About Rebecca & Zuko
Dogs, dogs, dogs. For as long as I can remember, dogs have been an integral part of my life. From growing up with mutts and pure-breds, puppies to seniors, and finally adopting my own dog as an adult - each dog has taught me something valuable and left a lasting paw print in my heart. Among family and friends, I was always the “dog person”, and I always dreamed of working with dogs. It wasn’t until we adopted Zuko, a 2 year old “pure-bred mutt” as I like to call him, that my dream started to take shape. Zuko had spent the first two years of his life bouncing around different shelters after being found as a stray at about 2 months old. He was immediately so warm, cuddly, and playful so it didn’t take long to fall in love! However, we were quickly overwhelmed with his behavior on walks - Zuko snarled, barked and lunged at every other dog we would see, and instead of a relaxing and fun activity, walks were a source of constant stress for both of us. We needed help.
After seeking help from a highly qualified trainer, we learned that Zuko was afraid of other dogs, and his seemingly extreme reactions were his way of defending himself. Zuko and I learned different coping mechanisms, and over time, he learned that dogs are not so scary after all. I decided I wanted to learn more about dog training so that I could continue to support Zuko, and hopefully other dogs as well. In 2021, I enrolled in an education program from the ATN Akademie für angewandte Tierpsychologie und Tierverhaltenstraining, and in 2023 I received my certifications in Canine Sciences and Dog Training. Research surrounding canine behavior and training is continuously expanding and improving, so I continue to learn by attending regular seminars and webinars.
Aside from being a mom to a four-legged child, I’m also a mom to a wonderful two-legged child. With the expansion of our family, I’m constantly learning more about creating a harmonious living situation for both dogs and children, and am happy to support other parents on this journey.
Certifications:
- November 2023: NHB Instructor
- November 2023: Certified Dog Trainer from the ATN
- April 2023: Certification in Canine Sciences from the ATN
Seminars:
- Expressive Canine Behavior (Ausdrucksverhalten) - Gerrit Stephan
- Learning & Education: Exercises with Dogs (Lernen & Erziehung 1: Übungen mit dem Hund) - André Känel
- Ontogenesis: Handling Puppies (Ontogenese 1 : Umgang mit Welpen) - Irène Julius
- Learning & Education: Exercises with Dogs (Lernen & Erziehung 2: Übungen mit dem Hund) - André Känel
- Ontogenesis 2 (Ontogenese 2) - Irène Julius
- Learning & Education 3 (Lernen & Erziehung 3) - André Känel
- Behavioral Training 1: Daily Life with Dogs (Verhaltenstraining 1: Mit dem Hund unterwegs) - André Känel
- Behavioral Training 2: Hunting Behaviors (Verhaltenstraining 2: Jagdverhalten) - Rebekka Legenstein
- Communication with Clients (Kommunikation mit Kunden) - Dorothée Schneider
- Tricks & Enrichment (Tricks & Beschäftigung 1) - Sandra Burri
- Planning and Structure of Lessons (Planung und Aufbau des Trainings von Kursen) - Irène Julius
- Swiss Animal Rights (Tier im Recht) - Alexandra Spring
- Tricks & Enrichment 2: Nosework (Tricks & Beschäftigung 2) - Sandra Burri
Continued Education - additional Seminars:
- Kind und Hund - Prävention von Beissvorfällen Teil 1&2 - Aurea Verebes
- Trennungsstress 2.0 Teil 1-3 - Dr. Ute Blaschke-Berthold
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs - Malena DeMartini-Price
- Distanz-Emotions-Training - Bina Lunzer
- Stress und Tiere - Online Kongress
- Do as I Do: Training durch soziales Lernen - Helge Becker
- Too Hot to Handle: Understanding and Working with the "Reactive" Dog - Dr. Christopher Pachel
- Kind und Hund - Christine Kompatscher
- Die grössten Mythen & Fakten in der Hundeernährung - Jessica Lepa
- Angst & Tierschutzhunde - Marco Iten
