Remy and Meeko: the dogs behind the logo.
Two stubborn dogs, two very different personalities, one philosophy.
The logo isn’t just a design. It’s a tribute to the two dogs who started everything: Remy, my spirited Dalmatian, and Meeko, my independent Shiba Inu.
Training them was hard. The lessons they taught me became the foundation of how I train every dog, and the logo is a reminder of that.
Meet Remy
Remy had boundless energy and a huge heart. She also had a stubborn streak, and her intelligence showed in everything she did. She’s the dog who made me a trainer. You can read her full story here.
What people get wrong about Dalmatians
Plenty of people fall for Dalmatians because of how they look and how they’re shown in movies. On screen they’re perfectly behaved. In reality, it takes several dogs to play a single movie character, partly because of that independent streak.
Dalmatians are smart, but they’re stubborn. That catches a lot of first-time owners off guard.
Some people also believe Dalmatians are naturally aggressive. In my experience, it’s about leadership, not breed. Without clear guidance, a strong-willed Dalmatian will happily take charge, and that’s when problems start. With consistent leadership, they’re loving, loyal companions.
Meet Meeko
Shiba Inus come from Japan. They look a little like a small Akita, usually 20 to 30 pounds, and their stubbornness is legendary.
Meeko was no exception. As a pup he was headstrong and didn’t seem to care much about the rest of the family. Understanding that independence was the key to training him.
Once Meeko accepted me as his leader, he changed completely. He became affectionate and responsive. He still has his “Shiba scream,” the high-pitched protest Shibas are famous for, but it’s part of who he is and we love him for it.
Why it matters for your dog
If a Dalmatian and a Shiba can become calm, loving, trustworthy dogs, so can yours. As I like to say: ”Your dog isn’t stubborn, they just don’t respect you.” Respect can be earned, with any breed.