Meet the trainer: Ash Miner, CTDI, MM, BM
Photo credit: Kayla Espiritu
Q: Why do you consider yourself more of a teacher than a dog trainer?
A: I was raised to believe language is power. How we speak to ourselves matters, and how we communicate with our dogs matters. Even though they do not speak English, dogs can read our body language and vocal expressions even better than we can. I feel strongly that the "difficult and stubborn dogs" just need clearer instruction. My bachelor's and master's degrees in music performance are based on education -- either one-on-one, or in a group, so I approach everything I do with my teacher hat on.
My definitions are thus:
Be your dog's gateway to the human world by teaching him or her to communicate with us in a way that both species can understand. Seek not to dominate, force, or make your dog behave in any way. Instead, ask yourself, "What do I want my dog to do?" When you find the answer, teach it to your dog. It's powerful, profound, and simple. Not always easy, so I'm here to help.
A: I was raised to believe language is power. How we speak to ourselves matters, and how we communicate with our dogs matters. Even though they do not speak English, dogs can read our body language and vocal expressions even better than we can. I feel strongly that the "difficult and stubborn dogs" just need clearer instruction. My bachelor's and master's degrees in music performance are based on education -- either one-on-one, or in a group, so I approach everything I do with my teacher hat on.
My definitions are thus:
- A trainer is someone who works with others physically.
- A teacher is someone who helps others learn.
Be your dog's gateway to the human world by teaching him or her to communicate with us in a way that both species can understand. Seek not to dominate, force, or make your dog behave in any way. Instead, ask yourself, "What do I want my dog to do?" When you find the answer, teach it to your dog. It's powerful, profound, and simple. Not always easy, so I'm here to help.
Demo Video
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In the video, you can see Zenzi going through her favorite disc routines: fetch the frisbee and catch it in the air, practice heeling games, do tricks for the frisbee throw, and even some flips at the end. She was trained for all these tricks using 100% positive-reinforcement techniques. She worked for both toys and food.
Disclaimer: Zenzi was 100% off-leash trained, and Ash recommends following city leash laws. |
Dolce
Q: How did you get into dog training?
A: I have over 20 years experience training dogs. My clients have frequently asked me, "Are you a real dog whisperer?" I seem to understand their dog better than they do after observing in the first session, and better than previous trainers they've hired. I have a very intuitive mind with animals and people.
I began training my own dogs at the age of 10 in 1995. Just the basics, sit, down, shake, stay, and heel position. There was a lot of trial and error, using mostly physical manipulation and rewards. I've learned much more efficient ways since then and my clients can benefit from my experience.
Upon moving out to California in 2010 and getting my private violin studio started, I needed a supplementary source of income. I considered my strengths with animals, and chose dog walking. However, clients were so impressed with their dog's newfound walking skills, they requested my assistance with other obedience-related training. Things have grown from there.
In March of 2011, I adopted a 14 month old rescue border collie x whippet mix, Dolce. Dolce grew up with a young couple, and was essentially their lawn ornament. He had no house training, no walking skills, no training of any kind, no socialization with the outside world to speak of. I noticed his reactivity within a few weeks of bringing him home. The world was a big and scary place, other dogs were just too much of a wild card. Thus began my journey into force-free methods of behavior modification and the founding of Inspiring Dog Owners' Group for Socialization (IDOGS). In September of 2012, I adopted a border collie x cattle dog mix puppy who was only 5 weeks, 5 days old, and named her Zenzi. Zenzi turned out to have an incredible athleticism, intelligence, and motivation to train; but her mind was fragile and eventually irreparably damaged by rage seizures. Zenzi's genetic fearfulness and reactivity toward strange people and other dogs, and the on/off nature of it taught me so much about reading the very fine details of dog body language, so as to avoid confrontation and handle extreme aggression when it arose. I am now the go-to person for several of my colleagues in Orange County, taking on the tough behavior cases they're not comfortable dealing with. I've worked with all breeds, from chihuahuas to malinois. I've also been called to consult whether a dog is a candidate for euthanasia -- 99% of the time, the answer is a resounding no!
My biggest training philosophy influencers over the years have been: Pamela Johnson of Pam's Dog Academy in San Diego, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Emily Larlham (AKA KikoPup on Youtube), Pat Miller, Ali Brown, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Susan Friedman, Chris Bach, Grisha Stewart, Leslie McDevitt, Mary Ray, Kyra Sundance, and Silvia Trkman. I've trained part-time at local boarding facilities and been Pamela Johnson's informal apprentice. I also volunteered for two greyhound rescues: REGAP of Michigan as an adoption followup advisor, and GreySave in Southern California as a HomeComing caretaker. I'm passionate about force-free handling techniques of dogs in shelters, as well as at veterinary offices, and am happy to consult with these organizations and businesses for ways to improve the lives of the dogs in their care.
A: I have over 20 years experience training dogs. My clients have frequently asked me, "Are you a real dog whisperer?" I seem to understand their dog better than they do after observing in the first session, and better than previous trainers they've hired. I have a very intuitive mind with animals and people.
I began training my own dogs at the age of 10 in 1995. Just the basics, sit, down, shake, stay, and heel position. There was a lot of trial and error, using mostly physical manipulation and rewards. I've learned much more efficient ways since then and my clients can benefit from my experience.
Upon moving out to California in 2010 and getting my private violin studio started, I needed a supplementary source of income. I considered my strengths with animals, and chose dog walking. However, clients were so impressed with their dog's newfound walking skills, they requested my assistance with other obedience-related training. Things have grown from there.
In March of 2011, I adopted a 14 month old rescue border collie x whippet mix, Dolce. Dolce grew up with a young couple, and was essentially their lawn ornament. He had no house training, no walking skills, no training of any kind, no socialization with the outside world to speak of. I noticed his reactivity within a few weeks of bringing him home. The world was a big and scary place, other dogs were just too much of a wild card. Thus began my journey into force-free methods of behavior modification and the founding of Inspiring Dog Owners' Group for Socialization (IDOGS). In September of 2012, I adopted a border collie x cattle dog mix puppy who was only 5 weeks, 5 days old, and named her Zenzi. Zenzi turned out to have an incredible athleticism, intelligence, and motivation to train; but her mind was fragile and eventually irreparably damaged by rage seizures. Zenzi's genetic fearfulness and reactivity toward strange people and other dogs, and the on/off nature of it taught me so much about reading the very fine details of dog body language, so as to avoid confrontation and handle extreme aggression when it arose. I am now the go-to person for several of my colleagues in Orange County, taking on the tough behavior cases they're not comfortable dealing with. I've worked with all breeds, from chihuahuas to malinois. I've also been called to consult whether a dog is a candidate for euthanasia -- 99% of the time, the answer is a resounding no!
My biggest training philosophy influencers over the years have been: Pamela Johnson of Pam's Dog Academy in San Diego, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Emily Larlham (AKA KikoPup on Youtube), Pat Miller, Ali Brown, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Susan Friedman, Chris Bach, Grisha Stewart, Leslie McDevitt, Mary Ray, Kyra Sundance, and Silvia Trkman. I've trained part-time at local boarding facilities and been Pamela Johnson's informal apprentice. I also volunteered for two greyhound rescues: REGAP of Michigan as an adoption followup advisor, and GreySave in Southern California as a HomeComing caretaker. I'm passionate about force-free handling techniques of dogs in shelters, as well as at veterinary offices, and am happy to consult with these organizations and businesses for ways to improve the lives of the dogs in their care.
Q: What is your training philosophy?
A: I'm a progressive-reinforcement trainer. This means I use force free techniques to empower the dog to make the right choice, and reward when he/she does. I avoid all forms of physical and psychological intimidation when training and in behavior modification cases. I put a huge emphasis on owner-involvement in training, because they are the dog's teacher when I'm not around -- which is most of the time! Several of my clients have gone on to study dog training and behavior after having sessions with me for their dog.
Traditional trainers largely employed the methodology of correcting dogs for making the wrong choices. The converse has fairly recently become a tremendous improvement in all animal training: reward for making the right choices. This leads to "empowered learners," as Dr. Friedman would call them, and helps build a bond of trust, love, connection, loyalty, and freedom.
This bond results in the obedience most pet owners are looking for. Earning the bond and teaching obedience is what I consider "The Natural Way" for my dog training methodology, creating harmony at both ends of the leash. I also have successfully used these techniques to help horses and parrots, even other people!
A: I'm a progressive-reinforcement trainer. This means I use force free techniques to empower the dog to make the right choice, and reward when he/she does. I avoid all forms of physical and psychological intimidation when training and in behavior modification cases. I put a huge emphasis on owner-involvement in training, because they are the dog's teacher when I'm not around -- which is most of the time! Several of my clients have gone on to study dog training and behavior after having sessions with me for their dog.
Traditional trainers largely employed the methodology of correcting dogs for making the wrong choices. The converse has fairly recently become a tremendous improvement in all animal training: reward for making the right choices. This leads to "empowered learners," as Dr. Friedman would call them, and helps build a bond of trust, love, connection, loyalty, and freedom.
This bond results in the obedience most pet owners are looking for. Earning the bond and teaching obedience is what I consider "The Natural Way" for my dog training methodology, creating harmony at both ends of the leash. I also have successfully used these techniques to help horses and parrots, even other people!
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