Charlie | Golden Retriever | Anaheim, CA
- Alexx Rodriguez
- Sep 3, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 29, 2024
Welcome to the start of a special 2-week board and train adventure with Charlie, the lively Golden Retriever! Charlie's stay with us comes with a set of goals his owners have in mind, including mastering basic cues, curbing his enthusiasm for jumping on people, and preparing him for a well behaved outdoor life. With his family moving on the horizon, it's crucial for Charlie to become a well-behaved companion, and we're here to guide him on this journey.
Charlie's loving nature, coupled with some unique quirks, makes him a delightful companion. He's great with people but has a tendency to get a little too excited and jumpy. Plus, there's the challenge of separation anxiety and his protective instincts when it comes to certain objects.
Throughout this blog series, we'll take you along for the ride as we work with Charlie on his training goals, sharing both the successes and the learning moments. Stay tuned for the heartwarming and sometimes comical moments as we help Charlie become the best version of himself!
Pupdate 9/3/23
Today marked the beginning of our adventure together, and let me tell you, it was a day filled with warmth and smiles.
As I entered on this journey with Charlie, it became apparent from the start that he has some room for improvement when it comes to understanding cues. But, you know what? That's precisely why we're here, and I couldn't be more thrilled to work with him.
Upon gettin home, Charlie eagerly explored his surroundings, his curiosity guiding him as he sniffed around every nook and cranny. His enthusiasm was infectious. Charlie truly is a bundle of sunshine.
Not only did Charlie brighten my day, but he also showered my entire family with his infectious happiness.
I can't wait to see what the rest of this training journey holds for us. Stay tuned for more updates on Charlie's progress, as we continue to embark on this beautiful adventure together.
Pupdate 9/4/23
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Pupdate 9/5
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Pupdate 9/6/23
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(Note: Charlie had a great day and is doing well on extended Sit and Extended Down. He needs a lot more practice but is slowly developing)
Puodate 9/7/23
Charlie and I are making progress with his diet! Currently, his favorite is still good ol' spam, but we're working on introducing dog food gradually.
I've found a compromise that seems to be working – a bit of plain spam on top of a mix of spam and wet food. It's been successful so far, allowing us to increase dog food and reduce spam slowly.
Charlie is showing that he's hungry, but also a bit stubborn. However, this gives us the perfect opportunity to redefine his diet and make some healthy changes. Stay tuned for more updates on our food adventure!
Today, we had a fantastic time at Santa Monica Pier! Charlie decided to assert his independence and had a little tantrum, wanting to go wherever he pleased.
I gently reminded him of our rules and expectations: he can explore and have fun, but he also needs to listen to my requests. After a brief standoff, he finally gave in to our compromise, and from then on, he had a blast! Many kind folks gave him pets, which he absolutely adored
(Note: Charlie tries to snap at me when I enourage feeding or put him in his kennel)
Pupdate 9/8/23
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Pupdate 9/9/23
I made some additional progress with Charlie today! We went about a minute off leash until he realized and wanted to wander off. His 'come' command is becoming more polished, and his 'sit' and 'down' duration are lasting a bit longer. He's finally warmed up and accepted his new rules and lifestyle! Although he still struggles with his pickiness with food, I know we are on the right track! He's was also well behaved at Home Depot and on his walk! Stay tuned for more updates
Pupdate 9/10/23
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Pupdate 9/11/23
Charlie and I kicked off our day with the sun still on the horizon, learning from our past experiences with yesterday's scorching heat. We decided to switch things up and dive straight into our obedience training after our morning walk.
Our training session was going incredibly well! Charlie was responding to every cue with impressive clarity. His only issue is his "come" cue. "Come" will be our top priority moving forward.
In the video I posted today you can see Charlie's fantastic performance on the "heel" cue. He's a star at walking by my side, but every now and then, his curiosity gets the best of him, and he attempts to take the lead or test the boundaries.
Stay tuned for more updates on our training journey!
Pupdate 9/12/23
Today was just like any other day, filled with boundless joy. Charlie is a bundle of happiness, and he absolutely adores his walks. Teaching him to walk is almost unnecessary because he instinctively knows what's expected of him. Nonetheless, it serves as a gentle reminder of the rules, especially when he attempts to test the boundaries. Our visit to the park was equally delightful and peaceful. We worked on his greeting manners and practiced the
"come to sit" command, which remains our most challenging task. He hasn't quite mastered it as I'd like, but considering he's a natural goofball, and the constant distractions, he's doing remarkably well.
Stay tuned for more!
Pupdate 9/13/23
Today, Charlie and I began our day with our usual brisk walk. Charlie tends to tire quickly and starts panting early on, so we keep the walk brisk and fun. Afterward, we headed to the park to work on his "come to sit" cue, which has been a bit challenging for him. Despite our efforts, he often wants to go the other way, gets easily distracted, or tries to find a different spot to sit or lay down.
We dedicated around 40 sessions to this cue, but a quarter of the way through, we decided to go for a quick run since Charlie had a surplus of energy. Surprisingly, he tired out a bit sooner than expected, but we persisted. Eventually, he nailed the "come to sit" cue perfectly, so we ended our training on a positive note.
Later in the day, we plan to visit the park again, where there will be plenty of other dogs. We want to work on distractions, although it seems that Charlie's main distraction challenge is himself. Nonetheless, we're excited to continue our training journey with him!
Pupdate 9/14/23
Charlie and I had a productive day today. We focused on perfecting essential cues and practiced our greeting manners while meeting new people. Charlie also had a great time strolling along the pier, enjoying his outing before resting in the shade. I think Charlie is just about ready to go home! Stay tuned for more updates!
Pupdate 9/15/23
Charlie and I enjoyed a relaxing day! Since he's mastered most of his cues, I decided to celebrate by taking him on an extended walk. It's evident that walks are his favorite pastime, so I let him indulge in the scents of the grass and flowers, occasionally giving him a 'break' cue. We then went home and he rested on his cot and enjoyed my company while taking many naps. Charlie is such a good boy! I know he's ready to go home.
Pupdate 9/16/23
Charlie and I decided to kick off our day a bit earlier than usual. We began with a light walk before heading to the mall. Anticipating a big crowd, we were surprised to find it relatively quiet. Nevertheless, Charlie remained enthusiastic and enjoyed his outting. Our goal was to practice recognizing cues at any moment, and Charlie executed them remarkably well. Since today marked Charlie's final day with me, my focus shifted from strict obedience to mutual enjoyment. We exchanged obedience for excitement; he followed through each cue, and I rewarded him with plentiful walks and playtime. Charlie is ready to go home and I couldn't be more happy for him!
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