A well-known dog trainer and former Canyon Country resident known for his role behind the stars of “Lassie” and many other animal stars in the entertainment industry has recently passed away.   

The well-known dog trainer, Robert Weatherwax, son of “Lassie” co-creator Rudd Weatherwax, passed away at the age of 83 from natural causes. 

Weatherwax died on Thursday at the Veterans Administration facility in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, according to officials. 

The trainer’s unparalleled expertise in animal training made him a well-respected figure in the industry, where he carried on his father’s legacy as the trainer of the first Lassie.

Born into a family deeply rooted in the tradition of animal training, Weatherwax was naturally inclined towards working with animals from a young age.  His uncles trained Toto from The Wizard of Oz, and Old Yeller from the beloved Disney film of the same name.

Growing up, Weatherwax was always by his father’s side, assisting in the training of various dogs throughout childhood. 

This early exposure to the world of animal behavior and training not only nurtured his passion but also laid the foundation for what would become his lifelong profession. 

Before his Hollywood career as a professional dog trainer, he served his country by enlisting in the United States Army. 

After completing his service, the trainer returned to his true calling and created “Weatherwax Trained Dogs,” where dogs in the entertainment industry would go to be trained. 

Over the years, Weatherwax became a well-known dog trainer and helped train some of the most famous dogs in television, including Einstein from the Back to the Future films and animals on Big Jake (1971), The Thing (1982) and Dennis the Menace (1993). 

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