Canis Major Beginnings

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Ashley Parker, ABCDT, CPDT-KA is the founder and certified trainer for Canis Major Dog Training and Behavior Consulting. While Ashley has always owned and cared for dogs in her personal life, she got her professional start with dogs at Dog’s Day Out in 2013 when she was hired on as a kennel attendant. Ashley will tell you that being a kennel attendant is a very niche job! There are many people out there that like dogs, but there aren’t many people out there that like dogs to the degree at which they will gladly cater to, clean up after, and wrangle 50+ dogs on an average work day. However, Ashley found herself to be one of those “weird” people that loved it and excelled at it.

During her employment with DDO she progressed into different job titles and solidified her commitment to a lifelong career in the professional dog care field. Upon completion of her degree (Bachelor of Science in Biology) through Western Kentucky University she moved on to specialized education to become a certified dog trainer. Ashley completed her first dog training certification through Animal Behavior College in 2017, and immediately began managing the dog training programs at Dog’s Day Out.

“Dog’s Day Out was a great way of beginning my dog training career. Pam Brown, the owner of DDO, had multiple years of training experience and was always available to provide direction and advice whenever I needed it. As a fledgling trainer that was a huge asset!” —Ashley Parker

In 2019, with ambitions of continuing her education, Ashley achieved her second dog training certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and invested in a professional membership with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild.

Eventually, Ashley arrived at a point where she desired more flexibility in her work schedule and wanted to offer training and dog care services that she couldn’t provide at her current job. So, armed with years of professional experience and many hours of education she began Canis Major Dog Training and Behavior Consulting.

Canis Major wants to help owners see their dogs shine! We will help you and your dog develop a strong relationship based on trust, choice, and fun. We love to see owners and dogs working together as a cooperative team as opposed to the archaic master-dog dynamic. This is why Canis Major utilizes modern dog training methodologies rooted in positive reinforcement and promotes the belief that “a dog is not a robot to be programmed, but a sentient being that requires understanding and guidance”.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page or contact us!

Continuing Education, Workshops, Seminars, and Literature

  • Personal Dog: Multiple classes with Pam Brown

    Completion of Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer Program (ABCDT)

    Approved AKC Family Dog Evaluator (STAR puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban Canine, Trick Dog)

    Reactivity: A Program for Rehabilitation by Emily Larlham

    The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell

    Coaching People to Train Their Dogs by Terry Ryan

    Gamify Your Dog Training by Terry Ryan

    When Pigs Fly by Jane Killion

    The Puppy Survival Guide by Sarah Whitehead

    Adolescent Dog Survival Guide by Sarah Whitehead

    Plenty in Life is Free: Reflections on Dogs, Training, and Finding Grace by Kathy Sdao

    On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas

    Barking: The Sound of a Language by Turid Rugaas

  • Train Your Dog Like A Pro by Jean Donaldson

    Mine: A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs by Jean Donaldson

    Keeping the Peace: A Guide to Solving

    Dog-Dog Aggression in the Home by Nicole Wilde

    The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears by Patricia McConnell

    Feisty Fido: Help For the Leash-Reactive Dog by Patricia McConnell and Karen London

    Off-Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety and Fun by Robin Bennett and Susan Briggs

    I’ll Be Home Soon! How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety by Patricia McConnell

  • Completion of Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)

    Awesome Obedience by Hannah Branigan

    Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices by Malena DeMartini-Price

    Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff

    Personal Dog: AKC TKN and TKI

  • Understanding LIMA with Kristina Spaulding

    Clicker Training 101 with Irith Bloom

    Beware of the Dog (3 Part Series) with Pat Miller

    Social Media 101 with Trevor Smith and Therese Kopiwoda

    Canine Nail Care: Creating Cooperative Care Through Training with Lori Nanan

    Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0 by Grisha Stewart

    Personal Dog: Multiple Agility Classes with Sandra Edson

  • Go to Station! How Utilizing Stations Can Help Your Clients Succeed with Jamie Popper

    Selecting and Training Your Service Dog by Jennifer Cattet

    Accelerate Your Business with Dog Agility with Trevor Smith and Gerry Brown

    Understanding Dog-Dog Reactivity with Sue Sternberg

    Efficacy and Preference for Different Human Interaction in Domestic Dogs with Erica Feuerbacher

    Negative Punishment, Negative Reinforcement, and the Humane Hierarchy with Sharon Nettles

    Master Course- Aggression in Dogs with Michael Shikashio

    APDT Virtual Conference

    CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Mentor

    Personal Dog: AKC ACT Levels 1 and 2

  • The Fear Free Animal Trainer Certification Course with multiple instructors

    Control Unleashed: Creating a Focused and Confident Dog by Leslie McDevitt

    Personal Dog: NADAC IAC, NAC In-progress before dog’s retirement

  • APDT Live Conference in Covington, KY

    Voted Best Brochure Design with Feature in Chronicle of the Dog

    Pet Tech CPR & First Aid Certification with Savannah Dillard

    Hunting Together: Harnessing Predatory Chasing In Family Dogs Through Motivation-Based Training by Simone Mueller

    Rocket Recall: Unleash Your Dog’s Desire to Return to You Through Motivation-Based Training by Simone Mueller

    Puppy Nurture: Raising Your Puppy With Love by Shay Kelly

    Dogs in Translation: A Unique Journey of Observation and Interpretation by Katja Krauss and Gabi Maue

  • Approved AKC Fetch Judge

A dog is not a robot to be programmed, but a sentient being that requires understanding and guidance.