Get to know your trainer!
Ashley launched Spawt On! in 2020. Prior to opening her own business, she worked for 5 years at a reputable daycare and training facility in Calgary AB, both as a facility manager and head trainer. Ashley completed their internal 18 month intensive certification program and then went on to gain her Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed designation (CPDT-KA) from the most recognized dog training regulator in Canada. In addition, Ashley also studied animal behaviour and husbandry as part of her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Anthropology while at the University of Calgary and studying abroad in Ghana, Africa and Belize, Central America. This passion for continued learning and science-based training techniques are what set Ashley apart in the field of dog training.
The Dog Who Started it All - Zeus' Story
While in Belize for my field school course through the U of C, our group found a tiny puppy (estimated to have been around 5 weeks old) being cared for by some local school children who had found him earlier in the day. They had been playing with him in the water and had noticed him shivering, so they tried to help by laying him out in the sun to warm-up and went back to their games. Unfortunately Zeus was in the sun too long and was left with severe heat stroke and dehydration. When we asked if we could take him to get him some help the kids shrugged and said sure as he was not their dog. We checked within the local community and no one was missing or interested in taking on a puppy. By this point I completely fallen in love and started to research getting him home to Canada with me and soon I had his vaccinations and papers in order.
Once home, I began to notice that Zeus was having trouble socializing compared to other puppies I had known and grown up with. At this point, I lacked the knowledge of how to best help him through this phase, and at a critical age we had an unfortunate incident at a dog park that forever cemented a fear of other dogs in him. As he grew into an adult dog, it became harder and harder to introduce him to friends and family’s pets, or even to walk down the street without him barking and lunging at other dogs to try and get them to go away. Thankfully, I found classes for reactive dogs that changed everything for both of us. For me the classes were about learning what I needed to do to guide him through his reactions. I loved watching the process and his growth and even switched careers to continue to learn and be able to help others. For him classes were about gaining some skills and learning to trust me as a partner so he could relax more out on walks knowing that I would step in an adjust the environment for him if we got into situations he couldn't handle (adding more space between us and his triggers, advocating for him when needed).
Over the years, Zeus has lived happily with many other dogs as today continues to love hanging out with our current cat Hades. Zeus has always been a sweet boy at heart, and while he will never be the dog that can head off to a dog park, I am so proud of the progress we have made as a team. Through proper set ups/training and managing his environment when needed I have been able to set up his world in a way that allows him to relax into our family and find more joy in his life. His confidence in meeting new people is so rewarding to see, and even no as he is coming up on his 11th birthday we continue to learn and grow together.