George | Pitbull | Temple City, CA | In-Training
- wendyoffleashsocal
- Apr 27
- 12 min read
Updated: May 10
Meet George! He is a 5 month old Pitbull from Temple City, California, and is here for our two-week Board and Train Program. George is a puppy with a lot of energy and loves to play bite. George is here for basic obedience, greeting manners, and reactivity towards other dogs. Over the next fourteen days George is going to learn to be an obedient pup through consistent, clear communication and balance training at home and in discovering new people and places.
George will learn to perform all these things on and off-leash through a positive and balanced training environment. Through structure and consistency, George will demonstrate how great a pup he can be! Stay tuned for George's Two-week transformation!
Pupdate 4/27/25
Today George joined me for his two-week board and train program. George is a sweet young pup with lots of energy. We stayed after you left to see what little George could perform. After walking around the park I tried giving him a couple of commands. He definitely was not interested in any commands. No surprise there right? But not to worry. That is what we are here for!
On the ride home he did well. As you mentioned he did whine a little but then he settled into the kennel and the car ride. There was a little traffic home so he was able to fall asleep. At one point I actually heard him snoring. That let me know he was a little more comfortable in the car. Once we got home I introduced him to my one year old Golden Retriever through the metal security gate. It was all tail wags. That gave me joy knowing it was going to be a positive experience for both of them. Thankfully my mother was in my house and we went for a quick walk. George is definitely a leash puller. OUCH! And he’s only 5 months. As we continued to walk, I was happy to see both dogs interact well.
George ate very well. He ate 2 cups. No issues. He was able to take his potty breaks as well. He has already gotten used to his environment. That is great! Typically dogs don’t eat or take their dog breaks normally when they have a change of environment but George is adjusting well.
Attached is the familiarization video. Please review it a few times before George’s turnover. We’ll practice together to make sure you are comfortable with the system before using it with George.
Pupdate 4/28/25
Today I introduced George to the e-collar and a few commands he will be working on for the next few days. I did discover that the "sit" command is well understood so that is awesome...YAY! So with today's introduction we started by ensuring George was comfortable wearing the e-collar turned off, treating it like a regular flat collar first. I took him to my backyard area where he was playing around with Dottie. Once George was familiar with it around his neck, I turned on the transmitter and started at the lowest level which was 0 (as shown on the video). I started working my way up little by little. At level 13 his physical reaction was to scratch his neck. He definitely noticed something different was happening. Once I noticed the physical reaction, I
immediately paired it with positive reinforcement and a treat. I wanted to make it clear that this is to build an understanding rather than correction. After that George went back to playing with Dottie.
After we were done with the video we worked on sit, extended sit, come-to-sit, and place. George is eating well and is drinking a good amount of water. With all the training he is doing, George is definitely going to be sleeping a lot better through the night. Night 1 was a little ruff (rough), but why wouldn't it be? He's at a stranger's house. Between training sessions he has been taking little naps and Dottie has been going to check up on him.
Pupdate 4/29/25
Today George and I headed to Whittier Narrows in El Monte, CA, to meet up with other Off Leash trainers and their pups. Before the car ride, I briefly introduced the "load up" command enticing George to jump into the crate with some freeze dried treats that he has been enjoying during training. He did care to much for the enticement, so I had to carry him into the crate. No worries...this will be work in progress. As we headed to the park, I did not hear one whimper whatsoever. We were able to work on his sit, come-to-sit, heel, place, and socialization with the other dogs that were in training. We hung out with them for a bit. They even got to share a few cots together. George did very well.
Now that George is settling into his temporary residence, I am letting him play a little more with Dottie to let some of that puppy energy out. It also helps me with Dottie. Believe me, she is enjoying the little brother company.
Pupdate 4/30/25
Now that George has spent a few days with me, his personality is really starting to show. He’s full of character and has the sweetest little heart. During our first training session this morning on “heel,” he was doing great—until he wanted to take the lead. George felt some pressure and he did not like that. He has shown that he is not too fond of the pressure around his neck. His feelings were hurt so he gave me the poutiest little face. Oh George! During our training the stimulus was kept between the levels of 9-12. George has been responding well between this stim. The only time I raised the stim was because the distraction was more important than the stim applied. Again to remind you, this stim is to get George's attention, not to correct.
He’s already shown me that he learns best in short, focused sessions, so I make the most of every opportunity when he’s on leash. Today, we also introduced door manners, food manners, and polite greetings.
To wrap up the day, we revisited the “heel” exercise with some extended sit work using the slip lead —both on the ground and in a low distraction area—since our morning session got cut short. I’m starting to think George just isn’t a morning kind of pup. And honestly, I can’t blame him—neither am I.
When Goerge is not training, he spends moments just hanging out with me or playing with Dottie. As I have mentioned before, Dottie is enjoying being a “temp” big sister and is enjoying the company. By the end of the day, they are both tired and snoring like babies.
Pupdate 5/1/25
Today, the focus was door manners. There are a few types of door manners we have been working on. The first one is frequently used when exiting and entering into any type of room or space. We start by making sure Goerge is in the sitting position and engaging in eye contact with me expecting the next command. Once I notice he is in a calm state, I give the "ok" in a happy tone to let George know he is good to move forward through the door with me.
The second door manner is where we put George on a "sit", "place", or, "down" a few feet from the door. This position is used for when you are greeting guests a few feet from your door or when you are simply collecting the mail from outside your door. As you can see on the video I am still working with the 15 ft. leash, but George is pretty understanding what is being asked of him at the moment. George is doing great on the "sit" and "place". His "down" is a different story. Let's just say it's a work in progress...Stay tuned.
Another door manner we have been working on that does not involve any type of leash pressure is the exiting from the crate. You mentioned Goerge is left in his crate when you leave for work, so I knew this would be beneficial for you and your family. Since day one I have been working with George to exit his crate in a calm manner. When we first started he wanted to run out, so the first step was to just close the gate in front of him. He did not like that. This action was repeated many times until he finally understood that he was not going to be let out until he settled down. The next step was to give him the "sit" to be able to clip the leash on him or give the "ok" to let out calmly from the crate. The key is to let him know there is a structured way of entering and exiting into rooms and areas.
Lastly, I want to express the importance of tone of voice when training George because it helps clearly communicate your intentions and emotions, making it easier for George to understand what you want. Dogs don't speak our language, but they are excellent at interpreting vocal tones-whether it's cheerful praise, a neutral command, or a firm correction. Your voice is and will be the most powerful tool in shaping his behavior and strengthening your bond.
Pupdate 5/2/25
Today, George and I took a field trip to the Santa Monica Pier to meet up with a few other Off Leash trainers and their pups. The goal was to expose George to a busier environment than he’s experienced in recent days. During the ride down the 405, George relaxed in his crate and handled the long drive calmly.
When we arrived, the new sights and sounds made him a bit shy and hesitant at first—which is totally normal. Like people, dogs can be cautious when faced with the unfamiliar. I gave him time to adjust and reassured him that he was safe with me. As we made our way to the pier, we practiced the “heel” command while also allowing George to explore his surroundings.
The Santa Monica Pier was bustling with activity—lots of visitors and distractions—but George stayed calm and composed. He even had a few fans admiring him as he confidently strutted along. It was the perfect opportunity to test some of the commands we’ve been working on. As shown in the video, George did a fantastic job! He held his position off-leash for an extended period, even with all the commotion around him. I'm so proud of little George!
Pupdate 5/3/25
Today, George and I visited a local park where a group of children were preparing to perform for Cinco de Mayo. It was the perfect opportunity to expose him to the playful energy and noise of kids—an important step in helping him build self-control. As I mentioned in yesterday’s pupdate, George tends to be timid in large crowds, so taking him to busy, high-traffic areas is helping him grow more confident and neutralize that initial hesitation.
While at the park, we practiced walking on a “heel.” George required little to no leash pressure, which shows we’re making solid progress. We’re almost there—I can feel it! Despite the many distractions, George did an amazing job staying calm and engaged with me. He even held extended “sit” and “down” positions right in the middle of a busy courtyard and maintained a solid “place” command.
One highlight that didn’t make it into the video was his “load up” into the car. Out of nowhere, he just did it on his own one day! It was a huge confidence boost, and I couldn’t have been prouder. And of course, because George is so adorable, he attracts a lot of attention. A group of children who were about to perform helped us practice his greeting manners, and George did so well. He really is such a good boy!
Pupdate 5/4/25
Today, I decided to challenge George by working on his “heel” command without any leash guidance. He had already shown a solid understanding of the concept in previous sessions, so this was a good opportunity to test him in a low-distraction environment. And good boy George didn’t disappoint! There were a few moments of stubbornness, but each time, I simply reset him and started again.
I did use the stim to help redirect him when he tried to do things his own way. Since he wasn’t responding to the lower levels, I bumped it up to level 13. George can be a bit headstrong, so it’s important to stay consistent and not let him get away with ignoring commands.
During the video recording, a significant distraction occurred—a neighbor’s pitbull barked loudly at George from inside their home. George glanced in that direction, but to his credit, he didn’t react. I gave a quick stim to regain his attention, and he continued walking with me like a pro.
We also reviewed the “load up” command today. As seen in the video, he had no hesitation getting into the car. George is making great progress, and I’m proud of how far he’s come!
Pupdate 5/5/25
Today, George and I took a trip to Home Depot to continue working on his exposure to high-traffic areas and everyday distractions. While he was still a bit timid, he didn’t let the new environment overwhelm him. As we entered the store, a cashier greeted us and was genuinely impressed with how well George responded to my commands. We asked him to help us practice “greeting manners,” and George did a great job—earning himself a new fan in the process!
We continued walking through the store with George in a solid “heel.” He’s really starting to get the hang of it now, and I’m proud of the steady progress he’s making.
Pupdate 5/6/25
Today, George and I visited a local park where both baseball and soccer games were in full swing. It was the perfect setting to challenge him in an outdoor environment packed with distractions. George did an excellent job maintaining a “heel” on my left side for an extended period, showing clear progress in his focus and responsiveness.
Throughout our session, we practiced several “extended sit” and “place” commands. One thing I’ve noticed—George absolutely loves the blue cot we use for “place.” If it were up to him, he’d probably lounge there all day!
Despite multiple dogs in the area, George remained calm and composed, not letting their presence throw him off. Impressively, he responded to multiple commands without the use of the e-collar, which is a strong indicator of the progress he’s making. With consistent exposure to busy environments and continued practice, George is well on his way to becoming a confident and well-mannered pup.
Something not shown in the video is how well George has continued practicing off-leash door manners. This has become a regular part of his routine—something we reinforce daily, sometimes even hourly, during potty breaks.
Pupdate 5/7/25
Today, George demonstrated remarkable progress as we continued to reinforce his training commands, focusing particularly on the "heel" position on my left side. His consistency and attentiveness were evident as he maintained close proximity, even as I introduced challenges like swerving during our walk. George adeptly adjusted his movements to stay aligned, showcasing his understanding of the command.
To further test his focus, I introduced Dottie, who walks on my right side, into the session. Despite the potential distraction, both dogs responded impressively, halting and transitioning into a down position upon command. George remained concentrated, and on the rare occasion he deviated from the heel position, he promptly corrected himself when guided.
The camaraderie between George and Dottie has flourished, providing mutual engagement and support in their training journey. Their ability to work together harmoniously while maintaining individual discipline is a testament to their dedication and the effectiveness of consistent, structured training.
Pupdate 5/8/25
Today, George and I embarked on a field trip to the local pet store to further his exposure to public spaces and new environments. Upon entering, George was initially overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sounds and atmosphere. However, he managed to maintain his composure, frequently seeking reassurance by looking at me.
As we navigated through various aisles and encountered different live animals, George's confidence began to grow. His training caught the attention of several onlookers, who were impressed by his behavior. To encourage his independence, I allowed him to explore certain areas freely, reinforcing the idea that he can behave appropriately even when not in a strict "heel" position.
It's natural for puppies like George to exhibit timidity in new settings. With continued positive exposure and reinforcement, he is on the path to becoming a well-rounded and confident companion.
Pupdate 5/9/25
Today, George and I embarked on another exciting adventure at the Santa Monica Pier to continue his exposure to busy public settings. He recognized the location right away and showed some initial signs of anxiousness, but I reassured him with calm praise and support.
We focused on combining all of his commands while navigating through large crowds, and George did an outstanding job—walking off-leash in a focused “heel” through a sea of people. I was so proud of him! Despite the abundance of distractions, George stayed composed and relied on everything he’s been learning in training.
We worked for over an hour, which was just the right amount of time for him. With consistent exposure like this, George is well on his way to becoming a confident, well-balanced pup. Although it wasn’t caught on video, he also showed great greeting manners with some fans—he’s truly becoming a little gentleman.
Pupdate 5/10/25
To prepare him for the handoff, we tested how well he would respond to someone new. Instead of me, another trainer—Mike—walked him on a “heel.” At first, George was hesitant and instinctively tried to come to me, but Mike quickly redirected his attention and brought him back into focus. This was a crucial step for George to experience, as it mirrors exactly what will happen starting tomorrow: he’ll begin working with you.
As we wrap up his training, here’s a quick recap of who George is. He’s an incredibly sweet, intelligent, and sensitive pup. Despite being a Pitbull, he’s emotionally attuned—he takes corrections to heart and can get his feelings hurt when he doesn’t get his way. He’s also stubborn, and it’s very important that you don’t let that slide.
If George challenges you or resists a command, don’t give in. Instead, calmly reset him and follow through. Once he completes the behavior, reward him with physical affection—he thrives on it. That’s his love language. He’ll test boundaries, but with consistency, fairness, and praise, he’ll continue to grow into the balanced, respectful dog he’s meant to be.
As a reminder, here are the obedience commands that he has learned while with me:
Come to Sit
Sit and Extended Sit
Down and Extended Down
Place and Extended Place
Off-Leash Heel
Greeting Manners
Food Refusal or Food Manners
Door Manners/Car Manners/Load Up
Off
As mentioned before, we will be going through everything George has learned over the past two weeks tomorrow. Please feel free to ask all the questions tomorrow. We are here to help.
It has truly been a pleasure training George. We can’t wait to show you everything he has learned.
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