RELATIONSHIP RETREAT 2026
CAMP OVER OR DRIVE IN
5 Days
3 Professional Dog Trainers from across Canada
20 acres on the river in the badlands of Alberta
Bring your own RV or tent or drive in for each training day
CLICK ON OUR GUEST TRAINERS PICTURE TO BE DIRECTED TO THEIR WEBSITE
This year we are doing things a bit different. A longer event, more down time, spread out activities and everything on the Itinerary other then meal times is optional! Involve yourself as much or as little as you wish while you camp out and relax off grid by the river in nature. Bask in the beautiful badlands surrounded by nature on the Red Deer River.
This is not your typical weekend seminar it’s an immersive experience. We want to inspire and motivate you to be the leader you want to be! We will be diving into what it means to be a leader, being relevant in your dog's eyes, and fulfilling your dog's innate desires. As well as showing you your dogs potential with lifestyle exercises designed to simulate real life events. evening BONFIRES, morning PACK WALKS and A NUMBER OF NEW DOG SPORTS AND GAMES YOU CAN BUILD INTO YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG!
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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
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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.
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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
ALL DOGS WELCOME
EVEN REACTIVE ONES!
WE HAVE CREATED A SAFE & SUPPORTIVE SPACE YOU CAN COME ENJOY WITH YOUR DOG.
THE PROPERTY IS HUGE WHICH ALLOWS FOR AMPLE SPACE TO ENSURE DOGS CAN BE MANAGED UNDER THRESHOLD AND ENJOY THEMSELVES DURING THEIR TIME HERE.
SPACIOUS GROUNDS FOR CAMPING
WE HAVE A LARGE TREED PROPERTY WITH AMPLE SPACE FOR TENTS, RVS AND VEHICLE CAMPING
THERE WILL BE OUTHOUSES ON SITE AS WELL AS A COMMUNAL FIRE PIT SPACE FOR SOCIALIZING. THERE WILL NOT BE ELECTRICITY HOOKUPS OR WATER SO PLEASE COME PREPARED. GENERATORS ARE ALLOWED UNTIL 10PM.
TRY NEW THINGS
WE WILL BE OFFERING DOG SPORTS “TRY ITS” INCLUDING
SCENT DETECTION / WALL CLIMB / WEIGHT PULL / URBAN HERDING / FLIRT POLE / TUG / SPRING POLE
SAFELY TRY A NUMBER OF DOG SPORTS WITH YOUR DOG. ALL SPORTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO YOUR DOG BY OUR EDUCATED TEAM AND SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE IN PLACE INCLUDING A HARNESS/BELAY SYSTEM FOR WALL CLIMB OR ALL SPORTS NEEDING EQUIPMENT.
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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
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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
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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!
INVESTMENT
WORKING SPOT (1 DOG) - $650
One Working Spot covers one human and one dog.
AUDIT SPOT (1 HUMAN 0 DOG) - $300
One Audit Spot covers one human who is NOT bringing a dog but would like to attend the seminar to observe, take notes, ask questions, etc.
DAY PASSES WORKING SPOT (1 DOG) - $150 PER DAY