Dozer | German Shorthaired Pointer| San Pedro, CA| In-Training
- Reine Melnick
- Jul 26
- 14 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Meet Dozer, a 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer from San Pedro, CA, joining OffLeash SoCal for our 2-Week Urban Board & Train Program!
Dozer is your typical high-energy GSP who absolutely loves getting out for walks with his family. While he enjoys exploring the world, he also likes to take charge of the walk by pulling on the leash, making outings a bit of a challenge. When out and about, Dozer can become reactive toward larger dogs that posture or react to him, and on occasion, he may also react to people. Although he enjoys meeting new people, his excitement can sometimes get the better of him, causing him to jump up to say hello.
Over the next two weeks, we'll be focusing on improving Dozer's leash manners, building calm and appropriate socialization around other dogs, reinforcing good house manners, and teaching reliable basic obedience. We're excited to help channel all of his energy into becoming a well-mannered companion—stay tuned to follow Dozer's training journey!
Pupdate 7/26/26
Today was Dozer's first day of training, so we decided to take things a little slower and focus on helping him settle into his new environment. We started with a short walk around the neighborhood, giving him plenty of time to sniff, explore, and become more comfortable with both me and his new surroundings. Taking the time to decompress on day one helps set the foundation for successful training moving forward.
Once Dozer had a chance to explore, we got started on some of his basic obedience. We began introducing proper positioning for **Heel**, **Sit**, and **Come to Sit**, while also starting to build duration into his **Sit** command. Overall, Dozer did a nice job and was eager to work with me. The one command he struggled with most was Sit, as he wasn't quite responding to what I was asking. To help him understand, I used gentle guidance with my hand along with light pressure on his hindquarters to show him exactly what I wanted. Once he was in position, he settled nicely and did a great job holding the command.
Overall, I'm very proud of how well Dozer adjusted to me and his new environment on his first day. He showed a great willingness to learn, and I'm excited to continue building on this solid start over the next couple of weeks!
Pupdate 7/27/26
This morning, Dozer and I met up with a few other trainers at a local park for a short training session to continue building his foundation. We focused primarily on introducing Down, along with practicing Place and Come to Sit. I chose to tackle Down first because it has been the command Dozer has shown the most resistance toward. He made it very clear that he wasn't thrilled about the exercise and was quite vocal whenever he didn't want to comply. I also noticed that when he became frustrated, he would try to move closer to me or grab the leash with his mouth in an attempt to avoid completing the command.
In moments like these, it's very important that Dozer follows through with what is being asked. Allowing him to opt out would only reinforce that resisting or throwing a tantrum is an effective way to avoid work. Instead, we're teaching him that calmly complying with the command is what turns off the leash or e-collar pressure. After about 30 minutes of patiently working through the exercise, everything finally clicked, and Dozer completed the command successfully. We made sure to end the session on that positive accomplishment.
After returning home, I gave Dozer about an hour to decompress and process everything he had learned before beginning another short session in the backyard. Since I knew Down would continue to be our biggest challenge, we started there again, this time practicing the command while on Place. He had a few more moments of frustration during the session, but those reactions simply show that he's learning he can't decide when training begins and ends. We spent another 30–45 minutes patiently working through the command until he began showing a much better understanding of what was being asked. Once he performed the behavior calmly, without arguing or resisting, we wrapped up the session on a positive note and gave him another opportunity to relax and decompress.
I'm proud of Dozer for working through a challenging day. While learning new expectations isn't always easy, he showed that he's capable of pushing through his frustration and making good choices. Those small victories are what build a strong foundation, and I'm looking forward to continuing his progress!
Pupdate 7/28/26
Today Dozer and I headed to the park to continue working on his Down, Place, and Come to Sit. Since the temperatures started rising pretty quickly, I kept our training session short to make sure he stayed comfortable and didn't overheat.
We spent most of our time focusing on his Down command. At first, Dozer gave me a little bit of resistance, but after about five minutes everything seemed to click, and he began performing the command much more confidently. I also used Place to help reinforce Down because it allowed me to guide him without having to bend over or get into his personal space, which I think made the learning process much easier for him.
After making good progress with Down, we moved on to Come to Sit. He's slowly starting to understand what is expected, although he still gets distracted from time to time and doesn't always finish the command correctly. When that happens, I simply use gentle leash pressure to guide him into the proper position so he can be successful.
Overall, Dozer did a great job today! Even with the warm weather, he put in a solid effort, made nice progress with his Down command, and continues to improve with each training session. I'm proud of the work he's putting in!
Pupdate 7/29/26
Due to the heat rising quickly today, we decided to keep things nice and easy with a few shorter walks around the neighborhood while continuing to work on Dozer's commands. He has made a lot of progress with his Heel and is becoming much more consistent. The only time he tends to lag behind is when he starts getting tired, but with a gentle reminder, he quickly picks his pace back up and matches mine again.
After our walk, we found a nice grassy area where Dozer could catch his breath while practicing his Extended Down. Overall, he did a great job! He only had one moment where he decided to get up, but with a little guidance and a quick reminder, he settled right back into the command. Although Dozer takes a little more time than some dogs to fully understand new concepts, he continues to put so much effort into learning and improving every day. I'm incredibly proud of how hard he's working and can't wait to see his progress continue!
Pupdate 7/30/26
Today we headed back to the park to continue strengthening Dozer's commands. To make the most of our training session, we got out nice and early before the heat set in. We started with a structured Heel, and I was really happy to see how much more consistent he has become at staying by my side instead of lagging behind. He's beginning to understand what is expected of him, and it really showed today.
After our walk, we found a bench to practice Place and his Extended Down. Overall, Dozer did well, although he still has moments where he'll get up if I walk too far away. We'll continue building that distance over time, but what made me especially proud today was how much less he resisted going into the Down command. We also worked on his Come to Sit, and while he still occasionally struggles to come all the way around into position, I make sure to praise him every time he gets it right so he understands exactly what earns the reward. I'm very proud of the progress Dozer has made over the past few days, and he's continuing to improve with every session!
Pupdate 7/31/26
Today Dozer and I headed to Chatsworth Park to continue strengthening all of the commands he has been learning! With the temperatures climbing quickly, we kept our training session nice and short to make sure he stayed safe and didn't overheat.
We started with a structured Heel, and I was really impressed with Dozer's progress. He has gotten so much better about staying by my side while we walk. The only times I noticed him falling behind were when he accidentally stepped on his long line and stopped himself. Once I shortened up my hold on the leash to prevent that from happening, he went right back to maintaining a nice position next to me for the rest of our walk.
Afterward, we found a shady spot where we worked on his Extended Sit and Down. Dozer has made great improvements with his Down command and is responding much quicker than he was when we first started. His Sit has also become faster and more consistent, which is a great sign that he's beginning to truly understand what's being asked of him. I am really proud of the effort he's putting into his training and how quickly he's picking things up!
We finished our session by practicing Come to Sit. He's continuing to make steady progress, even though we still have a few hiccups here and there. Occasionally he'll try to come around to the wrong side, but instead of rushing him, I simply take a few steps back and let him work through it again. As soon as he gets it right, he earns lots of praise before we move on. Overall, Dozer had another great training session today, and I'm excited to keep building on the progress he's making!
Pupdate 8/1/26
Today Dozer and I took a trip to Home Depot to continue working on all of the commands he has been learning in a more distracting environment. Despite the loud noises, shopping carts rolling by, and people constantly moving around, Dozer did a fantastic job staying focused during our structured Heel. He remained attentive and stayed by my side without letting the busy environment pull his attention away from what he was being asked to do.
We also spent some time practicing his Extended Sit and Extended Down. Dozer did a great job remaining in position as customers walked past him, showing much better impulse control and patience than when we first started training. It was great to see him becoming more confident and comfortable working around everyday distractions.
With the temperatures being so high, we kept our outing fairly short to make sure Dozer stayed comfortable and eager to work. Once we got back home and the evening cooled down, we fit in a few short training sessions to continue reinforcing everything he learned earlier in the day. Overall, Dozer has been making fantastic progress and continues to improve with every command. I'm very proud of the effort he's putting into his training and can't wait to see him continue building on these great habits!
Pupdate 8/2/26
Today we focused on one of Dozer's biggest challenges—door manners! Since he gets very excited to head outside, we spent time teaching him that an open door is not an invitation to rush out. He definitely struggled at first because he was so eager to go for our walk, but we took our time and spent about 30 minutes working through it.
Any time Dozer lifted himself up or broke his command as I opened the door, I simply closed it, guided him back to his original position, and tried again. Thankfully, he's a smart boy and eventually figured out exactly what I was asking of him. By the end of our session, I was able to open the door multiple times and even step outside while he calmly remained in the command I gave him. Great work today, Dozer! I'm proud of the progress you made!
Pupdate 8/3/26
Today we took Dozer to the mall for his first outing to begin exposing him to new sights, sounds, and all kinds of distractions. Overall, he was very well-behaved and handled the new environment better than I expected! We started our session with a structured heel throughout the mall, and Dozer did a fantastic job staying right by my side. Even with plenty of people stopping to comment on how cute he was, he didn’t let the attention distract him and stayed focused on his job.
After spending some time walking around and letting him settle into the environment, we moved on to his extended Sit and Down. Once again, Dozer did a great job! He was definitely very interested in all the different sounds around him and spent a lot of time observing everything going on, but as long as he remained in the command I gave him, I was perfectly happy with that. It’s important for Dozer to learn that he can acknowledge the world around him without feeling the need to get up or investigate every little thing. That self-control and confidence will continue to grow with more exposure.
Overall, this was a fantastic first trip to the mall, and I couldn’t be happier with the progress Dozer is making. Great work today, Dozer!
Pupdate 7/4/26
Today Dozer and I met up with another trainer at Home Depot for a training session in a more challenging environment! We started with our usual structured heel, and Dozer did a great job staying right by my side. Despite the loud noises and busy atmosphere, he stayed focused and didn't let the distractions pull his attention away from his job.
After warming up, we headed over to the lumber section where employees were cutting large planks of wood and pushing heavy, noisy carts back and forth. It was definitely a big test for him! We worked on his extended sit while people walked around him and all the commotion continued nearby. Even though I could tell he was a little uneasy with everything going on, Dozer stayed committed to his command and didn't give up. I am incredibly proud of him for working through his uncertainty and showing so much confidence in a situation that could have easily overwhelmed him. Every outing like this helps build his confidence a little more, and today was another great step forward. Good boy, Dozer!
Pupdate 8/5/26
Today, Dozer and I headed to Lowe’s to continue exposing him to a busy environment filled with people, shopping carts, loud noises, and plenty of movement. These types of outings are a great way to proof his commands while teaching him to stay calm and focused, even when there’s a lot happening around him.
We started with our usual structured heel, and I have to say, Dozer has come such a long way. He stayed right by my side as customers walked past us, carts rolled by, and employees worked in the lumber department cutting wood. Despite all of the noise and activity, he remained focused on the job at hand and showed a great understanding of what I was asking of him. It was awesome to see how much more confident and engaged he has become in these higher-distraction environments.
After our heel work, we practiced his extended sit and extended down. Once again, Dozer did an outstanding job remaining in his commands without needing any reminders or corrections. Even with everything going on around him, he stayed committed to the command until he was released. Seeing him develop that kind of impulse control is something I’m incredibly proud of, and it really shows how much progress he’s making.
We also spent some time working on his Come to Sit. This command continues to improve, and while it’s not perfectly consistent just yet, he’s becoming much more confident with each repetition. I know with a little more practice it will become second nature for him.
To finish our session, I decided to challenge Dozer with something completely new. After his extended down, I grabbed one of the small outdoor display platforms and used it to practice Place. Unlike a bench, chair, or cot that he’s familiar with, this platform was much smaller and required him to be much more aware of where he was placing his feet. At first, he was understandably a little confused, and I gave him a bit of guidance with his back feet to help him understand what I was asking. After a few attempts, everything clicked! It was so rewarding to watch him work through the frustration, problem-solve, and ultimately succeed. Those moments of figuring something out are some of the most valuable parts of training, and Dozer handled the challenge beautifully.
We ended the session on that big success, and I couldn’t be happier with how he performed today. His confidence, focus, and willingness to work continue to grow every day, and I’m so proud of the progress he’s making. Great job today, Dozer!
Pupdate 8/6/26
Today’s training took us to Lake Balboa, where we met up with another trainer to continue building on all of the great progress Dozer has been making! We started the session with our structured heel, and Dozer did an awesome job staying right by my side, even with plenty of distractions around us. He has become so much more consistent in understanding exactly where he is supposed to be while we’re walking and is doing a great job not letting the excitement of the environment pull his attention away from the task at hand.
After warming up with heel, we spent some time working on his extended sit. Dozer has made some really nice improvements here as well! He remained calm and stayed in position as I walked around him and even moved farther away from him. It was great to see him respecting the command without arguing or trying to get up before being released.
Next, we practiced his Come to Sit. He is continuing to put all the pieces together and is becoming much more consistent with the command. He’s beginning to understand exactly what I’m asking of him and is completing it with much less hesitation than before, which is a huge step in the right direction.
We finished our session by working on his extended down near the pond. With strollers rolling by, birds and squirrels moving around, and people fishing nearby, there were plenty of distractions to test his impulse control. Dozer did a fantastic job remaining calm and holding his command, showing that he’s learning it’s important to respect the original command no matter what is happening around him.
Overall, I am incredibly proud of the effort Dozer has been putting into his training. His consistency, confidence, and willingness to work continue to improve every day, and it’s been so rewarding to watch his progress. Great job today, Dozer! 🐾
Pupdate 8/7/26
Today we took a trip to Oaks Mall to continue finalizing all of Dozer’s commands in a busy, distracting environment, and he did such an awesome job! He was incredibly respectful throughout our outing and stayed focused on the tasks I asked of him, even with plenty of people, kids, and activity happening all around us.
We started our session with our usual structured heel, walking through different areas of the mall for several minutes. Dozer stayed right by my side, ignored the excitement of kids playing and running around, and remained calm and attentive the entire time. One thing that made me especially proud was how often he voluntarily checked in with me by making eye contact while we were walking. Anytime he offered that engagement, I made sure to give him lots of verbal praise because it’s so important for him to understand that paying attention to his handler is exactly what we want. Those little check-ins are a huge sign that he’s becoming more focused and connected during our walks.
Next, we worked on Place using one of the fountains in the middle of the mall. Even with people sitting nearby, Dozer remained relaxed and committed to the command. He didn’t let curiosity get the best of him or try to get up to investigate what was happening around him. It was great to see him confidently stay where he was asked and continue making good decisions despite all the distractions.
We also spent some time practicing his Come to Heel, and he did an excellent job! He understood exactly what I was asking, came right into position at my side, and finished with a nice sit. It’s been so rewarding to watch him put all the pieces together and become more consistent with following through on commands instead of letting the environment pull his attention away.
To finish our session, we worked on an extended Down in front of Starbucks while people enjoyed their coffee and several children were playing nearby. Dozer stayed calm the entire time. He watched the activity around him without feeling the need to get up or break command. Best of all, I didn’t have to remind him or reset him once. He remained relaxed, confident, and focused from start to finish, which was fantastic to see.
Overall, today was an amazing training day for Dozer. He worked hard, stayed focused, and showed just how much progress he’s made over the course of his training. I’m incredibly proud of him and all the effort he’s been putting in. Great job today, Dozer!
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