Hello! I’m Rachel.
Certified Training Consultant – Rachel Ash, CTC, CPDT-KA, SAPro
After being re-homed multiple times at an early age, Maya became profoundly fearful. By the time Rachel fostered her, she knew Maya would not be able to handle another re-homing. The environmental changes were too overwhelming — the once playful and relaxed puppy was now growling, lunging, and barking at both strangers and dogs.
Rachel decided to adopt Maya and embark on a journey to teach Maya to feel safe in the human world. Fear and aggression are challenging problems that require well-planned interventions by an experienced trainer. For these reasons, Rachel focused her education and practice on preventing and treating fear and aggression in our canine companions.
Today, in addition to working with private clients, Rachel teaches reactive rover classes, private lessons, and puppy socials for the Maryland SPCA. Her commitment to combating animal surrenders to shelters goes one step further by providing services to her puppy clients to prevent fear and aggression via adequate socialization and aggression-prevention exercises.
Rachel’s life with Maya has provided her with a unique insight into the challenges that come with living day in and day out with a fearful, reactive dog. This experience has better equipped her to help her clients and their dogs live happier lives and has made her the perfect choice for a fear and reactivity trainer.
My Approach
I have a four-tier approach to coaching clients and training dogs:
Educate
Understanding why your dog does what he does is the first step in tackling sometimes frustrating and overwhelming behaviors with empathy.
Prevent
Set your dog up for success by rearranging the environment to keep everyone safe and prevent your dog from rehearsing problem behaviors.
Enrich
Implement activities that will provide approved, enriching outlets for your dog’s mental and physical needs outside of walks.
Train
Execute a simple, tailored training program to change the way your dog feels about things that make him uncomfortable or frustrated.
Note: Dog training is an unregulated industry, and, sadly, there are still many trainers using antiquated methods that are designed to hurt and/or scare dogs. Unsurprisingly perhaps, these “aversive” training approaches can lead to dogs becoming more fearful and aggressive. Whether you work with me or someone else, I encourage you to find a professional who only uses force-free training methods. Please read the American Veterinarian Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statement about punishment to understand better why force should not be an option — especially when working to help fearful and reactive dogs: Punishment_Position_Statement-download_-_10-6-14.pdf
Professional Development & Credentials
Pawsitive Behavior Solutions, LLC
Owner and Operator
Maryland SPCA Trainer
Instructor for Reactive Rover, Separation Anxiety and Puppy Socialization Classes
CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
CTC
Certificate in Training and Counseling, a graduate of Jean Donaldson’s prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers
Certificate
Aggression in Dogs Master Course, Michael Shikashio
FFCP
Fear-free Certified Shelter Professional
APDT
Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers
IAABC
Supporting Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
PPG
Member of the Pet Professional Guild
Pet First Aid and CPR Certification
Rescue Encore
University of Edinburgh Clinical Animal Behavior Masters Course
Student
How to Work With Me:
Fear and Reactivity
Is your dog frozen in fear or growling, barking, and lunging at dogs or people? Are you afraid of what your dog may do?
I have a simple, humane, results-driven approach to help you get peace back into your life.
Group Training
Looking for a cost-efficient option that will allow you and your dog to practice building skills in a group setting?
Whether you have a reactive rover or a puppy ready for the next steps, I have class that’s right for you.
Puppy Training
Do you want to ensure that your puppy will grow up to love people, enjoy the company of other dogs, gladly give up his favorite stuff, and relax when he is left alone?
You can enjoy a life with your dog free of fear and aggression by laying a positive foundation.
Our Service Area
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Southern Harford County: White Marsh, Perry Hall, Kingsville, Bel Air, Parkville, Pikesville, Catonsville, Timonium, Towson, and Baltimore City. Clients who live outside of my service area can be accommodated with an extra travel charge.