In this heartfelt and compelling episode, we meet Zuzia Kubica - Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, founder of CoeurCanin, and passionate advocate for animals who walk the wilder edges of society. From befriending street dogs as a child in communist Poland to developing a thriving behavior consultancy in Quebec, Zuzia’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Zuzia shares how her upbringing among free-roaming animals and a nature-loving family laid the foundation for a life built on curiosity, empathy, and quiet rebellion against coercion. Her first dog, Zorro - a reactive, resilient former shelter dog - became her greatest teacher and helped inspire protocols she still uses today. With stories that span cultures, continents, and communities, Zuzia brings a unique, deeply humane lens to behavior change.

In this episode, we explore:
✅ Why Zuzia never had to “crossover” to positive reinforcement
✅ What she learned from working with clients in high-risk or marginalized contexts
✅ How freestyle training became a powerful healing tool for both dogs and humans
✅ Her reflections on burnout, emotional labor, and setting trainers up for long-term success
✅ The vital need for trainer education that includes human-centered skills and support

Zuzia’s experiences - ranging from musical canine freestyle to navigating the emotional terrain of helping humans with trauma - highlight the richness and responsibility of being a modern animal trainer. This conversation is a tribute to empathy, perseverance, and the beautiful messiness of human-animal relationships.

Links

coeurcanin@yahoo.com

http://CoeurCanin.com 

Formation CoeurCanin: https://www.facebook.com/FormationCoeurCanin 

CoeurCanin group (in French but can be posted in English): https://www.facebook.com/groups/49236022174

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coeurcanin/ 

BlueSky:  https://bsky.app/profile/coeurcanin.bsky.social