FirstBarkShannon helped me bring my Border Collie Shadow out of his shell, having been a rescue with background abuse. He is now more social, friendly and polite, and is truly a happier dog.
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.
We have been going to agility class with Shannon for over a year. Shannon exercises a lot of patience with our dog and teaches us humans how to better lead our dog in the agility courses. We have noticed that this training has also transferred into our dog listening better in every day life.
Taking Shannon's Puppy 1 and 2 classes were by far the best thing we could have done with our new puppy! The training was great and Shannon made everything so easy for us and our pup, but the socialization aspect was truly invaluable. Getting regular playtime with pups of all siz…Read full reviewClose full review
Taking Shannon's Puppy 1 and 2 classes were by far the best thing we could have done with our new puppy! The training was great and Shannon made everything so easy for us and our pup, but the socialization aspect was truly invaluable. Getting regular playtime with pups of all sizes gave us and our pup the confidence to be around other dogs in public and enabled us to take her anywhere, even at only 6 months old. Will absolutely take more classes at Truly Force Free - excited to try agility!
Excellent training. Sensitive to needs of client and dogs. Classes are top quality and fun.
Shannon is awesome! I’ve taken three of her classes. 2 puppy classes with my dog who was fearful she could read his body language and got him completely comfortable with other dogs. I now take her agility class and she’s also wonderful. She understands dogs, and how they work is compassionate and loving and never forceful with them I highly recommend her.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.