Build a life-changing bond between you and your dog
It’s not about control. It’s about connection.
About Francis Castelli
My Mission
Hi, I’m Francis Castelli—a filmmaker, dog lover, and the founder of Building Bonds With Dogs.
I believe the most powerful transformations in life come through connection—connection to ourselves, to one another, to nature, and to something greater. And where better to begin than with your dog?
Unlock your dog’s potential. Unlock your own. Change your world—together.
This is not just dog training - it's about empowering us
It’s a 6-week guided journey to help you:
- Build a deep, trust-based bond with your dog.
- Discover new ways to communicate.
- Transform your own habits, awareness, and life.
- Empower yourself through empathy and connection.
About Francis Castelli's Building Bonds With Dogs
Francis Castelli is a distinguished filmmaker with over three decades of experience in producing and directing award-winning work across advertising, documentaries, music videos, and short films. His ability to tell compelling stories has earned him global recognition, including Best Comedy at the Paris International Film Festival and Best Romance at the New York International Film Festival for Distracting Evelyn.
But his most transformative story didn’t unfold on a film set—it began when he adopted Sid, a four-year-old untrained lurcher.
What began as a rescue quickly became a partnership that changed Francis’s life. In just three days, the bond between them grew so strong that Sid was able to travel with Francis everywhere—from the London Underground to the beaches of Costa Rica. That connection didn’t come from formal training—it came from mutual trust, being present with each other, and learning how to communicate in a shared, intuitive language.
Driven by curiosity—and a desire to understand whether this bond was simply a beautiful accident or something others could experience too—Francis began studying dog behavior, training techniques, and philosophies. He completed the Dog Training College certification programme and their Assistance Dog programme, and immersed himself in literature such as Lessons from the Pack by Cesar Millan and When Pigs Fly by Jane Killion. His goal: to decode what made his connection with Sid so powerful and to create a way for others to experience the same transformation.
This journey gave birth to Building Bonds With Dogs, a platform dedicated to helping people build trust-based, meaningful relationships with their dogs.
This isn’t just about training dogs—it’s about empowering people.
“Sid didn’t just change my life—he helped me find it.” —Francis Castelli
Francis’s mission is to teach humans how to connect, communicate, and grow alongside their canine companions.
Course Overview
The Foundations of Bonding
Week One
Module One
Understanding a dog's psychology and emotional needs.
Module Two
The History of Dogs and their Relationship with Humans.
Module Three
My personal journey of transformation with Sid the Lurcher.
Choosing the Right Dog and Understanding their Needs.
Week Two
Module One
Dogs are not Human Babies - Meeting their Needs as Animals.
Module Two
Breed Specific Traits and How They Affect Behaviour
Module Three
Choosing the Right Breed for Your Lifestyle.
Add a footnote if this applies to your business
Course Overview Continued
Canine Communication - Learning Their Language
Week Three
Module One
Body language, vocalisations, and signals.
Module Two
Recognising stress, joy, and affection.
Module Three
Exercises to improve communication with your dog.
The Power of Presence, Routine & Public Training.
Week Four
Module One
How your emotions and mindset affect your dog.
Module Two
Creating a structured daily routine for bonding.
Module Three
Training techniques for public spaces, work, and transport.
Course Overview Continued
Training Through Bonding & Assistance Dogs.
Week Five
Module One
Relationship-based training techniques.
Module Two
Teaching essential commands using trust instead of force.
Module Three
Introduction to assistance dogs and emotional support animals and how I trained Sid as an assistance dog.
The Lifelong Bond – Taking It Further.
Week Six
Module One
How the Bond with Your Dog can Heal and Improve Human Relationships.
Module Two
Advanced skills and deeper training techniques.
Module Three
Creating a Long-Term pPan for You and Your Dog and Assistance Dog Training if Eligible.
Contact Us
Based in Costa Rica and the UK
Francis Castelli's Building Bonds With Dogs
Costa Rioca and UK
Hours
Open today | 09:00 – 17:00 |
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