Chanel | Havanese | Los Angeles, CA. | In Training.
- heatheroffleashsoc
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
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! 💕🐶
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