Lobo | German Shepherd | El Monte, CA. | In Training.
- heatheroffleashsoc
- Jul 19
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Meet Lobo! š¾
Lobo is a five-month-old German Shepherd from El Monte, CA, who has just joined us for our One Week Board and Train Program!
Like many young puppies, Lobo is full of enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy. He loves to explore the world around him, but he also has a few typical puppy habits to work through, including pulling on the leash, jumping on people when heās excited, digging in the yard, and using his mouth during play by nipping at hands. While these behaviors are common at his age, now is the perfect time to teach him the boundaries and manners that will help him grow into a well-behaved adult dog.
Over the next week, weāll be focusing on building a strong foundation in basic obedience while also reinforcing good house manners and appropriate behavior both at home and out in public. With consistency, structure, and plenty of positive learning experiences, weāre excited to help Lobo develop the skills he needs to succeed.
We canāt wait to begin this journey with this handsome little guy. Stay tuned to follow Loboās transformation over the next week!
7/19/2026
Today Lobo and I kicked off his board and train with a walk through the park. This gave us a chance to get better acquainted while also allowing me to assess what he already knows. I quickly learned that Lobo already has a solid understanding of his sit command, which is a great foundation for us to build on throughout the week.
We also introduced his heel and come to sitcommands. Lobo is a strong leash puller, so for heel I used gentle leash pops whenever he tried to forge ahead and frequently changed direction until he chose to walk alongside me instead of pulling. It took a little time, but by the end of our session he was already beginning to ease up and pay more attention to where I was. This is something that will continue to improve with consistency over the next several days.
For come to sit, I guided Lobo around my right side and into a sit at my left side using leash guidance. He did a great job following that guidance and consistently finished in a nice sit beside me. We also added a bit of distance and duration to his sit command, turning it into an extended sit. He handled this exercise very well and showed he is eager to learn.
After our first training session, it was time to head to his home away from home for the week. Lobo was excited to head toward the car, but when he spotted the travel crate he came to a complete stop. With a little encouragement and gentle assistance, he climbed inside. He definitely had plenty to say about the situation at first, but once he realized the crate wasnāt optional, he settled down nicely for the ride.
When we arrived at my home, I gave Lobo time to explore his new surroundings. He adjusted very quickly and didnāt seem to have any complaints, which was a huge relief. He was especially excited to meet my dogs and cats. We did have one quick lesson about the cats not being appropriate playmates or something to chase, and he caught on quickly. Other than that, he has been settling in without any issues.
Overall, Lobo handled his first day much better than expected. New environments can be overwhelming for young dogs, but he has taken everything in stride. Iām excited to continue building our relationship over the next week and canāt wait to see how much progress we make together!
7/20/2026
Todayās training adventure took Lobo and me to a park in Rosemead, where we met up with some fellow trainers and their pups. As expected, when we first arrived, Lobo was very excited to see all of the other dogs! He immediately began whining and pulling toward everyone, so we used the opportunity to work on his heel command.
Since today was also Loboās introduction to the e-collar, we paired the e-collar with leash corrections while practicing heel. Using both together helps him understand what the new sensation means, making the learning process much less confusing. After spending some time walking back and forth, Lobo began to relax and was able to walk politely at my side before we approached the group.
Once we joined the other dogs, Lobo did a wonderful job with introductions. He greeted the new pups politely with appropriate sniffing and was very respectful. He honestly seemed a little unsure of what to do once all the sniffing was over, but thatās perfectly okayābaby steps! I was simply happy to see him interacting appropriately with other dogs and having positive social experiences.
We also spent more time working on his come to sit command, and Lobo showed just how smart he is. After practicing earlier this morning, he demonstrated a much better understanding of the exercise by walking around my right side and coming neatly into position on my left. It was great to see how quickly he put the pieces together.
His extended sit was a little challenging at first with so much excitement happening around him, but after a few repetitions he began settling in and understanding that he needed to remain in position despite the distractions.
Today we also introduced his place command using a place cot. This command simply asks Lobo to hop up onto any safe, designated surface, then either sit or lie down and remain there until released. At first he had a hard time staying put, but after a few repetitions he started catching on and made some great progress.
Overall, Lobo proved what a bright young boy he is today. He experienced several new things, learned new skills, and handled everything with as much grace as a young puppy could. Iām so proud of the effort he put in and the meaningful progress he made today. Way to go, young man!
7/21/2026
Today Lobo and I headed out to Home Depot to continue building on his commands around distractions, and considering it was his very first visit, he did an awesome job! Of course, he was curious and excited to explore his new surroundings, but he accepted guidance very well and was eager to work with me throughout our outing.
We started our session by simply practicing his heel command around the store, giving him the opportunity to take in everything happening around him. Even when we walked past heavy machinery and large fans blowing air, Lobo was incredibly brave. While some of those unfamiliar sights and sounds made him a little unsure, he didnāt try to scurry away and instead chose to work through them with my guidance. That confidence is wonderful to see in such a young pup!
Once we transitioned into command work, Lobo really surprised me. Itās amazing how quickly heās picking everything up! He did a fantastic job with his commands and showed a great understanding of what was being asked of him. The only time he broke his sit command was toward the end of our session when he got a little impatient and decided heād rather go investigate the world as the curious puppy he is. Honestly, I canāt blame himāthere was a lot to see!
Overall, Lobo handled this brand-new environment like an absolute champ, and I couldnāt be more proud of this big baby. He continues to impress me with his willingness to learn, and Iām excited to see his confidence and skills continue to grow. Keep up the great work, Lobo!
7/22/2026
Today Lobo and I headed back to Home Depot to continue practicing his commands around distractions. Today, however, Lobo decided that a little boundary testing was in order! Anytime I asked him to sit, he would simply stare at me blankly as if he had no idea what I was talking about, and holding a command? Forget about it!
So we got right to work reinforcing those boundaries and reminding him that the expectations remain the same no matter where we are. It took some time, and Lobo definitely had plenty to say about it, but with patience, consistency, and accountability, he eventually started to understand exactly what I was asking of him. Once that clicked, his attitude shifted, and he began working with me instead of against me.
Days like this are far from uncommon, especially with puppies as young as Lobo. Itās certainly not the first time heāll test the boundaries, and it definitely wonāt be the last. These moments are all part of the learning process, and working through them helps build a clearer understanding of what is expected. The important thing is staying consistent and making sure the session ends on a positive note.
Aside from that initial challenge, Lobo did a great job with the rest of his commands. Once we worked through the boundary testing, he performed beautifully and showed a wonderful understanding of everything weāve been practicing. Overall, Iām very proud of Lobo for working through todayās challenges, and he absolutely earned all the love and praise he received at the end of our session!
7/23/2026
Today Lobo and I headed out to Lake Balboa Park to continue working on his commands around distractions, and he did a fantastic job! Even with geese wandering around the park, Lobo stayed engaged and worked through his commands very nicely.
His extended sit gave him a little bit of trouble today. Lobo is such a curious young man that sitting still for an extended period can be quite the challenge! Whenever he decided to pop out of position, we simply reset and tried again. With each repetition he became a little more successful, and we made some great progress by the end of our session.
We also spent some time working on his place command using a variety of different surfaces around the park. At first his attempts werenāt exactly gracefulāLobo is still a goofy-footed growing puppy whoās figuring out where all of his legs are! But thatās completely normal. Each time we practiced, he became a little more coordinated, a little more confident, and much more willing to hop up onto new objects.
His heel command continues to look very nice, and his come to sit is improving as well. Every now and then his curiosity gets the better of him, making the follow-through a little slower than Iād like, but thatās all part of being a young puppy. With consistency and continued practice as he matures, I know these behaviors will become more natural for him.
Overall, Lobo did an excellent job today. It has been so much fun watching this sweet boy learn how to navigate the world while also figuring out how to move around in his ever-growing body. He truly is a very smart puppy, and Iām so proud of the progress he continues to make each and every day!
7/24/2026
Today Lobo and I headed out to Lake Balboa to continue his progress with his commands around distractions. We kept things a bit lighter today since he has been showing such a wonderful understanding of all of his commands. He worked confidently throughout our training and continues to show just how much he has learned during his time with me.
After we finished practicing his commands, we enjoyed a nice walk around the park. I let Lobo wander a little farther ahead as long as he kept the leash loose and didnāt pull, giving him the chance to explore and sniff to his heartās content. He seemed to really enjoy this freedom, often looking back at me and letting out one of his happy little grunts. Lobo is quite the character and definitely likes to communicate! Those little moments always make me smile.
Lobo did a fantastic job today. We continued building on his training while making sure he had plenty of time to enjoy being a curious young pup. Progress was made, adventures were had, and Iām so proud of this big, smart boy for all of the effort he continues to put into his training each and every day!
7/25/2026
Today Lobo and I headed back out to Lake Balboa Park to continue his progress with his commands around distractions. And he did a spectacular job! It has been so rewarding to see just how much progress weāve been able to make together in just one short week.
His heel is looking lovely, and his come to sit continues to improve every day. Heās also learning more and more about impulse control through his extended sit and place commands. Of course, Lobo is still a very young sweetheart, so he has his moments where he needs a little extra guidance. Thatās completely normal for a puppy his age. With continued consistency, patience, and as he matures, I know he will only continue to improve. He is absolutely on the right track to becoming a proper gentleman.
One of the biggest things that will help Lobo continue to grow is taking him out to experience the world around him. Visiting new places, seeing new people, and encountering different sights, sounds, and environments will continue to build his confidence and make future outings easier for both of you. Every positive experience is another opportunity for him to learn and grow.
Lobo truly is a good boy, and he has more than enough potential to become a great one. He has such a sweet personality and consistently puts in an honest effort during our training sessions, and I couldnāt be more proud of all that he has accomplished this week.
Iād also like to take a moment to sincerely thank you for trusting me with Loboās care and allowing me to be a part of his obedience journey. It has truly been a pleasure getting to know this handsome young man, and I hope Iāve been able to provide both of you with the tools and confidence to continue building on everything weāve started together. I canāt wait to see all of the exciting adventures the two of you will share in the future!
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