Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Staiger.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story began in Hawaii, working at a doggy daycare for over three years. That experience gave me a front-row seat to canine behavior and the importance of structure, communication, and relationship-building. Before arriving to Hawaii I rescued a completely feral puppy named Butters. Rehabilitating him helping him go from shut down to confident, playful, and emotionally connected changed everything for me. I didn’t just fall in love with training. I saw the emotional layers beneath behavior, and I knew I wanted to create a space that helped dogs and their people connect in a deeper, more fulfilling way.
When we moved back to the mainland, I took a leap and launched A Fetchin’ Good Time. I started networking before we even landed in California and built a client base from the ground up. This business was more than a career move it became my freedom and a place where I could rebuild a life aligned with the values I was just beginning to rediscover: connection, regulation, resilience, and community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been anything but smooth. In the earliest years of building my business, I was quietly navigating seasons most people never see. My 10 year marriage ended in trauma and a court case that left me a single mom overnight. I was holding space for a child who had endured real harm, while healing my own childhood wounds including the loss of my mom to suicide at 18, and caring for a father who became ill shortly after.
I had financial privilege growing up, but not emotional support. No real regulation. No community. I was breaking generational cycles while trying to survive them healing from narcissistic abuse, reparenting my inner child, and trying to model safety and connection for my daughter.
This business became my anchor. It was something I could control, something I could pour into when everything else was falling apart. I didn’t just build a company. I built the village I needed and now I help others do the same.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Fetchin Good Time . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
A Fetchin’ Good Time is a dog training company rooted in behavior, not just obedience. I focus on helping people understand the “why” behind their dog’s actions so they can build a relationship built on trust, calm leadership, and clear communication. My tagline is “nurturing both ends of the leash” because the human side matters just as much as the dog’s.
I specialize in behavior-based training, multi-dog households, and structured adventure days through my Immersive Board and Trains. I also work closely with local shelters and provide support to rescue dog adopters navigating tough transitions.
What sets my brand apart is the emotional depth. My work doesn’t stop at “sit” or “stay.” It’s about nervous system regulation, learning to lead with intention, and creating an environment where both the human and the dog can thrive. And I don’t just talk about community I live it. I’ve raised thousands in donations, helped find homes for shelter dogs, and built partnerships with organizations like Palms N Paws and the Joshua Tree No Kill Shelter.
I’m most proud of how my brand has become a support system not just a service. For many clients, I’m the first person who really sees both them and their dog. That kind of connection is everything to me.
What’s next?
I’m focused on expanding services with my new Adventure Camp, a structured adventure day program for dogs who need more than traditional daycare. It blends socialization, fulfillment, and training in a way that speaks to the real needs of dogs. I’m also in the early stages of creating educational resources, ebooks, guides, and workshops to support dog owners who can’t access in-person training but still deserve solid guidance and community.
Personally, I’m continuing to build the kind of life and business that centers emotional health, freedom, and support. The plan isn’t just to grow bigger it’s to grow better. I want every piece of this business to be something that makes people feel more connected, more empowered, and less alone whether they’re walking through the best season of their life, or the hardest.
Pricing:
- Free phone consultations
- 1:1 sessions
- Group classes
- Board and trains
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.afetchingoodtime.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_fetchin_good_time/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afetchingoodtime?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Meghan Dougherty
Blake Riegler
