Robert “Bob” Weatherwax, trainer and owner of the original Lassie, died on Friday. He was 83 years old.

Weatherwax’s death was confirmed by his son, also named Robert, on Instagram. He wrote: “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my legendary dog ​​trainer father. Robert Walter Weatherwax (left) – June 4, 1941 – August 16, 2024. He was born exactly one year after my grandfather’s MGM Lassie – Pal. I am proud to be the last representative of the greatest dog trainer family in history.”

Weatherwax worked as a dog trainer from a young age alongside his father, Rudd Weatherwax, often helping to train Lassie (the family pet) and other dogs. Sometimes the roles were reversed and Lassie even took on additional care of young Weatherwax.

Rudd not only trained Pal, but was also a co-creator of the show.

As a young adult, Weatherwax returned to California after serving in the U.S. Army. There he became a dog trainer and trained under his father for the original television series “Lassie.” He also founded his own training company, Weatherwax Trained Dogs, but took over his father’s practice after his father’s death.

In addition to Lassie, the Weatherwax family also trained the film animals Asta, Toto and Old Yeller.

Weatherwax worked to build trust between himself and the animals he worked with, which was described in an obituary published by his family as “building trust eye to eye and heart to heart.”

“It was about analyzing in great detail a desired action and movement that a dog could literally learn and perform forwards and backwards. It was about conveying the immense potential of a species so similar to us, yet so different that our similarities were expressed in raising a paw, lowering a head, crawling on the ground, swimming against treacherous currents, jumping out of windows into the arms of the adult or child who loved the dog and needed him in that moment,” they continued.

Weatherwax’s last collie was the grandson of the original dog.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.