SURROUNDED by a cacophony of barks, growls and yelping, a young boy stands composed, firmly gripping the leashes of two dogs determined to engage in combat. The tension is palpable and yet, the boy displays no nervousness at all.
His diminutive figure forms a bridge of calm between the two dogs, as he continues to gently soothe the frisky canines by occasionally holding on to their collars firmly. His deliberate actions and quiet authority eventually win the battle. The dogs, sensing his assurance and gentle tone, gradually begin to mirror his calm.
In this unlikely standoff, the boy stood his ground, a pint-sized alpha in a world of big dogs; he had also proven that when it comes to being the pack leader, size really doesn't matter.
For Ashvinder Singh Dhillon, this is far from a simple task, yet his actions display a deep understanding and mastery of the situation. His skill and calmness in the face of potential chaos demonstrate his competence and assurance, unusual for a boy his age.
It's exceptionally rare for such a young boy to commit to mastering dog training, accumulating a total of 120 hours and successfully completing both Fundamentals 1 and 2. This accomplishment ranks him among the youngest dog behaviourists in the country.
He's a bit of a dog whisperer, to say the least.
Ashvin has just calmed an anxious German Shepherd dealing with separation anxiety and taught a hyperactive Rottweiler puppy to harness her energy.
With a previously aggressive poodle, he replaced fear with trust. A once-anxious Doberman found comfort in his presence. And, impressively, he managed to walk three strong-willed Rottweilers in unison. His work isn't just about training; it's about building deep bonds through patience and empathy.
CALMING PRESENCE
Ashvin shares the secret to his success with a casual shrug: You just have to maintain a calm energy." It's a simple mantra that underpins a profound truth about our canine companions.
He explains: "Your dog is incredibly skilled at sensing human emotions through body language. If you're calm, your dog mirrors that calmness, making training and walks much easier."
Ashvin's journey into the realm of dog training began not with a leash, but with an insight — a profound understanding of the importance of managing one's own energy. "Dogs don't respond well to negativity," he shares, a conviction in his voice that speaks volumes of his experience. The cornerstone of his approach lies in mastering a calm-assertive energy, a feat that demands more than just physical control; it requires an alignment of emotion and intention.
Central to his methodology is meditation, a foundational element of the curriculum. It wasn't just about his own peace of mind but about how his vibe influenced the dogs he trained.
"I enjoyed everything, except maybe the meditation part. We had to do a lot of meditation to stay calm. I found it boring," he admits, flashing a shy grin.
But it was meditation that became his secret weapon. Despite the monotony, it turned into a daily ritual where he'd wake up at 5am to meditate, a kind of quiet magic that helped him tune into himself and, by extension, better connect with his canine pupils.
In Fundamental 2, his training took a deeper, more practical turn. He faced real-world situations with a diverse group of dogs, learning to navigate crises and adapt to different settings.
This phase went beyond commands to include understanding dog behaviour and psychology, moving Ashvin towards becoming a skilled behaviourist.
He mastered the art of reading canine cues and emotions, making every interaction a lesson in empathy and connection. Fundamental 2 wasn't just about training dogs; it was about decoding their minds, proving the power of empathy in building strong, understanding relationships between humans and dogs.
For some reason, dogs made sense to him. They telegraph their anxieties in predictable ways. They love to be led. It is something that Ashwin can somehow comprehend.
Have you been bitten before? I ask and he looks faintly surprised.
"No," he replies shortly. The very idea seems foreign to him. Why would they bite? To him, these creatures are to be understood, not feared.
Achieving this level of proficiency and depth in dog training and behaviourism at a tender age of 12 was an extraordinary accomplishment for a boy from Silibin, Perak.
Two years on, his enthusiasm for dog training remains undiminished. He's still fired up about helping dogs and their owners, harbouring dreams of opening his own training centre one day.
Beyond that, the now 14-year-old aspires to join the police K9 unit, aiming to merge his skills with his desire to serve and protect.
He also has another dream: to own a hotel where guests can bring along their pets for the stay.
Ashvin is content to dream big dreams for now.
"I'm still young," he tells me sagely. So, anything is possible.
LOVE AND LOSS
The stoic lad isn't one to chat. He often turns and looks at his mother, Jeslynder Kaur, who's seated next to him, for reassurance or help to explain certain things. Talking about dogs is easy — and so is football.
As a Real Madrid supporter who also plays goalkeeper for a local club in his free time, these topics are his comfort zones. But ask Ashvin about anything beyond dogs and football, and he ventures into monosyllables or short answers. "He's a man of few words," teases his mother with a laugh.
The younger of two siblings inherited his love for animals from his late father, Parvinderjit Singh Dhillon. "He had a farm," recalls Ashwin wistfully, adding: "Aside from the cows and buffaloes, we had about 15 dogs that my father sheltered. He used to take care of them, cook for them and feed them all. The dogs would do anything he commanded. I was so impressed. I used to spend most of my free time at the farm with him."
He grows quiet again.
"My boys had a special bond with their father," Jeslyn confides softly, adding: "They'd open up to him in ways they wouldn't with me. Their father adored them immensely and was always involved in their lives. He insisted on taking them to school, tuition or other extra-curricular activities himself, never relying on any other form of transportation."
A pause, and she shares: "My husband would hug and kiss my sons every night. They were so close and he was that kind of a dad who'd openly show his affection without reservations."
The close-knit family faced a heartbreaking tragedy when Parvinderjit was involved in a fatal accident while travelling home from his farm in Sungai Siput.
His death plunged them into a whirlwind of emotions. Suddenly, Ashvin and his elder brother, Virender were left without their "best friend" and Jeslyn, without the love of her life.
"We were beyond devastated and overwhelmed by sorrow," she remembers. "My older boy was furious with everything — with God, with the world. Ashwin, who was closest to my husband, simply retreated into himself."
The terrible loss wasn't just felt by the family.
Parvinderjit's beloved dog, Raju, really missed his owner. The Miniature Pinscher had been more than just a pet; he was Parvinderjit's special buddy. After his death, Raju's protective instincts grew stronger and he became aggressive.
Recognising the need for a change, the family chose to enrol Raju in a training programme aimed at tempering his protective behaviour and improving his social skills. This included introducing him to outdoor walks, a novel experience for Raju, who'd always been an indoor dog.
One day, the trainer arrived with distressing news: Raju, overwhelmed by the sounds of traffic, had broken free from his leash and ran away. Despite efforts to find him, the dog was never found.
"Imagine how my boys felt," says Jeslyn heavily. "They'd just lost their father a few months before, and now Raju, their father's favourite pet, was gone too."
It was a double blow for the family.
PICKING UP THE PIECES
"It felt like rubbing salt into wounds that had not yet healed," Jeslyn remarks, adding: "The pain of losing my husband was intensified by the loss of his beloved dog."
Counselling didn't seem to help the family much. "We were adrift for some time," she concedes, continuing: "But eventually, I discovered alternative healing methods that aided us in navigating our grief."
Jeslyn made the significant decision to leave her position as a director of admissions at a local university to be there for her boys. "We couldn't afford the extra expenditure and I needed to fill the role that my husband, who was a very hands-on father, left vacant."
Gradually, the family pieced their lives back together. Yet, Ashvin particularly, continued to feel the absence of Raju deeply. After the Pinscher was lost while under their care, the training school sought to make amends by inviting the young boy to train with them.
Still in the throes of grief, Ashvin saw training as a way to forge a connection with animals and honour his father's memory. He was also driven by a desire to help animals.
His face clouds over as he shares: "I decided to learn to be a trainer so I could look after other dogs and prevent what happened to Raju from happening to them."
His father, Ashvin continues with pride, had such a connection with the dogs he cared for. "I wanted the same thing too," he mentions wistfully. The then resolute 12-year-old showcased incredible discipline, devoting his time after school to diligently work towards, and ultimately secure, his certification.
Today, the young teen's commitment to helping at various training centres remains unwavering. No task is too small or too menial. Driven by a desire to maintain his connection with animals, he's there to train dogs and even take them out on walks.
He also regularly feeds strays near his house. Everything he does for the animals is a tribute to the legacy of compassion and connection his late father left behind.
Do you think your dad would be proud of you? I ask.
I see the first real smile appearing on his face.
He nods and replies simply: "Yeah…"
Ashvin's journey is far from over. I foresee a symphony of barks, growls, yelps and wagging tails in his future, as more dogs find their way to him. This dog whisperer will go on doing what he excels at: channelling his love and expertise to heal and help them navigate their challenges.
And at the heart of it all, it's really all about a boy and his dogs — and a loving father whose legacy continues to inspire him every single day.
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