Domino | Miniature Aussie | Glendale, Ca | In-Training
- wendyoffleashsocal
- Mar 15
- 19 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Meet Domino! He’s a 6-year-old Miniature Aussie from Glendale, California, and he has joined us for our 3-Week Reactive Board and Train Program.
Domino is an adorable and sweet pup who, even at his mature age, is ready to learn better self-control and social skills. He comes to us with some knowledge of basic commands, but he loves to bark at other dogs and humans. Over the next 21 days, Domino will be working on building calm behavior and learning how to make better choices around distractions.
Through consistent, clear communication and balanced training, Domino will learn how to become a well-mannered and obedient companion—both at home and while exploring new people, places, and experiences.
Stay tuned for Domino’s transformation!
Pupdate 3/15/26
Welcome to Domino’s first Pupdate!
After pick-up today, Domino and I spent some time at the park getting to know each other and allowing him to get comfortable with me. During this time, Domino slowly warmed up and allowed me to pet him and play a little.
It was a little tricky getting him into the car for our ride home, but I was able to entice him into the crate using the treats you provided. With a little encouragement—and a small boost from me—it did the trick!
During the ride home, Domino did better than I expected. He whimpered a little and barked here and there, but for the most part he stayed quiet. Overall, he did great!
As I mentioned earlier, today was going to be a calm and relaxed day for Domino as he begins to acclimate to his new environment for the next three weeks. He was introduced to Dottie and, as expected, he didn’t pay her much attention. We also went on a pack walk so he could begin to understand that Dottie is part of our pack and will be around during his stay. He did very well on the walk and allowed me to transition him from the slip lead to the regular 15-foot leash. Little by little, he is starting to show more comfort with me.
Domino was also introduced to my daughter and showed no signs of reactivity with her. She seems to have the magic touch with pups!
Over the next few days, we will focus on building a strong bond with Mr. Domino and helping him feel comfortable and confident in our home. I’m looking forward to his journey with us and seeing his progress over the next few weeks.
Pupdate 3/16/26
For today’s Pupdate, we headed to our local park to help Domino acclimate to the outdoor environment while continuing to build our bond. 🐾
At home, Domino has seemed a bit disinterested in engaging with me, so I wanted to take him out and create a more positive connection in a different setting. During our time at the park, I used his treats to reward him for responding to commands and to help build rapport. We’re taking baby steps, but we’re definitely moving in the right direction.
I’m happy to share that Domino is becoming more comfortable—he’s now allowing me to put his leash on and is even enjoying lots of ear rubs. By the end of our session, I even got a paw from him, which was a big win in my book!
At home, Domino is slowly settling in. I’m giving him time to explore the living room freely under supervision so he can build trust and feel safe in the environment. He has been great about letting us put his leash on, which I’m very happy about.
He slept well through the night and let me know when he needed a potty break, which is another great sign that he’s starting to adjust.
Day 2 is off to a great start!
Pupdate 3/17/26
For today’s pupdate, we partially introduced the e-collar to Domino by having him wear it throughout the day. This helps him acclimate to the sensation and understand that it will be a regular part of his routine. As he continues to get comfortable, it will simply become another one of his everyday accessories.
During today’s training, we also introduced the “Place” command using his favorite chicken treats to create a positive and rewarding experience. Domino caught on very quickly—what a smart boy! In no time, he was confidently going to place when asked. Be sure to check out the video… he looks like a total pro!
I also mixed in a few additional commands during the session, and he responded beautifully. Way to go, Mr. Domino! He’s showing me that he’s ready for a bit more of a challenge.
Over the next couple of days, I will be determining his working level on the e-collar and begin introducing more structured training in public settings. This will allow me to evaluate any reactivity and see how he responds to different environments while working with me.
Domino is doing great in my home and is slowly settling in. One of my favorite signs that he’s getting comfortable is the way he relaxes and lays out with his legs stretched—he’s definitely starting to feel at ease. Yay, Domino! Mi casa es tu casa… for now.
Pupdate 3/18/26
Today we took a little field trip to Whittier Narrows, where we met up with the other Off Leash trainers and their pups. This was a great opportunity to begin socializing Domino—both interacting with other dogs and simply learning to coexist around them.
I’ve noticed that Domino takes a bit of time to warm up to new people and pups, so we gave him the space and time he needed to adjust.
During this outing, we continued working on his commands and introduced the E-collar. Domino’s working level is currently around a 5 on the lower end, increasing as distractions rise. Because of his thicker coat, we may need to adjust the collar occasionally, but that won’t be an issue. He did wonderfully allowing me to put it on—no growling at all. I was very impressed!
As previously mentioned, Domino has shown some sensitivity toward males. To help work through this, we incorporated one of our male trainers into the session. They spent a few minutes walking him so Domino could begin to associate male handlers with positive experiences.
Mr. Domino can be a bit stubborn at times and definitely likes things his way. With patience and consistency, we’re working through that and not allowing him to dictate the outcome. Once he goes home, it will be important to continue holding him accountable for the commands he’s learned. Domino is smart—and those pretty blue eyes can be a little convincing—but he’s also a very sweet boy who is more than capable of listening and following through.
We’re only on Day 3 of training, and Domino is already moving in the right direction!
Pupdate 3/19/26
Pupdate 3/20/26
For today’s pupdate, we focused on reinforcing Domino’s commands—place, sit, heel, and come—while beginning to wean him off treats using the variable reward method. With this approach, Domino was sometimes rewarded with a treat upon completing a command, and other times with verbal praise. This keeps him engaged and motivated, as he’s learning that good behavior is always rewarded, just not always with food. He’s such a fast learner and is already becoming solid on several of these commands!
During training, we also incorporated my son into the session. He was able to walk right by Domino while we worked. Although Domino kept his eyes on him, I was still able to maintain his engagement and have him complete each command successfully. Over the past few days, Domino has built more trust and comfort, and now allows my son to greet him and give him belly rubs—such a great milestone.
Not shown in this video, we also went on a neighborhood walk and discovered that Domino is sensitive to loud noises. He initially wanted to turn back and head home, but with calm verbal reassurance and a slight leash prompt, we were able to continue forward. Along the way, we passed several people, and Domino did a great job—no intense staring, just calmly walking at heel and moving along with confidence. I’m so proud of him!
Now that Domino has a solid understanding of his commands, we’ll begin practicing more in public settings. We’ll start with low-traffic environments to prevent overwhelm and gradually build up his confidence around larger crowds without creating overexcitement or frustration.
The plan:
When Domino sees a person:
Domino looks at person
2. You mark (“Yes”)
3 Reward immediately
→ This teaches: “People = Good things happen”
Over time, Domino will start looking at you instead of reacting.
E-Collar Tutorial
Now that we are also using the E-collar, please see the attached video so you can familiarize yourself with the device. We will go over everything once again during the pick up session.
Pupdate 3/21/26
For today’s update, we took our session to the park where we put our plan into action. We chose an area with low crowds and worked on all of our commands as we walked up and down the park walkway. During this time, a few people passed by, and we implemented our redirection plan whenever Domino noticed them. There were also moments when people walked by without phasing him at all—he did great.
This progress comes down to continued exposure, so we will keep gradually introducing Domino to different environments and varying crowd levels.
Reactivity is not something that will disappear overnight, but we are committed to working through it and helping him become more neutral in these situations. His attitude shows up every now and then, but that’s simply his personality and desire to do things his way.
Overall, he is a very sweet pup and is definitely showing more of his loving side. Oh, Domino—you’ve got to love him!
Pupdate 3/22/26
Today we returned to the park to expose Domino to a low crowd environment while working on redirecting his attention back to me when people were nearby. He did a great job staying engaged and successfully completed all the commands that were given to him.
We also spent some time near a playground to begin desensitizing him to the noise and energy in that area. We positioned ourselves about 10 yards away to give Domino enough space so he wouldn’t become overly stimulated. He was able to remain calm for about 5 minutes, which was his threshold for today. After that, he became vocal and reactive, letting us know he had reached his limit.
Overall, Domino did a great job maintaining his composure during our 45 minutes at the park. To end the session on a positive note, he enjoyed a few minutes of playing fetch and absolutely loved it. I’m very proud of the small but meaningful progress he continues to make.
Pupdate 3/23/26
For today’s pupdate, we reviewed a command Domino has been working on since day one—Door Manners—and he has shown amazing improvement. Early in training, Domino would try to rush out as soon as the door opened. With consistent practice reinforcing a Sit at the door and not allowing him to break position, he has made great progress. Now, he waits patiently, looks up for guidance, and holds his position until he hears his release word, “OK.”
As shown in the video, we practiced two types of door manners. The first was placing Domino in a “Place” position, where he remains while you do things like grab the mail or greet guests. This helps build self-control and teaches him to stay calm and patient despite distractions at the door. The second focused on entering and exiting. For this, we approach the door, place him in a Sit, and even when the door opens, he must remain in position until released.
This same behavior can also be applied to his crate. Ask for a Sit before opening the crate door, and only allow him to exit once he is calm and waiting for the release cue.
Domino has truly impressed me with how quickly he’s learning and how well he’s responding. He’s even able to hold a Sit when given the command from outside the door—such a good boy!
We also reviewed Car Manners, where Domino waits patiently at the car door until given the command “load up” to jump into his crate for our adventures.
Little by little, he is building strong self-control, and I couldn’t be more proud of his progress!
Pupdate 3/24/26
For today’s pupdate, we took our training near a school to expose Domino to the sounds of children playing on the playground. The goal in working in these environments is to help neutralize the noise for him while continuing to reinforce the commands he has been learning. By keeping his mind engaged with structured work, it helps prevent him from focusing on distractions and reacting.
At the start of our session, Domino was doing extremely well—responding to every command on point. One standout moment was when a mother and her child walked by about 10 feet away. Domino noticed them, but chose to stay engaged with me and follow through with his commands. That was a big decision on his part, showing that he is beginning to understand that staying focused and earning praise is more rewarding than reacting. Well done, Domino!
Right now, the key is identifying Domino’s distance thresholds and continuing to work within them. We want to avoid overstimulation, as that’s when he feels the need to react in order to create space for himself from people or other distractions.
We are taking things step by step, but these moments are big wins for Domino. It’s great to see his confidence grow and his progress continue!
Pupdate 3/25/26
Today Domino and I took another trip to Whittier Narrows where we met up with the Off Leash pack. During this training session, Domino was once again exposed to multiple dogs and did a great job socializing around them. Although he isn’t the type of pup who wants to play, he was able to sit patiently and remain calm while being near the other dogs. No matter how much energy they had or how much they invaded his space, Domino kept his composure and showed great self-control. It was amazing to see his progress.
We incorporated obedience commands throughout the session while working through plenty of distractions. At no point did Domino attempt to lunge or react toward any of the dogs around him, which is a huge accomplishment for him.
Domino has also shown that he tends to “pick his person,” and right now that person is me. When he feels uncomfortable or unsure, he chooses to stay close by my side for reassurance. During today’s session, I had a male trainer take him to practice commands, and Domino spent most of that time looking back for me. Once I stepped away from the area, he was able to refocus and successfully complete what was being asked of him. The fact that Domino allowed a male trainer to take his leash and walk him without any reaction was another big step forward.
This continues to show how important it is for Domino to feel safe in his environment, and exposing him to new locations has been helping build his confidence tremendously. I feel he is now ready to begin working in mid-level crowd environments to further neutralize his anxiety and strengthen his confidence in busier areas.
I am so proud of how far Domino has come. His sweet personality is showing more and more every day—he’s been loving cuddles and giving kisses. Sweet little Domino!
Pupdate 3/26/26
For today’s adventure, Domino and I took a trip to an indoor mall where he was exposed to a medium-level crowd. During this session, we walked throughout the mall and reviewed all of his obedience commands while being surrounded by shoppers. Domino was very aware of the people around him, but at no point did he react. I made sure to keep the environment positive and redirected his attention anytime he was close to visually locking onto someone. Amazing work and progress, Domino!
During our time at the mall, we also exposed Domino to different furnishings and objects throughout the building, along with the elevator where we practiced our Door Manners. I was very impressed with how composed he remained, especially since this was his first time ever being inside a mall. With people walking close by, Domino stayed calm and engaged, and with just a few commands to keep him focused on me, he did very well. Proud of the little guy!
By continuing to expose Domino to well-populated areas and new environments, we will continue building his confidence and comfort level, which will help reduce reactivity over time. Helping him understand that the world is a safe and neutral place will benefit him greatly in the long run. Once he returns home, this type of exposure should continue so that new places remain neutral and familiar for him.
Pupdate 3/27/26
For today’s training session, we took a trip to Home Depot to expose Domino to a new type of crowd and environment filled with different sounds, noises, and movement. This type of outing challenges Domino to practice self-control while learning how to stay neutral around unpredictable distractions and changing spacing between people throughout the store.
During our time inside, I made sure to keep Domino engaged with me by working obedience commands and also simply calling his name to maintain focus. I paid close attention to his body language and ensured he was not visually locking onto anyone as they walked by. Domino did an excellent job and did not lock onto any individuals during our session.
The only reactivity Domino showed was when we first arrived in the parking lot as I was taking him out of the car. A gentleman unexpectedly walked around the vehicle, and Domino barked as a warning. I didn’t mind the alert bark, and I gave him a small leash nudge to redirect him. Most importantly, Domino did not attempt to lunge, which was a great sign of progress.
What I have noticed is that Domino is a very protective pup and has become more protective of both me and his personal space. Right now, the key is staying aware of our surroundings and managing space proactively so Domino doesn’t feel threatened or the need to react.
Domino has shown so much improvement, and I am incredibly proud of his progress!
Pupdate 3/28/26
Today’s training session highlights Domino’s Door Manners and Food Manners, two important skills we have been consistently working on for the past two weeks. As we get closer to Domino’s return home, we have been increasing the amount of time he is expected to remain in a Place position and hold a Sit at the door without breaking command.
To begin, I placed Domino a few feet away from the doorway threshold and he did great. I was even able to drop the leash and increase my distance, and Domino remained in position. After praising him for that progress, we moved closer to the threshold where he could clearly see outside and take in more distractions.
Domino did well for a few seconds, but he then noticed a neighbor walking their dog and broke his Sit, running in that direction. Thankfully, he was still on leash, allowing me to correct him immediately. This moment is exactly why we train the way we do. Domino hesitated for a split second, but ultimately his reactivity took over. As mentioned before, reactivity does not disappear overnight or even within 2–3 weeks. This process takes time, repetition, and patience. Since this was an unexpected reaction, I will work on recreating a similar scenario in a controlled way so we can continue working through that behavior. I know Domino has it in him.
We also reviewed Food Manners, and Domino did an excellent job. He has learned to wait calmly and patiently before being released to his food, showing great impulse control.
Not every training session will be perfect, and dogs will have moments where their instincts take over. The goal is to reset their mindset, redirect their focus, and continue building consistency. Domino is capable of becoming the calm and unbothered dog we want him to be, and we will continue pushing forward to get him there.
Pupdate 3/29/26
Today we took Domino to a busy indoor mall where we challenged him to practice his self-control, and his hard work is truly paying off in this environment. During our time there, I continued keeping him engaged with obedience commands to help maintain his focus on me and encourage him to stay calm.
Despite all the commotion happening around him, Domino did an amazing job remaining composed and following through with every command asked of him. There were plenty of children around, and at one point a child began following behind him. I felt her energy, so I know Domino did too—but he stayed in a proper heel position and remained focused. Yay Domino!
With continued practice, environments like this will become more neutral for him and will not overstimulate him as easily. In the video, you can still see signs that he is feeling anxious, such as panting, so I made sure to reassure him and keep the experience positive. As we continued walking through the mall, he remained calm and even had several onlookers commenting on how cute he was. He did great!
At one point, I stopped into Macy’s to get my glasses adjusted, and Domino did wonderfully by settling into a Down position while we waited. Great job, Domino!
As I’ve mentioned before, his reactivity will not disappear overnight. He still has small episodes here and there. Last night, he had one over a paper towel he found near my bathroom. He took ownership of it and refused to let me pass, staying locked in and unwilling to let it go. After a few minutes, he finally snapped out of it. Once the episode passed, it was almost as if he realized he had done something wrong—he looked at me with those guilty little eyes. Poor guy. He’s trying, and he is learning. I can truly see the progress.
We will continue working hard and keeping him engaged. Domino is a smart little dog, and we are doing our best to help reprogram his mindset so he can be in a better place than when he first arrived. The improvement is there, and we will keep pushing forward—one step at a time.
You got this, Domino!
Pupdate 3/30/26
Today we worked on Domino’s possession of his toy. We have been focusing on having him release the toy and not become aggressive or possessive when he is in possession of it. Domino has been showing a lot of improvement with the E-collar, and he is responding very well to the structure it provides.
My recommendation is that you continue doing release drills with him to build his confidence and help him understand that letting go of the toy does not mean he loses it forever. The goal is to teach Domino that when he drops the toy on command, he will be rewarded by getting it back. This is the method that has helped reduce his guarding behaviors and has been very effective for him.
We can absolutely practice this more during our one-on-one session so you feel confident continuing the drills at home.
Pupdate 3/31/26
Today was such a great day for Domino at the park! I was such a proud dog trainer today—he made me so proud I wanted to pick him up and squeeze him.
We took a trip to the local park where we practiced all of his commands in front of the pool gymnasium, where kids were lined up waiting to enter for their training times. Since Domino has previously shown that he isn’t always too fond of socializing, this was the perfect opportunity to work around a busy crowd.
Today Domino showed just how hard he has been working on his social skills. He tolerated being around crowds extremely well while staying focused on his commands. There were plenty of people walking by, and every time I gave him a command, he complied and remained calm. There were even a few toddlers playing nearby, and Domino stayed composed the entire time. He didn’t look their way or pay any attention to them. If anything, I was the one keeping an eye on the kids to make sure they didn’t approach him.
Domino truly made me proud today. He stayed focused, listened beautifully, and completed every command I asked of him. Great job Mr. Domino—you have made me so proud!
Another thing we reviewed today was his recall with distractions. Domino did amazing returning to me from a distance and getting into position. It honestly warmed my heart to see how far he has come. Yay Domino!!!
We are definitely heading in the right direction to making you a well-mannered pup!
Pupdate 4/1/26
For today’s Pupdate we reviewed Domino’s door manners once again to ensure he could hold his sit at the door while also adding distractions. During our first session, we increased the difficulty by adding more distance and extending the amount of time I was away from the door. Domino did phenomenal and was able to remain patient and hold his sit with no issues.
To put him even more to the test, we added Dottie as a distraction and had her join the training session as a decoy. Domino passed with flying colors by following my commands and remaining in place while Dottie was told to cross the threshold of the door.
I am so proud of Mr. Domino and how far he has come. He is slowly becoming the little gentleman he was born to be. He makes me so proud!
Pupdate 4/2/26
For today’s Pupdate we reviewed Domino’s heel command, but this time we added in Dottie as a distraction. I wanted to see if Domino would remain focused and follow commands with her walking right next to me, and he did not disappoint! He stayed engaged and continued working through his commands very well.
There was one moment where he did not want to drop into the “down” position, but as always, we have to hold him accountable for not following through. Oh Domino… not today, sir!
Domino is such a special pup and is truly transforming into a sweet little gentleman, but he definitely still has his moments of being Mr. Grumpy Pants. During those moments, it’s important not to let him get away with the attitude and to hold him accountable for his actions.
Domino is the type of dog that needs something to do daily. If he doesn’t get the attention, structure, or activity he needs, he will act out—and that’s something I’ve learned about him. He also struggles with resource guarding, but with consistent daily training and clear boundaries, he is learning that guarding behavior is not allowed and will not get him what he wants.
He is a smart pup and is slowly but surely turning the page into becoming a well-mannered dog little by little.
Bonus Footage: Domino and Friends
We were practicing obedience commands with all the pups today and I captured the cutest training moment. Enjoy!
Pupdate 4/3/26
For today’s Domino Pupdate we reviewed some of Domino’s favorite obedience manners to practice. We worked on food manners and car manners.
Car manners are one of Domino’s favorite things to do! He absolutely loves jumping into the car and going for rides. At times I actually have to encourage (and almost force) him to get out because he wants to stay in the crate. Oh Domino… you cruisin’ little buddy!
For food manners, Domino has been doing great learning self-control. He waits patiently while I place his food on the ground, and I have even started extending his wait time to challenge him more. He is responding very well and staying consistent with his obedience.
Proud of you Domino!
Pupdate 4/4/26
For our final Pupdate with Domino, we took a trip to Cerritos Mall to pull together all the commands Domino has learned throughout his 3 weeks with us and to truly test his self-control in a busy public environment.
I honestly cannot explain how proud I am of Mr. Domino. Not only was he not reactive to the large crowds around him, but he was also able to maintain his composure around the many dogs in the mall. Of course, I kept a close eye on him the entire time, and there were moments where he looked up at me for reassurance. I made sure to keep him feeling safe and comfortable, and he responded beautifully. We were able to complete all of his commands smoothly. Proud of you Domino!
I was even able to take him into a store to browse around, and he did amazing. He was definitely a popular little guy!
And just to reiterate what I’ve been saying over the last couple of weeks—Domino is still Domino and he does have his “leave me alone” and “give me my space” personality, so it is very important to always be aware of his surroundings. He can definitely react without warning if his boundaries are crossed. Continue exposing him to larger crowds and public areas, but always with a watchful eye and by ensuring his personal space is respected.
Domino has come such a long way since day one, and today proved just how much he has grown. I am extremely proud of him.
It has truly been a pleasure having him with us. We are definitely going to miss his side-eyes and his mean-muggin’ looks! It took some time for him to trust us, but we were able to build that bond, and that trust is what helped us train him into a much more mannered pup for you. We are also going to miss all that fluffy fur for sure!
Puldate 4/5/26
Today is our last unofficial Pupdate for Domino. Although he was scheduled to go home today, we made sure to keep things light with a soft training day while also giving him lots of love on his last day with us. We even took some time to do a mini photoshoot with Dottie!
Domino has gotten so comfortable with us and truly feels like part of the family. He is doing great with all of his commands, and I’m really looking forward to showing you everything he has learned during his stay.
Thank you so much for trusting us with Mr. Domino! 🐾💙
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