Chase | Labrador Retriever | Lake Sherwood, Ca. | In Training
- Robert Steinbach
- Jul 16
- 12 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Meet Chase! 7-month-old Labrador. Full-time chaos coordinator. Part-time escape artist.
Chase is the kind of pup who thinks “come” is optional, “no” means “try again louder,” and if there’s a hole in your yard, he probably put it there. He’s got a PhD in selective hearing, loves redecorating with chewed-up shoes, and greets guests with the enthusiasm of a rock concert mosh pit.
Underneath all the zoomies and mischief? A smart, sweet boy who’s just here to learn the ropes—and maybe figure out that sitting calmly gets more snacks than sprinting away like he’s training for the Olympics.
Stay tuned… transformation incoming.
Pupdate 7/16
Today was all about getting a baseline—and let’s just say Chase made it pretty clear he’s been running his own program up until now. When asked to respond to basic commands, we got... almost nothing. A sit here and there, but nothing we’d call reliable.
That said, we jumped right into introducing new commands like come to sit, place, and a much more structured sit—and Chase surprised me with how eager he is to learn! As a 7-month-old Lab, he’s got that signature combo of boundless energy and treat-driven focus, which we’ll absolutely use to our advantage.
The key with Chase will be providing consistent structure, plenty of reps, and keeping him mentally engaged so we can shape all that enthusiasm into great behavior. Off to a solid (and spirited) start!
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/17
Chase had a big training day today as we ventured out to the park and added some real-world distractions into the mix. Between softball practice, dogs, and kids running around the playground, there was plenty going on—but Chase handled it all like a champ with no reactive behavior.
We focused heavily on his heel command during our walk to and from the park. He’s already starting to connect the dots, staying closer to my side and responding to direction more consistently. I’m also having him sit every time I stop or reach a corner, so over time this becomes second nature to him.
At the park, I introduced Chase to the e-collar. He was pretty startled by the vibration and the stim set at 7 out of 100 made him scratch at the collar in confusion. It’ll take a few sessions for him to adjust, but we’re keeping things slow and positive to help him build confidence with it.
We practiced come to sit, place, down, and extended down—and Chase is showing steady progress. He’s even beginning to default to the down position once in place, which is fantastic for this stage of his training and shows he’s starting to understand that calm behavior is expected.
Of course, no Lab puppy day is complete without a dash of mischief—during come to sit practice, Chase showed some of that classic puppy defiance by jumping on me. I used the off command with a leash correction to redirect him, and once he followed through properly, he was rewarded with a treat and some well-earned praise. Clear boundaries paired with consistency will help eliminate that behavior with time.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/18
Today’s focus was all about mastering the heel—and Chase rose to the challenge! Teaching a dog to heel means having them walk calmly right next to you without pulling, weaving, or charging ahead. For dog parents, this translates to stress-free walks and no more sore shoulders from leash-yanking chaos.
It took Chase a few tries to figure out where he was supposed to be, but once he got it, he really got it. He started checking in with me—looking up for direction—and quickly locked into position like a pro. Because he’s so treat-motivated, it made reinforcing the behavior super smooth. He’s eager to please, and snacks seal the deal.
In a surprisingly short time, Chase was walking in a perfect heel with no pulling. While he still gets mildly distracted by neighborhood sights and sounds, a simple verbal cue is all it takes to bring his attention right back.
As training continues, I will be giving you more detailed guidance on how exactly to get Chase to follow each of the commands he will be learning with me.
It’s early stages but he’s really starting to get into the rhythm of training—and we love to see it.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/19
Chase had a productive day of training as we focused on building consistency with his core obedience commands: heel, sit, down, place, and come to sit. He’s beginning to show a clearer understanding of what’s being asked of him, and we’re starting to see that reflect in smoother transitions and quicker responses. While there’s still room for refinement, Chase is showing a willingness to learn and stay in the working mindset.
One of the most noticeable improvements today was during the heel command. Chase was much more engaged, checking in with me frequently and staying close by my side with far fewer reminders than earlier in the week. His focus was steady even in areas with mild distractions, which shows that the foundational work we’ve done is beginning to pay off. This level of attentiveness is exactly what we want to see at this stage of his training.
His response to place and down has also become more reliable. Chase is learning to settle more quickly once in position, which helps build impulse control and patience. He’s also showing more confidence in holding those stationary commands until released, a key element in developing good house manners and public behavior. These moments of calm focus are just as important as active obedience.
The come to sit command continues to improve as well. Chase is responding more promptly to the recall and showing better accuracy when moving into the sit position once he reaches me. This type of recall work strengthens his overall reliability and reinforces the importance of following through on every command. It’s clear that Chase is becoming more connected to the training process and is looking to me for guidance — a promising sign that we’re building a strong working relationship.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/20
ACCOUNTABILITY
Just to recap today’s training and what I discussed in the video. Holding Chase accountable is the biggest part of his training. Make sure he follows through with whatever command he’s being given. This will limit him trying to push his boundaries with you. Even simple things like if you ask him to sit and he lays down, physically put him back in the sit position so that he knows that’s what’s expected of him.
Once Chase is home it would be a good idea to practice extending his durations. Put him in a sit, down or place position and try to get him to hold the position for longer periods of time. Always try to end on a positive note. If he makes a mistake, get him back into the position and shorten the amount of time you ask him to remain there and then release him using the “break” command. It’ll be important that you always release him when you’re done. Otherwise he’ll get up on his own at some point and he’ll learn that he can break the command whenever he feels like it.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/21
Today we focused on sharpening Chase’s come to sit—a command he’s still working to fully grasp. Right now, his instinct is to come toward me and flop into a down position directly in front, which, while cute, isn’t quite what we’re aiming for. We’re reinforcing that the full command means come and sit at my left side, not just come and hang out wherever feels good. With consistency, he’s starting to understand the expectation.
Later in our session, we worked on puppy push-ups (moving between sit and down), and this one was a bit of a challenge for him. Chase was determined to stay in the down position and resisted returning to sit. I had to correct and physically guide him into the proper position several times to ensure follow-through. Sit means sit—not sometimes sit and sometimes nap. If we let a dog pick and choose how to respond, it can open the door to selective listening in other areas like threshold manners, greetings, or public outings. Clear, consistent follow-through sets the tone for long-term reliability.
It’s possible a bit of fatigue or the heat played a role today, so we’ll revisit these reps indoors later where he can focus better.
That said, Chase continues to shine with his recall—he’s becoming more and more reliable when called and is eager to sit to say hello and soak up attention. Holding him accountable is key, and he’s rising to the challenge.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/22
Today we took Chase to the park to practice his obedience around a few more distractions. Overall, Chase did a great job! He walked in a focused heel position both to and from the park, checking in with me frequently along the way, which is a good sign that he’s starting to trust and look to me for guidance in more stimulating environments.
Once at the park, we ran through a few of his known commands. His engagement remained solid, even with people and dogs moving around in the distance. He was attentive and responsive, which shows he’s beginning to generalize his training outside of the home setting.
One challenge we ran into was getting Chase to hop up on benches or tables. He showed clear signs of hesitation and fear, and while I tried to keep the task light and positive, he was still pretty intimidated. We’ll continue working on building his confidence with elevated surfaces and novel textures, and next time I’ll try using a toy as a lure to help make it feel more like a game and less like a challenge.
We’re continuing to make progress at Chase’s pace, and I’m confident that with patience and consistency, he’ll work through this fear.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/23
Chase had a solid day of training today, and we’re seeing continued progress in some important areas—especially his off-leash reliability. In fact, we wrapped our session on a high note with a clean, off-leash come to sit using only a verbal command. A big win!
As we continue building consistency, we’ve found that Chase is much more toy-motivated than treat-driven, so we’ve incorporated a ball as a training reward. This has helped keep him engaged and eager to work.
One area we’re still working through is Chase’s sensitivity to the e-collar. Even at a very low setting (9–11 out of 100), he can become intimidated and occasionally shuts down. That said, he is starting to grasp the concept that following through on the command = no stim, which is exactly what we want. To help reinforce this pairing without overwhelming him, we’re still using the leash for some commands to keep training productive and confidence-building.
His recall is really coming together, and he’s showing that he can follow threw off-leash with minimal prompting—another great step forward.
Overall, Chase is proving to be a smart, sweet boy who wants to do the right thing—we’re just giving him the structure to get there.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/24
Today’s training focused on sharpening Chase’s sit and down commands—two foundational behaviors that set the tone for long-term obedience. We worked on ensuring follow through, meaning when a command is given, Chase is expected to complete it every time, not just when he feels like it.
If he had trouble getting into position, I used clear guidance to help him out—whether gently guiding him with the leash or offering a lure to show him exactly what was expected. This kind of physical follow-through helps him build the connection between the verbal command and the correct action.
When Chase chose not to follow through (which, being a pup, does still happen), I calmly held him accountable by repeating the command and resetting the task until he followed through properly. The goal here is to avoid letting him think “sit” or “down” are optional—they’re not.
This kind of consistency is crucial for building trust, structure, and long-term obedience, especially in real-world situations where it matters most.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/25
Today’s training spotlight was all about the come to sit command—and we’ve got a video to walk you through exactly what that looks like in action!
The come to sit is Chase’s official recall command. When called from a distance, Chase is expected to come directly to me, loop around behind my right side, and sit neatly at my left heel. This positioning sets him up perfectly to move straight into a heel command if needed, which is why we teach it this way.
In the video, I explain the purpose of the command, give a live demonstration of Chase doing it, and offer a few quick tips for troubleshooting—like how to help guide him if he stalls or forgets where to finish.
Chase is picking it up quickly, and it’s clear he’s starting to connect the dots between the command and the motion. Smart pup!
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/26
Today we are focusing on the heel command.
The heel command teaches your dog to walk calmly and in sync with you—no pulling, lagging, or wandering off. The correct position is on your left side, with Chase’s head roughly aligned with your leg. Whether you stop or turn, he should stay right with you, looking up for direction.
We also teach that every time we stop walking, Chase should automatically sit without needing to be told—and he’s doing it! Chase is now reliably sitting on his own at every stop, which shows just how much the consistency is paying off.
Even more exciting—Chase is now walking in a great heel off leash. He’s focused, tuned in, and staying in position beautifully.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Pupdate!
Pupdate 7/27
Today we focused on building Chase’s confidence with the place command—specifically in areas he’s less comfortable. Benches at the park were a little intimidating for him at first, but with patience, repetition, and lots of affection and verbal praise, Chase was able to overcome his hesitation. Each successful rep came with a little more duration, and he made great progress!
We also did a lot of off-leash work today at the park. Chase is doing a fantastic job walking in the heel position without a leash and responding to his come to sit (recall) command reliably. It’s clear he’s starting to truly understand and enjoy the structure.
While working on his greeting manners, there were a few moments when Chase wanted to wander, but a quick off followed by come got him right back to me and into a perfect sit. That kind of follow-through is a huge win—and a great sign for how this will translate at home, whether he’s running in the yard or hanging out in the driveway.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/28
Chase continues to impress with his progress—he’s getting better and better each day and is now very reliable off leash. His recall, heel, and general obedience have all become second nature, and he’s clearly enjoying the structure and praise that come with following through.
As we head into the final stretch of his training, we’ll be focusing on increasing both distance and duration—helping Chase feel confident holding commands like place, down, and under for longer periods, even when I’m several feet away.
You can also expect continued work on threshold manners, food etiquette, and car behavior over the next few days to round out his training and make the transition home as smooth as possible.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pupdate!
Pupdate 7/29
Today was Chase’s last full day of training, and we made sure to wrap things up strong. We worked on extending the duration of his commands while increasing the level of distraction—other trainers, other dogs, and an overall more stimulating environment.
Even with all that going on, Chase followed through on everything off leash. He was definitely curious and eager to say hi to the other dogs, but every time he was given an “off” or “come” command, he responded immediately and redirected his focus back to me. That level of reliability in a distracting setting is a huge testament to how much he’s learned over the past two weeks.
Chase is now walking in a great heel, reliably performing his commands with and without the leash, and showing excellent impulse control. He still has some puppy energy, of course, but he now understands what’s being asked of him—and how to respond appropriately.
We’ve laid a strong foundation, and with consistent follow-through at home, Chase will continue to thrive.
To further support Chase’s transition back home? I created a cheat sheet of all his new commands that you can reference any time.
🐾 Chase’s Command Cheat Sheet
1. Heel
Chase walks at your left side, staying in line with your leg. He should not pull ahead or lag behind.
👉 Pro tip: He’s also been trained to sit automatically when you stop walking—no cue needed.
2. Come (Come to Sit)
Chase comes when called from a distance, circles around your right side, and sits at your left heel position.
👉 This is his structured recall command and sets him up to walk in heel immediately if needed.
3. Off
Used to stop unwanted behavior—jumping, mouthing, barking, pulling toward distractions, etc.
👉 It means “cut it out,” not to be confused with “down.”
4. Sit
Chase puts his rear on the ground and holds that position until released or given another command.
👉 He’s learning that sit means sit—even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
5. Down
Chase lays fully on the ground with elbows down and stays there until released.
👉 We’re continuing to build duration and distance with this one as he likes to roll on his belly.
6. Place
Chase goes to a specific elevated or defined spot (like a bench, bed, or cot) and holds position—sitting or laying down—until released.
👉 Very useful when you need him to stay put in a designated space.
7. Break
This is Chase’s release word—it signals that he’s free to get up and move around.
👉 Only use when you’re ready to end a command.
See you tomorrow!