Ashley began working with dogs professionally in 2016 in a boarding and daycare setting, where she quickly discovered both a natural connection with dogs and a passion for helping owners better understand them. Seeing how many people struggled with communication and behaviour challenges inspired her to pursue training more deeply.

She immersed herself in continued education, learning from respected professionals such as Jay Jack, Jas Whiting, Tom Davis, and Heather Beck, and is a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).

Ashley’s experience spans boarding facilities, off-leash adventure programs, rescue work, seminars, and private training. She has completed hundreds of behaviour evaluations, developed training and safety protocols for shelter teams, and helped many challenging dogs successfully transition into adoptive homes.

At the heart of her work is her dog, Yama. Yama has been both her greatest teacher and daily inspiration—shaping how Ashley approaches communication, clarity, and relationship-building with dogs and their owners. Their partnership reflects the balance of play, trust, and structure that Ashley strives to help every client achieve.

Now based in Lumby, British Columbia, Ashley is growing Malleable Mutts while expanding into boutique boarding. She is passionate about helping owners build calm, clear, and trusting relationships with their dogs through practical education and thoughtful leadership, and she is incredibly excited to meet and work alongside everyone at this year's Relationship Retreat.

Website: www.malleablemutts.ca

Email: malleablemutts@gmail.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/malleablemutts

Facebook: www.facebook.com/malleablemutts

Nearly 15 years ago, I found myself overwhelmed and struggling with behavioral challenges in my own dog. I felt alone, frustrated, and unsure where to turn. Determined to understand what was really going on, I dove deep into canine behavior — and what started as a personal mission quickly became a passion.

As I worked through my dog’s challenges, everything changed. I realized I didn’t want anyone else to feel lost or unsupported the way I once did. That’s when I knew becoming a dog trainer wasn’t just an option — it was the path.

While many trainers say they’re in it for the dogs, I’m in it for the people, too. My goal is to help both ends of the leash find clarity, confidence, and connection. True progress happens when dogs and their owners learn to work together in harmony.

My approach is rooted in play-based training — because learning should be engaging, rewarding, and relationship-driven. When training feels like play, communication improves, trust deepens, and real transformation happens.

Animals have always been an influential part of my life. As a child, I was more likely to be seen socializing with dogs than with people. As I grew, that natural connection strengthened. Today, owners that I consult with are often amazed at how well their fearful, reactive, or aggressive dogs take to me; this ability cannot easily be learned.

In 2010, I graduated from Saint Mary’s University, with a major in Psychology. Behavior has always been extremely interesting to me, and my studies help me connect with the human side of the leash.

In 2011, I got my first job in the dog industry, at a dog daycare, not long before acquiring my first dogs, Diesel and Buddy. In 2012 I opened Buddy’s Bully Rescue, specializing in pitbull type breeds, leading me to work with more difficult dogs. Later, I ended up with one with severe fear aggression toward humans and dogs, and after he bit multiple people and then caused one of my dogs to lose a leg, I knew he needed more help than I could offer.

In 2014 I was introduced to world renowned Master Trainer Duke Ferguson of Unleashed Potential K9. His trainer, Becky Herman, took my rescue for a board and train and returned him to me happy, confident, social and obedient. It was then that I realized that I wanted to become a dog trainer.

I spent the next number of months working at the city pound to get more hands-on experience with dogs of all kinds. It was during this time that I aquired my next rescue, Blitz. In 2014/2015 I studied under Duke Ferguson at the Unleashed Potential K9 Academy before setting off to open my own business, formerly known as Unleashed Potential K9 The Valley.

In 2017 I became a member of the International Association for Canine Professionals, and since then I have studied under numerous professionals in the industry, including Larry Krohn, Joel Silverman, Karen Laws, Tracey Franken, Ted Efthymiadis, Evan Doggett, Jay Jack, Erin Dibbin, Doug Teeft, April Saulnier, Jeff Gelman, and Tobias Gustavsson, as well as attended the annual IACP conference. In 2021, I obtained my Canine Emergency First Aid certificate through Maritime Dog Safety, and in 2023 I attended the Resiliency Rainbow seminar with The Behaviour Vets.

In 2023, 2 years after losing Blitz, I decided to foster as many dogs as it took to find the perfect one. I had a list, it was long, and it was high in expectations; my new dog had massive paws to fill. In walked Della, and after a few months of intense rehab and confidence building, she checked every box.

2024 left me heart broken with the sudden loss of Diesel, but it brought new life with the unexpected addition of Ouish(Wish), the softest, kindest, most gentle Rottweiler.

Today, I am the proud owner of Camellia’s Wild Dog Training, where we believe that it is just as important to train the owners as it is to train the dogs. While we do teach obedience, our focus is on the dog’s state of mind and getting the desired behaviors you are looking for.

Years of working with aggressive dogs has led me to take a hands-off approach to training. This means that I am a pro at training you to train your own dog, so while I am centrally located in Nova Scotia, you could train with me online and still get results.

Behavior Mod - https://www.wilddogtraining.ca/aggression-rehabilitation

Scent Detection - https://www.wilddogtraining.ca/scentdetection

Schedule is subject to change

Thursday -

4:30pm - Guest begin to arrive / Set up

8pm - Welcome Circle & Introductions by the fire

Friday -

10 am - Coffee & Check in

11am - Group Walk & Behaviour MOD

LUNCH BREAK

3pm - Behaviour MOD

DINNER BREAK

River Pack Walk & Bonfire Place Party

Saturday -

10 am - Coffee & Check in

11am - Group Pack adventure to the hoodoos

LUNCH BREAK

3pm - Dog Sports Try-its & Scent Detection

DINNER BREAK

River Pack Walk & Bonfire Place Party

Sunday -

10 am - Coffee & Pack Walk

11am - Dogs on Place & Human Yoga

LUNCH

3pm - Team/dog portrait sessions (special action shot set to be revealed closer to the date) Scavenger Hunt for teams not shooting.

DINNER BREAK

SPECIAL GUEST HUMAN & DOG MASSAGE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING SUNDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING

Monday -

Campers last day

Book a private session with trainer of your choice ($100 per 1 hour session).

Please include this in your intake form to get on the list for a specific trainer!

River Float (weather allowing)

Campers can pay to stay extra days or pack up by 3pm

• Each working spot includes your own camp site and Lunch & Dinner daily.

• A special Professional Dog Action Photoshoot with Erin (images sold separately)

• The opportunity to book private sessions with Ashley & Camellia who are here from both coasts to work with you

Aside from the above list of helpful camping/packing details the following items would be great to have while you are here:

Floating toy

A raft/paddleboard or float vessel

yoga mat & lawn chair

Water shoes to enjoy walking the river

Lots of extra towels for wet dogs!