My Sidekick Dog Training

I have a very sweet but very reactive Border Terrier. I have been bitten while trying to break up or avoid toxic dog interactions. I was at my wits end. Ash helped me understand that dog training doesn’t have to mean 30 minutes a day every day. that It is okay to work in small increments, that even a few minutes still counts. Training has helped me be more calm when working with reactivity, taught me new strategies and skills, giving me confidence that I can have a peaceful household. We have a long way to go (me and the dog) but I am working on it one day at a time. It was invaluable to work at first in their controlled environment and then in my own home so I could learn in my own space to figure out what works best for us. Ash is kind, patient, reassuring, but they are no pushover. Just the right amount of authority and compassion. Ash really knows dogs. Amazing bonus, working with Ash has also allowed me to give myself grace in my personal endeavors, too. I am gradually erasing that “all or nothing” mentality and incorporating little things to improve my daily existence. We are a work in progress and will be continuing our journey with the help of My Sidekick dog training. You will not be using aversive, punitive techniques or e-collars. You will learn things that work without fear. If you are thinking about hiring My Sidekick, just do it! I’m a big fan.

So in my opinion, dog training is mostly about training the owner to train the dog. And I'm not the most trainable human (ADHD) but Ash does the best job of explaining what and WHY we're doing something. My reactive German Shepherd is the confident girl she is today because of what we learned with Ash. They take great notes and send you follow-up instructions. Ash is truly an expert with aggressive & reactive dog psychology and has the experience and methods to really impact the life of a dog who literally may not have one without their intervention. Can't recommend highly enough.

After years of hearing of Ash's incredible reputation as a humane trainer and admiring their work with clients and rescues through Instagram, I was excited to have the perfect reason to finally get to work with them when I adopted my new puppy –Batty– earlier this year (my first puppy in almost 20 years!). Our training experience has been everything I dreamed it would be and more. Batty's breed mix ranges in size from pomeranian to presa canario so we had no idea how big he would get. Our primary goal was ensuring that no matter his size he could have a safe and respectful relationship with our tiny senior gal, Dolores. Ash provided a clear, compassionate roadmap to achieve just that. They didn't just train Batty; they educated our entire household and even took into account my neurodivergence and anxiety, asking how best to present information for me to process and remember it as well as providing helpful tips for managing Dolores and Batty's interactions throughout training to ease my anxiety about Dolores' safety. As someone who has had dogs my entire life, I was amazed at how much I learned about canine personality, behavior, and the science behind positive reinforcement methods. For my partner, a first-time dog parent, Ash's guidance was invaluable and built his confidence immensely. He has also been able to involve his children in Batty's training through what he's learned from Ash and that has been so fun to watch! Most importantly, it's clear how much Ash genuinely loves and understands Batty (and Dolores!). Seeing that authentic care and investment in their well-being makes all the difference and makes us feel so secure. Ash equips you with the knowledge and tools to understand your dog(s) better, which in my opinion has deepened my bonds with my dogs. Now that Batty is almost one and has a good grasp on the basics, I am so excited to continue moving into some more "fun" enrichment training. We are so deeply grateful to Ash!

Ash @ My Sidekick Dog Training is an excellent and trusted source of information on modern and ethical training practices. I appreciate all that Ash does for their community - both people and dogs - and genuinely tries to help anyone in need. Ash has also provided free educational resources to our shelter and other rescues in the area. Highly recommend working with My Sidekick Dog Training for any training services needed.

Ash is a fantastic trainer. We have been working with Ash with two dogs (one a mini schnauzer and the other a collie mix, both with different challenges.) we have seen a ton of improvement so far, and I can tell that both dogs are happier and more enriched…. And most importantly, are much better “behaved.” I was skeptical about more reward-based training at first, but it’s undeniable that it’s working. :) Ash helps you understand the “why” behind everything you learn and gives you the tools you need to address your pet’s unique “issues.” We love working with Ash and are so so so thrilled with the progress we have made so far!! 😊