When I adopted Elodin from North Central Shelter in Los Angeles in March 2020, she was nine months old. I don’t know what her life was like before that day, but I do know one thing: from the moment she became mine, she would never know pain, fear, or punishment in the name of training.

No matter what she had been through before, I promised her that I would only teach her with kindness. She has never been shocked, choked, poked, or prodded. She has never been yelled at, scolded, or frightened. She has never been forced into failure only to be punished for it.

When she took herself on an unplanned walk, I used her emergency recall, and she came running back. I celebrated—so she’ll never hesitate to return.

When she chewed the staircase, I blocked it off for a few weeks and gave her wooden toys instead.

When she lunged into the bushes after a bunny, I called her back to me. (lucky she has zero prey drive)

When she jumped on the counters, I let her see for herself that there was nothing interesting up there.

When she whined anxiously in the car, I adjusted—taking shorter rides and talking to her vet about medication for longer trips.

When she dug on the patio, I let her, then cleaned it up so she could enjoy it again. If it wasn’t the right moment, I simply blocked off the area.

When she jumped on me when I got home, I caught her, held her, and told her how much I missed her.

No matter what happened to her before she was mine, she will never know the threat of punishment or confusion about my expectations. Her well-being will always come before societal expectations.

I see her anxiety wash away. I see the same in so many of my clients’ dogs.

I will never stop advocating for a punishment-free way of living and learning. It’s the only way to truly understand how a dog feels—to treat our friends as we would want to be treated.