Fang| Doberman/Rottweiler Mix| Venice, CA| In-Training
- Reine Melnick
- Jun 23
- 17 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Fang Intro
Meet Fang, a 10-month-old Doberman/Rottweiler mix from Venice, CA, who is officially joining Offleash SoCal for our Three-Week Old School Board & Train Program!
Fang is an incredibly sweet and intelligent young pup who loves everything life has to offer. Whether he's exploring new places, meeting new people, or taking in all the sights and sounds around him, Fang is always excited for his next adventure. However, sometimes all those exciting distractions can make it difficult for him to focus on what he already knows.
One of Fang's favorite things is making new friends! He loves saying hello to everyone he meets, but his enthusiasm can occasionally lead to some jumping when he's excited. On walks, Fang is so eager to get out and explore the world that he tends to pull his owners along for the ride, making walks less enjoyable than they should be.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be focusing on building reliable on- and off-leash obedience, improving leash manners, strengthening in-home behaviors, and teaching Fang how to remain calm and focused in highly distracting environments. We can't wait to help this handsome boy reach his full potential and show off everything he's capable of!
Stay tuned for Fang's transformation!
Pupdate 6/23/26
Today was all about Fang and I getting acquainted with each other and helping him settle into his new environment. During the drive home after picking him up, Fang did whine a little bit, which is completely understandable considering he was leaving everything familiar behind and spending time with someone he had just met. The good news is that he started to settle down before we even got home, and I made sure to praise him whenever he chose to remain calm and quiet.
Once we arrived home, I gave Fang some time on a long line in the yard so he could explore his new surroundings, use the bathroom, and decompress. It was great to see that despite being in a brand-new environment, Fang remained confident, curious, and eager to explore.
After some yard time, we worked on getting him comfortable with his crate. This was a bit of a challenge at first, but rather than rushing the process, we took things slowly and allowed Fang to build confidence at his own pace. By staying patient and making the experience positive, he began to settle in much more comfortably.
Because of the heat, we spent a few hours relaxing inside before heading out for a short training session. During our first outing together, I wanted to evaluate what Fang already knew, and it quickly became clear that he is a very smart boy with a solid understanding of many commands. To help sharpen up his Heel right away, I introduced a small prong collar and used light guidance whenever he tried to pull ahead. Fang responded exceptionally well to the tool and quickly settled into a nice, focused Heel position.
He was incredibly eager to learn and showed a genuine enthusiasm for working. Because of his great attitude and willingness to engage with me, I decided to keep the session short and end on a positive note. Fang has already made a fantastic first impression, and I absolutely adore this boy. I am so excited to watch his confidence and skills continue to grow over the next few weeks!
Pupdate 6/24/26
Today we took a trip to a local park to continue working on some of Fang's commands, including Heel, Come to Sit, Extended Down, and Extended Sit. It was a great opportunity to practice around some mild distractions while continuing to build on the strong foundation he already has.
We started our session with a structured Heel, and Fang was such a good boy right from the beginning. He was very eager to stay by my side and remained focused even as people were walking around the area. His willingness to work and pay attention made it easy for him to settle into a productive mindset.
Once he was locked into his Heel, we moved on to practicing his Extended Down and Extended Sit. Fang once again showed just how intelligent he is. He needed very little reminding to remain in position as I gradually increased distance and walked farther away from him. He did an excellent job staying calm, holding his commands, and waiting patiently for further direction.
We also spent some time working on his Come to Sit, and Fang continued to demonstrate a solid understanding of the command. He was eager to participate and showed a great attitude throughout the entire session.
Since he was performing so well and the temperatures were beginning to rise, I decided to keep today's outing short and sweet. I always want training to stay fun and rewarding, especially for a young dog who is so enthusiastic about learning.
Overall, Fang had a fantastic session, and I am very proud of the effort and focus he showed today. He continues to impress me with both his intelligence and his eagerness to work. Great job, Fang!
Pupdate 6/25/26
Today Fang and I made another trip to the park to continue building on all of the commands he has been learning! We began our outing with a structured **Heel** on our walk to the park, and Fang did an excellent job staying connected with me. He has been making great progress with keeping his attention on the walk instead of becoming distracted by everything going on around him. I also had another dog with us during the walk, and Fang handled it wonderfully, remaining calm and focused without getting overly interested. It has been so rewarding to watch his confidence and neutrality around other dogs continue to improve!
Once we arrived at the park, we shifted our focus to his duration exercises, spending time practicing **Extended Down** and **Extended Sit**. Fang has become much more reliable with holding his commands, even while other dogs and people moved through the area. He stayed patient, attentive, and showed great self-control throughout the session.
With the temperatures climbing quickly, we decided to wrap things up while he was still feeling successful and head back home before the heat became too intense. Fang had another fantastic training session today, and I couldn't be happier with the progress he's making. Great job, Fang!
Pupdate 6/26/26
Today Fang and I headed to the Promenade to continue strengthening the commands he has been learning while working around plenty of real-world distractions! We started our session with a structured **Heel** to help get him into a calmer, more focused working mindset before asking anything else of him. Fang did an excellent job staying by my side and wasn't letting the busy environment pull his attention away. Whether it was people walking by or other dogs passing nearby, he stayed engaged and eager to work!
Once he was settled and listening well, we moved on to practicing his **Extended Sit** along with his **Come to Sit**. Fang did a great job overall holding his Sit until released and showed nice patience throughout the exercise. We also spent some time working on his **Come to Sit**, which is still a newer command for him. He had a few moments where he got a little confused about the correct finishing position, but that's completely normal. With a few more days of practice and repetition, I'm confident he'll have the command down!
To finish off our outing, we practiced his **Extended Place** with a **Down** near the fountain. Even with people constantly walking by and plenty of activity around us, Fang remained calm and committed to his command. He showed wonderful self-control and continued making great choices throughout the session.
Fang continues to make steady progress every day, and I'm very proud of how well he handled such a busy environment today. Great job, Fang!
Pupdate 6/27/26
Today we headed back to the Santa Monica Promenade to continue strengthening Fang's commands around plenty of real-world distractions. When we first arrived, Fang came out full of energy and excitement, so we started our session with a structured Heel to help him settle into a calmer, more focused mindset.
It didn't take long for Fang to shift his attention back to me. Once he was more in tune and paying closer attention, we moved on to practicing some of his other commands. We spent time working on his Extended Sit and Extended Down to continue building his patience, impulse control, and ability to remain calm in a busy environment. Fang did an excellent job holding his positions, even as people walked by nearby. He showed great self-control and needed very little reminding to stay where he was asked.
Afterward, we worked on his Come to Sit. Fang continues to improve with this command each day. Right now, his biggest challenge is that he gets so excited to come back that he occasionally rushes into position a little too quickly. While that's certainly not a bad problem to have, we'll continue refining the command so he learns to perform it with the same enthusiasm but a calmer, more controlled finish.
Overall, Fang continues to impress me with how quickly he learns and how eager he is to work. He is such a smart boy with a fantastic attitude, and I'm very proud of the progress he's making every day. Great job, Fang!
Pupdate 6/28/26
Today we took a trip to Lake Balboa to continue strengthening the commands Fang has been learning throughout the week! It was a great opportunity to practice around plenty of people and distractions while continuing to build his reliability.
We started our session with a structured Heel as we made our way through the park. Even with lots of people walking by and plenty of activity around us, Fang was such a good boy and didn't let the hustle and bustle distract him from the task at hand. He stayed focused, remained by my side, and showed just how eager he is to work.
Once Fang settled into a calmer mindset, we moved on to practicing his Extended Sit and Extended Down. Once again, he impressed me with how well he understood both commands. He needed very little guidance or reminding to remain in position as we worked, and he showed excellent patience and self-control. Fang truly loves to do the right thing, which makes training with him so enjoyable.
After spending some time on those commands, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to introduce the Place command. The goal was to begin teaching Fang how to confidently get onto an object and remain there until released. Just like the rest of his training, he caught on very quickly and required very few reminders to stay in position. It was another great example of just how intelligent and willing he is to learn.
I am beyond proud of Fang and how quickly he is picking up everything that is being asked of him. His eagerness to work, positive attitude, and willingness to learn make every training session a pleasure. He continues to make fantastic progress each day, and I can't wait to see what he accomplishes next.
Good job, Fang!
Pupdate 6/29/26
Today was a much more relaxed day for Fang. Instead of doing one long training session, we kept things light with a few short sessions throughout the day while making our main focus simply letting him be a dog and enjoy himself. Rest and appropriate play are just as important as training, especially for a young, energetic puppy!
One of the highlights of the day was introducing Fang to my 9-month-old Pit Bull puppy, Moonie. Since they are both high-energy pups, I was excited to see how they would interact, and they absolutely hit it off! Their introduction went very smoothly, and before long they were happily playing together, taking turns chasing, pouncing, and tumbling around the yard.
What I loved most about watching them play was how balanced their interactions were. Anytime one of them started getting tired or simply wanted a break, they naturally separated, took a moment to decompress, and then re-engaged when they were both ready to continue playing. This is exactly what we like to see, as it demonstrates healthy, appropriate play rather than one dog constantly overpowering the other.
Throughout the day, we also fit in a few short training sessions to keep Fang sharp, and he continued to show the same eagerness to learn that he has displayed all week. Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with positive socialization, appropriate play, and a little bit of training sprinkled in. I am so proud of Fang for playing so politely and showing such wonderful social skills. He truly is an amazing boy!
Good job, Fang!
Pupdate 6/30/26
Today Fang and I headed to Century City to continue strengthening all of the commands he has learned so far while working around plenty of real-world distractions! We started our session with a structured **Heel** around the mall as people walked by, and Fang did an excellent job staying focused on the task at hand instead of letting the busy environment pull his attention away. He remained calm, attentive, and showed great engagement throughout our walk.
Once Fang demonstrated great self-control in his Heel, we moved on to practicing his **Extended Place** and **Extended Sit**. He continued to impress me by remaining committed to the commands, even as people walked nearby and I gradually increased the distance between us. He showed wonderful patience and impulse control, making great decisions on his own.
After that, we spent some time working on his **Come to Sit**, which is still a newer command for him. Fang sometimes likes to overthink the process, causing him to get a little confused about where he should finish. Whenever that happened, I simply used a bit of leash guidance to help him find the correct position before trying again. With each repetition, he became more confident, and I know this command will continue to improve over the next few days.
To finish off our outing, we made our way over to one of the large grassy areas where a soccer tournament was being shown on a big outdoor screen. With crowds of people gathered all around us, we practiced Fang's **Extended Down** right in the middle of the activity. I was incredibly impressed with his ability to stay calm and hold his command despite everything happening around him. His impulse control continues to improve with every outing, and today was another huge step forward in his training.
Overall, Fang had a fantastic day and continues to make great progress. I couldn't be happier with how well he worked today. Great job, Fang!
Pupdate 7/1/26
Today we headed back to Century City to continue building on all of the commands Fang has been learning! With plenty of people out shopping, it was the perfect opportunity to put his training to the test in a busy environment filled with distractions.
We started our session with a structured Heel as we made our way around the mall. Fang has become so reliable with this command and stayed right by my side with little to no reminders. It has been incredible watching such a young pup demonstrate this level of focus and impulse control while navigating through large crowds of people. He stayed engaged with me and didn't let all of the excitement around him pull his attention away from his job.
As we made our way into some of the busier areas of the mall, we began working on his Extended Down and Extended Sit. Once again, Fang proved just how capable he is of remaining committed to the command he is given. Even as people walked by, admired him from a distance, and the environment became more distracting, he remained calm, patient, and focused. He needed very little guidance and continued to show the maturity and eagerness to learn that he has displayed throughout his program.
Fang continues to impress me every single day with his positive attitude, willingness to work, and how quickly he picks up new skills. Watching his confidence and reliability grow has been so rewarding, and I couldn't be prouder of the progress he is making.
Well done, Fang!
Pupdate 7/2/26
Today Fang and I headed to Home Depot to continue strengthening all of the commands he has been learning while working around everyday distractions. Home Depot is a great environment to proof his obedience with loud noises, shopping carts, and people constantly moving throughout the store.
We kept today's session on a shorter leash to continue preparing him for the off-leash portion of his training while still having a quick way to guide him if needed. We began with a structured **Heel** to get him into a focused working mindset before moving on to the rest of his commands. Fang did an excellent job staying by my side and wasn't bothered by the busy atmosphere. Even when my camera woman was following behind us filming, he stayed engaged with me and continued working without losing focus.
Once he settled into his Heel, we began practicing his **Extended Sit** and **Extended Down** while customers walked past. Fang showed great impulse control, remaining in each command without needing reminders. He stayed attentive to me and waited patiently until given his next command.
From there, we worked on his **Come to Sit**, and he continues to make steady progress with this newer command. He still likes to think through the exercise a bit and occasionally overcomplicates it, but with a little leash guidance when needed, he quickly finds the correct position. Each session his understanding continues to improve.
To wrap up our outing, we found a small kids' picnic table where we practiced **Place** followed by an **Extended Sit**. Fang did a fantastic job getting onto the object and remaining in position while people walked nearby. He showed great patience and self-control throughout the exercise and required very little guidance.
Overall, Fang had another excellent day of training and continues to impress me with his focus and willingness to work. I'm very proud of the progress he's making each day. Great job, Fang!
Pupdate 7/3/26
Due to the temperatures being relatively high today and the ground becoming a bit too hot for a longer outing, we decided to keep our training around the house and focus on strengthening Fang's in-home manners. Today's main focus was working on his door manners, helping him understand the importance of remaining calm and patient whenever a door is opened.
Fang did an excellent job throughout the session and showed a great understanding of what was being asked of him. He remained engaged with me the entire time and displayed impressive patience as I stepped in and out of the doorway. Rather than trying to rush through the open door, Fang waited calmly in his command until I gave him permission to move. It was great to see him think through the exercise and make such good choices on his own.
We'll continue practicing this behavior to make it even more reliable, but Fang has already built a fantastic foundation. Overall, he had a great training session today, and I'm very proud of the focus, patience, and engagement he showed from start to finish!
Pupdate 7/4/26
Today I wanted to test Fang's commands in a neighborhood environment with passing cars, people, and everyday distractions to make sure his obedience remained just as reliable outside of our usual training locations. He started the session with a beautiful structured Heel and stayed right by my side with little to no reminders, even as cars drove past and families walked through the neighborhood. Fang has become so engaged during our training sessions, and it's been awesome watching his confidence and enthusiasm continue to grow!
After some walking, we found a nice shady spot to work on his Extended Down while I gradually increased the distance between us. Fang had no trouble remaining in position, showing a great understanding that the command doesn't change just because I'm farther away. He stayed focused and patiently waited until I returned to him.
We finished our session by practicing his Come to Sit from a distance. Fang came in quickly and happily, but being such a long, lanky young boy, he has a tendency to stop and sit just a little farther away from my side instead of scooting his hind legs underneath himself into the proper position. Rather than rushing the process, we'll continue building his understanding of the finer details of the command over time. As he matures and gains more body awareness, we'll keep refining his positioning so he learns to sit neatly at my side every time. Overall, Fang did an excellent job today, and I'm very proud of the progress he's continuing to make. Great work, Fang! 🐾
Pupdate 7/5/26
With the temperatures staying pretty high today, we kept our training session shorter and headed to a local dog park for some fun exposure work! Since there were only a handful of dogs enjoying the large enclosed area, it made for the perfect opportunity to practice Fang's commands while real-life distractions were all around him. We started with a structured Heel, and Fang did an excellent job staying connected with me as the other dogs ran around and played. He remained focused, attentive, and never let the excitement around him interfere with what was being asked of him.
After our walk, we took advantage of the park's agility equipment, including a few ramps and platforms. Instead of making it a formal training session, I wanted Fang to simply enjoy exploring the obstacles and build confidence through play. He had an absolute blast trying each one and was eager to keep learning. It was awesome to watch him have so much fun while still staying engaged and responsive throughout the session. Overall, it was a great way to have fun while continuing his training, and I'm very proud of how well Fang did today!
Pupdate 7/6/26
Today Fang met up with a few other trainers at the park to continue strengthening all of his commands around distractions. We started our session with a structured Heel, and Fang continues to show just how well he understands this command. He stayed glued to my side the entire time we walked around, remaining engaged and focused despite everything going on around him. It's been so much fun watching his confidence and understanding continue to grow!
After warming up with Heel, we moved on to his Extended Sit, Extended Down, and Place commands. Fang has made tremendous progress with all of his duration work and is becoming much more comfortable remaining in position, even as I continue adding more distance between us. He stayed patient, focused, and committed to the command I had given him. I am incredibly proud of the effort and concentration he puts into every training session. It's awesome to see such a young pup working so hard and genuinely wanting to learn!
We then spent some time practicing Come to Sit. Fang did a great job coming back to me each time, but he still has a tendency to sit just a little farther away from my side instead of tucking himself neatly into position. This isn't something I'm overly concerned about at this stage of his training. As he continues to build a better understanding of the command, we'll keep fine-tuning that final position over the next couple of weeks until it becomes second nature.
Since Fang stayed so engaged throughout the session and didn't allow the distractions around him to interfere with his work, we decided to end on a positive note. He gave me exactly the attitude I was looking for, and I couldn't be happier with his progress. Good boy, Fang!
Pupdate 7/7/26
Today, Fang and I headed back to the Santa Monica Pier to continue working on everything he has learned in one of our busiest training environments yet!
We started our session with a relaxed walk through the pier, giving Fang the opportunity to take in the busy environment without any expectations. He did a wonderful job naturally staying in a heel, even though I hadn’t asked him to! Once we reached the end of the pier, we took a few minutes to cool off in the shade before beginning our structured training.
We started with our structured heel, and Fang did a fantastic job staying right by my side as crowds of people walked past us. It has been so rewarding to watch his confidence continue to grow in busy environments. He handled all the activity around him while staying focused on me throughout our walk.
Afterward, we found a bench to practice his extended Place and Sit commands. Fang did an excellent job remaining in Place, even with plenty of distractions nearby, patiently waiting until I released him for the next command. His Sit is still a work in progress, but he continues to make steady improvements every session. He is becoming more consistent with understanding that he needs to maintain the position until he’s released, and I’m excited to see his confidence continue to build.
We finished our session by practicing his extended Down, and Fang did a wonderful job remaining calm, patient, and focused despite everything happening around him. I am so proud of how far he has come with his obedience and how well he is learning to work through distractions without becoming overwhelmed.
Great job today, Fang! Keep up the amazing work—you are making incredible progress every day! 🐶💙
Pupdate 7/8/26
Today Fang and I took a trip to Century City to continue building on all of the commands he has been learning in a busier environment. Instead of working him on leash for the entire session, I decided it was a great opportunity to really test how well he understands his commands by working him off leash. I have to say, he pleasantly surprised me! He was incredibly well behaved and listened almost flawlessly throughout our outing.
We started with our structured Heel around the mall, and Fang was eager to get to work. He stayed glued to my side the entire time, paying close attention to me instead of the busy environment around us. Even with people walking past, shopping, and all the exciting sights and sounds, he remained focused and showed just how much his Heel has improved.
After that, we moved on to his Extended Down, Place, and Extended Sit. Fang demonstrated excellent impulse control during each command, remaining exactly where he was asked even as crowds of people walked by. Quite a few people stopped to admire him, commenting on how handsome, well behaved, and focused he was. It was wonderful to see him ignore the extra attention and continue concentrating on his job.
We finished the session by working on Come to Sit. Fang started each repetition confidently and came back toward me with enthusiasm, but he became a little confused as he was finishing the command. I gave him a little guidance with the leash to help him understand exactly where I wanted him to end up, and once he completed it correctly, he received lots of enthusiastic praise. These little moments are all part of the learning process, and it's great to see him continuing to improve each day.
Overall, today was a fantastic outing! Fang continues to impress me with his willingness to learn, his focus in busy environments, and the steady progress he's making with every session. I couldn't be happier with how far this young guy has come. Great job, Fang!
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