ZENFULdog of the Month: Nixon

Meet Nixon, ZENFULdog Training’s spotlight superstar for October! This big, bearded German Shepherd may look like a tough guy on the outside, but ask his pet-mom, Mercedez, and she’ll tell you that he’s a total softie at heart. Affectionately nicknamed “Nix,” he’s known for his bold personality, goofy antics and deeply loyal soul. 

Nixon 

Age: 7 ½ years

Meet Nixon’s Family

Nixon’s pet-parents, aka, ‘Mom and Pops’ : Mercedez (Mom) is special; she is loving, caring and only wants the best for Nixon. John (Pops) is one of a kind fun-maker ready to stir up Nixon’s playful side. Together, they have created a home filled with laughter, learning and unconditional love.

Nixon has been the best addition to his human family. He has taught them what it is to have a reactive dog. Beyond that, Mercedez elaborates, is how much love he has to give: “He makes us feel so safe. The way he greets us at the door when coming back home (whether it's from work, grocery shopping, etc) is beyond words. He misses us regardless of the amount of time we've been gone, and it warms the heart. He means the world to us and much more!”

Nixon's Personality According to Mercedez: He has a big attitude for a big boy: “In his defense, he just wants to show that he is protecting us at all times, even if it's just a cat crossing the street. He is very vocal, loves to cry and whine a lot just for attention, or to alert us when his toy balls roll under the couch. He loves to show that he is the self-declared king of our little town and he loves his toys! If he doesn't get his daily dose of physical activity, he will definitely let us know. He is a big 100-pound boy, but I always tell him that I love his big butt!”

Mercedez Shares The Most Unique Thing about Nixon: Nixon has such a unique, gentle way of lifting spirits and boosting morale.

Nixon's favourite Treats/Foods according to Mercedez: Before Mom and Pops discovered his allergies, Nixon was all about the crunch from cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, you name it: “Sometimes we would wonder if he only loves us for the food!” 

Nixon’s Favourite Activities: Anything outdoors with Mom and Pops is Nixon’s happy place. 

Mercedez Explains how Nixon Unwinds After a Full Day of Activity: After a full day of fun, Nixon loves a good massage, some solo couch time (or one of his many bed options) and to chill with Mom and Pops on the couch.

If Nixon had a human voice: Mercedez imagines Nixon sounding like sultry action star Jason Statham if he had a human voice.

Nixon’s Training 

Nixon joined ZENFULdog Training in late summer 2023 and has since excelled in Private Training, Reactive to Responsive, Parkour, and Fitness programs, some with humans and some solo.

Mercedez Tells Us How Training Has Shaped Nixon: Nixon has come a long way thanks to ZENFULdog: “As pet-parents, we are very hard on ourselves. I've always felt like I failed my dog until I met Kendra. We have learned so many ways that have helped us better understand his needs and why he has high emotions. It's a work in progress, but it helps us correct his behaviour over time in a positive and healthy way. 

Nixon is always eager to learn, and ZENFULdog has so many opportunities for us to be part of. All of the programs and classes we've been part of, and will continue to be a part of, are beyond beneficial for our boy's mind and physical well-being! We'll forever be grateful to ZENFULdog for giving us hope and for being part of a wonderful community that accepts and respects our needs.”

Mercedez Describes Nixon’s Biggest Training Challenges/Successes: “Nixon is a reactive dog with big emotions. It has always been our biggest challenge. It is still a work in progress, but he has come a long way since we adopted him. He thrives in making us happy and proud. He is very motivated in learning new things.

His biggest success is that we can now catch his attention and keep him calm and focused when he gets high emotions/reactive.”

Mercedez recalls Nixon’s Most Rewarding Moments of Training in Action: The most rewarding part? Nixon and his pet-parents are learning together. His reactivity is still there, but now they manage it with knowledge, patience and teamwork, side by side!

ZENFULdog owner and trainer, Kendra, adds: “We love love love Nixon and Mercedez!

Nixon is equal parts ‘wolf’ and big sweet baby, and we absolutely adore every bit of his beautiful personality. He’s so well partnered with Mercedez and John— together, they make an incredible team built on understanding, patience and joy.

I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for German Shepherds, and Nixon is a perfect example of why. He’s intelligent, loyal, athletic, kind and absolutely stunning to the eye. Watching him transform, from moments of uncertainty to curiosity and connection, has been such a gift. It is truly something special to see Nixon choose to look to his guardians rather than worry and to engage with the world with calm curiosity instead of anxiety.

Their journey together reminds us that training isn’t just about mastering skills; it’s about building trust and embracing one another for who we are. Nixon and his family do that beautifully. They respect and honour each other’s individuality, and that bond is far more meaningful than any list of accomplishments. That said, Nixon does have a ton! From Fitness and Skills to Parkour, this dog is an absolute rockstar.

Nixon also shines as a lead dog on our Canihikes with the Canisport pack. He seems to love his job: leading with focus, keeping an eye on everyone and walking beautifully with other calm, confident dogs.

Currently, Nixon is working in our Reactive to Responsive program, and we couldn’t be prouder. We’re seeing such amazing progress: calm responses in situations that used to be stressful, thoughtful problem-solving, and a real enjoyment of the games and communication that help him stay connected.

Sharing our lives with dogs like Nixon reminds us that growth is a journey, not a destination. Our dogs aren’t “finished,” they’re evolving, just like we are. Each step is about learning, adapting, and enjoying the process. Nixon is doing exactly that, surrounded by safety, happiness and the love of his dedicated guardians.

We couldn’t be happier or prouder of this incredible team.”

A heartfelt “Thank You!” to Mercedez for providing fantastic content for this feature! Don’t forget you can follow ZENFULdog Training on Facebook to stay connected with your like-minded, dog-loving community every day!