How it started
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.
The Dogs Who Changed Everything:
When we were finally allowed pets in our co-op, 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.
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.
"Rosco and Rei didn't need to be fixed. They needed to be understood. And so did I."
Why Understanding Changes Everything:
I named my business R+R Canine Consulting 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.
The L.E.G.S. ® model:
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.
Kind Words
I recently had a Behavioural & Wellness assessment done for my rescue dog Jazzy by Jennyfer Tan. Jazzy is reactive to other dogs, cats, squirrels, and just about anything that moves.
Because of the lack of knowledge about her history it has been a bit of a struggle with how to give her the best life possible. I felt I was doing ok but something seemed to be missing on my part.
After Jennyfer’s assessment I had a better understanding about areas in Jazzy’s life that I could enhance. Things I didn’t give a thought to, now are part of her everyday routine, mental stimulation while I am away, puzzles to work through, more controlled walks with less triggers etc.
I found Jennyfer’s analysis of Jazzy’s behaviour to be spot on. She identified her strengths and areas we need to work on, provided a clear plan of action with timelines and guidance.
We work daily and embrace the smallest of positive successes, between exercise and enrichment solutions I have seen improvements where before just frustrations. I no longer apologize for having a dog that is special in ways that others do not see. Jazzy has enriched my life and with having this assessment done I am able to give her the life she deserves with a clearer understanding of her specific needs based on her Genetic makeup and personality.
I would highly recommend this program as part of a way to better understand your pet, work on areas that need improvement. It provides a total welfare framework that is easy to follow and full of valuable tips and information. A 10 out of 10.
Kelly Bossons
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, let's talk. Every dog has a story worth understanding—including yours.
