ZENFULdog of the Month: Timber

Meet Timber, ZENFULdog Training’s star for July 2025! This handsome husky mix, with his swirling coat of white, caramel, black, and grey, captured hearts the moment he arrived. Adopted by Katherine and Craig in January 2024 from It Takes A Village Dog Rescue, Timber was part of a husky litter left behind at just 4 weeks old. Timber has grown into a beloved companion and a bright light in the ZENFULdog Training community—alongside his devoted pet-family, who are treasured members of the pack.

Timber 

Age: Timber is just over 1.5 years old

Meet Timber’s Family

In June 2023, Katherine and Craig said a heartwrenching goodbye to their beloved dog, Tayz, after 14 wonderful years together. His absence left a quiet ache in their hearts and an empty space in their home, especially during their first Christmas without him. Katherine was scrolling through rescue listings on Boxing Day night, when she stumbled upon a litter that caught her eye: “One pup that stood out was Timber. A few days later, on New Year’s Day 2024, we found ourselves driving to Renfrew to meet him. By January 9th, Timber was on his way home with us—into our lives and our hearts.”

(Katherine & Craig—Timber’s pet-parents): Timber brings light, laughter, and a whole lot of energy into Katherine and Craig’s home. A devoted sidekick, he has become Katherine’s shadow—her cheerleader and partner in new adventures like canicross, where they hit the trails as a dynamic duo. 

As for Craig? Let’s just say it took Timber a year to make up his mind…but he has finally accepted that Craig is part of the pack—and maybe even likes him a little. 

Katherine adds, “Timber didn’t replace Tayz—no one ever could—but he’s helped us heal, grow and love again. Here’s to the journey we’re on together, and all the tail-wagging memories still to come.”

(Timber’s human siblings): For their daughters, Timber is a playmate, a protector and a teacher—helping them grow through training, running and love.

Timber's Personality According to Katherine: Kathrine was originally drawn to Timber’s beautiful husky mask which faded by six months, but his spirit only grew brighter: “Timber is a beautiful mix of energy and affection. He’s one of the more challenging dogs I’ve had—stubborn, vocal and endlessly curious. He has opinions about everything and isn’t shy about sharing them. He’s mouthy in the way huskies often are—talking back, play-nipping and always ready to engage.

But beneath the sass is a heart of gold. Timber is deeply affectionate, often curling up beside us or nudging in for a snuggle. He’s intuitive and sensitive, picking up on moods and offering quiet companionship when it’s needed most. He’s also incredibly smart, which means he learns quickly, but only when he feels like it.”

Katherine Shares The Most Unique Thing about Timber: Timber adores the hair dryer. He is very insulted if he isn’t included in a hair styling routine and demands an equal amount of time being fluffed with the air.

Timber's favourite Treats/Foods according to Katherine: If it’s meat, Timber is on board!

Katherine Lists Timber’s Favourite Activities: Timber loves to play fetch, and despite having access to a variety of chew toys, antlers and busy toys, he has a special fondness for:

• Sock destruction

• Kleenex collecting

• The occasional king-size bed de-fluffing

Timber used to enjoy daily off-leash zoomies through the trails at his home, but after a failed attempt to befriend a porcupine, he’s now limited to leash walks and runs.

Katherine Explains How Timber Unwinds After a Full Day of Activity: “Timber is a total snuggle bug. One of his favorite spots to curl up is tucked behind our knees when we lie on the couch watching television. He’s also quite the sly pup—after my husband leaves for the day, Timber has been known to sneak into bed. More than once, I’ve woken up to find him sleeping peacefully with his head on my husband’s pillow.”

If Timber had a human voice: He would have Jay Barachul’s voice, in particular, the phrase “hey guys….”

Timber’s Training 

Timber began his training adventure at ZENFULdog Training as a puppy around 5 to 6 months old, and he’s been a regular ever since. He kicked things off in Puppy Classes and worked his way through Levels 1, 2, and 3. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Timber also took on Parkour and completed three Canix programs in the fall of 2024, winter 2025, and spring 2025.

Katherine Tells Us How Training Has Shaped Timber: “I think the programs have shaped our entire family. My relationship with Timber has grown stronger because ZENFULdog helped me understand which techniques work best for his breed and temperament. ZENFULdog also gave me a non-judgmental space to realize that it’s okay if things don’t always go as planned. What matters is learning from each experience and building on that foundation.

I’ve learned to truly listen—to Timber’s cues, my instincts and to the areas where I can grow as his companion. It’s been a journey of mutual understanding, patience and trust.”

Katherine Describes Timber’s Biggest Training Challenges/Successes: “When we first started classes with Timber, he was shy and hesitant to interact with other dogs. Over time, though, he’s done a complete 180—now he’s eager to play with everyone! That said, his style of friendship can be a bit of an acquired taste for some pups.

In Canicross, we’ve focused on building Timber’s ability to stay engaged and on task. Introducing a muzzle to reduce leash play was a game changer—it helped him concentrate and made our runs much smoother. He also thrives when paired with a more experienced dog who isn’t fazed by his sudden bursts of exuberance. A steady presence helps him stay grounded and enjoy the run without getting too distracted.”

Katherine recalls Timber’s Most Rewarding Moments of Training in Action: 

“One of our biggest wins has been getting Timber to check in with me during our runs. Those early Sunday morning Canicross sessions, when he’s focused, in the zone and running confidently out front—we really find our groove. It’s in those quiet, steady moments that all the hard work feels worth it.”

ZENFULdog owner and trainer, Kendra, adds: “ZENFULdog has had the pleasure of working with Timber since his very first Puppy Program, and it’s been an incredible journey.

Timber started as a tentative puppy, approaching new people, dogs and experiences with cautious curiosity. From the beginning, we knew it was essential to create safe, supportive spaces where he could make choices at his own pace. This allowed him to build confidence—not only in himself, but also in his pet family, those of us supporting him and the world around him.

He’s a sweet boy, and with patience and thoughtful support, we saw him start to enjoy the company of other dogs. He first gravitated toward smaller or more mindful puppies, but over time, his confidence grew. Now, he’s smitten with his Canicross gal pals on group runs—happily socializing with all sorts of breeds and personalities.

The once-shy pup is now a full-blown adolescent, navigating big emotions and occasionally finding it challenging to regulate his sensory experiences. Like many teens, he's learning how to manage excitement, frustration and the overwhelming world around him—and that’s all part of the process.

Recently, we’ve seen tremendous progress in Timber’s performance and his ability to focus during Canicross runs with our pack runners. This has been a significant breakthrough for him—a reflection of both his growing confidence and his developing ability to stay regulated in more stimulating environments.

A huge part of this success is thanks to Katherine’s consistency, patience and positive energy on the trails. Katherine’s dedication has made all the difference, and it’s been a joy to watch Timber thrive under her guidance and with his family's support at home.

We're continuing to support him through this next stage of development, helping him channel his energy and emotions in healthy ways, while reinforcing the trust and skills he's already built.

It’s been a beautiful transformation to witness, and we’re so proud of the progress he and his family have made together.”

A heartfelt “Thank You!” to Katherine 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!