is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelors degree in Zoology. She has earned a certification as a Master Trainer from North State K-9 Academy in Sanford, NC. She is also recognized as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
(CPDT-KA), by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the only organization to certify trainers on a national level. Prior to becoming a trainer, she was a zookeeper at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. A lifelong love of animals and a natural affinity for dogs prompted her to pursue her career as a dog trainer. Central to her training philosophy is that no two dogs are alike, and each must be trained according to its natural inclinations and temperament.
Certifications, Teaching Positions, & Continuing Education Programs
2012
Training Director, Creative Paws, Inc.
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Agility Instructor, Camp Dogwood
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Agility Columnist for the GWPCA Newsletter
2012 AKC Agility National Championships Qualifier
2011
Training Director/Owner, Creative Paws, Inc.
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Agility Instructor, Camp Dogwood
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Agility Columnist for the GWPCA Newsletter
Dr. Ian Dunbar's Sirius Academy 4 Day Seminar
2011 #1 AKC Agility German Wirehaired Pointer
2011 AKC Agility National Championships Qualifier
2011 AKC Agility Invitational Qualifier #1 German Wirehaired Pointer
2010
Training Director, Winnetka Community House
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Agility Instructor, Camp Dogwood
Certified Pet Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Agility Columnist for the GWPCA Newsletter
2009
Training Director, Winnetka Community House
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Agility Instructor, Camp Dogwood
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Agility Columnist for the GWPCA Newsletter
Karen Holik/Ann Braue 4 Day Agility Camp
John Rice 2 Day Tracking Seminar
2008
Training Director, Winnetka Community House
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Agility Instructor, Camp Dogwood
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Instructor Dearlove Dog Agility
Linda Mecklenburg’s Awesome Paws Camp
Agility Columnist for the GWPCA Newsletter
Moraine Tracking Club - 1 Day Tracking Seminar
Clean Run Instructors Camp
Contact Sports Agility Camp (Aug. 08)
2008 AKC Agility Invitational 6th Place Finish
2008 AKC Agility Invitational Qualifier
2007
Training Director, Winnetka Community House
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Agility Instructor, Camp Dogwood
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Agility Demonstrator for the State of Michigan Veterinary Conference
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) National Conference Attendee
2006
Training Director, Winnetka Community House
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Instructor, Dearlove Dog Agility
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Midwest Veterinary Conference – Animal Behavior Tract
Karen Holik Agility Handling Seminar
Agility Demonstrator for the State of Michigan Veterinary Conference
Spring Tune-up Agility Camp - Dana Pike, Rhonda Carter, Jen Pender
Dr. Jean Dodds - Vaccine Protocols & How Thyroid Function Affects Behavior
5 Day Obedience Seminar By Susan Garrett
K9's 'N Motion Fall Agility Camp - Rachel Sanders, Kate Moureaux
Dr. Ian Dunbar, Pet Dog Training Seminar
2005
Training Director, Winnetka Community House
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Instructor, Dearlove Dog Agility
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Jean Donaldson - 2 Day Dog Training Seminar
Clean Run Agility Camp
Spring Tune-up Agility Camp - Dana Pike, Rhonda Carter, Jen Pender
Western Veterinary Conference - Animal Behavior Tract
2004
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Instructor, Dearlove Dog Agility
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Dr. Christine Zink, DVM, 2 Day Coaching the Canine Athlete Seminar
Midwest Veterinary Conference – Animal Behavior Tract
Spring Tune-up Agility Camp - Dana Pike, Rhonda Carter, Jen Pender
Jumping Workshop - Jen Pender
Splash Camp - Deborah Lee Miller-Riley
Instructor, Agility & Rally Obedience, National Dutch Shepherd Event
2003
Lead Instructor, Apex Agility
Instructor, Dearlove Dog Agility
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Midwest Veterinary Conference – Animal Behavior Tract
Trainer, Playful Paws – A Daycare for Dogs
Chris Bach’s The Third Way, 3 Day Aggression and Third Way Foundation Seminar
Chris Bach’s The Third Way, Instructors Camp
Suzanne Clothier, 2 Day Aggression and Behavioral Problems Seminar
2002
Instructor, Dearlove Dog Agility
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Trainer, Playful Paws – A Daycare for Dogs
Dr. Ian Dunbar’s 3 Day Seminar, Behavior and Training
2001
Certified Master Trainer, North State K-9 Academy, Tarheel Canine
Instructor, Dearlove Dog Agility
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
Ashlee Trotter is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelors degree in Zoology. She has earned a certification as a Master Trainer from North State K-9 Academy in Sanford, NC. She is also recognized as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed 
