Meet Our Tampa Dog Trainer
Ashley Parker- Head Trainer
When Victoria asked Ashley Parker to take over Bayshore Dog Training, she knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take her collected years of experience to a new location in Florida!
From an early age, Ashley knew she wanted to work with animals. She loved watching Animal Planet and National Geographic as a child, and she never lost sight of that passion. She started off her career as a veterinary technician while studying Biology and Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, working part-time at a dog daycare facility over summer vacations. Upon graduation, she became a transfer counselor for the Richmond SPCA. Her job there was to evaluate animals medically and behaviorally and then transfer them from municipal shelters so they could find their adoptive homes. All of this hard work amounted to a decade of experience in the animal welfare industry.
While performing her duties at the SPCA, it occurred to Ashley that there was a distinct lack of behavioral training available to these dogs. The result? Many of the animals she hoped to rescue were ultimately relinquished or euthanized.
This persistent issue with canine behavior was never more apparent than when Ashley took on training her own rescued pitbull mix, Phoenix. He had the most loving personality, but he came with severe anxiety and fear-based aggression towards strangers. After trying several trainers, none of whom were able to help, she decided to put her background in psychology to use by diving into the root of Phoenix’s behavioral issues. Thanks to Ashley’s patience, understanding, creative thinking, and strong leadership, as well as Phoenix’s unconditional love and trust, they were able to make some huge breakthroughs.
After experiencing the drastic and welcome change that came with Phoenix’s successful training, Ashley made the decision to dedicate her life to helping other owners find the same sense of confidence and relief. Over the next three years, she would become a top trainer in the Richmond area, helping hundreds of dogs and their owners create peaceful homes and lasting bonds.
Now, as a certified Canine Trade Group trainer, Ashley can’t wait to put her skills and knowledge to use in the Tampa area! Ashley is also a certified AKC Temperament Test (ATT) Evaluator.
Victoria Parker- Founder
Victoria is retired and no longer taking clients.
At six years old, Victoria Parker managed to befriend the meanest dog in her neighborhood. It was only natural she’d make a career out of dog training.
After years of having her own animals and shuttling them back and forth according to her military husband’s deployment, they finally settled down in Florida, where she was better able to pursue her passion for animals. She began volunteering at the county shelter by running the obedience classes and group play sessions for the Amazing Dogs on Positive Training program (ADOPT), which focuses on training and socializing pit bulls so they can earn their Canine Good Citizen Certification.
Victoria has also worked with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, and, thanks to a grant from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, was able to offer in-home training for dog adopters in an effort to raise the retention rate in adopted pets. In March 2013, she became a Thank Dog! Boot Camp certified instructor and began running the workout sessions at the Florida SPCA.
Victoria has also been certified for in-home training by Canine Trade Group, an intense and selective program for aspiring dog trainers. This program involves 320 hours of combined book work and hands-on experience. Victoria studied training theory and the science of canine behavior before using her newfound knowledge to train rescue dogs, making them more adoptable and giving herself the opportunity to gain experience in several training areas.
Thanks to the intensive education program, Victoria can handle any canine behavior problem that comes her way. Whether your dog/puppy is aggressive, anxious, hyper, disobedient, or refusing to house train, Victoria can help you help them and restore your ideal canine/human relationship.
