The Story Behind Pluto & Co.
We’re Erik, Dalal, Pluto, and Kayan — a family brought together by a shared love of dogs
From Pastry to Paws
My name is Erik Van der Veken, and before I became a dog trainer, I was a pastry chef. For years, my world revolved around precision, curiosity, and constant improvement. I was never satisfied with “just follow the recipe.” I always wanted to understand why something worked — and why it didn’t.
In 2022, after a business project didn’t go as planned — partly due to Covid, partly due to bad timing — my wife Dalal and I found ourselves in a difficult situation. It was Dalal who came up with the idea of starting dog sitting. At first, I wasn’t convinced. We were living in an apartment, and although I’d always loved dogs, it didn’t feel like the right time. But between her persistence and our need to make things work, I gave in.
Soon, we were looking after everything from French Bulldogs to Staffies — and that’s how it all started.
The Dog Who Changed It All
Everything truly changed when Obi, a German Shepherd, came through our door. His intelligence stood out immediately — completely different from any other dog we’d cared for. From that day on, I saw dogs and shepherd breeds as two entirely separate worlds.
That curiosity turned into passion, and I began studying working breeds in depth. Eventually, I set my heart on the Dutch Shepherd — the intelligence of the German Shepherd, the athleticism of the Belgian Malinois, and, importantly, the ability to relax and switch off. That became my dream dog.
The Beginning of Pluto & Co.
When Dalal and I finally moved into our house, I had been searching for a Dutch Shepherd for months with no luck.
Then I found Pluto, listed at the DSPCA as a six-month-old German Shepherd. Not exactly the Dutchie I had in mind, but something about him drew me in. A few weeks later, a DNA test confirmed what I suspected — Pluto was over 50% Malinois, one of the most challenging breeds in the world.
Within 24 hours, I thought I’d made a mistake. Within two weeks, I realized I had a challenge unlike anything I’d ever faced. His play turned into chaos, his energy was endless, and he couldn’t calm down. I tried “positive-only” trainers — but things got worse. Then I tried more traditional methods — but they didn’t feel right either.
Failing Pluto wasn’t an option. If I couldn’t help him, I didn’t deserve the Dutchie I’d been dreaming of. That search for a fairer, clearer approach led me to NePoPo® (Negative–Positive–Positive). At first, it sounded strict, but in practice it was about clarity, fairness, and reward. And it worked. Pluto started improving — not because I controlled him, but because we finally began communicating.
That’s how Pluto & Co. was born — from one dog who changed everything and taught me that real training starts with understanding, not control.
Kayan — The Dog I Dreamed Of
After Pluto came Kayan, a Dutch Shepherd from a well-respected French working line known for stability and temperament.
Raising him from eight weeks old was a completely different experience. Where Pluto needed to unlearn chaos, Kayan came ready to learn. He was focused, balanced, and confident — everything I’d imagined in my “dream dog.”
With Kayan, training has been about refining, not fixing. Together, they remind me every day that every dog — and every relationship — requires its own approach.
Life Today
Today, Dalal and I live with Pluto and Kayan, the two dogs who completely changed our lives. They’re part of our family and the reason we do what we do — helping others experience the same clarity and connection we’ve found.
Between training sessions, studying, and long walks, our days are full, but meaningful. Every dog that comes to Pluto & Co. has their own story — and being part of their transformation is the most rewarding part of this journey.
Our Mission and Philosophy
Building Strong Relationships
Helping people create lasting, trusting bonds with their dogs through clarity, fairness, and positive communication.
Education and Consistency
Guiding owners to understand their dogs better, apply consistent structure, and build long-term reliability at home.
Responsible Ownership
Promoting ethical breeding, informed choices, and responsible ownership — because the future of dogs depends on us.
Building Better Bonds, One Dog at a Time
Every great story starts with a single step — take yours with your dog.