Why I’ll Always Train with Love: Building Trust, One Paw at a Time
Because Love is the Most Powerful Reinforcement of All
“Love leaves a legacy in every lesson we teach”—Legacy of Love
Becoming a Dog Mom and Finding My Purpose
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
Technically, I became a dog mom at the age of 19. My very first shelter dog captured my heart without me even realizing that dogs are truly the innocent souls who speak to me—energetically, loudly, and profoundly. My journey with dogs began much earlier, though. I remember being about five years old when our family dog, Max, became my first friend. But it was during my teenage years that I began to feel the healing power of a dog’s love through our family’s rescued dog, Duchess. She was my first shelter experience, and she naturally bonded to my mom.
During that time, my mom volunteered as a dog walker at our local private shelter—an organization I still find myself connected with today through my own professional work with adoptable dogs who need a little extra love and guidance to thrive in our human world. Growing up, every beloved canine (and feline) member of our family came from a shelter. Each adoption shaped how I see dogs: as sentient, feeling beings who only ever ask for understanding and connection in return.Learning What Not to Do
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
As a child and young adult, I saw a lot of old-school obedience training. I remember cringing as I watched dogs cower in fear when harsh physical discipline was used—prong collars, choke chains, alpha rolls, and yelling for simple accidents in the house. At the time, I didn’t understand what I was seeing. I just knew it felt wrong. Now I know those were aversive methods—techniques that rely on fear, pain, or coercion. Those experiences became part of what shaped my commitment to doing things differently.
When I adopted my first shelter dog at 19, I was told to use a heavy metal prong collar to teach leash walking. Even then, I hated it. I could see the fear in her eyes, and I remember thinking, 'There has to be a better way.' Today, I know there is. It might take a little more patience and consistency, but positive reinforcement transforms how dogs experience training—and how we connect with them.
Discovering the Power of Positive Reinforcement
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
It wasn’t until around 2005 that I truly discovered positive reinforcement training and began understanding the incredible effects of reward-based learning. The concept is simple but powerful: reward the behaviors you want to see repeated, rather than punishing the ones you don’t. The more we reward, the more our dogs understand what we do want—and the stronger our relationship becomes.
I often remind my clients of this truth:
“It’s our job to teach our dogs what they need to know to live in our human world.”
When that idea clicks for them, I see the same lightbulb moment I once had. We teach them, and in turn, they teach us patience, empathy, and unconditional love.
Hot Rod: The Dog Who Changed Everything
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
My true awakening came with my soul dog, Hot Rod. He arrived with a 'suitcase full' of behaviors, and I had a lot to learn. Step by step, we grew together. Hot Rod taught me that how we train matters just as much as what we teach. His patience, resilience, and love turned training from a task into a language—a way to communicate and connect. It was through him that I realized my life’s calling: to help dogs and their people learn to trust each other through understanding, compassion, and love.
When Life (and the World) Tested My Training
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
Fast forward to 2020. I took in a young puppy named Blanco who showed all the classic signs of kennelosis. Just two months later, the world shut down. Suddenly, we were isolated. His socialization window closed, and everything in the outside world became scary. I was scared, too—without support, without guidance. Blanco taught me firsthand the emotional ripple effect of fear—how easily our own stress travels down the leash. He introduced me to the complex world of reactivity and the importance of professional, certified trainers who use evidence-based methods rooted in kindness. When a dog is shut down or fearful, the best path forward is always love, not punishment.
The Power of Patience, Trust, and Enrichment
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
One of my greatest joys now is helping pet parents discover the world of canine enrichment—simple, joyful ways to teach confidence and engagement through positive reinforcement. Whether it’s rewarding a dog for natural 'check-ins,' nose targets, or offering a sit or down, these small moments build big confidence.
It’s just like us—when we’re appreciated for doing something right, we want to keep doing it. Dogs are no different. Even in human behavior, we go to work to get a paycheck. For our dogs, that 'paycheck' is praise, treats, toys, or love.
Through consistency, reward, and trust, our dogs learn to want to do the things that make us happy—and we learn to celebrate progress over perfection.
The Legacy Continues
────────────────────────────── 🐾 ──────────────────────────────
Through every dog who has been part of my journey—from Duchess, to Angel, to Hot Rod, Blanco, and beyond—I’ve learned that each one leaves behind lessons that become part of my own 'Legacy of Love.' Every training session, every breakthrough, every quiet moment of understanding—those are the legacies our dogs give us.
Some of us are lucky enough to meet a soul dog who changes everything. When that happens, we’re entrusted with something precious: to carry their lessons forward and help others build their own Legacy of Love.
💌 Love leaves a legacy in every lesson we teach.
If this story speaks to your heart and you’re ready to start creating your own Legacy of Love with your dog, I’d love to help you get started. Together, we can build a training plan rooted in trust, understanding, and positive reinforcement—helping you and your dog strengthen your bond and communicate more clearly.
🐾 Schedule a personalized consultation to discover how positive training can bring out the best in your dog and deepen your connection.
💌About the Author
Tracy Rosenberg is a professional dog trainer, pet-care services provider, and the heart behind Legacy of Love Dog Training & Pet Care Services.
Inspired by her soul dog, Hot Rod, Tracy is dedicated to helping dogs and their people build stronger, happier relationships through reward-based, positive reinforcement training.
When she’s not working with clients, Tracy enjoys creating enrichment projects for her pack, sharing heartfelt stories on her blog, and celebrating the legacies of the dogs who changed her life.
📩 tracy@legacyoflovedog.com | 📞 (505) 264-4131 | 🌐 www.legacyoflovedog.com
Legacy of Love Professional Dog Training & Pet Services
Helping dogs and their people build their own Legacies of Love.
Missed our first story? Read The Heart Behind Legacy of Love.