Pup Culture Canines.
Positive & Force Free Dog Training for dogs & their people. Private Dog Training Lessons in Sherwood Park & Edmonton, AB
Our Training Philosophy
At Pup Culture Canines, we’re all about building lasting, positive relationships between dogs and their humans through motivational, reward-based methods—commonly known as positive reinforcement. Our training is rooted in science-backed learning principles that support the well-being of both people and pups. By focusing on trust and connection, we help you and your dog enjoy better adventures, together.
Pup Culture™ is Force Free. Force free training uses rewards, not punishment, to teach dogs. It’s based on science and focuses on building trust, confidence, and a strong bond between you and your dog—without fear, pain, or intimidation. The result is happy dogs, happy humans, and better behavior through kindness.
About Us.
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Owner & Head Trainer
In 2009, Ashton followed her love of dogs to pursue a career at the Edmonton Humane Society. Throughout the years, her journey through the animal industry lead her to experience in veterinary care, grooming, dog daycare, and finally training. While completing her education at the University of Alberta for Animal and Companion Animal Science, Ashton began shadowing local puppy classes and it wasn't long before she was working full time in her dream career helping families in both group classes and private training since 2015.
Now, Ashton is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, a Family Paws and Parent Educator and a Certified UpDog Judge.
Ashton follows science based, force free and positive training methods and advocates to end the use of fear, pain and intimidation in the name of training. Ashton currently sits on the board of the Alberta Force Free Alliance, holding the title as President.
Ashton has experience with working breeds including herding, protection, hunting and toy. All dogs pose a unique set of challenges that are best met by understanding their breed characteristics and helping them fit into your life while feeling safe and understood.
Ashton's dog, Burt is a Jack Russell Terrier Cross and competes in flyball, agility, disc and also enjoys swimming and snoozing!
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Katie has been an avid animal lover her entire life. Growing up there wasn’t ever a time without at least 1 dog as part of the family. 1 dog eventually became 2 (which eventually became 3), and then came hamsters, rabbits and horses!
Throughout her years of dog sitting and volunteering at local Veterinary Clinic’s and non-profit organizations like Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association, her passion for understanding and advocating for the animals continued to grow, with a primary focus on dogs and horses.
Katie believes that there will always be more to learn and, in an effort, to further understand & support them, is working towards her PCT-A certification! Alongside Ashton, she uses science based, force free and positive training methods and advocates to end the use of fear, pain and intimidation in the name of training.
Today, Katie has Olive, an Australian Shepard/Poodle cross and Octane, a Morgan horse gelding. In her spare time, you can find her & Olive playing Flyball, Disc, Scent Work and Dock Diving (yes, Doodle’s can do dog sports, too!) or out at the barn with Octane. With Olive & Octane by her side, Katie remains committed to learn, grow, and advocate for kind, science-based training to help animals learn & thrive. She is dedicated to supporting both ends of the leash!
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Quinn Ohler has been surrounded by dogs her entire life. Growing up on a farm where her father bred working Border Collies, Quinn began helping with herding training at just 12 years old and that’s when her love for working with dogs began.
At 18, she got her first dog of her own, a dachshund named Ruby and a few years later she adopted a morkie named Cassie, shortly after meeting her now-husband, Chris. A few years later, she finally got the Border Collie she’d always wanted, Nova, and was introduced to the exciting world of dog sports and force-free training.
Together, Quinn and Nova have explored flyball, agility, disc, mantrailing, scent work, barn hunt, and trick training. Navigating Nova’s "big feelings" and helping her grow into each of these activities sparked
Quinn’s passion for understanding dog behavior and using science-based training methods. When she’s not training dogs, Quinn is a journalist and mom to two energetic young boys. She’s currently apprenticing as a dog trainer and dreams of one day working with search-and-rescue and investigative dogs.