Ash Miner - Animal Behaviorist & Dog Trainer, MS, CTDI, MM, BM
Ash & Takoda. Photo credit: Kayla Espiritu.
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Ash working on bilateral stretching with a 6yo Quarter Horse mare, Indy
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Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), Trick Dog Evaluator
Certified through the American Kennel Club (AKC) #98301: Canine Good Citizen (CGC), STAR Puppy, and Trick Dog Evaluator
Education
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Master of Science: Animal Behavior & Wellness, Canine & Feline. 2023 Master of Science: Animal Behavior & Wellness, Equine. 2023 Graduated Summa cum Laude |
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Master of Music: Violin Performance, 2010
Bachelor of Music: Violin Performance & Bachelor of Music: Education, 2008 Graduated Magna cum Laude undergrad, Graduated Summa cum Laude postgrad |
DemoAsh's dog, Zenzi, demonstrates a warmup of frisbee catches & obedience heelwork, then a series of advanced off-leash tricks including spins, jumps, backflips, and leg weaves.
Zenzi got her Novice Trick Dog title at 7 weeks old, and holds the record as the youngest puppy to do so. |
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Profile
Ash began training her own dog at the age of 10, around the same time she began taking horseback riding lessons. By the time she was a teenager, she was working the stable's summer camp, and would later teach riding lessons. She brings the knowledge and expertise of how to control a thousand pound animal like a horse to her dog training. She got her professional start volunteering for a local greyhound rescue in Michigan in 2008, and volunteered again when she moved to California.
Unfortunately, there is no legal certification process in the United States for dog trainers. Ash disagrees with the political climate of various dog trainer organizations' certifications, and has decided to pursue a degree at an accredited university in animal behavior; focusing on canine and feline first, then equine after that. Be assured that the Choice Method includes the latest research in its application for all clients' animals. Ash has learned extensive sustainability practices and considers her methods holistic.
Ash has trained for local facilities and has experience working with all breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments of dogs. She has literally worked with thousands of dogs in and around Orange County, as well as consulted for facilities internationally.
Ash has experience teaching children and adults of all ages, including at university, and has been trained as part of her degrees in music to understand how to work with most learning disabilities. This has given her special insight into working with her service dog clients, which is one of her biggest passions. Ash focuses on both ends of the leash knowing what to do in any situation they may find themselves in. Many of her clients become proficient dog trainers in their own right.
Ash survived childhood trauma that left her with severe PTSD, she has inherited hypoglycemia, migraines, ADHD, and is on the autism spectrum. Takoda has been trained to help mitigate her anxiety and panic attacks, low blood sugar attacks, migraines, and alert to these conditions, as well as guide her to safety if needed.
Unfortunately, there is no legal certification process in the United States for dog trainers. Ash disagrees with the political climate of various dog trainer organizations' certifications, and has decided to pursue a degree at an accredited university in animal behavior; focusing on canine and feline first, then equine after that. Be assured that the Choice Method includes the latest research in its application for all clients' animals. Ash has learned extensive sustainability practices and considers her methods holistic.
Ash has trained for local facilities and has experience working with all breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments of dogs. She has literally worked with thousands of dogs in and around Orange County, as well as consulted for facilities internationally.
Ash has experience teaching children and adults of all ages, including at university, and has been trained as part of her degrees in music to understand how to work with most learning disabilities. This has given her special insight into working with her service dog clients, which is one of her biggest passions. Ash focuses on both ends of the leash knowing what to do in any situation they may find themselves in. Many of her clients become proficient dog trainers in their own right.
Ash survived childhood trauma that left her with severe PTSD, she has inherited hypoglycemia, migraines, ADHD, and is on the autism spectrum. Takoda has been trained to help mitigate her anxiety and panic attacks, low blood sugar attacks, migraines, and alert to these conditions, as well as guide her to safety if needed.
Training Formula
Part I - Behavior Analysis |
Part II - Energy Analysis |
Part III - Training Analysis |
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As an animal behaviorist, Ash of course focuses on the scientific elements of behavior (ABC's):
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"Energy" in this sense refers not only to a dog's level of physical energy, but their mental energy they bring to the table. This can include stamina for learning and emotional state. This is a key component often overlooked by many other experts. Ash has extensive experience observing animals to receive intuitive, insightful, and crucial information about their needs.
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Whether owners have tried other methods before or not, it's important to constantly reflect on what's working or not, why that is, and how to alter the training plan for everyone's continued success. Ash doesn't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so this is a very fluid, customizable element with her clients. Both ends of the leash are constantly evaluated and fine-tuned to meet goals.
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A Note on Animal CommunicationAsh has earned many nicknames from her clients, including:
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Ash with client's whippet, Lovey. Photo credit: Pamela Johnson
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Ash on a socialization outing with her puppy, Zenzi
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Ash's Choice Method
The Choice Method has been developed over 26 years of personal and professional experience. It has been influenced by Ash's experience as a horse trainer, dog trainer, and music teacher. Labeled force-free, positive-only, fear-free, and science-based, the Choice Method helps raise puppies right, create beloved pets, effectively address behavior problems such as anxiety, reactivity, and aggression, as well as train service and therapy dogs.
Ash has studied the works of Dr. Karen Pryor, Dr. Karen Overall, Dr. Susan Friedman, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Leslie McDevitt - Control Unleashed, Grisha Stewart - Behavior Adjustment Training, Ali Brown, Mary Kay, Kyra Sundance, Emily Larlham AKA KikoPup on Youtube, Pamela Johnson of Pam's Dog Academy in San Diego, and many others who have helped bring marine mammal training to household pets. |
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Using a system of marker and reward, we no longer have to punish a dog for making the wrong decision. The Choice Method focuses exclusively on providing the right learning environment for the dog to choose the right answer and be rewarded instead. All animals learn through action and consequence, but there is no rule in nature that says that consequence has to be a negative one. We humans bred dogs to be our devoted companions. We owe it to them to teach them how to be our canine good citizens in the kindest, clearest way. That's positive training.
What makes the Choice Method special? While there are many fabulous positive-only trainers available, Ash's methods are tailored to each family as a whole. She helps both ends of the leash create a bond with its own unique communication system. There is no one-method-fits-all approach here, everything is customized to the client's situation, goals, and any special needs. When unnecessary training is omitted, the Choice Method gets right to the heart of the issue and creates a safe space for dog and owner to understand each other's expectations. Ash focuses on helping the dog understand their job, so the human doesn't have to work so hard. In order for this method to work, all punitive tools are banned, including: choke chains, prong collars, remote shock/beep/vibrate collars, citronella spray bark collars, bop towels or socks, shock mats, pennies in a can, bean bags, spray bottles with or without vinegar, etc. As the species of superior intelligence, if a trainer feels these tools must be utilized, they have more to learn - not the dog. If you have any questions about the ethics of this method, please don't hesitate to reach out. |
Harnesses do NOT make dogs pull! The method works without painful equipment or excessive amounts of treats, even on reactive dogs. Featuring: Bud on a Nature Venture Training Hike
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Intuitive Choice K9 Assistants
Part of Ash's Choice Method involves the use of her own dogs, Takoda and Terra, for clients to work on socialization and advanced obedience proofing. Puppies benefit greatly from having stable, friendly adult dogs with whom to interact. Fearful and previously reactive dogs have a safe first friend when they meet Takoda, who is gloriously neutral until the other dog turns on the "I'm ready to play!" vibes. Terra insists everyone MUST love her, and they usually do. This is an extremely rare opportunity, as most trainers do not have the ability to have their own dogs assist them in a professional capacity.
Takoda, CGC, ATD, BDCh
Takoda, golden retriever from a breeder in Santa Ana. Burnout Disc Dog Champion, CGC, Advanced Trick Dog
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Terra
Terra, rescue husky x Australian shepherd x German shepherd x lab x pit bull mix
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