Chanel | Havanese | Los Angeles, CA. | In Training.
- heatheroffleashsoc
- Feb 9
- 23 min read
Updated: Mar 1
Meet Chanel! ✨🐾
Chanel is a 2-year-old Havanese from Los Angeles, CA who has just joined us for our Three-Week Reactive Board and Train Program. Don’t let her small size and adorable fluff fool you—this little lady has some big feelings packed into that tiny body. Chanel has been described as a walking (and barking) ball of anxiety, especially when people or dogs are nearby. And if another dog shows up in the elevator of her apartment building? Let’s just say Chanel believes those elevators are meant for private rides only, and she is very committed to enforcing that rule.
Chanel has also made it clear that selective hearing is one of her strongest skills, particularly when she’s being called back to her owner. Why come when called when there are so many things to worry about, bark at, or dramatically react to? Totally understandable… in Chanel’s world, at least.
Over the next 21 days, we’ll be working closely with Chanel on her basic obedience, house manners, and helping her learn how to navigate the world with a little more calm and confidence. Our goal is to give her the tools she needs to replace anxious reactions with better choices, so she can enjoy walks, shared spaces, and everyday adventures without feeling overwhelmed. We can’t wait to help this fluffy firecracker become a more relaxed, happy pup—and maybe even an elevator pro.
Let’s get to work! 💪🐶✨
2/9/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the park to meet up with some fellow trainers and their dogs. Right from the start, Chanel was very eager to hop out of the car and check everything out—and honestly, I can’t say I blame her! When she first noticed the other dogs at the park, she did bark a bit, but after a clear off cue, she listened right away. Great first impression!
We started with a walk around the park so I could get a feel for what Chanel already knows and begin introducing the heel command. At first, she was very focused on investigating her surroundings—so much so that leash corrections didn’t phase her much initially. But as the walk went on, she started to tune in more, and by the end she was clearly more engaged with me and walking very nicely on the leash.
Chanel also handled the car ride to and from the park like a champ. Once we arrived back at my house, she immediately got to exploring and seemed quite pleased with her home away from home for the next two weeks.
All in all, Chanel is already doing very well and appears to be adjusting just fine. She is truly a cutie, and I’m really looking forward to the work we’ll be doing together! 💛🐶
2/10/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the park to continue polishing up her heel, sit, and introducing more work with her come-to-sit command. Upon arrival, Chanel made sure everyone was aware that the headliner had officially entered the venue. Announcements were made. Feelings were expressed. Opinions were shared.
However, with a stern “off” and a quick leash correction, she quickly remembered that while she may feel like the star of the show, we still have manners to uphold. After that little reminder, she was much more composed.
Naturally, Chanel also believed she should be in charge of our walking route. Scenic director, if you will. But after revisiting yesterday’s lessons, she was much more willing to walk nicely at my side instead of forging ahead to scout the territory herself. Her heel is steadily improving, especially once she accepts that I do, in fact, know where we’re going.
As for her sit command — Chanel absolutely knows it. What she also knows is how to deliver a top-tier blank stare when asked. It’s quite convincing. Very “I have never heard this word in my life.” But with repetition and consistency, that sit is starting to happen much faster. The delay between cue and compliance is shrinking, which tells me the gears are turning — she’s just deciding it’s worth her time.
We also began working on her come-to-sit, which involves her coming around my right side and finishing seated nicely on my left. While she doesn’t fully understand the choreography yet, she’s beginning to connect the dots. Each repetition gets a little smoother, and I can see the lightbulb flickering on.
Crate time last night went pretty well! I set her up with a blanket and her trusty blue dinosaur for moral support. When we said goodnight, she definitely had some thoughts about the arrangement and felt it necessary to voice them. Thankfully, she eventually realized that yelling at me was not going to renegotiate the contract, and she settled in. The only time I heard from her after that was in the morning when she needed to go potty — and I was very happy to find zero accidents in the crate!
All in all, training is moving in a great direction. Chanel is starting to pick up on expectations, even if she occasionally pretends she’s new here. She loved getting out to explore, and I’m excited to keep building on today’s progress. One day at a time — and maybe a few fewer dramatic stares along the way. 😉
2/11/2026
Today Chanel and I kept things close to home as we continued polishing up the commands she’s learned so far—heel, sit, and come to sit. Keeping the environment familiar really helps us fine-tune the details, and Miss Chanel definitely kept things interesting (as usual!).
Her heel is coming along nicely! We’re still working on convincing her that it’s perfectly okay to be a passenger instead of the driver. Chanel naturally likes to take charge and suggest alternate routes, but she’s slowly relinquishing that control and settling into position more willingly. The more we practice, the more she understands that letting me steer doesn’t mean she loses her sparkle.
With her sit, she’s improving as well. She still occasionally offers her signature “blank stare and dramatic pause” before complying—because why rush greatness? 😌 But the hesitation is getting shorter and shorter. We’ve also started adding some distance and duration, turning her regular sit into an extended sit. She’s learning that holding her position calmly is just as important as getting into it.
We also worked on her come to sit. She had a bit of trouble with the follow-through today, sometimes wanting to stand behind me and supervise the rest of the neighborhood instead. However, with repetition and clear guidance, she’s improving each time. The consistency is paying off, and she’s starting to complete the command more cleanly.
All in all, Chanel is making solid progress—not only in mastering her commands but also in balancing obedience with being the fabulous diva we all know and love. She’s learning that she can shine and listen at the same time, which is a pretty powerful combination! 💕🐶
2/12/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the park to continue polishing up the commands she’s learned so far—and to introduce a brand new one: down. (Cue dramatic music.)
Upon arrival, Chanel made it very clear she believed she had important park business to attend to and absolutely needed to take the lead. Immediately. However, I was able to gently remind her that she is more than welcome to explore… as long as she does so in a lovely heel position right by my side. She wasn’t thrilled with this management decision, but she agreed—reluctantly and with just a hint of sass.
The good news? Her heel is really starting to look nice! She’s walking much more consistently beside me and staying engaged. Of course, she still has her moments where something fascinating catches her eye and she attempts to redirect our entire route without consulting me first—but that’s normal, and she’s improving each time with a reminder.
Her sit is becoming much more on command. She’s responding more promptly, though she still occasionally needs a leash correction to fully commit. Progress, not perfection! Her come to sit is still a work in progress, but she’s trying, and that’s what matters. We’ll keep building clarity and confidence there.
Now… let’s talk about the debut of down. This is where Chanel’s inner actress truly shined. She was quite certain that “down” was an unreasonable request and expressed her feelings accordingly. There may have been some hesitation. Possibly some silent negotiations. Perhaps even a subtle protest.
But we patiently worked through it together, and after some persistence, she finally gave me a down! And when she did, she received plenty of praise and love for pushing through and making the right choice. Once she realized it wasn’t the end of the world, things started to click a little more.
All in all, Chanel is making steady, meaningful progress. She’s learning that structure and teamwork can still be stylish—and it’s a wonderful thing to see her confidence grow each day. Keep it up, Miss Chanel! 💖
2/13/2026
Today Chanel and I headed back to the park to continue polishing up her growing résumé of commands: heel, sit, down, and come to sit. And before I get into the nitty gritty, I need to say… if I had lower windows at home, I am fully convinced Chanel would be perched in one like a seasoned neighborhood reporter. She has officially earned the title of “Nosiest Neighbor.”
The reason? During both her heel and come to sit commands, Chanel was far more interested in the “breaking news” happening behind us than in the assignment at hand. Every sound, movement, or distant squirrel sighting absolutely required her immediate attention. At one point I felt less like a trainer and more like I was gently towing a very curious parade float.
That said, we didn’t let the gossip win.
We were able to add both distance and duration to her sit and down commands, which was such a win! Her sit is becoming more prompt — fewer thoughtful pauses and more “Oh, right, I know this!” And her down? She’s starting to offer it more willingly instead of negotiating the terms first. We love to see that confidence building.
As for heel and come to sit, they’ll smooth out with continued exposure to distractions. The park just happens to be her favorite reality show set at the moment. I have a feeling that eventually the background drama will lose its sparkle and she’ll realize working with me is actually the main event. (At least that’s what I’m telling myself. 😉)
All in all, while we had a few distracted moments, we absolutely made progress where it counts. Chanel continues to grow, learn, and keep things entertaining along the way.
So proud of this little cutie and her big, curious brain! 🐶✨
2/14/2026
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💘 I’m sure you can guess who my valentine is this year… Miss Chanel! 💕
Today Chanel and I headed out to the park to continue polishing the commands she’s already learned while adding a new one to her résumé — place! And I’m happy to say Chanel did well today!
Her heel is looking very nice. When the environment is calm, she really locks in and moves beautifully at my side. Now… distractions are still her kryptonite. If there’s juicy action happening nearby, Chanel is very convinced she should be involved. But we continue working through it and showing her that the show must go on — even if something exciting is happening across the park.
Her come-to-sit is coming along in much the same way. She understands what’s being asked; it’s just about encouraging that consistent follow-through despite whatever is trying to steal the spotlight. The good news? Her extended sit and down commands are looking very solid. She has no problem patiently holding those positions and settling in.
We also introduced place, which asks her to hop up onto a cot or bench and sit or lay down calmly. The only part she’s not completely sold on is the initial hop onto the place cot. Once she’s up there? Totally fine. She’ll happily lay down and soak up the sun like it was her idea all along. ☀️
We also tested things out with a park bench. At first she wasn’t interested — which is funny, considering couches don’t require this level of negotiation. Perhaps not as plush? But after a second attempt, she hopped right up and took a seat like a pro. What a smart and brave girl!
All in all, Chanel did a great job today. Progress was made, confidence was built, and we continue moving forward one win at a time. 💕
2/15/2026
Chanel and I headed back out to the park today to continue polishing up her commands—and apparently she woke up and chose a theme for the day. Extended duration commands? Out. Come to Sit? Very much in.
While yesterday she was holding her positions beautifully, today sitting still for any length of time seemed… negotiable in her mind. I’m fairly certain at this point she’s just testing my stamina to see how long I can keep up with the corrections. (Spoiler alert: I can go all day.)
What’s actually pretty fun to watch is her growing awareness. There are moments when I simply step toward her and you can almost see the gears turning—she corrects herself before I even say a word. That right there is progress. She’s starting to understand the expectations instead of just responding to them.
I’m happy to report that her Come to Sit has noticeably improved. She’s coming in cleaner and finishing in position with much more confidence. Her Heel is looking great as well—more consistent, more focused, and far less interested in being the one “driving.” Her Sit command is becoming more prompt too, with fewer thoughtful pauses to contemplate life.
One of my favorite wins? Her barking at dogs in public has really started to fade into the background. We absolutely love to see that kind of growth.
All jokes aside, Chanel made solid progress today. She may like to keep things interesting, but she’s learning, she’s adjusting, and she’s putting in the work. I’m very proud of her and excited to keep building on this momentum!
2/16/2026
Today Miss Chanel and I took our training indoors and found ourselves a nice dry workspace at Home Depot. If you’ve ever been there, you know it’s not exactly a quiet little library. Between the forklifts beeping, carts rattling, and weekend warriors loading up lumber, it can feel like organized chaos. At first, Chanel agreed — she was a bit nervous taking it all in.
So we kept it simple and went right to work on her heel command. This gave her something familiar to focus on while allowing her to observe all the sights and sounds from a safe place at my side. I wanted her to see that while it may sound big and scary, none of it was there to harm her. As we walked the aisles together, she slowly started to settle, realizing she could trust both the environment and me.
Once she found her footing, she really started to shine! Her come to sit required much less effort on my part today — she responded more smoothly and with better confidence. Her extended commands were solid overall. She did break once or twice in the beginning, mostly because being at a distance from me in such a stimulating place made her a little uncertain. But once she realized I wasn’t disappearing down the plumbing aisle without her, she relaxed and held her positions nicely.
All in all, Chanel was incredibly brave today. New, loud environments aren’t easy, but she worked through it and showed real growth. I’m very proud of her resilience and willingness to push through discomfort. We will absolutely be making more trips like this to continue building her confidence.
Today was definitely a win for Miss Chanel!
2/17/2026
Today Chanel and I headed back to The Home Depot to continue practicing her commands around real-world distractions. Because if we can do it there, we can do it anywhere!
When we first arrived and began working on her extended commands, Chanel made it very clear she had other plans. Staying put? Not high on her priority list. So I matched her energy with fair, consistent corrections—and we had a bit of a breakthrough! Once she realized I meant what I said (and that the rules hadn’t magically changed), she started making better choices. She did send me a few dramatic sideways glances as if to say, “How dare you?”—but the funny thing is, when she follows through the way we’ve been practicing, there’s no need for corrections at all. Funny how that works!
Her come to sit was very nice today. There was one moment where she lagged behind, testing whether I really needed her to be prompt. A swift correction later, she was back in position and fully with the program. That’s the consistency paying off.
Her heel is looking strong and much more confident, even with carts rolling by and people moving about. She’s starting to understand that heel means heel—no matter what’s happening around us.
While we didn’t practice place at Home Depot, we worked on it at home later, and she did well there too. She’s beginning to realize that cooperation makes the day flow so much smoother. When she leans into the structure instead of resisting it, everything is quick, clear, and calm—and we both get to enjoy the day without dragging things out.
As for her public anxiety, she may still feel it from time to time, but I’ve noticed something important: if I don’t make it a big deal, neither does she. That quiet confidence is helping her settle and move through environments with much more composure.
All in all, we made great progress today, and I’m so proud of her growth. After putting in the work, we agreed the rest of the day should be spent cozy on the couch watching movies—and Chanel had absolutely zero objections to that plan! 🛋️✨
2/18/2026
We started with a structured walk around the neighborhood, practicing all of her commands along the way, and then moved into the yard to continue working in a more controlled environment.
Miss Chanel decided she had a bit of an opinion about today’s agenda. She wasn’t feeling especially cooperative with her extended commands, even though she’s already proven she understands them well. She tested the waters a few times to see if I might let things slide… and she was quite surprised when I didn’t play along! This did mean I had to be the “bad guy” today, and she received a few more corrections than she would have preferred.
The good news? Consistency paid off. By the end of our session, Chanel was holding her extended commands very nicely. Her heel is looking clean and confident, and her come to sit continues to improve. She’s needing less and less guidance on the follow-through, which is wonderful to see and shows her understanding is really coming together.
Despite a few mischievous moments and some strong opinions about the rules, Chanel ended the day on a great note. And of course, after all the hard work (and tough love), we made up the only proper way—with a Charlie Bear and a well-earned snuggle!
2/19/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the busy Westfield Santa Anita to put her skills to the test around real-world distractions—and she did a wonderful job!
With all the sights, sounds, and commotion happening around us, Chanel stayed impressively calm and checked in with me often. This was a great example of how much our energy matters—dogs truly feed off their handler’s confidence. If I wasn’t worried, she wasn’t either, and Chanel leaned into that reassurance beautifully.
We spent time heeling through the mall, doing a little window shopping while keeping our pace relaxed and controlled. The mall was also celebrating the Lunar New Year, so we took advantage of the festive display for a mini photo session. Chanel happily hopped onto benches and showed off a very nice place command.
We also worked on her extended sit and down. As expected in such a busy environment, she popped up a few times—not out of disobedience, but because the fast-moving crowds made this little lady in a big world a bit unsure. We slowed things down and gave her extra time to practice trusting her handler and holding her position. By the end of our visit, she was settling in with much more confidence and staying put like a pro.
The mall also gave us some great opportunities to practice greeting manners. At first, Chanel was ready to jump up and say hello, but with a quick reminder she learned that sitting politely and waiting for attention is the best way to earn it—and the love came right to her!
Overall, Chanel had a big day filled with new experiences and meaningful progress. The best part? Instead of voicing her opinions about everything going on, she consistently looked to me for reassurance. That growing trust is wonderful to see.
Way to go, Chanel—so proud of you today! 🐾
2/20/2026
Today Chanel and I headed back out to the Santa Anita Mall to continue practicing her commands around real-world distractions. And off camera? Chanel was an absolute rock star! Her extended commands were solid, her focus was great, and she showed just how much progress she’s been making.
However… the moment the camera came on, Chanel decided she was not interested in demonstrating her skills for the audience. And I truly wish I were kidding! No matter how perfectly she performed beforehand, she suddenly developed a serious case of camera shyness. Some dogs love the spotlight—Chanel prefers to keep her talents exclusive for live viewing only!
Even without her on-camera cooperation, I can confidently say her heel is looking very strong, and her come-to-sit is consistent and smooth. Her extended commands have also improved, with better duration and understanding—she just prefers not to provide video proof at this time!
While at the mall, Chanel also encountered a few other dogs. Overall, she handled these interactions well. At one point, when another dog entered her space a little too quickly, she briefly showed her teeth and looked to me as if to say, “Excuse me, that was a bit much.” This type of response is a form of communication—a warning that she was uncomfortable—rather than an escalation. Once the other dog moved along, Chanel quickly settled and continued working without any further concern. Nice recovery and good awareness on her part!
All in all, despite her sudden career choice as a private performer rather than a movie star, today was a successful outing. Chanel continues to make steady progress, building confidence, improving her commands, and learning to navigate busy environments like a pro. Even if she won’t always do it for the camera, she’s definitely putting in the work!
2/21/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the dog park for a new kind of exercise! Our focus wasn’t so much on running through commands, but instead on observing her reactions around other dogs—big and small—and addressing any inappropriate behaviors if they came up.
When we first entered the park, Chanel appeared curious more than anything. There was no barking—just lots of enthusiastic sniffing as she took in all the new sights and smells. She acknowledged the other pups from a distance and remained calm and observant.
The only time Chanel had a reaction was when other dogs rushed up to her too quickly and entered her space before she had a chance to check them out on her own terms. In those moments, she would show her teeth and give a small growl as a warning. If the other dog respected her signal, everything stayed calm. However, if her warning was ignored, she would follow up with a quick nip (no actual biting) to make her point. Whenever she attempted to nip, we gave a correction. While it’s important that Chanel is able to communicate her boundaries appropriately, nipping isn’t an acceptable response—especially when the other dogs have friendly intentions.
By the end of our visit, we saw great progress! Instead of escalating when she felt overwhelmed by dogs rushing toward her, Chanel chose to disengage. She would walk away and even tuck in between my legs for reassurance. While we don’t want to encourage hiding, this was a much more appropriate choice than reacting defensively, and it was great to see her looking to her handler for guidance.
Chanel also made a new friend—a five-month-old beagle! They spent time walking around together, calmly checking each other out and exploring. There wasn’t a lot of play, but it was a very positive and respectful interaction.
Overall, Chanel did a wonderful job today. She made a friend or two, practiced healthy decision-making when feeling overwhelmed, and showed great effort throughout the session. While she may not have felt the need to jump into playtime, she clearly enjoyed exploring, sniffing, and taking everything in at her own pace. I’m very proud of the progress she showed today!
2/22/2026
Today Chanel and I headed back out to the dog park to continue our social experiment—and she did a great job! We only had two moments where she chose to nip at dogs who were a little too enthusiastic with their greetings. Both were puppies, and while Chanel gave her usual growl warning beforehand, the little ones didn’t quite understand that she was setting boundaries.
I found that gently reminding her to “be nice” as she met new dogs was very helpful. With that guidance, Chanel seemed more mindful and polite in her interactions.
One of the biggest wins today was her growing confidence. Instead of staying right by my side or hiding behind me, Chanel began venturing out ahead on her own, which was wonderful to see. She’s starting to feel braver in the environment! We even came across a couple of dogs that earned some tail wags—very exciting progress for our girl. While she didn’t fully engage in play yet, the positive body language and willingness to approach show just how far she’s come.
We also spent a little time practicing her commands, and she did a great job staying focused and responsive despite the distractions.
Chanel made huge progress today, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. What a brave and smart little lady! 🐾
2/23/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to a park in Rosemead to meet up with some fellow trainers and continue practicing her commands around real-world distractions. Chanel did a great job overall! She held her extended commands nicely, only breaking once — but before I could step in to correct, she beat me to it and put herself right back where she belonged. That moment showed she clearly understands what’s expected; she just likes to test the waters from time to time!
Chanel also had the opportunity to greet another dog. Initial introductions went well, but after a few moments she became uncomfortable with the dog continuing to check her out and gave a quick nip. We immediately addressed it with a correction and the off command to reinforce appropriate behavior.
Overall, Chanel did well today and showed solid understanding of her training. Moving forward, we’ll continue focusing on polite manners and tolerance when greeting other dogs in public settings so she can handle those interactions calmly and confidently.
2/24/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the park to continue strengthening her commands and to carry on with our social experiment around other dogs. Chanel did a wonderful job overall and continues to show great progress.
Her obedience work was especially impressive today. Chanel performed all of her commands reliably, and her extended commands are showing noticeable improvement. She’s holding positions longer and staying more focused despite the park environment, which is exactly what we love to see.
During our walk, Chanel had the opportunity to pass and briefly meet a few dogs. Overall, she handled the exposure well. There was one moment where she gave a quick nip toward a dog that approached a little too eagerly for her comfort. This tells us she’s still communicating her boundaries when she feels overwhelmed, which is valuable information as we continue working on calm, polite interactions.
One interesting pattern I’ve noticed during our greeting work is that when I greet the other dog first and then allow the dog to approach Chanel, she is much less likely to become agitated. This seems to give her reassurance that the situation is safe and under control, helping her stay more relaxed during introductions. We’ll continue using this approach to build her confidence and positive associations with other dogs.
All in all, Chanel is improving in so many ways and had a wonderful day of training. She’s working hard, making steady progress, and I’m so proud of this little lady!
2/25/2026
Today Chanel and I headed back out to the dog park to continue our socialization work, and overall she did very well! Our focus was on observing her comfort level around other dogs and helping her practice calm, appropriate communication.
There were only two instances where Chanel felt the need to give a quick nip. In both cases, the other dogs did not respond to her polite request for space. Chanel’s way of saying, “I’d like you to stop sniffing me now,” is by sitting down and disengaging from the interaction. When her signals weren’t respected, she escalated briefly, which is very normal canine communication.
She still gets a bit nervous when multiple dogs approach her at once, but with reassurance and guidance, she was able to settle and work through those moments. A big win today was seeing Chanel choose to approach a few dogs on her own to check them out. While she’s not quite ready to jump into play and her tail wags remain subtle, this shows growing curiosity and confidence.
Another great sign of progress is that instead of immediately barking or reacting when she felt unsure, Chanel often looked to me for reassurance. This tells us she’s learning to check in and trust her handler rather than reacting impulsively.
I’m so proud of this lady and the progress she’s making! Even though she had a couple of moments where she lost her cool, today was definitely a success—and a big improvement from our very first trip to the dog park together. Chanel is continuing to build confidence and better coping skills with each outing!
2/26/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the park bright and early to beat the heat. Our goal for the day was to enjoy a relaxed walk around the park while reinforcing her commands—and she did a wonderful job across the board!
Her heel is looking very polished, and her come-to-sit was consistent and responsive. Her extended commands have improved tremendously as well. Chanel still has her occasional moments where she likes to test whether I’m paying attention or if she might get away with breaking command, but overall she clearly understands what’s being asked of her. She’s a very smart girl—she just likes to add a little diva flair now and then. 😉
It also seemed like Chanel truly enjoyed our outing. Since she was doing so well, she earned a bit of extra freedom to explore, sniff, and take in her surroundings—which was definitely her favorite part of the trip.
After our park adventure, we headed back indoors to cool off with some air conditioning, followed by snuggles and a movie or two. All in all, it was a great day, and Chanel should be proud of the progress she’s making!
2/27/2026
Today Chanel and I kept things close to home and started our day with an early walk around my neighborhood. This gave us a great opportunity to practice her commands while also letting her explore her surroundings. She did very well listening and staying responsive, and she really enjoyed the chance to take in some new sights and smells.
After our walk, we headed back home to continue working on her house manners. These include door manners, food manners, and car manners. While these skills may seem new, they’re actually things we’ve been consistently working on behind the scenes throughout her stay, and it really showed today.
For door manners, the goal is for Chanel to sit and remain in place when the door is opened, rather than rushing out. She should hold her position until she’s given a release, even if you step outside before her.
Her food manners follow a similar structure. Chanel is asked to sit while her food is placed down, and the end goal is for her to wait calmly until you give her a release command such as “break” or “ok” before eating.
With car manners, Chanel is learning to approach the car and sit, giving you time to open the door and get situated. Once everything is ready, she is then invited to “load up” on command.
When Chanel first began learning these routines, she did offer some pushback, which is completely normal when introducing new structure. However, with consistency and repetition, she has made great progress and is showing much more patience and understanding. I’m very proud of how far she’s come.
Overall, today was a great day of training, and Chanel continues to make steady progress!
2/28/2026
Today Chanel and I took a field trip to The Home Depot to practice all of her commands in a higher-distraction environment. The store gave us great real-world exposure with people walking by, carts moving around, loud noises, and plenty of new sights and smells. Throughout the outing, Chanel did a very nice job staying engaged with me and working through her commands despite everything going on around her.
We practiced her Sit, Down, Place, Heel, and Come, focusing on maintaining her position and responsiveness even as distractions passed by. Overall, she handled the environment very well and showed good focus and awareness. There were a few moments where she gave me a little bit of her signature Chanel sass and was slightly slow to respond, but it wouldn’t be Chanel without a touch of personality! Each time, we were able to work through it calmly and consistently, and she quickly got back into work mode.
After our outing, we headed back home where Chanel was ready to relax and enjoy some quiet time in the air conditioning. She happily settled in with her favorite blue Dino and had no complaints about winding down after a productive training day.
Chanel continues to show great progress working around distractions while keeping her fun, spirited personality. I’m really proud of how well she handled today’s busy environment!
3/1/2026
Today Chanel and I headed out to the Santa Anita Mall to continue practicing her commands and to film her final video—and she did a wonderful job! Even with all the commotion and distractions around us, Chanel was able to perform her commands just as we’ve been practicingch the blank stare that seemed to say, “I don’t want to do that,” to a much more polite and responsive pup who is willing to follow through when asked—while still holding onto a bit of that signature diva personality. She’s still the star of the show… she’s just a little more polite about it now!
Her progress with meeting other dogs continues to improve as well. I’m incredibly proud of this little lady for the effort she’s put in to stay calm and make better choices around other pups. She has worked hard to get to this point, and it really shows.
I’d also like to take a moment to say thank you for trusting me with Chanel’s care and for allowing me to be part of her obedience journey. I hope everything she has learned here—and everything you’ll continue to build together at home—gives you the tools to enjoy more relaxed, stress-free adventures.
She is truly a sweet girl, and I’m so excited to be starting this journey with her sister next!
Comments