Hi, I’m Ashley!
Owner – Founder – Trainer
My goal in life is to help dogs and their humans communicate better and live an enriched life together. And while I unfortunately cannot read the minds of dogs or humans, I can use my knowledge of dogs and the science of learning to achieve this goal.
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Fear-Free Certified • Member of Pet Professional Guild • AKC Certified CGC Evaluator
My Training Style
Every dog has a set of skills, including confidence, calmness, and even impulse control. Unfortunately, sometimes our dogs’ skills aren’t quite as strong as we would like, leading to undesirable behaviors that can be stressful for the dog and for us as their guardians.
The good news? We can help our dogs GROW those skills! The key is to help your dog build their skills in a safe environment (such as your home.) Instead of exposing your dog to stressful situations where we expect them to react poorly, we’ll train for the situation ahead of time.
The Dog Behind the Trainer
Reflective Dog Training was inspired by Roux the Sato. Roux was found hunkered down inside of an old abandoned building in Puerto Rico and moved to NY in 2019. As a senior lady who spent all of her known life living on the streets, Roux was unlike any dog I had ever met before. She didn’t know any basic cues such as sit or stay, of course, but more importantly, she had no idea what it meant to live inside of a home.
When she started displaying signs of fear-based aggression, my instinct was to “fix” the issue.
I quickly learned that while there was no guaranteed “fix,” the key to success was going to be building her confidence and teaching her skills that she never needed in her previous life. While I had always been interested in dog training and behavior, Roux is the reason that Reflective Dog Training exists.
What You Can Expect As A Client
While it is unethical to guarantee a specific training outcome, there are some promises that I can make:
- Your dog’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being is my top priority. My training methods never include tools or strategies that are designed to cause discomfort.
- The same philosophy applies to you as the dog’s guardian. You will always be treated with compassion and respect. People of all ages, genders, races, religions, and abilities are welcome here.
- As part of your dog’s care team, I will make myself available to your veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, groomer, or other professional if requested.
- If I feel that you and your dog might have a better outcome with another trainer or pet professional, I will let you know and provide a referral if applicable.
“I was nervous about contacting a dog trainer because I was afraid they would judge me. My dog was totally out of control and the other trainers I met with made him worse. I met Ashley at an adoption event and she made me feel so comfortable from the start. She was so patient and explained everything to us with such kindness. After working with her for a few weeks, we saw a huge change in our dog. He’s able to relax when we’re at home and listens to us so much better when we’re out on walks.” – D.K.
