Happy Tails Ayr

19/06/2025

When I started Happy Tails Ayr almost six years ago, I realized it was more fun, rewarding, and came with more growth than I ever could have expected. I’m so grateful for every perfect dog and kind human I have met along the way!

But the one constant in life is change, and I too am in a period of transition. I made the decision to accept an opportunity to work with Christina Lucas and her growing, talented team at Be Well Dog Behaviour & Training.

This isn’t a decision made lightly, and of course it’s not easy to step away from Happy Tails. But the chances for adventure and developing my skills with Be Well’s guidance are so exciting, and I can’t wait to see what this change brings.

Plus, I WON’T be leaving my clients OR Ayr behind! You can still expect the same great walks and training with me under Be Well.

From training milestones to muddy hikes, has grown with me in every way. But none of it would have been possible without the people who helped me along the way:

One of the greatest gifts Happy Tails gave me was Jill. Jill came to me as my first applicant, and I just knew she was something special. Reliable, compassionate, and hardworking, Jill became half the heartbeat of Happy Tails. I am lucky to call her not just a colleague, but a friend.

I also want to express my gratitude to Shawna, who was with us from June 2022 to August 2023. Shawna’s gentle energy and love of animals made her a perfect fit. Watching pets light up in her presence was a joy, and I was thankful to have her as part of our team. Congrats again on the pursuit of your PhD, can’t wait to call you Dr. Shawna!

My last day with Happy Tails is Sunday, June 22nd. My first day with Be Well is Monday, June 23rd.

I hope you’ll follow to keep up with my adventures, and learn about everything they have to offer!

Special thanks to:
Broddick Clinic for keeping me mobile and able to keep up with the dogs

Caught My Eye Thrift for your support and endless kindness. Please support Liz!

Donna's Pet Sitting for being a friend and mentor, not a rival

and MacNeil & Dodd Pharmacy for their crucial support in my healthcare along my journey

With love and thanks,
Ashley

14/05/2025

Save the ACC!

10/04/2025

Hoppy Easter! 🐣🐰 It’s almost time to shellebrate, and Happy Tails Ayr and Pet Grooming by Lindsay have an eggcellent surprise in store for Ayr 🐾 Stay tuned for an announcement with all the details coming this weekend!

02/04/2025

An important read!

https://www.surreycaninecorner.co.uk/post/understanding-dogs-the-vital-role-of-emotions-in-dog-training #:~:text=In%20short%2C%20emotions%20are%20super,as%20well%20as%20your%20dog's.

Dog training is so much more than teaching commands and correcting bad behaviour. Here we delve into the role of emotions in dog training...

09/02/2025

Available at Pandemonium Pet Products or Maza Dog Sports!

10/07/2024

A helpful resource for all you reactive dog owners out there! It can be such an isolating experience. Just know that you are not alone.

Mental health and emotional support for dog people

18/06/2024

Is your pup full of energy? Are you short on time for focused training outside of your home? Let me take them on a learning quest for three hours of exercise, training, and socialization where they calmly observe their surroundings in locations that welcome dogs, such as parks, trails, and dog friendly retail stores.

What socialization IS: Learning to focus on the handler, passively observing and walking by adults, children, dogs, cats, wheelchairs, scooters, bicycles, squirrels, and other potential distractions and triggers.

What socialization IS NOT: Greeting every dog and person we see, chasing wildlife, or entering dog parks. Every step is taken to set your dog up to succeed from the start. Each dog will progress differently depending on age, breed, prior socialization, etc.

Depending on the dog, we may start in a park to decompress, before engaging in loose leash walking, pace changes and pattern games. We'll work on place training, rewarding calm behaviour while just observing the public. We can generalize their basic life skills in public, from sit/down/stay to heel, recall etc.

As the dog progresses, we might travel to a dog friendly retail locations for socialization, starting outside and getting used to the busy area while practicing their skills. The next week, working up to entering the store as a polite dog citizen. We may take a structured walk around a quiet neighbourhood, maintaining loose leash and focus around distractions. Or perhaps a nice tiring structured hike, with plenty of recall practice and decompression sniffing.

Then, we drop your pup off tired and happy, ready to nap and process what they learned on their Puppy Quest.

Availability:
Monday & Wednesday afternoons - 1pm to 4pm
Pickup: 12:45pm
Dropoff: ~4:30pm.

Requirements:
Must be 6 months+ of age. All candidates must provide proof of current vaccines, or titers. Dogs must be on flea and tick prevention. Must be available for a meet and greet prior to.

Pricing
Single 3 Hour Puppy Quest: $90 + HST

Bundle: $310 + HST
4 Day Package
(3 hours per day each week, for a total of 12 hours per month)

Let's get together to discuss if your dog is a good fit!

30/01/2024

PACK WALKS ARE HERE! By popular demand, beginning February 15th, Happy Tails will be offering leashed pack hikes in the region every Thursday afternoon. 🐕🌲🌳

We’ll pick up your furkid and transport them, restrained in our vehicle, for a forested pack walk with friends! They’ll hike up hills, jump over logs, sniff every smell, and run with their friends. It’s a dog walk the way dogs intended. Your pup comes home happy, tired and relaxed. And maybe a little dirty, but we will towel them dry and clean as best we can before drop off. 😉

Location will vary weekly depending on weather, trail conditions, and temperament of that day’s pack. We might be at Piper’s Glen, we might be at the Dryden Tract, maybe also the Drynan Regional Forest.

Six dog maximum per week.

Not all dogs will be a good fit for pack walks. Candidates must be proven dog AND human social, and must be willing to be on a leash or long line. Candidates must be up to date on vaccines or present current titers.
Off leash privileges may be offered in situations where location permits, AND a dog’s recall has become extremely reliable and temperament proven stable. This will be rare.
We do also welcome muzzle trained dogs that can remain calm and steady in a pack setting.
Reactive dog? Pushy teenage pup? Let us train and passively socialize them in a smaller group from a distance. They will get a private ride. Must book well in advance.

Questions? Ready to book? DM us now! Or message us on Facebook

Text or call 519.865.6345 or email [email protected]