FirstBarkReally helpful and kind
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
- Puppy training
Behavior support
- Reactivity training
- Separation anxiety
How training happens
- Private training
Dog age
- Puppies
Assistance and working dogs
- Therapy dog training
Dog sports
- Agility
- Rally obedience
- Scent work
Training approach
- Force-free training
- Positive reinforcement
Other listed services
View 8 additional details
- Animal Behavior Consultants
- Animal Trainer
- Animal Training
- Behavior Course
- In-Person Classes
Program details
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
Program details
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
Program details
Resources such as podcasts and quizzes are provided to enhance knowledge and engagement in animal training and behavior.
- Webinars
Program details
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 adopted a highly reactive/fearful dog with a really unfortunate past. My husband and I weren’t sure where to start with making him feel safe. Shannon was the one who suggested medications to help manage Moe’s anxiety. There’s no way we could build his confidence and joy if he …Read full reviewClose full review
We adopted a highly reactive/fearful dog with a really unfortunate past. My husband and I weren’t sure where to start with making him feel safe. Shannon was the one who suggested medications to help manage Moe’s anxiety. There’s no way we could build his confidence and joy if he was constantly battling his fear of EVERYTHING. Long-term medication wasn’t something I had considered before, but Moe was too fearful to handle even one-on-one training. In the beginning, he was on a combination of 3 different medications to help with anxiety. 5 years later, he’s only on one of those. Instead of being afraid of strangers, he’s a major cuddle-bug who approaches everyone with a smile. While he’s never going to be a dog-park dog, he now has a puppy brother who he feels safe playing with. Every dog deserves to love a happy life, and Moe wouldn’t be the happy puppy he is today without Shannon’s help and guidance.
Participated in 2 Puppy Kindergarten classes and they were amazing! I highly recommend Shannon and her classes!
The staff are great The trainer is super nice My pup is learning a lot and he'll probably take more classes there
We started taking Shannon's classes when I got a new whippet puppy, Dasher, 7 years ago. In the past with my other whippets, I lived in fear that they would run away if they got off leash. I decided to be a responsible pet owner with the new puppy and found Shannon. Shannon's …Read full reviewClose full review
We started taking Shannon's classes when I got a new whippet puppy, Dasher, 7 years ago. In the past with my other whippets, I lived in fear that they would run away if they got off leash. I decided to be a responsible pet owner with the new puppy and found Shannon. Shannon's puppy class was the first class we attended. We ultimately finished with being awarded Canine Good Citizen status for both whippets. We could not have done any of this without Shannon's (and Wendy's) instruction. We currently attend weekly agility classes with Shannon. Dasher and Shine adore Shannon and so do I. I am so thankful for her knowledge, patience and amiable style.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.