Figge | Toy Goldendoodle | Laguna Beach, CA | In- Training

priscillakhoroffle
Jun 22
19 min read

Updated: Jul 14

Meet Figge! She’s a sweet and spunky 9-month-old Toy Goldendoodle from Laguna Beach, California, here for our Two-Week Board and Train Program. Figge is full of charm and affection, and she absolutely loves people and other dogs—but that enthusiasm often shows up as jumping for attention and getting distracted on walks. She’s still working on reliable potty habits at home, and she can get a little unsure in new environments or busy areas.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be helping Figge build confidence, stay focused on walks, solidify her potty training, and develop stronger impulse control. Stay tuned for Figge’s 3 Week Transformation!

Pupdate 6/22/25

When I picked up Figge today, she was a bundle of energy—jumping, wiggling, and rolling over in the sweetest greeting. But as I chatted with her mom, she calmed down a bit, sniffing around and laying gently on her mom’s feet.

At the park, Figge was full of curiosity—sniffing everything and scanning her surroundings with wide eyes. She confidently showed off her “sit” command, but didn’t seem familiar with much else just yet. When we started introducing leash pressure, Figge was hesitant and resistant—putting on the brakes and reluctant to follow the guidance of the leash.

Back at home, she blended in well with the other dogs and showed she’s playful and confident in a social setting. Still, she startled easily—jumpy at the sound of rustling leaves or a gust of wind. That environmental sensitivity, paired with her tendency to submissively urinate when meeting new people, tells us she’s working through some under confidence.

It’s important to remember—this response isn’t her fault. It’s just a sign that the world feels a little too big sometimes, and with consistent training and positive exposure, that confidence will grow. Over the next three weeks, we’ll be working not only on solidifying her obedience commands, but also on building her emotional resilience. She’s already shown so much potential—we can’t wait to help her shine!

Pupdate 6/23/25

Today was a big day for Figge! We introduced the e-collar and started laying the foundation for clear communication. She joined me for a training session at the park where we met up with other trainers and their dogs, giving her the perfect opportunity to practice working around distractions.

We introduced the “heel” command, and while she still gets a bit wiggly with excitement, she’s starting to understand how to stay close and focused. We also worked on settling down and being calm around other dogs and movement, which is a huge step in helping her build emotional control.

To help with her confidence, I had her practice climbing onto different tall or unfamiliar surfaces, like a park bench. At first, she was unsure, but with encouragement, she gave it a try—showing us she’s already learning to face her fears.

Figge’s starting to make great progress—small wins every day are paving the way for bigger breakthroughs!

Pupdate 6/24/25

Today’s pupdate is about Figge’s place command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the place command would look like.

When they are either in a sit or down on the place object, I praise with a “good sit!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

There are four rules when it comes to the place command:

The place object must have defined edges or boundaries (a dog bed, towel, or bench are good place objects.)
Only place on objects your dog is allowed to be on. Don’t place on the bed if they’re not allowed on the bed, and don’t place on the antique table if they’re not allowed to be on it.
Always get the “win” when practicing the place command. If they struggle to place on a tall object, help them up. Consistently following through with the command builds confidence in your dog and accountability.
The duration they are expected to be in place is built over time. We start low, a few seconds or minutes, before building up the time they are in place over many repetitions.

Once they are in the place, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in place
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in place
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in place

In the video, I am working on all three, as both people and dogs pose as great distractions. They have learned to remain in place even when people are around, even petting them.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 6/25/25

Today we took Figge to the mall, and it was definitely a challenge—but a good one! The environment was full of distractions, and her curious little mind was everywhere. She had a hard time keeping her focus on me, often looking around and taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells.

To help redirect her attention, we used some of the smaller structures around the mall to reinforce the heel position. She’s starting to understand how to stay closer to my leg, and she’s making noticeable progress. We also introduced the “under” command for the first time, and it was a big moment for her. At first, she was hesitant and pumped the brakes when I asked her to go under a chair—but with patience and encouragement, she settled in and held her position beautifully.

One of the most impressive things she showed today was her stability in her obedience. Even without using the “stay” cue she’s used to, she was able to hold her positions well. To continue building her confidence, we practiced placing on taller surfaces in the middle of the mall—and she handled it like a rockstar.

Figge’s gaining more courage with every outing, and her ability to work in new environments is steadily growing!

Pupdate 6/26/25

Today Figge took on Home Depot, and it turned out to be a great place to fine-tune her skills! This was the perfect environment to clean up her “heel” position—not just walking close, but aligning her head right with my knee. With plenty of repetition up and down the aisles, she really started to lock it in and walk with much more focus and consistency.

We also practiced her “place” command using the plywood planks, and she was super confident hopping up and holding position, even with people and carts passing by. In the middle of the aisles, we worked on her sit and down commands. While she was a little unsure at first, especially with the noise from nearby machinery, she followed through beautifully with just a few gentle reminders.

Each session like this is building her confidence, and she’s learning to stay focused even when the world around her is busy and loud. Go Figge!

Pupdate 6/27/25

Today’s pupdate is about Figge’s sit command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the sit command would look like.

When their butt touches the ground in a sit, I praise with a “good sit!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

Once they are in their sit, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in their sit
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in their sit
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in their sit

In the video, I am working on distance and duration. Each time they are in the sit, I walk around them, getting farther away as we progress, and also leaving them in the sit for longer. This teaches them to have stability in their commands rather than breaking it whenever they please.

As we get to practice in busier areas, we will naturally have a higher amount of distractions to train with, and their stability in the sit will increase drastically.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 6/28/25

Today’s pupdate is about Figge’s

come to sit! I demonstrate in the video above what a few repetitions of the command looks like. The key to this command is how they make the u-turn behind me to end up in a sit by my left leg, where the heel command also starts.

On the remote, I use the black ‘S’ button to mark each command as I give them. This helps catch or maintain their attention as we are working on the training. I say the command and press the black “S” button at the same time. Even as they’re coming towards me, I watch for signs of them slowing down or walking away, which is when I will tap them again and remind them with “come”.

In the video, I am also reminding them with “sit” when they are in the right spot, but that will be faded out so they know that the “come” command includes the sit at the end.

When they are sitting by my leg, I praise them with “good come!”, throwing the command back at them.

As they become more reliable with the u-turn motion, we start recalling them from higher distraction environments and from farther away.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” and give them lots of love.

Pupdate 6/29/25

Figge was an absolute rockstar at Target today as we practiced her off-leash obedience for the first time! We started with a few warm-up laps on leash, but it quickly became clear she was ready for more—so right there in the middle of the aisle, off came the leash, and she didn’t miss a beat. Her heel work has come a long way, and she stayed close to my leg with beautiful focus, even without the leash for guidance.

We also worked on her confidence by placing on different objects throughout the store. She was a little hesitant at first, but pushed through every time and followed through on each challenge—building trust and bravery with every rep.

Her off-leash recall and “come to sit” positioning are shaping up nicely too; she only needed a touch of guidance to finish the move, and she handled the busy environment like a pro. We introduced “send to place” for the first time today—asking her to go to her spot from a distance—and she’s already picking it up with enthusiasm.

Figge is showing so much growth and maturity. I’m really proud of the little dog she’s becoming!

Pupdate 6/30/25

Today’s pupdate is about Figge’s down command! I demonstrate in the video above what a targeted repetition of the command looks like. I’m teaching them that me squatting and opening my arms does not mean “break”.

When their elbows touch the ground in their down, I praise with a “good down!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

Once they are in their down, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in their down
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in their down
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in their down

In the video, I am working on all three. Each time they are in the down, I walk around them, getting farther away as we progress, and also making gestures that they think means attention. This teaches them to have stability in their commands rather than breaking it without the word “break”.

Every time they break the command, I tap the remote and remind them to “down”.

As we get to practice in busier areas, we will naturally have a higher amount of distractions to train with, and their stability in the down will increase drastically.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 7/1/25

Today’s pupdate is about Figge’s heel command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the heel command would look like.

The heel command is different from all the other commands in that it is a moving command. The dog is joining your motion rather than assuming a position in one spot. The moving position I am teaching them to be in is right next to my left leg, where their face does not go past my knee. That is the heel position we are working towards.

The dog should start and stop the heel command in a sit next to your leg. When they are in position, I say “heel”, tap the remote, and move forward at the same time. I keep walking, and whenever they leave the position next to my leg, I remind them with “heel” and another tap on the remote. We are essentially creating a safe zone near your leg where they aren’t getting reminded to be in heel.

It is important to praise your dog while they are in heel to reinforce that position. I remind them, especially when they’re in a good heel position, with “good heel!” to mark the correct position for them.

When coming to a stop, give your dog a heads up by saying “and Figge sit”, and stop walking on the word “sit”. This alerts your dog to the change in pace, allowing them to predictably sit at the end of your heel.

To further practice, we will work around distractions such as other people and dogs, and reinforce the command as we go. We will also move the command off leash when they are ready, which will follow the same pattern as on leash.

Pupdate 7/2/25

Today Figge joined me at the park for an off-leash training session alongside a group of other trainers and their dogs—and she was an absolute angel! She stayed focused, respectful, and responsive the entire time, even with plenty of distractions around.

We reinforced her “under” command using park benches, and she caught on quickly. While we’re still building reliability off leash, she’s already showing great understanding. We also continued boosting her confidence by placing on unfamiliar objects. She was a little hesitant at first, but with some gentle encouragement, she climbed right up—proving she’s growing braver every day.

We introduced “come to heel” for the first time today, and though she was initially confused by the distance, she picked it up within just a few tries. Her stability in her sit and down commands was especially impressive, even as trucks rumbled past nearby.

Figge is thriving, and her progress is something to be proud of!

Pupdate 7/3/25

Today Figge explored Daiso with me, and it turned out to be another great confidence-building session! We focused on her “place” command using various objects throughout the store. One of the biggest challenges was the bottom row of the shelving units, which had a unique texture and height that made her hesitate at first—but with a few reps and some encouragement, she got the hang of it and began hopping up with confidence. She’s getting quicker and braver when it comes to new place objects, which is a clear sign her confidence in unfamiliar environments is growing.

We also continued working on her recall and “come to sit” positioning. While she’s sometimes unsure about breaking her sit or down command in public, once she’s in motion, she commits beautifully. Occasionally, she sits a bit too far in front of me, but she always circles back and adjusts herself with minimal help.

Figge is really coming into her own, and it’s so rewarding to see her becoming more confident and precise with each outing!

Pupdate 7/4/25

Today Figge got to work with a different trainer, and it was a great opportunity to help her generalize her training. It’s important that she learns to follow commands from more than just me, and this session gave her the chance to practice that skill.

At first, she was a little confused—trying to follow me instead of focusing on the new handler. But with a bit of guidance from the leash and clear direction, she started to understand that listening to someone new was part of the job too.

We also used this opportunity to work on her greeting manners. Figge has a habit of rolling over in excitement to get attention, but the trainer helped her realize that calm behavior—not belly flops—gets her the love she’s looking for.

It was a big step in helping Figge become a well-rounded and responsive pup, no matter who’s holding the leash!

Pupdate 7/5/25

Today’s training trip took us to the craft store, where we focused on sharpening Figge’s off-leash reliability while using the leash as a safety net. For this session, we kept her on leash to help guide her through one of her newer and more challenging skills: send to place. This command asks her to go to a specific spot from a distance—something she’s still working to fully understand.

At first, she was unsure and hesitant to move toward the place object when I wasn’t standing right next to it. But with patience and repetition, I began slowly increasing the distance between us, encouraging her to move toward the object even when I wasn’t by her side. Each time she followed through, her confidence grew a little more. While she still needs reminders here and there, she’s clearly improving and starting to realize that “place” means the same thing, no matter where I am.

The rest of her obedience looked solid today. With the leash dragging, she was able to execute her commands—sit, down, heel, and under—with focus and stability. Even in a new environment filled with smells, people, and distractions, Figge stayed engaged and eager to work.

It’s exciting to see her taking steps toward greater independence and learning to generalize her training across new locations. She’s come such a long way, and this phase—where she’s learning to trust the command more than my position—is a big leap forward.

Pupdate 7/6/25

Today’s pupdate is about Figge’s under command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the under command would look like.

When most of their body is under the chair, I praise with a “good under!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

Once they are in their under, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in their under
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in their under
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in their under

In the video, I am working on moving away from them while they are under the chair. This teaches them to have stability in their commands rather than breaking it whenever they please.

As we get to practice in different areas, they will be asked to place under different objects such as tables and benches, as well as other chairs. It is similar to the place command in that we generalize the command to all types of objects by asking the command of them for more and more things.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 7/7/25

Today we headed to the park for a group training session with other trainers and their dogs, and Figge absolutely impressed us all. From the moment we arrived, I could tell how excited she was—her whole body was practically vibrating—but even in that heightened state, she held her sit like a pro while trainers moved around her.

What stood out most was her impulse control. Just a week or two ago, she would’ve jumped on anyone who even glanced in her direction, but today she kept all four paws on the ground, even when greeted with attention. That kind of self-restraint shows how much she’s grown.

We pushed her comfort zone today by practicing “send to place” on more intimidating objects, like picnic benches. At first, she was hesitant to jump up without me standing right beside her, but with a few reps and some gentle encouragement, she started to take that leap on her own. We’re continuing to stretch the distance I can send her from, and while she’s still working through it, her progress is steady and promising.

We also saw her impulse control shine when faced with some of her toughest distractions: squirrels, ducks, and pigeons. In the past, Figge might have gone into chase mode, but today she held her commands—even when the birds were right in front of her. When I asked her to come and sit near them, she responded quickly and stayed composed, despite clearly wanting to chase.

Figge is showing so much maturity in both her obedience and her emotional control. She’s no longer the lizard-chasing puppy she once was—she’s becoming a focused, thoughtful little dog with a whole lot of potential.

Pupdate 7/8/25

In today’s video, we’re working on Figge’s send to place command using a completely unfamiliar object—something she’s never seen before. That’s intentional, because it helps build not just obedience, but real-world confidence and problem-solving in new situations.

At first, Figge was only comfortable placing when I was close to the object. The idea of going ahead of me on her own took a few tries to settle in. She’s a small pup, so seeing my full cue is a bit trickier for her. She really only understands the motion when she sees my full sweeping arm gesture—and because she’s so low to the ground, that signal can get lost from her angle. To help bridge the gap, I’ve been calling her name first and even bending down in the beginning so I can enter her field of vision and make that directional cue more clear.

The good news? Figge is a fast learner. After a few successful reps, I was able to fade the crouching motion quickly. She began to understand that she needed to look up for direction, rather than wait for me to come down to her level. With each repetition, her send distance increased, and by the end of the session—even off-camera—she was confidently running ahead to the place object from about six feet away.

This command challenges a dog’s confidence, clarity, and independence, especially in a busy or unfamiliar environment. Figge is starting to connect the dots beautifully, and each session like this helps her become not just more obedient, but more confident in herself.

Pupdate 7/9/25

Today’s pupdate is about our trip to the Santa Anita Mall for a fun and rewarding training session! Our first stop was the turtle pond by the entrance, so we snapped a quick photo of Figge in a solid “place” pose next to the turtles. She noticed them, but didn’t so much as twitch—her impulse control in a new environment is really paying off!

We spent a good portion of the visit working on two key commands: send to place and under. Both require trust and clarity, especially in a busy setting. After a few focused reps, Figge was confidently executing both. To help her understand the difference, we used the same platform—sometimes she’d go on top (place), and other times underneath (under)—and she quickly grasped the nuances with consistent guidance.

One of the best parts of the session was an unexpected greeting opportunity. When a friendly shopper approached to say hello, I asked Figge to sit. She remained calm and composed while receiving pets from a total stranger—excited, yes, but grounded in her command. It was a lovely moment of real-world manners in action.

This mall outing was perfect for environmental exposure, obedience sharpening, and manners practice—and Figge handled it all with impressive growth and confidence.

Pupdate 7/10/25

Today’s session really shows where Figge is at with her send to place command and how much growth she’s making. In round one, you can see that it takes her a little time to warm up. When we introduced a new place object with a different surface, she was definitely hesitant—her sends took a few tries before she fully committed. But once she got up there, she held her place beautifully, even with people and carts moving right past her.

After that first round, we took a short walk around the store to let her reset. Coming back for round two, it was like flipping a switch. Figge’s confidence skyrocketed. She walked right up to the place object from a distance, without hesitation, and stayed locked in position.

That kind of quick progression—going from unsure to confident in one session—is exactly what we love to see. It shows Figge is not only learning the command but also learning to trust herself and handle new challenges more calmly and independently.

Pupdate 7/11/25

Today’s pupdate is about when Figge joined me for another trip to Target, and it gave us the perfect setup to practice all of her commands in one session. We especially focused on her under command, and she’s really starting to own it. Figge has learned not just to lay in front of objects, but to fully crawl into the gap underneath—settling into the space reliably, even when there’s not much room.

We also spent time sharpening her impulse control around distractions. Being as small and cute as she is, Figge definitely attracts attention when we’re out. People walking by, looking at her, even making noises trying to get her attention—she handled it all without breaking her commands. Her ability to stay focused and calm around that kind of real-world distraction is a big step forward.

In addition to obedience, we’ve been consistently working on her car manners and door manners. Whether we’re loading up at home or out in a parking lot, Figge knows to sit and wait for me to tell her “up” before jumping into the car. That same patience carries over to the house as well—she’s learned to wait in the hallway, sitting calmly until I give her the command to go outside, rather than rushing the door.

Figge’s structure and self-control have come a long way, and it’s been rewarding to see her apply it all so smoothly in public settings!

Pupdate 7/12/25

Today we took Figge to the Brea Mall, where she really got to put all of her skills to the test—especially when we came across the big, loud water fountain! At first, just getting close to it had her spooked. When I asked her to place on the ledge nearby, she was definitely unsure. But with a few patient, successful reps, Figge pushed through her hesitation and was able to hold her place right next to the water. Overcoming that kind of fear is a huge confidence boost for her.

We also practiced her greeting manners while we were out, and she did wonderfully. Figge sat calmly while meeting new people, showing no signs of jumping—just happy, polite engagement.

To finish off the trip, we worked on her off-leash obedience through the mall crowds. Even with so many people and distractions around, Figge stayed focused in her heel. She was definitely curious, looking around as we walked, but she held her position beautifully right by my side.

Each outing like this helps solidify both her skills and her confidence in real-world settings, and she’s proving herself more and more each day.

Pupdate 7/13/25

Figge has really solidified her everyday manners, and it shows in all the little routines we practice together. First up are her car manners. When we’re loading up, she knows to sit calmly by the trunk while I get everything ready. No jumping or rushing—she waits patiently until I give her the “up” command to hop in. Whether we’re at home or out in a parking lot, she’s consistent and reliable with this.

She’s also developed great door manners. I have her sit by the door, and I’m able to open it, step through, and even walk away without her bolting out. Figge waits for me to release her with a command before she moves through the doorway—showing calm impulse control even when she’s eager to go.

Lastly, we’ve been practicing her food manners. When her food is set down, she automatically sits and waits. I’ll tell her “leave it,” and she won’t touch her bowl until I say “break.” It’s a simple habit, but one that shows how much focus and self-control she’s developed over these past few weeks.

These little things add up to a dog who’s not just obedient, but also calm and respectful in everyday life.

Pupdate 7/14/25

Today we joined a group of trainers at the park, giving Figge another chance to work around other dogs and handlers in a real-world setting. Along with all the usual distractions, we also came across a few gophers that definitely caught her attention. Figge was interested, but what stood out was how quickly she disengaged when I cued her to keep moving—showing both impulse control and focus.

We really used today’s session to sharpen her stability in both sit and down commands while people passed by. Whether it was pedestrians, strollers, or wheelchairs rolling past, Figge stayed in place. There were a couple moments where the noise or movement spooked her a little—especially with wheelchairs—but she held her ground and never tried to bolt or break position.

One small habit we’re still cleaning up is her tendency to forage. At one point she tried to pick up some leaves off the ground, but all it took was a quick “off” and she immediately dropped them. Each session like this helps reinforce that she doesn’t need to grab things off the floor while we’re out and about.

Overall, Figge’s focus, confidence, and manners are holding up really well in more crowded, unpredictable environments. It’s a clear sign of how much progress she’s made!

Figge | Toy Goldendoodle | Laguna Beach, CA | In- Training

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