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Our Commitment to Your Dog
At Friends of Frank, your dog’s welfare is our absolute priority.
Our team is dedicated to using only force-free and fear-free techniques—no exceptions.
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We believe that clear communication is the key to a happy dog. Every member of our team is coached in canine body language, allowing us to accurately interpret what your dog is telling us. By listening to their signals, we can prevent stress and handle every situation with care.
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We aim to create a safe, fear-free environment where your dog feels comfortable communicating their needs. When we give a dog the space to make their own choices and express their emotions, their confidence grows and their wellbeing improves.
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A happy, confident dog is a dog that's ready to play and learn!
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Our Kind Equipment Policy:
To ensure your dog feels safe and happy, we do not use coercive or punitive techniques, and we avoid any equipment that relies on discomfort or negative reinforcement.​​​​
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Trust over Pressure:
Put simply, Negative Reinforcement a method where a dog is pressured or made uncomfortable until they do what is asked. Once they comply, that pressure is taken away. While it "works", the dog is only acting to stop the discomfort rather than consensual, co-operative behaviour. At Friends of Frank, we believe all of your dog's care should be driven by choice and rewards, not by the relief of stopping something unpleasant.
Code of Ethics:
​At Friends of Frank, we strictly adhere to this Code of Ethics across every service we provide.
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Welfare First: Your dog’s wellbeing is our priority in every scenario. If we have any concerns regarding their health, behavior, or welfare, we will reach out to you at the very first opportunity.
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Detailed, Personal Care: We maintain thorough notes on your dog’s unique needs. This includes medical history, allergies, and veterinary details, alongside their personal fears, motivators, and play style to ensure their experience is tailored just for them.
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Expert Communication: Every team member is coached in canine body language. By consistently observing and respecting your dog’s signals, we reduce frustration and prevent conflict before it starts.
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Force-Free & Science-Based: We exclusively use positive, science-led approaches. We strictly forbid forceful or punishment-based techniques, ensuring your dog is always handled with kindness and modern expertise.
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Kind Equipment: Aversive equipment is prohibited across all services. We believe that tools should support a dog’s comfort, never cause them distress.
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Safety with Care: In rare instances where physical restraint is necessary for your dog’s immediate safety, we always use the gentlest, least invasive approach possible to protect both their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Equipment:
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Not sure about your current gear? Just get in touch before you book.
At Friends of Frank, we're a strictly force-free service, so if any equipment is considered aversive, we’ll happily provide a kind, effective alternative for your dog to use instead.
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​​Equipment we do not use:
To maintain a high standard of care, the following are not used during our services:
- Slip leads or Figure-of-eight leads
- Prong, Shock, or E-collars
- Halti head-harnesses
- Harnesses specifically designed to "stop pulling" via pressure
- Half-choke or Choke chain collars
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*Because every dog is unique, any piece of equipment can feel uncomfortable depending on their past experiences.
For this reason, we don't just stick to a list—we constantly monitor your dog's body language to ensure their equipment and our methods always feel safe and supportive for them.*
​Equipment used:
- Fixed length leads
- Standard collar with buckle (martingale collars are permitted for sighthounds)
- Standard, fitted harness (non-adjustable)
- Muzzles - muzzles are force-free and can help manage unwanted behaviour on walks, and keep other dogs safe. A muzzle may be recommended for if your dog has a bite history; coprophagia (poo-eating); is a picnic-thief; or to protect wildlife!
*Ideally, muzzles should only be used as a management strategy in conjunction with training!*