that actually works out in Buddy’s favor because now he gets to play catch up and eat 12 treats today 🤣

If you’re like us and a little late to the game, these advent calendars are on sale at Scrubbers Self-Serve Dog Wash & Professional Grooming!

We just wrapped up our last session of Slider School puppy class of 2024! 🤩It has been so much fun working these classes...
12/12/2024

We just wrapped up our last session of Slider School puppy class of 2024! 🤩

It has been so much fun working these classes into our training program - we have had the absolute pleasure of working with some of the greatest puppy guardians in Metro-Detroit, AND, some of the cutest puppies we’ve ever seen 🥹

We can’t wait to continue expanding Slider School and all of our nosework and training programs in 2025! Thank you for coming along on this newfound journey of teaching group classes with us!

A great resource for those that may be struggling with separation-related behaviors! Separation anxiety is something tha...
12/09/2024

A great resource for those that may be struggling with separation-related behaviors!

Separation anxiety is something that we at FFD are not super comfortable consulting on. We are thankful for those in our field that specialize in this area and provide support for guardians dealing with these types of behaviors.

We are SO EXCITED to announce that A Pleasant dog will now be offering online courses to our wonderful clients! Our team has been working tirelessly to have this ready for you as soon as possible. We felt that the perfect first class would be a course specifically for working through separation anxiety, since we are so passionate about giving your and your dog the independence you both deserve.

This online course features
✓ 11 Videos
✓ 12 Handouts
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ Coupon code for Treat & Train®
✓ Access to a Facebook group where you can ask questions and talk with professionals as well as connect with other pet parents who are working through the same things

We can't wait to train with you! Visit our website to sign up today! And leave a comment here to let us know what other types of classes you would like to see next.

https://www.apleasantdog.com/onlinecourses

It was monthly community outreach day with our friends at Dog Aide! 🤩Our team is proud to support these important educat...
12/08/2024

It was monthly community outreach day with our friends at Dog Aide! 🤩

Our team is proud to support these important education and outreach efforts both through volunteering our time and sponsoring kennel builds and igloos for these deserving animals and their families. Members of our FFD team join the crew at Dog Aide and head out every month, rain or shine, to ensure these animals are receiving the care they need 🙌🏼

It was great to see Miss Lyria enjoying the freedoms of her backyard kennel that we sponsored earlier this summer 🥳

Check out Dog Aide’s page for ways to support these incredible initiatives!

POV: the Lions 🦁💙 make the playoffs for the second year in a row! *Smiling or snarling? Did you know that dogs will some...
12/06/2024

POV: the Lions 🦁💙 make the playoffs for the second year in a row!

*Smiling or snarling? Did you know that dogs will sometimes show their teeth in an “appeasement grin”? 😬

This is a behavior that could have a few different meanings, depending on context. Stanley shows his smile when his friends or parents come in the front door as he’s wiggly and greeting them. Some dogs will grin when they’re stressed or uncomfortable, usually coupled with avoidant behaviors like looking/moving away, flattened ears, etc.

All behavior is information and when we’re looking at behavior, context is everything!

Marlin is a baby superstar! He’s a regular at Slider School & our drop-in nosework classes. His foster mom also takes hi...
12/06/2024

Marlin is a baby superstar! He’s a regular at Slider School & our drop-in nosework classes. His foster mom also takes him to STAR puppy class - this little guy will make the greatest friend to a lucky adopter!

🚨 Marlin – The Sweetest Pup You’ll Ever Meet! 🚨

🔥🚒 Meet Marlin, a cute squishy puppy who just had the best time posing for photos at the Michigan Firehouse Museum! This adorable boy is ready to find his forever home, and we know you're going to fall head over heels for him.👨‍🚒

🐾 About Marlin:
Age: 6 months
Breed: Mixed Breed
Personality: Sweet, playful, and eager to please!
Training: Neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, potty trained, and kennel trained!
Special Achievements: He’ll be an AKC STAR Puppy graduate this Tuesday! 🎓

Marlin is currently being fostered with some BIG dogs and LOVES their company. He gets along great with other dogs, making him an ideal companion for a multi-dog household. Whether he's playing, snuggling, or just hanging out, Marlin is a social, affectionate boy who thrives on love and attention.

He’s incredibly smart, already mastering the basics, and is ready to continue learning and growing with his new family. If you’re looking for a fun, loving, and well-behaved pup, Marlin might just be your perfect match!

💙 Interested in adopting Marlin?
Contact A ReJoyceful Animal Rescue to learn more about how you can make this sweet boy part of your family.

Let’s help Marlin find his forever home! Please share and spread the word. 🐕✨

Force Free Dale Dog Training

Look at our sweet baby puppies growing up 🥹Mila (GSD) and Tali (doodle) are two of our favorite puppies that are having ...
12/05/2024

Look at our sweet baby puppies growing up 🥹

Mila (GSD) and Tali (doodle) are two of our favorite puppies that are having a ton of fun in their working lunch sessions and in Slider School!

Adding puppies to our roster has brought so much fun and happiness to our days! It’s so rewarding getting to see these babies grow up into confident and happy dogs. 😍

What a beautiful way to start the day 🤩🤩
11/23/2024

What a beautiful way to start the day 🤩🤩

Check out Ravioli 😍😍
11/22/2024

Check out Ravioli 😍😍

Ravioli - Michigan Firehouse Museum 2024

What a DAY at the Michigan Firehouse Museum! 🚒🐾 We had the pleasure of meeting this sweet babe, Ravioli, and eight other incredible adoptable dogs! 🐶 Stay tuned for their FUN FIREFIGHTER photos coming your way soon! 💖

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing friends at the museum (DAVE & DAN) for hosting us, and to the fantastic handlers (TORI, REBEKAH & RACHEL) from Force Free Dale Dog Training and our friends GAIL for making it all possible. 🙌

To the shelter staff and fosters who brought these pups for their photoshoot, we are beyond grateful for your time and dedication in helping these animals find their forever homes! 🙏

Ravioli here is waiting to be neutered and will be available for adoption soon with Happy Paws Haven Co. Keep an eye out for this cutie! 🐾

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Videos

Here are some ways we modify traditional “fetch” to better suit us ✨ anyone else have completely ball OBSESSED dogs out there?

Join Us for Slider School Puppy Drop-In This Weekend! Come hang out with us at the Troy Aquatic Center on Sunday at 1:30pm (3425 Civic Center Dr., Troy) and discover what Slider School is all about! At Slider School, we focus on teaching your puppy the essential skills they need for a happy and successful life. From using marker words and loose leash walking to engagement, recall, stay, and so much more, we make learning fun for you and your pup! Check out Obie, one of our Slider School stars, enjoying a fun pattern game to boost engagement. Want to try it yourself? Stop by, play games, and learn new skills with your puppy! We can’t wait to see you there!

We often get asked by clients, “How do I get my dog to stop barking?” Our response is usually….”Why?” Dogs have endless ways of communicating, and vocalizing is an important one. Vocalizing is a normal, natural behavior for our dogs and should be acknowledged as such. Many of our dogs have been purposefully bred for their vocal abilities. Dogs use their “voice” to alert to things, express joy and frustration, tell us they are afraid, communicate pain and discomfort, and much more. Understanding the context in which your dog is vocalizing is key to helping them. Instead of suppressing the bark, what if we embraced it and reassured our dogs they have communicated to us beautifully? In an instance of alert barking, we can tell them they did their job and we can move on by comforting them, engaging in a fun game, or redirecting with a scatter feed. Have a Happy Monday, friends!! 🐶 Video: Bowser barking at a human’s voice coming from the other side of the privacy fence. He can’t see the people and doesn’t know the voices, so he reacts with barking (likely alerting and/or frustration because he can’t see where the strange noise is coming from). I let him get his few barks in and reassure him he’s done his job very well and it’s ok to stop alerting now. I’ve also built in a quiet cue for Bowser that is primarily utilized in moments of arousal because it’s a cue he knows and can get his attention and is always followed by a treat. 🤤

Junie and I play with her harness as an ongoing project during her working lunch program! She has some handling and harness sensitivities and used to avoid me and the harness the minute she would see it in my hand. I love seeing this spunky girl every week 🤩

Happy Leap Day, from Two Brothers! 🐾

Here are a few FFD team highlights from the Every Dog Nosework Sniff & Go yesterday! It was a great day full of fun searches and feedback for us to take home and continue to work on building up these incredible teams! 🤩

Cannot handle these two. 🥲

Our sniffing superstars Moose, Simon, and Lovey had a great morning at drop-in! 😍 You can learn about our drop-in program (and other services!) at forcefreedale.com ⭐️

Our small and sensitive little friend, Junie, has been learning nosework at home during her midday sessions over the last ~month and was introduced to a few containers this week! 🤩

We met this cute little baby shepherd-y mix (Arizona) today and got to work on some integration with Ash @ My Sidekick Dog Training and her other dogs. This baby has incredible social skills and it was very fun watching her match each dog’s energy. I’m very happy she’s trying to become a permanent resident with Ash because then I’ll get to play with her without having the “I need to bring you home this minute” thoughts 🤣 Here’s her baby Fox face enjoying some scratches 🥹

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