Hi, I'm Jennyfer Tan
From Fear to Understanding: My Journey to Helping Dogs and Families Thrive Together
Good Dog Academy Professional Dog Trainer • Certified Family Dog Mediator®
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Growing up in Manila, dogs were something to fear. In my world, they were "guard dogs" – caged protectors rather than family members. The streets were full of strays, and after being chased twice as a child, I carried that fear with me for years.
But fear has a way of transforming when you least expect it.
When we moved to BC, there was this husky at my kids' school. Every day when the dismissal bell rang, he'd appear at the fence, tail wagging, waiting for children to come pet him. Watching this gentle giant's pure joy in connecting with kids began to crack something open in me.
When we moved to our co-op and were finally allowed pets, the timing felt right. I'd read that dogs could help children with autism, and with my son on the spectrum, maybe it was time to face my fears and give our family something we'd never had.
The Dogs Who Changed Everything
That decision brought us Rosco – an 18-week-old rescue puppy who had never known his mother. He was sick, spent his crucial socialization weeks indoors battling health issues, and emerged as a nervous, anxiety-ridden little soul. Traditional training methods weren't just ineffective with Rosco; they seemed to make things worse.
Then came Rei, through my volunteer work with a Korean rescue organization. What started as temporary foster care during a snowstorm became permanent when his original adopters faced unexpected circumstances. Rei had spent his early life as a street dog, then a year in shelter. He loves people – craves their attention and affection – but the constraints of leash life left him frustrated. When he'd see another dog, he'd bark and even bite his own tail out of sheer frustration at not being able to run over and say hello.
Two dogs. Two completely different stories. Two different sets of challenges that no amount of basic training seemed to address.
That's when I realized I had it all backwards. I was trying to change their behavior without understanding why they behaved the way they did in the first place.
"Rosco and Rei didn't need to be fixed. They needed to be understood. And so did I."
The Science That Changed My Perspective
This revelation changed everything. I dove into Brian Hare's Dog Emotion course, fascinated by the science behind canine behavior. That led me to the Good Dog Academy's Professional Dog Trainer program, where I learned positive, science-based methods.
But the real game-changer was discovering Kim Brophey's Family Dog Mediation® and the L.E.G.S.® model. Suddenly, I had a framework for understanding each dog as a unique individual shaped by their:
- Learning experiences (or lack thereof)
- Environment and daily stressors
- Genetics and breed heritage
- Self – their health, personality, and emotional state
Everything clicked. Rosco's anxiety made perfect sense when I considered his learning history, his sensitive nature, and how our environment might feel overwhelming to a dog who missed crucial early experiences. Rei's barrier frustration wasn't stubbornness – it was a socially motivated dog whose genetics and learning history were at odds with the constraints of pet life.
For the first time, I could see my dogs for who they really were, not who I thought they should be.
Why Understanding Changes Everything
I named my business R+R Dog Training & Services after Rosco and Rei because they taught me the most important lesson of all: every dog has a story, and that story matters. Your dog's reactivity, anxiety, or "behavioral problems" aren't character flaws – they're logical responses to their unique combination of experiences, environment, genetics, and individual needs.
This is why I don't promise to "fix" your dog. Instead, I help you understand them so you can navigate life together with compassion and confidence.
Whether you're just beginning to understand your dog's behavior through my resources and guides, or you're ready for personalized support through a consultation, my approach remains the same: understanding before strategies.
My Approach: The L.E.G.S.® Framework
Once I learned to see each dog through these four lenses, everything made sense:
L - Learning: Every experience shapes how your dog sees the world
E - Environment: The daily world they navigate and stressors they face
G - Genetics: Their breed heritage and natural instincts
S - Self: Their unique health, personality, and emotional needs
Today, Rosco is still a sensitive soul who needs careful management during stressful situations – and that's okay. Rei still gets excited when he sees other dogs – and we've learned to work with that instead of against it. They're not "fixed" because they were never broken. They're understood, supported, and loved for exactly who they are.
Let's Understand Your Dog Together
If you're tired of treating symptoms instead of understanding causes, if you want to see your dog for who they really are instead of who you think they should be, I'm here to help. Whether you start with my comprehensive behavior guide or jump right into a personal consultation, we'll work together to understand your dog's unique story.
Because every dog has a story worth understanding – including yours.
Ready to start?
