Taz was a very special being, and he taught me so, so much. We loved each other unconditionally, and while some may not understand, my connection with this dog was stronger than with any human. It was not because he was a cute dog, or because he was a “good boy”, but because of who he was, and still is.
I became a dog trainer, not because I love dogs, but because I want others to experience this kind of connection. I also feel incredibly sad when I see that animals are so often misunderstood, and taken for granted. Taz very easily could have ended up with someone else, and I’m not sure how that would have gone for him, because he had very special needs which I completely related to.
Taz was incredibly sensitive to sounds, touch, tone of voice and changes in his environment. I am the same way. I often can react negatively out of stress if there is too much chaos around me, and I over-analyze everything. If I don’t understand something, I get overwhelmed. That being said, when Taz learned something, he never forgot it and was incredibly reliable at performing new skills, just like me who can get obsessive about learning new things. The fact that we were so much alike and fed off each other’s reactions was a challenge at times.
In his younger years, I cared too much about proving myself and my skills as a trainer. All I wanted was for him to accept new people with ease without barking and lunging at them. I would fall apart every time he reacted this way, and it fueled my ego to “fix” his problem. I worked with him, and achieved a lot of successes, BUT he never became that dog that happily greeted people and other dogs. That just wasn’t who he was. He was always going to need tight management in some situations, but these situations were not all situations. That’s why he had such a fulfilling life.
Over time I shifted my focus to harnessing his strengths, and building on them. He was INCREDIBLE at tricks! His recall was insanely reliable, he was so patient around puppies and kittens, and I would argue that he knew hundreds of words and cues (I haven’t actually counted). I could teach him a new skill in one session, even into old age. He learned to LOVE going to the vet and while he strongly disliked strangers at our home, he was the best patient you could ever imagine. He loved to explore and go hiking, was never destructive, and would actually talk in a low boxer growl when I was ignoring him and it was time to play (he did this up to a week before he passed). He loved the ocean, and while his bottom half sank when he tried to swim, he did his best to keep up with the labradors. Taz has been swimming in the Atlantic and Pacific, has climbed Mt. Carleton, and hiked numerous trails in BC. He has had numerous roommates, and knew all of the parks in Fredericton. At 11 years of age, he started taking scent detection classes and was an absolute superstar, having no issues keeping up with the young pups detecting an odour in a cluttered room. Being a “Feisty Fido” himself, he has even participated in my own classes, being a demo dog.
With all of those strengths, he still would not tolerate a stranger petting him, and I usually kept him away from children. Not because he was dangerous, but because when he got scared, his booming bark was enough to rattle your brain, and he puffed up like an angry porcupine. With the wrong human, he could have gotten out of control.
And you know what? I am so proud of him and his imperfections! I stopped trying to make him what he wasn’t, and life with him got SO MUCH EASIER. Our bond completely bloomed.
For me, it’s not about the “sit and stay”, or having a dog that can participate in social events, or have perfect obedience. If you come to me and your dog is having issues, first of all, I will not judge, but will welcome you with support. And if I see that you and your dog are still missing the JOY piece in your relationship, and that you are not having fun together, we will address that FIRST. Of course, we will address your dog biting the neighbour, and we don’t want your dog to steal the steak off the counter, BUT, if I see that these issues are manifesting out of you trying to make your dog something that they are not, then our goal will be about shifting your perspective, and prioritizing wellness for all of those involved.
If your goal is to do more things with your dog, you are my kind of person! Your dog will thank you for it. When you take a class with me, I will LOVE teaching you all of the technical stuff about training, and yadda yadda, but not because I want your dog to have perfect obedience, but because I want you to be their best teacher (and training is so much fun!). If you book a behaviour consultation with me, know that the love I had (and still have) for Taz is what drives me to help you get on the right path with your dog. Dog behaviour is so different from ours, and I am there to help you navigate that puzzle, but also to understand that we already have it within us to gain a deep connection with them.
I believe that we should be dog “guardians” and not “owners”. You should never own an individual or try to change who they are. I clearly view animals on the same plane as humans. They have the same right as we do to feel safe and be happy.
I am so unbelievably grateful to have shared a special bond with Taz. He deserved the world and was the purest of souls. His life and death have impacted me in so many ways, especially by helping me see beauty in everything around me.
I hope that you find your Taz. I hope that they show you what really matters in life. 🌼
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