Captain "Cappy" Bart | Bernadoodle | Encino, CA | In Training

Captain "Cappy" Bart | Bernadoodle | Encino, CA | In Training

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shannonoffleashsoc
Mar 21
15 min read

Updated: Apr 10

03/21/2026

Meet Captain “Cappy” Bart!!! This five-month-old Bernadoodle from Encino just joined us for our Three-Week Puppy Board and Train—and what a special first day it was! Having just been fully vaccinated a few days ago, today marked one of his very first real experiences out in the world. Watching Cappy step onto grass and take in all the new smells at a public park was something truly memorable. While he may not have fully understood what was happening during drop-off (which is completely normal), he quickly began to show his sweet and curious personality as we took time to bond before heading out.

Cappy had some great early social interactions today. A shy little Chihuahua approached him first, and despite his best puppy efforts—bringing out all the charm he could muster—she wasn’t quite ready to engage. Still, he handled it well and stayed friendly and persistent without being overwhelming. Shortly after, he met a male Whippet and did a fantastic job with calm, polite greeting manners. We kept that interaction short and positive, setting the tone for future success. Later, he encountered a very vocal adult Husky, as Huskies tend to be. Cappy showed curiosity but also some uncertainty, which is completely appropriate for a puppy still learning how to communicate. Overall, he demonstrated that he is social, friendly, and eager to learn—even when things feel a little confusing. As expected, we didn’t focus heavily on obedience today, as everything is still so new to him. This was all about exposure, confidence-building, and positive experiences. I’m excited to see how he continues to grow—stay tuned for more of Cappy’s journey!

Morning Feeding Amount	N/A	N/A

Evening Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	Ate 75%

Went to Central Park, Pasadena CA

03/22/2026

Cappy and I had such an exciting day at St. John Bosco High School! My daughter had a Track & Field event, and I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to bring Cappy along for some real-world socialization. From the moment we arrived, he was surrounded by new people, new energy, and a whole lot of attention. It didn’t matter which team anyone was on—everyone wanted to meet and greet this adorable pup!

I couldn’t have been more proud of how he handled such a high-energy environment. With all the noise, movement, and excitement, Cappy stayed friendly, calm, and eager to engage with everyone he met. He soaked up the attention while still showing great manners, which is a huge win for a young puppy in such a stimulating setting. Today was a big step forward in building his confidence and social skills, and he proved just how well he can handle a large crowd. Great job, Cappy!

Morning Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	0%

Evening Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	Ate 100%

Went to John Bosco High School, Bellflower, Ca

03/23/2026

Cappy did such an amazing job yesterday evening and today—he really confirmed everything we’ve been working on together. For a puppy who is still so new to the world—walking on grass, navigating distractions, and experiencing new environments—he handled it all with so much curiosity and heart. It’s clear he’s starting to process these experiences and build confidence with each outing, and that’s exactly what we want to see at this stage.

We spent a good amount of time reinforcing the “Place” command yesterday, and today I could really see that progress come to life. He’s beginning to understand what’s being asked of him and is making the effort to follow through. We also introduced and worked on his recall today. It took some patience and repetition, but he started responding to his name and understanding the expectation to come when called. That’s a big step for such a young pup, and it shows he’s learning how to focus and communicate. I’m really proud of the effort he’s putting in—he’s off to a fantastic start!

In addition, we spent time working on Cappy’s social manners with my adult German Shepherd, and it was a really productive session. These types of interactions are so important for a young pup like him, especially when it comes to learning boundaries from a more mature, well-balanced dog. Cappy is starting to understand that not every moment is playtime, and he’s picking up on the cues that help guide appropriate behavior.

It was great to see the two dogs communicating clearly with one another. My GSD did a nice job of showing him when to settle down and when it was okay to engage and have fun. Cappy responded well, showing respect while still keeping his playful puppy personality. This is a huge step in developing proper social skills, and it will continue to help him build confidence and better interactions with other dogs moving forward.

Morning Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	50%

Evening Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	100%

Trained in Monrovia

03/24/2026

Yesterday and today we focused heavily on Cappy’s socialization skills. Being so new to the world of interacting with other dogs, he must learn what appropriate behavior looks like in different situations. Every interaction is a learning experience for him right now, and he’s really starting to put the pieces together.

Cappy is doing a great job picking up on social cues and learning to go with the flow. He’s beginning to recognize when to engage, when to give space, and how to adjust his energy based on the other dog. That kind of awareness is huge for a young pup, and it’s been great to see him respond so naturally. He’s building a strong foundation for positive, respectful interactions moving forward!

We continued working in a controlled environment today, and Cappy is really starting to understand what’s expected of him with his basic obedience. He’s showing more consistency and confidence in his commands, which is a great sign that everything is starting to click. Keeping things structured like this has really helped him stay focused and successful.

His recall has improved quite a bit—we just need to tighten up his turns and clean up his positioning on the “Auto-Sit.” He’s very close, now it’s all about refining those details. Tomorrow, we’ll start stepping things up by taking everything he’s learned and applying it to real-world situations. It’ll be a big jump for him, but he’s definitely ready for the challenge!

Morning Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	50%

Evening Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	50%

Trained in Monrovia

03/25/2026

Today Cappy and I headed down to Monrovia Library Park for some real-world training, and he did an awesome job! I worked near a group of kids to introduce more distractions, and Cappy handled it really well. His “Auto-Sits” are looking great, and his heel is really starting to come together. Considering this was a brand-new environment for him, I expected a bit of distraction, but he stayed engaged and willing to work. We also spent time building up his extended stays, and I’m seeing steady progress with him every single day.

After training, we ran into some of my daughter’s friends, which turned into the perfect opportunity to work on greeting manners. Cappy did get a little excited and jumped initially—which is totally normal—but what I loved was how he settled right after. Once the girls started petting him, he melted into a sweet, submissive posture and happily soaked up the belly rubs. Moments like this are great learning experiences for him, and he’s continuing to improve with each interaction!

We then made a quick stop into Vons to pick up a few items, and Cappy absolutely surprised me—in the best way! He did amazing inside the store, staying calm and composed despite all the new sights, smells, and people around him. That kind of environment can be a lot for a young pup, but he handled it like a champ.

While we were standing in line to check out, the lady in front of us even complimented how well-behaved he was—which was such a proud moment! And the best part? He didn’t even attempt to sneak any treats while we waited… lol. That shows a lot of self-control for his age, and it’s clear all the work we’ve been putting in is really paying off!

03/26/2026

Another amazing day with Cappy! We went for a long walk and came across Grand Park, which turned out to be a great spot to put his training to the test. He did such a solid job with his basics, especially considering the new environment and distractions around him. We spent time really drilling his “Downs,” focusing on consistency and responsiveness, and also worked on tightening up his turns during recall.

His “Heel” and “Auto-Sit” are coming along beautifully and are starting to look much more polished. We also focused on building his confidence by introducing more “Place” work—getting him comfortable jumping up onto different objects and holding position. This is a big step for him, and he handled it with a great attitude. Cappy continues to impress me every day with his willingness to learn and grow!

03/27/2026

Today we headed over to Arcadia County Park and had another great training day with Cappy! We came across a group of guys playing volleyball, which added some nice distractions to work around. Earlier this morning on our canyon walk, I also discovered that Cappy definitely has a bit of a prey drive! He got very excited when we spotted deer and birds—especially when a few birds swooped down close to us. It turned into a perfect opportunity to reinforce the “Leave It” command, and he did a great job starting to understand that impulse control.

We also got in some valuable socialization time with a one-year-old male Poodle. At first, Cappy was a little unsure—mainly because the other dog was very eager to get very familiar, lol—but that’s all part of normal dog communication. Once that initial introduction phase passed, the two settled in nicely and quickly became buddies. They ended up playing well together and tiring each other out, which is always a win. Experiences like this are so important for helping Cappy build confidence and learn how to appropriately interact with other dogs!

03/28/2026

Check out this smart and handsome boy—what an AWESOME pup!!! This is Cappy at the Farmers Market, and he absolutely crushed it. With all the distractions—people, dogs, food trucks, and nonstop movement—he stayed engaged and handled everything like a pro. He made tons of new doggie friends and is really starting to understand how to properly meet both dogs and people for the first time.

He did break a stay or two, but honestly, for a pup his age with only six days of training, holding positions for minutes in that kind of environment is spectacular. We’ll continue tightening up his “Down” placement and consistency, but aside from that—he nailed it! I couldn’t be more impressed with how far he’s come in such a short time. Cappy is really starting to shine!

03/28/2026

A friend Cappy made on Friday night! (His long lost cousin...lol!)

Today Cappy and I headed back to Monrovia Library Park, hoping to catch some morning activity with people enjoying the park and waiting for breakfast along Myrtle Street. It turned out to be a great training session with plenty of real-life distractions. Cappy especially loves toddlers—the more movement, the better!—and he’s also very drawn to small pups. Because of that excitement, he did break a few sit-stays and had some difficulty staying focused in his heel, which is completely normal at this stage.

We continued working on his recall and refining the placement of his “Down” command, helping him better understand expectations even with distractions around him. We also introduced his “Up” command. Right now, he’s still figuring it out—it’s more of a slow step-up rather than a confident jump—but that’s perfectly okay. With more repetition, confidence, and muscle development, he’ll start to perform it in one smooth motion. Overall, it was a really productive session, and every challenge is just another opportunity for him to grow!

03/30/2026

Today was such an exciting day! We met up as a group at the park, and Cappy got tons of great socialization time with the other pups. These group settings are so valuable for him, and it really showed—he’s becoming more comfortable, more confident, and his basic obedience is improving more and more each day. It’s great to see him starting to balance his excitement with better listening skills.

One of the biggest highlights today was Cappy learning how to jump up onto a bench—and not just once, but multiple times! This is a huge step forward in both his confidence and physical ability. What started as a slow “step up” is already turning into a more fluid motion. He’s really starting to understand his “Up” command, and it’s awesome to see him putting it all together. Cappy is making such solid progress!

03/31/2026

Today was a different kind of day for Cappy—we slowed things down and focused on his house manners, and he really rose to the occasion. Instead of big outings and heavy distractions, the goal was to build calmness, structure, and consistency inside the home environment.

We spent a lot of time drilling his “Place” command, and he absolutely crushed it. Cappy held his place for up to 40 minutes with no breaks—that’s incredible for a pup his age! This kind of work builds patience, impulse control, and a calm state of mind. Awesome job, Cappy!!!

04/01/2026

What a day! Cappy and I took our first trip to the Westfield Santa Anita, and he was absolutely in heaven. He soaked in everything—the kids, crowds, other dogs, and especially the food court (all those smells were definitely tempting!). Even with that level of distraction, he did a really solid job staying engaged and working through his obedience.

We focused on his “Place” command and continued building his confidence by having him jump up onto benches, which he’s improving on more and more. He’s still a bit hesitant jumping into the car, so we’ll keep working on that, but overall his confidence is growing. We also tackled the escalator and stairs today—he was a little unsure at first, but with some encouragement, he quickly figured it out and handled it like a pro. Big win for Cappy today!

04/02/2026

After working on Cappy’s basic obedience near the kids’ playground, we shifted gears and focused on socialization. We made it a point to stop and say hello to as many dogs and kids as were willing to take a break from their playtime. Cappy definitely gets excited around kids, but this turned into a great teaching moment—not just for him, but for the kids too. By having them lower their hands to his level, it helped prevent jumping and set him up for success. It was awesome to see everyone having fun while also learning how to create calm, positive interactions.

After some solid social time, we got back to work and focused on his “Up-Up!” command. Cappy gave it a few tries and then successfully cleared the wall—he was so proud of himself! Moments like that really build his confidence. Now that I know he’s capable of making that jump with ease, I’m going to start tying that skill back into his “Load Up” command for getting into the car. He’s making huge strides, and it’s exciting to see it all come together!

04/03/2026

Another amazing day for Cappy! This handsome little guy continues to blow me away—he’s so smart, compassionate, and incredibly personable. His basic obedience is coming along really well, and it’s clear he’s understanding more and more each day. We’re still working on his “Load Up” into the car, but no rush—we’ve got time, and he’s making steady progress.

Today we trained near a soccer field, which gave us the perfect setup to focus on greeting manners with young children. Overall, he did a great job! He’s learning how to manage his excitement, approach calmly, and interact appropriately. These real-world reps are so important, and Cappy continues to step up every single day!

04/04/2026

Today was a more relaxed day after Cappy’s big performance last night—and he still did an amazing job! We spent some time at the Farmers Market and grabbed dinner before heading out, giving him a nice mix of exposure while keeping things a bit lighter.

He had a few breaks on his extended stays, but overall he handled himself really well, especially considering the environment and everything going on around him. That kind of consistency is great to see. We’re still continuing to work on his car manners, but he’s making progress. Even on an “easy” day, Cappy continues to learn and improve!

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! I know it’s not the same without your furry friend there, but he’ll be home with you soon!

Today Cappy and I headed to the park and watched an organized Easter egg hunt—tons of kids laughing, running, and collecting eggs in their baskets. It was the perfect opportunity to work on his focus in a high-energy environment. We practiced extended stays and heels, and overall he did a great job. He wasn’t fully locked in the entire time (which is completely understandable with that level of excitement around him), but his response to commands was solid and reliable.

We’re continuing to work on his car manners, especially building his confidence jumping in with ease. He’s getting there—it’s just going to take a bit more repetition and confidence-building. Overall, another strong day for Cappy!

04/06/2026

Today we trained as a group, and it was a great opportunity for Cappy to apply everything he’s been learning with real dog distractions all around him. These sessions are so valuable because it challenges him to stay focused and responsive, even when there are other pups nearby.

We really drilled his heel and auto-sit, and he did a solid job staying engaged. There were even some leftover Easter candy distractions on the ground—which were definitely tempting—but he worked through it and made good choices. Overall, it was a great day, and Cappy continues to show how much progress he’s making!

In addition, we hit a huge milestone in Cappy’s progress today—he successfully jumped into the back of my SUV and into his crate! This has been something we’ve been consistently working on, and it finally clicked for him. It took a lot of repetitions, patience, and encouragement, but he pushed through and figured it out by the end.

This is a big confidence win for Cappy. Not only does it show his growing understanding of the “Load Up” command, but it also reflects his willingness to try something new and slightly challenging. Moments like this are what training is all about—building trust, confidence, and clarity. So proud of him for sticking with it and mastering it!

Morning Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	Ate 100%

Evening Feeding Amount	1.5 Cups	Ate 100%

Whittier Narrows

04/07/2026

Cappy, my daughter, and I headed back to Westfield Santa Anita to continue working on his “Leave It” command along with all of his basic obedience—and he’s really starting to look like a pro! With all the distractions in the mall, he stayed engaged and responsive, which is a huge win.

We rode the escalator and climbed the stairs again, and this time he handled both with confidence and ease. You can really see how quickly he’s learning and adapting. We even grabbed a quick bite in the food court, and Cappy did an awesome job settling under the table while we ate. That kind of calm behavior in a busy environment shows just how far he’s come. Super proud of this guy!

04/08/2026

We continued Cappy’s training at Westfield Santa Anita with some high-level distractions, and it definitely challenged him in the best way. There were more dogs than usual today, and that really amped up his excitement—it honestly blew his mind a bit! He loves the attention from everyone, and that cute little wiggle in his walk makes him hard to resist. Even with all that stimulation, he worked through it and continued to improve.

We also kept reinforcing his “Load Up” command for the car, and he’s getting more consistent each time. On top of that, we worked on his food manners and door manners, helping him build patience and respect in everyday situations. These small but important skills are what really round him out, and he’s continuing to make great progress across the board!

04/09/2026

Willow did awesome today! We filmed again at Westfield Santa Anita with high distractions, and I’m truly impressed with how far he has come. His basic obedience commands are looking sharp, and he’s showing so much consistency even in a busy, high-energy environment.

He’s always been such a sweet and loving dog, but now he clearly understands the difference between work time and playtime. That balance is huge, and he’s really putting it all together. Couldn’t be more proud of his progress!

04/10/2026

These three weeks have flown by so fast! It has been such a fun and rewarding experience training Cappy, and all of us will truly miss him. From day one, he brought so much personality, joy, and energy into every session.

Cappy is such a sweet, loving, and funny dog who absolutely thrives on attention—he’s a total people pleaser! Whether he was working, playing, or meeting new friends, he always found a way to make everyone smile. We’re so proud of how far he’s come and can’t wait for his family to enjoy all the amazing progress he’s made!

Morning Feeding Amount

Evening Feeding Amount

Trained at the Monrovia Library Park