Kobe | Goldendoodle | Los Angeles, CA | In-Training
- wendyoffleashsocal
- Jun 8
- 15 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Meet Kobe! He is a 10-month-old Goldendoodle from Los Angeles, California, here for our two-week Board and Train Program. He’s a sweet pup who already knows a few basic commands, but he can be easily distracted and tends to break his commands. He also has a habit of jumping when greeting new people and likes to explore the countertops (counter surfing!).
Over the next 14 days, Kobe will be working on becoming a well-mannered, obedient companion through consistent guidance, clear communication, and balanced training—both at home and while exploring new environments, meeting people, and experiencing new places. With structure and consistency, Kobe will show just how great of a pup he can be!
Stay tuned for Kobe’s two-week transformation!
Pupdate 6/8/25
Today was Kobe’s first day in our two-week Board and Train program! After you left, we stayed at the park for a bit to see how Kobe would respond to commands. While he does know a few, distractions definitely take priority for him right now, and he doesn’t always respond immediately. But not to worry—this is exactly why you found us, and we’re here to help him refocus and refine those skills he learned earlier.
During the ride home, Kobe did great! Once we arrived, I introduced him to my 1-year-old Golden Retriever, Dottie, through the kennel. Kobe was calm and curious, while Dottie was a bit apprehensive at first, but she warmed up to him quickly. We went for a walk around the block to let them get better acquainted. Kobe got a little too personal with Dottie at one point (as we talked about during pick-up), but that’s expected, and I’ll be working on it. Otherwise, I’m happy to say that they’re getting along well. I’ll continue to keep a close eye on Kobe to ensure he understands boundaries and respects Dottie’s personal space—lol!
So far, he’s settled in nicely in his crate. I do expect that his first meal here might not go perfectly since he’s probably a bit unsure about his new environment, but I’ll be monitoring him closely to make sure he’s comfortable and adjusting well.
You will also see the e-collar tutorial. Please review it a few times before Kobe’s turnover. We’ll practice together to make sure you are comfortable with the system before using it with Kobe.
Looking forward to working with Kobe and helping him become the best version of himself!
Pupdate 6/9/25
Today was Day 1 of training and the introduction to the e-collar! During the fitting and testing of the e-collar, we discovered that Kobe’s thick fur required the 1” Titanium contact points (picture attached for future reference). Through this intro, we learned that Kobe responds to the stimulus at level 5.
I used this session as an opportunity to ensure the e-collar was introduced in a positive way. By tapping the black “S” button at the same time as I gave each command, I helped Kobe associate the gentle stimulation with the commands he already knew. This keeps the e-collar a neutral and positive tool, not a negative one.
Kobe did great with the “SIT” command and seemed to love the “PLACE” command too—he definitely looked comfortable and confident with it. During this practice, I also began to incorporate extended holds in those positions, rewarding him with a “break” and treats for positive reinforcement.
After the intro, we got started on the “Come-to-sit” command. This command can be challenging because it requires him to come to me from my right side, walk behind me, and end up on my left side. Today was all about repetition, leash guidance, and treats—lots of manipulation on my part to help him get the idea, but he’s off to a good start for Day 1!
Kobe is adjusting well to Dottie and settling into our home and family. Potty breaks are going great! His food intake is still around 75%, which is normal—he’s probably still processing that he’s away from home. I’ll keep monitoring this, but otherwise, he’s happy and full of energy!
Pupdate 6/10/25
Today we introduced and worked on the “Heel” command! Using my long driveway as our training ground, I started with Kobe on my left side and repeated the “heel” command while keeping the leash snug to guide him close to my body. As we walked up and down, I noticed he was beginning to understand the positioning, so I slowly loosened the leash to let him figure out staying by my side on his own.
Whenever he needed a little reminder, I applied slight tension on the leash and gave a gentle tap of the STIM at the same time. This helped him self-correct and come closer to me. We continued practicing until I was able to let go of the leash completely and let it drag behind him—Kobe didn’t even seem to notice! It was a smooth transition, and he handled it so well. Yay, Kobe!
During these “heel” walks, I also snuck in a few “sits” and resets using the “come-to-sit” command we worked on yesterday. He’s starting to pick it up, bit by bit, and I can see his confidence growing.
Below, I’ll include some tips for practicing the “Come” and “Heel” commands so you can reinforce this training at home. Once he becomes more proficient with these commands, I will also be sending you a video to help you practice them at home.
Kobe is still not finishing all of his meals, but his weight remains steady at 60 lbs. He is thoroughly enjoying his time with Dottie, and they’re both having so much fun together. It’s been wonderful to see how well they’re getting along!
Come Command
START AT ZERO AND GIVE 1 “CHANCE” PER GRADUAL INCREASE
QUICKLY TAP THE BLACK “S” BUTTON AT THE EXACT SAME TIME YOU ARE SAYING THE COMMAND.
IF DOG DOESN’T FOLLOW THROUGH, TURN DIAL SLIGHTLY UPWARD, PUSH BUTTON WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAYING “COME” AGAIN
IF DOG DOESN'T FOLLOW THROUGH, TURN DIAL SLIGHTLY UPWARD,PUSH BUTTON WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAYING “COME” AGAIN
REPEAT THE ABOVE UNTIL YOUR DOG MAKES AN EFFORT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE COMMAND
ONCE THE DOG STARTS COMING TOWARDS YOU, GIVE THEM VERBAL ENCOURAGEMENT (“GOOD COME”) SINCE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE COMMAND.
YOUR CANINE SHOULD COME TO YOUR RIGHT-HAND SIDE, LOOP DIRECTLY BEHIND YOU, AND END IN A SEATED POSITION DIRECTLYON YOUR LEFT-HAND SIDE. WITH THEIR EARS IN LINE WITH YOUR LEFT LEG.
YOUR DOG SHOULD COME WITHIN ARMS REACH OF YOU. IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE A STEP TO PET HIM OR HER THEN THE DOG IS TOO FAR AWAY, SO CONTINUE WITH THE ABOVE “COME” PROCEDURE UNTIL THEY ARE IN THE CORRECT POSITION.
ONCE YOUR PUP HAS FULLY COMPLETED THE COMMAND, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW UP WITH PRAISE SAYING “GOOD COME, GOOD SIT”
ENSURE YOU ARE KEEPING IT FUN FOR YOU AND YOUR PUP!!
Heel Command
START WITH YOUR DOG ON YOUR LEFT-HAND SIDE DIRECTLY BESIDE YOUR LEFT LEG, WITH THE DOG IN A SIT POSITION.
STARTING THE DOG FROM A SIT, YOU SIMPLY SAY “HEEL” AND START WALKING. IF YOUR DOG DOESN’T START WALKING WITH YOU SAY “HEEL” AND TAP THE BLACK STIMULATION BUTTON.
FOR HEEL, YOU START AT A LEVEL THAT YOU CAN SEE THE DOG ACKNOWLEDGES AND GETS THEIR ATTENTION. LOOK AT THIS LIKE A TAP ON THEIR SHOULDER.
IF YOU TAP THE BUTTON AND THE DOG IGNORES THE STIMULATION, YOU ARE TOO LOW. IF YOU TAP THE BUTTON AND THE DOG JERKS THEIR HEAD, SHAKES, OR VOCALIZES, YOU ARE TOO HIGH.
ONLY GOING UP ON THE E-COLLAR UNTIL YOU REACH A LEVEL THAT GETS THE DOG’S ATTENTION. IF YOU GO TOO HIGH ON THE E- COLLAR, THE DOG WILL START TO FOCUS ON THE STIMULATION AND NOT ON THE COMMAND.
WHILE WALKING, SLOW DOWN, SAY YOUR DOG’S NAME, AND THEN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.
IMMEDIATELY, INITIATE “SIT” PROTOCOL WHICH IS DESCRIBED ON THE PAGE LABLED “SIT COMMAND”
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY TIME A HEEL COMMAND IS STOPPED.
SAY THE DOG’S NAME, STOP MOVEMENT, INITIATE THE SIT PROTOCOL ABOVE.
YOUR DOG SHOULD NOT LEAVE THE SIT COMMAND UNTIL THEY ARE RELEASED WITH “BREAK” OR GIVEN A NEW COMMAND SUCH AS “HEEL” OR “DOWN”, ETC.
THE HEEL COMMAND SHOULD BE A CONSTANT STATE OF MOTION. YOUR PACE SHOULD NOT MATTER. SHOULD YOUR CANINE STOP, SNIFF, OR VEER AWAY FROM YOUR HEEL POSITION; REMIND THEM OF THE HEEL COMMAND AND KEEP WALKING. PAIRED WITH THE E- COLLAR STIMULATION
Pupdate 6/11/25
Today we continued practicing the commands Kobe has previously been introduced to, along with a few he seems to already be familiar with. “Down” appeared to be one of those familiar commands, so we added it into our routine. During today’s training, we focused on “come-to-sit,” “heel,” extended “sit” and “down,” and also “place”—another command he seems to recognize well.
Since yesterday’s session went so smoothly and I’ve been able to sneak in a few short off-leash “heel” practices, I decided to step it up and run today’s full session with the leash dragging. Mr. Kobe did not disappoint! He was doing a fantastic job—until he decided he had enough. After completing a solid “come-to-sit,” he broke his “sit” and began walking over to the “place” spot on his own. I immediately tapped the black STIM button. He didn’t correct himself, so I bumped it up one level to 9. That got his attention—he reset and came right back to me.
He wasn’t thrilled, and instead of returning to the exact position, he dropped into a “down.” I asked him to reset into the correct “come-to-sit” position, reinforcing accountability and structure. It’s important for him to know that while I allow space for fun, listening and following through are not optional.
His feelings were a little hurt after this moment (he is such a sensitive guy), so I made sure to have a little fun and encouragement once he recovered. Kobe is truly what I would call a gentle giant—big, sweet, and eager to please. After a short reset, we went back to practicing “come-to-sit,” and he finished strong. Way to go, Kobe!
Below are the Sit and Down commands for you to familiarize yourself with when using the e-collar.
Enjoy!
Sit Command
START AT ZERO AND GIVE 1 “CHANCE” PER GRADUAL INCREASE
QUICKLY TAP THE BLACK “S” BUTTON AT THE EXACT SAME TIME YOU ARE SAYING THE COMMAND.
IF DOG DOESN’T FOLLOW THROUGH, TURN THE DIAL SLIGHTLY UPWARD PUSHING THE BUTTON WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAYING “SIT” AGAIN
IF DOG DOESN’T FOLLOW THROUGH, TURN THE DIAL SLIGHTLY UPWARD PUSHING THE BUTTON WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAING “SIT” AGAIN
REPEAT THE ABOVE UNTIL YOUR DOG MAKES AN EFFORT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE COMMAND
ONCE YOUR DOG STARTS SITTING, PROVIDE THEM WITH VERBAL ENCOURAGEMENT (“GOOD SIT”) SINCE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE COMMAND
IF YOUR DOG GETS UP FROM THE SIT COMMAND BEFORE YOU RELEASE THEM WITH THEIR MAGICAL WORD (“BREAK”), SIMPLY REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS.
ENSURE YOUR ARE KEEPING IT FUN FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG!
Down Command
START AT ZERO AND GIVE 1 “CHANCE” PER GRADUAL INCREASE.
QUICKLY TAP THE BLACK “S” BUTTON AT THE EXACT SAME TIME YOU ARE SAYING THE COMMAND.
IF THE DOG DOESN’T FOLLOW THROUGH, TURN THE DIAL SLIGHTLY UPWARD AND PUSH THE “S” BUTTON WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAYING “DOWN” AGAIN. ENSURE YOU ARE POINTING DOWNWARD IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM THE VISUAL CUE.
IF THE DOG DOESN’T FOLLOW THROUGH, TURN THE DIAL SLIGHTLY UPWARD AND PUSH THE BUTTON WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAYING “DOWN” AGAIN.
REPEAT THE ABOVE UNTIL YOUR DOG MAKES AN EFFORT TO COMPLETE THE COMMAND.
ONCE THE DOG STARTS TO DOWN, GIVE THEM VERBAL ENCOURAGEMENT (“GOOD DOWN”) SINCE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE COMMAND.
IF YOUR DOG GETS UP FROM THE DOWN COMMAND BEFORE YOU RELEASE THEM WITH THEIR MAGICAL WORD (“BREAK”), SIMPLY REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS.
ENSURE YOU ARE KEEPING IT FUN FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG!
Pupdate 6/12/25
Today Kobe and I visited the front yard of the neighborhood school to put all the skills he’s learned over the past few days to the test. Kobe is becoming much more comfortable with the e-collar, responding well to commands, and I’m growing more confident in his ability to work without me having to hold the leash. For now, we’re still letting the leash drag, but I’m confident he’ll be fully off-leash within the next day or two.
Our session focused on heeling and extending his “sit” command, all while introducing a new environment with fresh distractions. On the cement, Kobe maintained great focus. However, once we stepped onto the grass, those distractions got the better of him. And that’s okay—because it gave us a valuable insight. The increased temptation in the grassy area required a higher STIM level to get his attention. I had to bump it up to 18. A big jump, yes—but completely normal when the environment has higher competing motivators. The correction helped Kobe understand that breaking “heel” or ignoring a command isn’t the right choice.
Kobe is such a smart boy and genuinely wants to please. He immediately corrected his position and got right back into his “heel” with me. He ended the session strong—even after we got ambushed by the sprinkler system! Kobe had no idea what hit him. We both ended up soaked, but his curly fur looked extra cute wet!
Back at home, Kobe is doing amazing. He’s made himself completely at home—playing nonstop with Dottie and lounging around like he owns the place. We’re really enjoying having him with us!
Evening Pupdate 6/12/25
Are you missing a black/navy blue sock with cars, trucks, and helicopters?!?! I found it!!!!
While cleaning Kobe’s crate for the evening I noticed a foreign object in the crate tucked in the shirt you left for Kobe. Turns out it was a sock. I didn’t hear him, but some time in the day he vomited this sock. This might explain why the last few days he was not eating his full meals. Today he eagerly ate his dinner and wanted more. I will continue to monitor him and give you updates on his food intake and energy.
The question now is, do you want me to keep the sock and rinse it for you? You let me know.
Pupdate 6/13/25
Today’s training took us back to the same park where Kobe was originally picked up. At first, Kobe was doing great—he responded well to commands and maintained focus. But as we ventured deeper into the park, the new smells and surroundings really grabbed his attention. I gave him a bit of free time to explore, which helped him settle in and refocus.
That focus didn’t last long once his new friends, Ruby and Oso, joined us. Kobe was completely distracted—clearly excited and overstimulated. We used a variety of training tools to help clean up his “heel” and “down” commands, as his excitement had him overshooting what was being asked of him. Honestly, I think he just wanted to show off for Ruby and Oso—he’s too smart for his own good! Kobe quickly realized that completing his tasks would earn him some social time.
After a few rounds of structured training, we introduced some downtime. I put Kobe in a “down” to help him decompress and understand that just because other dogs are around, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s playtime. He stayed in his “down” until I gave him the release cue—he’s really starting to understand boundaries and self-control. Once everyone had calmed down, we let them play for about 10 minutes. It was a great balance of structure and fun.
On the home front, Kobe’s appetite is finally at 100%! He ate all three meals today and had tons of energy. Even after a 2-hour training session at the park, he came home and still had the stamina to play with Dottie. It’s great to see him eating well and thriving. Yay Kobe!
Today’s focus was on manners and continuing to strengthen Kobe’s “heel,” along with extending his “sit” and “down” commands. When we first introduced extended duration, Kobe could only hold a position for about 30 seconds. Now, he’s confidently staying in place for over a minute! Way to go, Kobe!
He’s also showing great progress with his manners—waiting patiently and attentively for the “Break!” command, even with distractions around. His ability to stay focused and calm in stimulating environments is definitely improving.
Kobe’s appetite is right where we want it—he’s eating all of his meals—and his energy levels are great! He’s been having so much fun playing with Dottie and is truly enjoying his time here. Keep it up, Kobe!
Pupdate 6/15/25
Today, we took a trip to the mall to expose Kobe to a new type of environment—an indoor setting filled with a variety of distractions and a diverse crowd. Let me tell you, Kobe definitely turned some heads! He confidently showed off his skills as we heeled through different sections of the mall.
During the session, a few kind volunteers helped us practice his greeting manners. Kobe did an excellent job staying calm and composed, while also enjoying all the love and attention he received.
We also worked on his “place” command with an extended down in one of the waiting areas, as well as an extended “sit” right in the middle of the mall—surrounded by plenty of onlookers admiring his focus and obedience.
Kobe has developed a strong understanding of all his commands. This week, we’ll be focusing on fine-tuning them to ensure they're clean and consistent when it’s time for him to perform with you and your family. We're excited to show you everything he’s learned!
Pupdate 6/16/25
For today’s session, we headed to a local park to introduce a new environment and natural distractions. We focused on putting all of Kobe’s commands together and specifically worked on the off-leash “Heel” in a public setting. Despite the various distractions, Kobe was able to refocus quickly with a light STIM cue and stayed engaged in the training.
We’re still working on refining his “come-to-sit” position, but his response to all other commands was solid. Notably, Kobe’s ability to hold a stationary position for an extended period continues to improve significantly.
To finish the session, we relaxed on a bench and spent some time people-watching. It was a great opportunity to observe Kobe’s increased self-control as he calmly remained in place while others passed by. His progress is becoming more evident with each session.
Pupdate 6/17/25
For today’s adventure, Kobe and I visited the local pet store to expose him to new indoor environments and a variety of sounds and smells. He was instantly intrigued by his surroundings and showed polite curiosity toward the other animals and birds in the store—sitting calmly nearby and observing them like a perfect gentleman.
As we explored the aisles, we took the opportunity to practice his “place” and extended “sit” commands. As always, Kobe drew a lot of attention! People were amazed by his size and even more impressed by how well-behaved he is for such a young pup. I received the usual round of questions about his age and training—he really is quite the star wherever he goes!
Back at home, we continued reinforcing Kobe’s “Come-to-Heel” and general manners. I also started working on the counter surfing issue you mentioned. I’ve been intentionally setting him up, but so far he’s only approached the counter with curiosity—just sniffing at the edge. I’ve used a firm verbal “Off,” and he’s responded appropriately each time without attempting to jump up or take anything.
We can go over this more in detail during our meet-up, and I’ll share ways you can correct or reinforce the behavior at home if it ever resurfaces. Kobe continues to impress and is doing so well with his training!
Pupdate 6/18/25
In today’s pupdate, we incorporated Dottie into Kobe’s training session to challenge his focus and reinforce off-leash obedience. We focused on the “heel” command, and Kobe showed great maturity and self-control at the start. He began the session with a strong “come-to-sit” and immediately settled into a nice heel position. Even with Dottie walking at my side, Kobe maintained a steady pace for the first few minutes.
However, things shifted when our neighbor pulled into the driveway. Kobe became completely enamored and struggled to refocus on the task at hand. As you'll see in the video, his attention drifted, and even with increased STIM levels, he showed a bit of stubbornness. This moment tested his impulse control.
Rather than allowing him to disengage, I stayed firm and consistent, resetting him until he displayed the correct behavior. It’s important that Kobe learns he cannot opt out of a command simply because something more exciting is happening. These moments are key for long-term success, and today’s session was a valuable learning opportunity for him.
Kobe eventually refocused and resumed the heel, albeit briefly—but the important takeaway is that he was held accountable, and the session ended with the desired behavior. This kind of structure will help reinforce the idea that following through is non-negotiable, even when distractions arise. Great work, Kobe—we’ll keep building on this progress!
Pupdate 6/19/25
Today’s adventure took us to Long Beach with Kobe on a beautiful, sunny day! He got to soak in the ocean breeze and take in the crowds, who were also out enjoying the perfect weather. We put Kobe to the test, practicing all the commands he’s learned during his time with Off Leash—and he gave such an impressive performance!
He caught the attention of quite a few onlookers. One fan even said he looked like the dog from The Little Mermaid! I hadn’t thought of that before, but as someone who loved that movie growing up, I couldn’t help but agree. Hahaha!
While Kobe usually does very well during training, he definitely has his moments of distraction. That’s totally expected at his age, and I know with consistent exposure to new environments, it’ll continue to improve. He’s such a curious pup, and I love how observant and alert he is.
For today’s training:
•We walked on a heel for over a minute off leash
•Held an extended sit on a bench for a minute
•Held an extended down separately for a minute as well
•Kobe is doing an amazing job staying obedient to his commands. He’s grown so much in just under two weeks! He’s such a smart and sweet boy—I’m so proud of him!
Pupdate 6/20/25
Today was Kobe’s final training adventure, and we celebrated by taking a trip to Century City Mall. We strolled through the mall, window shopped, and worked on obedience all at once — true multi-tasking! The bustling environment offered the perfect mix of sights, sounds, and distractions for Kobe, making it an ideal venue for reinforcing the lessons he’s learned.
There were many other dogs in training and lots of people eager to give him attention. A few came up to say hello, and, of course, Kobe was an absolute gentleman — even rolling over for a belly rub at one point! Oh, Kobe, you just love the attention. When we first arrived, he was very interested in the other pups, making it challenging for him to focus. It took some time and patient redirection, but as the session progressed, he settled in beautifully and was able to refocus, remain neutral, and respond reliably to commands despite the distractions.
As I’ve said before, he’s in a very curious phase right now, which is why exposure to high-traffic environments is so valuable for building neutral, well-mannered behavior. Today was a wonderful way to solidify those lessons and help set the foundation for his ongoing success.
It has truly been a pleasure being Kobe’s trainer. Watching this sweet, gentle giant grow and gain confidence has been rewarding beyond words. Dottie has loved every moment of their play together, and he will be sincerely missed in our home. We’re so proud of you, Kobe — keep making us proud and being the best boy you can be!
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