Ashley Foster, B.S., CPDT-KA
"I live my life with a clear mission: building trust with dogs!"
My passion for dogs began as a child with an out-of-control Scottie mix named Simmitt. I discovered quickly what working with and establishing meaningful relationships can do for dogs and the people that share their lives. This early life lesson led me on a path to gain the necessary knowledge in order to work with others and their dogs.
I started formally training in 1994 - a time when most training was completed using forceful, corrective and aversive methods. I could never commit myself to these methods because my heart screamed out..."how are they to trust you if you might cause them harm." This is when I began my quest to find a different way.
I began by defining my own personal relationship with dogs. I knew that they enriched my life, brought me joy, and provided unconditional love. Seeing how much these special creatures brought to my life I knew that I wanted to reciprocate. In order to do so I needed to expand my knowledge of canine behavior to understand their behaviors and the reasons for them.
My eternal quest for canine knowledge and understanding progressed through; completion of a Bachelors of Science in Zoology, achieving CPDT-KA, attendance of seminars, reading hundreds of books, observing every dog in my line of vision, and working hands-on with every dog that I could. My never-ending quest has allowed me to become a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate canine professional whom continues to learn from each and every dog that enters my life.
Now, 16 years later my heart is content... Knowing that I offer training and behavior modification using only positive, reward-based techniques which are based on developing trust.
My do no harm approach leads to dogs that work happily with their owners because they choose to, rather than out of the fear of what will happen if they don't. My expertise gives me vast understanding of canine learning and state-of-the-art training methods which allow me to bring the newest and most innovative, reward-based techniques to meet the needs of the individual clients and their dog.
A dog's life is short... Become your dog's best friend!
