FirstBarkMy Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy and I did both Puppy Class 1 and 2 with Shannon Riley. She is the best! We learned new skills every week that I was able to put into practice at home right away. Shannon answered every one single one of my many questions and helped resolve issues that came up along the way. My puppy and I benefited so much from Shannon’s teaching and guidance!!
Truly Force Free Animal Training
Ventura, California
About Truly Force Free Animal Training
Truly Force Free Animal Training provides science-based, positive reinforcement training for dogs and their owners. Founded by Shannon Riley, BA-Zoology, Registered Veterinary Technician, CPDT-KA, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, IAABC associate and Fear Free Professional. The program focuses on humane, effective methods to build strong relationships between pets and their families. Offering online and in-person courses, private coaching, and educational resources, Truly Force Free Animal Training helps pet owners train with kindness, patience, empathy, compassion and understanding. Learn more about creating a stress-free training experience today!
Training & services
Training goals
- Obedience training Customer-reported
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- Puppy training
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Behavior support
- Reactivity training
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- Separation anxiety
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How training happens
- Private training
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Dog age
- Puppies
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Assistance and working dogs
- Therapy dog training
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Dog sports
- Agility
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- Rally obedience
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- Scent work
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Training approach
- Force-free training
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- Positive reinforcement
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Other listed services
View 8 additional details
- Animal Behavior Consultants
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- Animal Trainer
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- Animal Training
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- Behavior Course
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- In-Person Classes
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Held in Ventura, CA, these classes cover topics such as agility training, positive puppy kindergarten, nose work, rally, and freestyle, providing hands-on learning experiences for dogs and their owners.
- Online Courses
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These include the Animal Trainer Academy for aspiring trainers, a Good Manners Course for teaching basic dog behaviors, and a Reactive Dog Rehabilitation Program designed to assist owners in managing and improving their dogs' reactive behaviors.
- Podcasts and Quizzes
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Resources such as podcasts and quizzes are provided to enhance knowledge and engagement in animal training and behavior.
- Webinars
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Educational sessions are available on subjects like understanding canine body language, preventing separation anxiety, and principles of positive training, offering valuable insights into animal behavior and training techniques.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Business-stated qualifications
Qualifications stated by the business, not independently verified.
- Registered Veterinary Technician
- CPDT-KA
- Registered Veterinary Technician
- KPA CTP
Questions & answers
From GoogleWhat people have asked about this business.
How long will it take to train my dog?
Training timelines vary depending on the dog, the behavior being addressed, and consistency in practice. Some behaviors improve quickly, while others may take weeks or months. Regular sessions and reinforcement at home are essential for lasting results.
Community answer · Truly Force Free Animal Training · 2025-09-21
How do I stop my dog from barking and jumping on the door when someone knocks?
This behavior is often driven by excitement or anxiety. To address it, start by desensitizing your dog to the sound of knocking. Practice controlled knocking sessions and reward your dog for remaining calm. Teaching an alternative behavior, such as going to a designated spot when the doorbell rings, can also be effective. Consistent training and positive reinforcement are key to modifying this behavior.
Community answer · Truly Force Free Animal Training · 2025-09-21
Can you train an aggressive dog using positive reinforcement?
Yes, positive reinforcement can be very effective for aggressive dogs. By identifying triggers and reinforcing calm behavior, we can help dogs build new, more appropriate responses. It's important to work with a professional who understands canine body language and behavior.
Community answer · Truly Force Free Animal Training · 2025-09-21
Why does my dog become aggressive when we take things away from her?
This is known as resource guarding, a common behavior where a dog becomes defensive over possessions. It's important to approach this issue with care. Begin by teaching your dog the "drop it" or "leave it" command using positive reinforcement. Gradually practice trading items with your dog, offering something of equal or greater value in exchange. Avoid punishing your dog, as this can exacerbate the behavior. If the aggression persists, consulting a professional trainer experienced in positive reinforcement techniques is recommended.
Community answer · Truly Force Free Animal Training · 2025-09-21
Can I expect to make a living doing animal massage therapy in Ventura county?
Hi Albert, we would recommend contacting https://ojaischoolofmassage.com/ as they may have the best answer for you! We hope this helps and happy training!
Community answer · Truly Force Free Animal Training · 2021-09-21
Public community answers. Authors are not verified as business representatives; details may have changed.
Customer reviews
Google listing4.8
63 Google reviews
Mentioned in reviews
- agility classes 16
- confidence building 9
- new skills 5
- puppy class 5
- basic obedience 2
- customized training 2
All 10 topics
- informative classes 2
- knowledgeable instructor 2
- reactive dog 2
- separation anxiety training 2
Google review topics, not confirmed services.
Shannon is an excellent trainer. She is sweet and compassionate with all the dogs and their humans. My dog has gained so much confidence to pursue agility and we now compete. After uncertainty and bad experiences with other trainers, I am happy to have found Shannon.
Shannon has done wonders for us. Not only is she training Dottie she is also training me. She has come a long way!! She will sometimes let me touch her toys and she will let me pet her. That wouldn't happen before. When the mail man or the gardeners come it sounds like she is goi…Read full reviewClose full review
Shannon has done wonders for us. Not only is she training Dottie she is also training me. She has come a long way!! She will sometimes let me touch her toys and she will let me pet her. That wouldn't happen before. When the mail man or the gardeners come it sounds like she is going to shred them. The other day someone left the door open that shouldn't have. When the mailman was waking up the walkway Dottie ran out the door. The person that left the door open yelled to me she ran out. Before she got to the mailman I called her and she came running back without touching him. Thank God!! then the last few times the gardener has come she doesn't say a peep. Even when she sees them she doesn't make a sound. This is all because of Shannon!! We still have a long way to go. Still haven't been able to take her to the groomers. Shannon and I are working on it. We are also working on taking her to the vet. Trying to make them not so scary for her. With that being said is there any way we could get more training sessions? We appreciate all that you have done!! Also thank you for helping us get the help she needed from Dr. Megan! Dottie still at times has trouble eating we thought she was just being picky so Dr. Megan has her on Pepcid. It's not perfect but she is eating so much better. We also are giving her gabapentin and Prozac. We really have seen her calmer since we started the gabapentin. Thank you for everything!
Shannon Riley’s classes are amazing! She makes it fun for both the handler and the dog. Her methods are effective and humane. My corgi Rooney has taken puppy classes, Good Manners and is now in Agility. He loves it! I have taken many classes over the years and Shannon is truly the best.
We love Truly Force Free training! As a first time dog mom with an adopted border collie I knew I had a lot of work to do to and that’s when I found their classes! We’ve taken Good Manners, Intro to tricks, and we’re finishing beginner agility. The classes have taught me how to t…Read full reviewClose full review
We love Truly Force Free training! As a first time dog mom with an adopted border collie I knew I had a lot of work to do to and that’s when I found their classes! We’ve taken Good Manners, Intro to tricks, and we’re finishing beginner agility. The classes have taught me how to teach my dog more than anything. Our communication and understanding of each other has definitely improved and I attribute a lot of that to these classes.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.