Ainsley Stapleton Finds A Purpose Helping Dogs Discover Theirs
HALIFAX – Ainsley Stapleton operates her dog-training business on one basic, yet effective, principal.
“Every dog needs a job; every dog needs a purpose,” she states emphatically.
It’s with that mantra that the 17-year-old from East Hants, Nova Scotia, set up Universal Canine last year. Stapleton uses her business to teach dogs manners and obedience, as well as training for owners who enter their dogs in agility competitions – contests where a dog and its handler complete a series of obstacles in a timed race.
Since opening Universal Canine a year ago, Stapleton estimates she has worked with more than 80 dogs, plus their owners.
Her business may only be a year old, but Stapleton’s passion for dog training started at a young age.
“It started when I got my first dog when I was 10-years-old. I was on my little computer and I came across a video of someone teaching their dog agility,” recalls Ainsley. “And I said, ‘I want to try that.’ So I went out in my back yard, and I found a hula hoop and some wood; I built a little course and started training.”
From that moment, Stapleton has attended seminars, classes, and done her own online research to build up her dog-training skills.
“Eventually, over the years, I gained so much knowledge that I decided I would open a business,” said Stapleton.
Stapleton even has her own obstacle course set up for agility training purposes, and she hosts her own fun agility competitions for owners who may want their dogs to compete in the future.
“That way, my students can get a chance to try out the competition without any pressure, because it’s just for fun,” said Stapleton.
But like all other businesses, Universal Canine has been hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Stapleton had to stop doing in-person training indefinitely, but she is still trying to help people have fun with their beloved pets. She has set up a 10-day online course people can try at home, set at a discounted price.
“We at Universal Canine understand how hard this can be, especially for families with children and dogs,” said Stapleton. “We hope to bring some cheer and learning to the world during this difficult time.”
The young entrepreneur has gotten some rave reviews over the past year from her customers. Glenda Hager first brought her dog, Phoebe, to Stapleton more than a year ago, after she failed to jive with a previous dog trainer.
“I had been to agility classes with another trainer, and she did not do particularly well,” said Hager. “I guess I should say I didn’t do particularly well with the other trainer. So, I decided I would try one more time because I felt Phoebe needed the stimulation.”
Hager says she was amazed by Stapleton’s maturity, and her ability to connect with both people and animals.
“Phoebe responded very, very well with Ainsley…she is very good with animals and people.”
“I think Ainsley is very committed to the dogs. She just seems to have a knack for it, and I think she’s done a lot of research…she’s just very confident with them, and the dogs respond to that; she has a very uplifting voice; she’s a very positive trainer.”
Hager was so impressed with Stapleton’s work that when she got her second dog, Brielle, she too got trained through Universal Canine.
Stapleton’s success as a trainer can be traced back to her lifelong fascination with dogs. She has always marvelled at the animals’ natural loyalty and intelligence.
“There’s something about dogs that draws me to them,” She said. They’re so innocent and pure, they’ll never purposefully hurt you, and they’re amazingly smart animals…they’ll never betray you.”
“I think it’s very important that we educate these dogs, we give them a job.”
Being in high school, while operating a business, means Stapleton doesn’t’ have a lot of downtimes, under normal circumstances. On top of her dog-training, Stapleton also works part-time at a dog daycare, and she competes in agility competitions throughout the Maritimes with her own dog, Maisie.
“It can be tricky for sure; I definitely have a full schedule,” said Stapleton. “I keep a 97 percent average in school, I also work at a dog daycare…and I compete on the weekends in the spring. So, it’s not much downtime. But it’s the life I love, and it’s surrounded by dogs. So, it can’t get much better.”
Upon graduating high school, Stapleton, unsurprisingly, wants to enter veterinarian school- specializing in animal behaviour. And she has big plans for Universal Canine.
“I have big dreams for Universal Canines – worldwide, if not, then as big as I can.”