Lil' Rascals Dog Training

12/15/2025

If you’ve done reactive dog work with us, you already know this:

Behavior doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Nervous systems matter.
Safety comes before skills.

That philosophy applies to humans, too.

We’re hosting a 3-part self-care workshop with the fabulous Sara Wilder, LCSW at our cozy little studio "The Place to Do Stuff" in Efland NC. While this series is entirely human-centered, it overlaps deeply with the trauma-informed work we do at Lil’ Rascals.

Same foundations.
Different species.

For many reactive dog parents, this shows up as caretaker fatigue — staying regulated for someone else, managing environments, carrying stress long after the moment passes.

This isn’t a dog class.
It’s a powerful complement to the work you’re already doing.

If this resonates, you’ll want to be here.
Details and registration are in the flyer.

10/31/2025

It’s been a while since I’ve shared anything here.
I’ve been giving life a little space to shift and settle into something new.

Lil’ Rascals has been my home in this work for a long time. It’s where I learned to meet fear with curiosity, to find calm in chaos, and to help dogs and their people do the same.

Now, that work is expanding.
These days I partner with families and estate teams to make sure animals are cared for as their people age, move into assisted living, or reach the later stages of life. I coordinate the details, bridge communication, and make sure every animal stays safe, loved, and supported through each transition. It’s purposeful work that feels like the natural next step in a life built around reducing stress and improving welfare for both people and their pets.

Lil’ Rascals isn’t ending.
It’s simply taking a step back to make room for what’s next.

I’m no longer training full-time, but I’m still here for the dogs and families whose energy aligns with the kind of work I do best. And beginning in January 2026, I’ll be teaming up with Clare from YAYDog for group classes at The Place to Do Stuff in Efland, our funky little space built around connection, creativity, and community.

Lil’ Rascals will always be the heart of my story. It’s the foundation everything else has grown from, and I’m deeply grateful for every lesson, every dog, and every person who’s been part of this journey.

Here’s to what comes next.

🖤 Ashley

07/15/2025

07/08/2025

Anyone remember Lady Gaga's meat dress from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards?

07/01/2025

To my dog parents who are also horse parents...

06/30/2025

The private lessons aren’t just for your dog.

You’re being trained just as much as they are.

Trained to see what you used to miss.
Trained to stay regulated when you used to spiral.
Trained to respond instead of react.

And that’s hard.

It takes practice. Grace. Patience.

So if you’ve ever walked away from a lesson thinking “I’m the problem,”...pause.

You’re the student.

And you’re doing great.

06/27/2025

What’s the one piece of gear you wish you bought sooner?
Harness? Long line? Crate fan?
What actually made your life easier?

06/27/2025

It was too hot for a neighborhood lesson tonight, so Bailey and her parents came to the office for some air-conditioned learning instead.

This was a technical one—we focused on heel work and body positioning so Bailey can actually see her sign cues during walks (kind of important when you’re deaf), plus a little work on directional cues and “leave it.”

Bailey was a rockstar! Her parents' brains might’ve worked harder than hers tonight, but everyone left a lot more coordinated than they came in. 🧠💪🐾

06/26/2025

Another hot one for daycare today, so Prudence kept things low and slow. A little training, a little play with Harley, and a whole lot of lounging like the forest witch she is—quietly powerful and entirely unbothered.

06/26/2025

If your dog “knows better” but still can’t do it—
They don’t actually know it.
Or they don’t have access to it in that moment.

Skill under pressure is not the same as skill in rehearsal.
Knowledge without regulation = nothing.

Be honest with what your dog is capable of today.
That’s not a step back.
That’s training with integrity.

06/25/2025

Prudence reported for daycare, took in the heat, and declared it a day for spells, not sunshine.
We kept our coven activities indoors, practiced a little magic (aka training), and crept into the yard only when the shadows got long.
Harley tagged along like a loyal familiar, and they spent the rest of the afternoon plotting how to banish summer sun altogether.

06/25/2025

You know that feeling—having to pre-apologize before daycare?
“He’s a little reactive.”
“She barks at weird stuff.”
“He just doesn’t like being approached.”

At VIP Daycare, we don’t need the disclaimers.
We already expect that your dog has needs.
We’re built for that.

Your dog gets to show up exactly as they are.
And you get to hand them off without guilt, shame, or performance pressure.

If that sounds like the kind of drop-off you need… let’s talk.