The Yasashii Method · Force-free, regulation-first

Understand your dog.
Then grow together.

Gentle, science-backed dog training that starts with who your dog truly is — their temperament, their feelings, and the way they most love to connect.

Grounded in behavioural science · Trusted with 1,300+ dogs

🌿

The Philosophy

Regulation before obedience.
Trust before training.

The Yasashii Method — from the Japanese yasashii, meaning gentle and kind — is built on a simple truth from modern behavioural science: a dog who feels safe can learn anything. We never use fear, force, or intimidation. Instead, we build a calm nervous system and a trusting relationship first, so that skills grow from a place of security.

i
Connect
Meet your dog where they are, on their terms
ii
Trust
Become the safe base they can rely on
iii
Gentle
Guide without fear, force, or pain
iv
Nurture
Support the whole dog — body and feelings
v
Repeat
Grow through gentle, consistent practice

"A dog in distress cannot learn. So we begin not with commands, but with calm — and let everything else grow from there."

🐕‍🦺
Your photo here

Meet The Cuddly Coach

Hi, I'm Maria.

I'm a behavioural scientist and the founder of The Cuddly Hollow Pet Academy. I hold a degree in Behavioral Sciences (Cum Laude) from the University of the Philippines Manila, and I've spent years in hands-on practice with more than 1,300 dogs — many of them anxious, reactive, or misunderstood.

What I found, again and again, is that the dogs labelled "difficult" weren't difficult at all. They were dysregulated, unheard, and trained with methods that made their fear worse. So I built something different: a gentle, force-free approach that treats a dog's emotional world as the foundation of everything.

That's the Yasashii Method. And it all begins with truly understanding the dog in front of you.

BA Behavioral Sciences · UP Manila 1,300+ dogs in practice Force-free certified approach Veterinary-supervised method

Start Here

Four ways to begin

Whether you're just curious about your dog's personality or ready for a personalised plan, there's a natural place to start.

Signature · 1-on-1
🗺️

The Full Assessment

The complete behavioural profile, paired with a private one-on-one online interview. Together we map your dog's full picture and build a personalised, force-free training plan made for exactly who they are.

Book the full assessment →
1-on-1 · Personalised
💬

Private Consultation

Working through something specific — reactivity, anxiety, a new puppy, a tricky behaviour? Book a focused one-on-one session and leave with clear, gentle, science-backed next steps.

Book a consultation →
Read · Shop
📖

The Yasashii Book

The gentle art of understanding your dog, in your hands. My book brings the full philosophy and its everyday practice home — a warm, practical companion for any dog lover. Available to order online.

Shop the book →
🐾

Work With Me

Personalised training services

Hands-on programmes for dogs and families who want dedicated support — every one of them force-free, and shaped around your dog's unique profile.

🏡

Board & Train

Immersive, gentle training in a calm home environment.

🎓

Training Services

Foundational skills and everyday manners, built kindly.

📋

Assessments & Consultations

Understand your dog and get a clear plan forward.

🌟

Leadership Foundations

Become the calm, trusted guide your dog looks to.

👨‍👩‍👧

Family Unified Pack Training

Get the whole household speaking one gentle language.

💙

Reactive Rehabilitation

Compassionate, specialised help for reactive dogs.

Coming soon

The Yasashii Video Library

A growing library of training videos — not just the why, but the how. Step-by-step tutorials for tricks and everyday behaviours, tailored to your dog's love language and the specific challenges you're working through.

Join the waitlist →