Join the Alberta Force Free Alliance!

Becoming an Alberta Force Free Alliance member is a commitment to using force free handling and training methods in all aspects of your business. By joining, you are pledging that you and your staff will not intentionally harm or intimidate any animal in your care and will update your education in scientifically based, force free methods for companion animals.

All members must electronically sign our pledge and continue to operate as force free businesses for the duration of their membership. Members are expected to maintain professional conduct with their peers and clients. Specific requirements for approval are listed below. Once approved, you will be invoiced for your annual membership fee. The cost of membership varys based on which level of membership you choose and renewal dates are the 1st of January.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

Veterinarian

You and your staff have completed the half day Why Force Free seminar with the AFFA
Your veterinarians and staff have completed Dr. Marty Becker’s Fear Free Certification Program
You do not sell or recommend aversive devices such as: air correctors; vibration, prong, or shock collars; shock mats; or any devices which emit citronella, ultrasonic or high pitched sounds, or shock to deter behaviours.
You and your staff do not recommend aversive or dominance based approaches to training or trainers who use these methods to your clients

Behaviour Consultants & Trainers

You and your staff have completed a science-based course/testing from:
Trainers and their staff who are unknown to the AFFA may be required to complete the half day Why Force Free seminar with the AFFA, as well as possibly spend time shadowing an approved AFFA trainer in their area prior to final approval.
You and your staff do not recommend aversive or dominance based approaches to training, including: yelling, pushing, scruffing, flooding, yanking, or anything that causes the dog to learn by being uncomfortable.
You do not sell or recommend aversive devices such as: air correctors; vibration, prong, or shock collars; shock mats; or any devices which emit citronella, ultrasonic or high pitched sounds, or shock to deter behaviours.
With devices such as head halters or martingales, clients are taught how to fit them properly and humanely, as well as introduce them slowly to create a positive relationship with the equipment.

Retail

You and your staff have a good understanding of how dogs learn (science based)
Management staff have completed the half day Why Force Free seminar with the AFFA
You do not sell or recommend aversive devices such as: air correctors; vibration, prong, or shock collars; shock mats; or any devices which emit citronella, ultrasonic or high pitched sounds, or shock to deter behaviours.
You and your staff do not recommend aversive or dominance based approaches to training or trainers, behaviour specialists, boarders, or groomers who use these methods to your clients
Devices such as head halters, harnesses, muzzles, and martingales are sold with instructions for proper fitting so as to create a positive relationship with the equipment

Groomer

You and your staff have completed the half day Why Force Free seminar with the AFFA
Your groomers and staff have complete Dr. Marty Becker’s Fear Free Certification Program for groomers
You do not sell or recommend aversive devices such as: air correctors; vibration, prong, or shock collars; shock mats; or any devices which emit citronella, ultrasonic or high pitched sounds, or shock to deter behaviours.
You and your staff do not recommend aversive or dominance based approaches to training or trainers who use these methods to your clients

Rescue Organizations

You and your staff/volunteers have completed the half day Why Force Free seminar with the AFFA
If the rescue learns that aversive or dominance-based methods are used in a foster or adoptive home, the rescue will immediately investigate and gently counsel and remind the foster/adoptive home that the rescue only supports force free, humane approaches. The rescue will recommend the assistance of a force free trainer or behaviour consultant, and remind them that insistence on using aversive techniques may result in the dog being pulled from the home.
You do not sell or recommend aversive devices such as: air correctors; vibration, prong, or shock collars; shock mats; or any devices which emit citronella, ultrasonic or high pitched sounds, or shock to deter behaviours.
You and your staff/volunteers do not recommend aversive or dominance based approaches to training or trainers/behaviour specialists who use these methods to your clients

Day Care/Kennel/Dog Walker

You and your staff have completed the half day Why Force Free seminar with the AFFA
Owner and supervisor both have Fear Free Daycare certification (daycare/kennel only)

All staff are instructed on and expected to adhere to the use of force free handling with dogs
Redirection and positive attention are always applied first. Spray bottles, loud sounds (cans of pennies, air horns), and forceful techniques are only used in the case of immediate danger.
You do not sell or recommend aversive devices such as: air correctors; vibration, prong, or shock collars; shock mats; or any devices which emit citronella, ultrasonic or high pitched sounds, or shock to deter behaviours.
You and your staff do not recommend aversive or dominance based approaches to training, including: yelling, pushing, scruffing, flooding, yanking, or anything that causes the dog to learn by being uncomfortable.

The pledge

As an approved member of the Alberta Force Free Alliance, I pledge that I and my employees/volunteers are educated in or will upgrade our education through the AFFA in the latest science-based, force free methods for companion animals.

We will not intentionally harm or intimidate any animal in our care. This includes: alpha rolling, pinning, yelling, poking, scruffing, leash jerks, flooding, or the use and promotion of alpha based methodology. Aversive equipment such as, choke/prong/e-collars, electric fences, or ultrasonic bark deterrents are NOT acceptable equipment, as outlined by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. We will not promote trainers and other businesses who use and adhere to alpha-based and/or aversive methodologies.

We will treat all clients and staff with the same compassion, care, and understanding with which we treat animals.

FORCE FREE: 95% of the methods utilized with companion animals do not utilize positive punishment (anything that intentionally causes fear, harm or pain). The remaining 5% accounts for emergency situations where an animal or person could be hurt as a result, and an aversive technique may be the only way to prevent immediate harm, e.g.: a day care using a horn or fight board to break up a dog fight.

By Applying to Join the Alberta Force Free Alliance you are agreeing to the the terms listed below.

You agree to the pledge as it is above

Full members will get a listing in the directory for their business. Anyone who is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers will receive a $5.00 annual discount (membership number will need to be provided). Supporting member are for anyone out side the province of Alberta or those who do not own a business and just want to support the AFFA. Supporting members will be provided a specialized logo that can be posted on their website or social media.

All new members are subject to a 90 day probationary period.

If the joining business is ever sold, we ask that they inform the Alberta Force Free Alliance so we may remove them from the directory. The new owner will need to apply on their own.

All applicants are subject to approval. If an appliant is declined, or chooses to withdraw their appliaction, no refunds will be offered.

The Alberta Force Free Alliance takes complaints very seriously. When complaints are made, the Alliance will launch an investigation into the buisiness. Should a complaint be found to be accurate, steps may be taken to remedy the situation either by providing training, shadowing future classes/sessions, or by removing the member from the directory. If a business fails to cooperate with the investigation, the Alliance may make a decision to remove the business from the directory.

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Select membership level

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* Membership level

Full Member - $30.00 (CAD) Subscription period: 1 year, on: January 1st No automatically recurring payments

Full Member (CAPDT) - $25.00 (CAD) Subscription period: 1 year, on: January 1st No automatically recurring payments

Supporting Member - $25.00 (CAD) Subscription period: 1 year, on: January 1st No automatically recurring payments

Supporting Member (CAPDT) - $20.00 (CAD) Subscription period: 1 year, on: January 1st No automatically recurring payments

All fees are paid upfront before any applications are approved. Upon submitting payment a you will be asked to attend a seminar detailing why we choose force free methods and will be required prior to approval. If we do not recieve any response within 90 days the application will be declined. If after 90 days someone may want to proceed with their application, fees will need to paid again.

COMPLAINTS

If you have concerns about a business that is listed in our directory, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can investigate the claim for possible removal from our directory. Please note that the Alberta Force Free Alliance is not a policing body. We take business owners at their word that they will adhere to the guidelines laid out in our pledge. We are not responsible for any harm or damage (emotional, psychological or physical) that may happen to the dogs in the care of the businesses listed. If you suspect an animal has been harmed while in the hands of one of the listed businesses, please first take your dog to a veterinarian and contact your local Animal Protection Services and police authority to make a complaint.

CONTACT US

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info@albertaforcefreealliance.com
www.albertaforcefreealliance.com