Positive Growth
Our story
Force Free DC launched in the fall of 2023. Our team met while working together at Patrick’s Pet Care in Washington, DC. Over the years — and especially through the Covid-19 pandemic — our training business and our clients’ needs really grew. FFDC founder Joseph Ryan quickly realized that a company dedicated to using positive reinforcement methods for dog training and behavior modification could help a lot of people and pups in the DMV Metropolitan region.
Through Force Free DC, we offer one-on-one training, training walks, and specialty consultations. We also have a training facility in North East DC where we offer our In Person Group Classes, Small Group Play and Train, and Puppy Social Hour classes.
We collaborate closely with many of the veterinary behaviorists in our region. This helps us ensure your dog receives care and training that’s efficient and coordinated.
As trainers, we share a positive reinforcement (R+) philosophy that draws on the work of animal behavior experts like Karen Pryor, Victoria Stilwell, Pat Miller, Patricia McConnell, and Michael Shikashio.
Force Free DC trainers hold multiple industry certifications, and we’re members in good standing of Fear Free® Pets.
The dog training profession is unregulated, which means literally anyone can call themselves a dog trainer — even people with zero education or experience. We’re working with other professionals in the training community to change that. When you choose to work with certified trainers like us, you’re helping to change that, too.
Professional Associations
