Louis | Pomeranian | Los Angeles, CA | In Training
- Tanner Strong
- Dec 4, 2025
- 35 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Meet Louis! He’s a four-month-old Pomeranian from Los Angeles, California, joining us for our Puppy Board and Train Program! Louis is an adorable little guy with a big personality, but he’s not the biggest fan of leashes, collars, or harnesses just yet—he’ll growl and nip the moment he sees one. He has the same feelings about brushes and grooming tools, and he’s been known to choose his own agenda over listening to commands.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be focusing on building his obedience, boosting his confidence around leashes and equipment, reducing his reactivity, improving his potty training, strengthening his impulse control, and polishing up his manners both at home and out in the world. We’re excited to help Louis grow into the best version of himself. Stay tuned for his puppy transformation!
Pupdate: 12/4/2025
After picking up Louis today, we stayed at the park to start getting to know each other. Our first challenge was the leash, just seeing it was enough for Louis to growl and nip, so we took things very slowly. After several minutes of gentle, patient progress, he finally allowed me to slip the leash on. Once it was actually on him, he didn’t seem too bothered by it!
Out at the park, Louis spent most of his time sniffing around, exploring, and even stopping to pee a few times. Overall he followed me relatively nicely and even showed a playful side when I brought up my energy. I think a big step forward for him will be helping him understand that the leash isn’t something scary, it’s the start of fun adventures. Today felt like the beginning of that shift.
Once we got home, Louis got to explore the house and start settling in. He warmed up to me quickly, and he’s already showing signs of affection. I’m hoping to use that trust and momentum to help him learn that things like leashes and brushes aren’t so scary after all. A good first day for this little guy!
Pupdate: 12/5/2025
Louis and I focused heavily today on getting him comfortable with collars and leashes. We spent a good amount of time simply putting them on, taking them off, and repeating the process. He’s still not a fan when he first sees them and even gave me a few nips, but with slow, patient work, he began to realize that nipping wasn’t going to get him out of it. Little by little, he relaxed more and more throughout the day. Just like yesterday, once the collars or leashes were actually on him, he didn’t seem to mind at all, it’s really just the act of putting them on or taking them off that he’s still uncomfortable with.
At the park, a small puppy ran up to us unexpectedly. Normally I prefer other dogs not to run straight up to us, but it turned out to be a nice opportunity to see how Louis would handle it. He wagged his tail, greeted the little pup politely, and then the puppy ran off and we continued on. It was a great reminder for Louis that not everything in the world is something to fear.
Later, Louis needed some brushing. My plan is to brush him a little bit each day. Not only to keep his fur from getting tangled, but also to keep the experience short, gentle, and positive for him. As soon as he saw the brush, he started growling, but I carefully brushed along his back, and after a few moments he stopped growling altogether. I’ll eventually have to brush a bit deeper, but for today, ending on a positive note was the right call.
Overall, today was full of small but meaningful wins for Louis, more confidence, more trust, and more good experiences.
Pupdate: 12/6/2025
Today we continued making steady progress with Louis and his reactivity toward leashes, and we added a basic Sit command. He started to pick up on the Sit command fairly reliably, especially when I got down on the ground with him to help make it feel a little less intimidating. He’s definitely trying, and it’s clear he wants to understand what’s being asked of him.
Alongside that, we kept working on his sensitivity to leashes. I introduced the loop at the end of the leash as a way to mimic the motion of a leash being brought toward his face. Any moment he stayed calm, I fed him a treat through the loop to help him build a more positive association. He still has moments where he reacts or lashes out when he sees the leash, but each day he’s learning that calm behavior is what gets rewarded.
Overall, today was another big step forward for Louis. He’s gaining confidence, learning new skills, and showing more and more trust. Great work, little guy!
Pupdate: 12/7/2025
Today Louis had a lovely time at a new park. We kept working on his Sit command, and tried a bit of Down, too. He’s not perfect yet, but slowly and surely, he’s starting to get it!
Another big win: he was a little more relaxed about me putting on and taking off his leash. It didn’t take nearly as long today he seems to be getting slightly more comfortable with the routine.
He's been doing great with his potty habits. First thing in the morning, we go outside and he goes potty right away, and so far, no accidents at all.
It was just an all-around good day!
Pupdate: 12/8/2025
Louis and I joined a few other trainers and their dogs at the park today! As expected, the trickiest moments for him were still putting on and taking off his leashes, he continues to find that part challenging, but we got through it and made progress there! With another little puppy running around, Louis was very excited, and he also showed plenty of interest in the other dogs nearby.
We spent a good portion of our time working on his Down command. He’s getting more comfortable performing it, which is great progress, but he still struggles to hold it for more than a few seconds at a time. That’s completely normal at this stage, and we’ll keep building his confidence and duration bit by bit.
Overall, Louis had a fun and productive day. He enjoyed the new environment and company, and I’m happy with the steps he made forward today!
Pupdate: 12/9/2025
Louis had another great day at the park today! We worked a bit on some of his commands, and he continues to show steady improvement each day. He’s getting a little more confident and consistent with each session, which is exactly what we want to see, although he still loves to goof off and play around more than work on commands.
The biggest win of the day was huge for Louis: when it came time to put on his collar and leash, he didn’t growl at all! This is the very first day he’s done that, and it’s absolutely worth celebrating. We’ll keep practicing daily to help him be comfortable and relaxed during this part of the routine, but today’s progress shows he’s learning to trust the process more and more.
His potty training continues to go well, still no accidents inside! He already knows to go potty right when we head outside. Our next step will be adding the cue “go potty” so he can start associating the words with the action, making it easier for him to understand what we’re asking no matter where we are.
Louis had a productive and confidence-building day, and I’m proud of the progress he’s making!
Pupdate: 12/10/2025
Louis and I went to the mall today, and he was very excited to be there! With all the sights, sounds, and activity, we took things slow and chose specific spots to work so he wouldn’t get too overwhelmed. Our main goal for the day was helping him slow down, focus, and stay responsive even with all those extra distractions around.
It was definitely a challenge for him! His excitement made it hard for him to settle into the work, but once we started practicing his commands, he began to dial in. Little by little, he started offering better focus and making more thoughtful choices.
Overall, I’m happy with how he behaved today. Even though it was tough, he really tried, and the progress he made after working through those commands was great to see. A big day for Louis!
Pupdate: 12/11/2025
Louis was back at the mall today, and we continued building his comfort and confidence around all the activity and distractions. Instead of focusing only on structured work, we dedicated a lot more time to simply relaxing, laying on benches, hanging out, and helping Louis understand that not every new sight or sound needs a big reaction.
As usual, he started off with his little hop-around routine and a few signature spins before settling in. But once he got that energy out, he did a great job calming down and just chilling beside me. These quieter moments are a big part of his progress, teaching him that it's perfectly okay to take it easy even in a busy environment.
Overall, Louis handled the day really well. He’s learning to balance excitement with relaxation, and today was a great step forward!
Pupdate: 12/12/2025
We headed to the park today, and Louis continues to show some really nice progress! His improvement with leashes and collars has been especially noticeable. For the last few days, he’s had little to no trouble with them at all. That’s a big step forward and shows how much more comfortable he’s becoming with his daily routines.
Brushing is still a bit more challenging for him, but there is progress there too. Louis tends to be squirmy and uncomfortable during brushing, and he’s definitely sensitive to changes in how and when it happens. I’ve found that brushing in the evening, after he’s had a full day, and keeping it short (about a minute per side) works best for him. When we stick to that routine, he usually handles it with little difficulty.
Today, I tried brushing him at the park instead, and while he only growled once, he clearly wasn’t thrilled with the change. This tells us that routine and structure really help him right now, and over time, we’ll continue working toward helping him feel comfortable with the brush no matter when or where it comes out.
Outside of brushing, Louis had a great time at the park! We’ve been practicing his Sit enough that he’s started offering it on his own when we stop during walks. This is called an Auto Sit, and it’s a fantastic sign that he’s understanding expectations and making good choices even without being asked. That kind of initiative is exactly what we want to see, and it shows just how much he’s learning.
Overall, a very positive and productive day for Louis!
Pupdate: 12/13/2025
Louis and I headed back to the mall today, and it was a bit busier than our previous visits. He was very excited to be back and clearly wanted to play and take everything in! Even with all that excitement, we still made sure to spend time working on his commands.
Louis is starting to do a better job of taking that playful energy and channeling it into something productive. He’s learning that even when he’s feeling extra excited, he can still focus and work—but he definitely still has plenty to practice and improve on in that area.
Overall, Louis had a very fun day at the mall, and it was great to see his enthusiasm paired with growing moments of focus and effort.
Pupdate: 12/14/2025
Louis and I made another trip to the mall today! This time, we shifted our focus away from running through lots of commands and instead worked on something just as important—learning how to relax in a very distracting environment. We spent a good amount of time simply sitting around, watching the world go by, and practicing bringing his energy level down while people, noises, and movement were happening all around us.
This kind of work can be challenging, but it’s a great exercise in self-control and confidence. Louis did an okay job settling with a lot of time and showing that he can exist calmly in busy places without always needing to be “on.” Overall, it was a productive session focused on building relaxation and neutrality in high-distraction settings.
Pupdate: 12/15/2025
Louis and I headed to the park today to meet up with some other trainers and their dogs. While he was understandably a bit excited to see the other dogs, he did a much better job than before keeping his focus mostly on me, which was great to see.
We also saw some nice improvement in his ability to lay down and relax, even with other dogs nearby. This is something we’ve been putting a lot of work into, and today really showed that those efforts are paying off. Overall, Louis had a productive session and made solid progress with both focus and relaxation in a distracting environment!
Pupdate: 12/16/2025
Today, Louis and I headed to the park for a training session, and overall he had a really fun and productive day! We definitely made the most of the outing… including accidentally trekking through some mud, so a bath is on the agenda for tonight!
The biggest highlight of the day was Louis’ Heeling. This was hands-down the best he’s done with me so far, and I absolutely loved seeing how focused and connected he was during our walks. His effort and consistency there really stood out. He even refrained from doing his spins for the most part!
We did challenge ourselves by walking near the basketball courts, which ended up being the toughest part of our day. Louis has been doing relatively well around many different distractions, but the sound of a basketball bouncing made him visibly nervous. He pulled back—which is rare for him now—and needed some extra time to process the situation. We slowed things down, sat nearby, and simply watched the person shooting baskets while I calmly rewarded Louis with tiny treats each time he relaxed. This helped him settle, and eventually we were able to walk around closer to the court.
While this showed us an area that needs more work, it was still a valuable learning experience and a good confidence-building moment for Louis.
Other than that challenge, Louis had a great time today and put in some really solid work. I’m proud of the progress he’s making, especially with his Heeling, and I’m excited to keep building his confidence around noisier distractions moving forward!
Pupdate: 12/17/2025
Today, Louis and I focused on his Come To Sit command. He’s starting to grasp what’s being asked of him, which is great to see. While he can still get a bit excited and rush in at times, his understanding of the exercise is clearly developing. With a little more repetition and consistency, I expect his excitement to settle and his responses to become smoother and more controlled. Overall, a solid step forward for Louis today!
Pupdate: 12/18/2025
Today was a slower, more low-key day for Louis, with a focus on indoor manners and normal neighborhood walking manners. He started the morning as his usual excited self, but after some time to settle in, he did a really nice job bringing his energy down. Inside the house, Louis was polite and responsive, and on our neighborhood walks he worked on staying calm and walking with better manners rather than pulling or getting overly stimulated. Overall, this was a great day for reinforcing everyday structure and showing Louis that not every day has to be high energy to be productive. He did well!
Pupdate: 12/19/2025
Louis started his day with a bath this morning and then we headed out to the park for training. Today, I wanted to be a bit more intentional about working on his Place command.
Up until now, Louis has been fairly solid with Place, but I usually need to guide him all the way to the object and clearly show him that I want him to hop on. For this session, the goal was to put more emphasis on the verbal cue itself and see if Louis could start making that decision on his own when he heard the word Place.
I’m happy to say he started doing pretty well with this! With some repetition and patience, Louis began to understand that the word Place meant going to the cot independently, rather than waiting for me to lead him there. This is a great step forward for him and shows that he’s starting to think through his commands more confidently. Overall, a productive and positive training day for Louis!
Pupdate: 12/20/2025
Louis and I headed to the park today, where we continued putting in reps on his Place command using a variety of objects around the park. Overall, he’s doing better and better each session, especially when it comes to understanding what I’m asking of him and confidently hopping onto different surfaces.
That said, his puppy brain definitely still kicks in, and holding the command for longer durations is where he finds things most challenging right now. This is totally normal at his age, and today’s work was all about building that impulse control and teaching him that the job doesn’t end the moment he gets to the object.
Even with those moments of distraction, Louis showed clear improvement and a willingness to keep trying. We’ll continue focusing on duration, clarity, and consistency, and I’m confident this command will keep tightening up as he matures and gets more reps under his belt. Great progress today!
Pupdate: 12/21/2025
Louis and I headed to a different park today and were greeted by some lively soccer games! This was very exciting for him, and the combination of noise, movement, and energy definitely caught his attention. To set him up for success, we spent some time creating distance from the action and worked on holding his positions at a fair and manageable distance from the activity.
Overall, Louis has been doing better with this type of environment, and today he succeeded for the most part. He showed that he’s capable of staying composed and working through excitement when given clear direction. He did especially well when I actively asked him to Sit, Down, or Place, holding those commands despite the distractions around him.
It’s worth noting that while he’s improving when he has a specific job to do, relaxing without being in a command is still very challenging for him. This is completely normal and something that will come with more time, consistency, and maturity. Today was another solid step forward for Louis in learning how to navigate stimulating environments more calmly and thoughtfully.
Pupdate: 12/22/2025
We hung out at the park today and had a really solid session together. We started by working on Louis’ brushing. He’s becoming quite comfortable with brushing along his back, which is great to see. His tummy is still a very difficult spot for him, but we took it slow and focused on keeping the experience as calm and positive as possible.
One of Louis’ biggest challenges has been the basketball courts, so we spent the majority of our time there today. I’m happy to report that he found it much easier to settle in compared to past visits. He did show a little nervousness at first, but he was able to work through it and relax much more quickly than before.
Overall, this was a good day for Louis. He showed progress in a tough environment, and his ability to settle around a known challenge is a great sign moving forward.
Pupdate: 12/23/2025
Today, Louis and I headed to Home Depot to avoid the rain and get some training done in a new environment. He was extremely excited at times, especially with all the sights, sounds, and people around, but he also had moments where he did quite well and showed he’s capable of settling into the work.
The good news is that Louis did not appear nervous at all in this new space. He moved through the environment with confidence. That said, he still found it very difficult to fully relax, which is understandable given how stimulating Home Depot can be.
Overall, this was a productive exposure session. We’ll continue using Home Depot during these rainy days to help Louis practice staying calm, focused, and more relaxed in busy environments. With repetition and consistency, I expect to see steady improvement.
Pupdate: 12/24/2025
Today Louis and I headed back to Home Depot to try to stay dry indoors. Compared to yesterday, he did a better job settling down and finding his footing in the environment. He was still pretty excited to be there and definitely felt playful, wanting to have some fun along the way, but overall he handled it well. Even with that extra energy, we were able to get some productive time in, and most importantly, we still had a great time together. Nice progress for Louis as he continues getting more comfortable and learning to balance excitement with focus!
Pupdate: 12/25/2025
We took advantage of the breaks in the rain to get some more time outside today. Louis was extremely happy to be out without the rain coming down on us, which he’s definitely not a fan of. Aside from his usual excitement, he did a nice job walking around with me and was responsive to his Sit when asked. Overall, it was a good outing for Louis and a positive way to get some extra practice in despite the weather.
Pupdate: 12/26/2025
Today we did our best to avoid the rain and focused on some indoor care instead. Louis got a bath, followed by some drying and brushing practice. While he definitely wasn’t a fan of the process, he made an important step forward, he tolerated it without growling or attempting to bite me. He was clearly uncomfortable, but he allowed me to work through most of it, which is a good sign. We’ll continue taking this slowly and building positive associations so grooming becomes easier and less stressful for him over time.
Pupdate: 12/27/2025
Louis had a more relaxing day today, with a focus on helping him slow things down and relax while still practicing some of his commands. The calmer pace seemed to suit him well.
He was clearly much happier without the rain, and that showed in his attitude and focus. Louis was more responsive to me overall and easier to engage during our training moments.
This was a nice balance of structure and relaxation for Louis, and it was great to see him feeling more comfortable and content today!
Pupdate: 12/28/2025
Today we continued focusing on leash manners while working around real-world distractions. Louis definitely noticed certain things around us, bikes passing by caught his attention, and he was especially excited when little kids giggled, pointed at him, and called him cute. That kind of attention is understandably very exciting for him!
The great part is that even when these distractions popped up, Louis usually did a nice job refocusing back on me, often without me even having to ask. This shows growing awareness, improved impulse control, and a better understanding of what’s expected of him on leash.
Overall, this was a very positive session and a great step forward for Louis as we continue building calm, polite leash manners around distractions.
Pupdate: 12/29/2025
Louis and I had a fun day at the park today, doing our best to avoid the mud while still getting some good time outside. He was a very good boy overall and stayed pretty polite with me throughout the day, which made our time out together enjoyable and easy.
I also picked up a couple of new types of brushes to try with Louis, so we’ll be giving those a test run later tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does with them and continuing to make grooming a positive experience for him.
Pupdate: 12/30/2025
Today we spent the majority of our time focusing on Louis’ grooming, and this was a big step forward for him. Through continued positive exposure to the sensation of brushes moving through his fur, an increased tolerance for pressure, and the introduction of a couple new tools, grooming is starting to become much more productive and comfortable for him.
One of the new tools we worked with was a grooming glove with brush bristles on the palm. Earlier in training, this wouldn’t have been useful, as Louis was still very willing to bite at my hands. Now that he’s learning that hands are friends and not something to react to, this glove was a great addition and worked very well for him.
The second new tool was a brush with thick, wide-spaced teeth designed to go deeper into the coat and work through tougher tangles without excessive pulling. His previous brush had very fine teeth, which tended to pull on his fur without actually removing tangles—making him uncomfortable without showing real progress in his coat management. This new brush made a noticeable difference for him today.
Overall, today was likely Louis’ biggest step forward with grooming so far. Even when he wasn’t thrilled about certain sensations, instead of biting, he would open his mouth and choose to lick my hand instead, which is a huge improvement and much preferred behavior. We’ll continue building on this progress and making grooming a calmer, more positive experience for him moving forward.
Pupdate: 12/31/2025
Once again, we found ourselves dodging the rain and heading to Home Depot for some training time. Louise was very good overall today and handled the environment nicely. His excited puppy brain definitely came out when people would kneel down in front of him and reach out to say hello, so we used that as a great training opportunity.
We practiced having a few people wait until Louise offered a polite sit before greeting him, then rewarding that calm behavior with a treat. He did a decent job with this and showed that he understands what we’re asking, especially when the treat was involved. Once the treats stopped, he tended to fall back into jumping, which tells us this skill still needs more repetition and consistency.
Overall, this was a productive session. Louise is learning, and with continued practice, we’ll help him understand that calm, polite greetings are expected whether or not food is involved.
Pupdate: 1/1/2026
It was sprinkling on and off today, so Louis and I did our best to stay dry again. We spent some time at Home Depot, where Louis continues to show how far he’s come. He’s gotten quite good at walking around with me, staying mostly polite, and offering his Sit and Down when asked, even with all the usual store distractions.
When the rain let up, we headed over to the park for a bit so Louis could get some outside time as well. He was happy to be out and did a nice job transitioning from the indoor environment to the park. Overall, a solid day of steady progress and good decision-making despite the unpredictable weather.
Pupdate: 1/2/2026
We made it to the park this morning before the rain started coming down. We did get caught in it for a few minutes, but Louis only cared a little bit and didn’t let it throw him off too much. Even with the drizzle and changing conditions, he did a nice job maintaining his composure and staying with me.
Overall, Louis handled the morning really well and showed that he can stay fairly calm and focused even when things aren’t perfect. Nice work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 1/3/2026
Louis and I made it outside this morning before the rain rolled in, then spent most of the rest of the day indoors staying dry. He did a really nice job with his bath and brushing last night, so I was doing my best to keep him from getting too wet and muddy again—semi successfully.
Lately, Louis has been doing especially well in the afternoons and evenings, which is usually after we’ve had some kind of activity to get his energy out. He’s been more settled, relaxed, and easy to live with during those times, showing how much balanced exercise and structure help him succeed.
Overall, it was a calmer day for Louis, but he handled it well and continues to show good progress, especially once he’s had a chance to move and engage earlier in the day.
Pupdate: 1/4/2026
We got out as much as possible today between the rain showers, taking advantage of any breaks in the weather. For the parts of the day spent indoors, we focused on practicing Louis’ indoor manners.
A big emphasis today was on Door manners. The goal is for Louis to wait politely as I open the door, rather than trying to rush out ahead of me. He should only move through the doorway when he’s asked. This same concept applies to other thresholds as well—such as gates, fences, or even “invisible boundaries” inside the house, like areas where dogs aren’t allowed (for example, the kitchen).
We work on these manners in short, manageable sessions each day to keep things clear and consistent. Louis has been doing pretty well with this and is showing good progress as he learns to slow down, wait, and make better choices.
Pupdate: 1/5/2026
Today Louis and I enjoyed some much nicer weather and took advantage of it with a walk through the park. We worked through each of his commands a little bit as we moved around, and he did a nice job staying engaged with me. Overall, it was a fun, relaxed day of training, and it felt great to get out and enjoy the park without the rain. Louis was happy to be outside, and we had a really good time together today!
Pupdate: 1/6/2026
Louis and I had a fun and relaxing day today! We stayed busy while keeping things calm and balanced, which suited him really well. We went on a few nice walks around the neighborhood, giving him some good mental and physical exercise. Inside, we worked on his Place command, and he did a great job settling in and holding position when asked.
In between training and walks, Louis enjoyed some well-deserved naps and a bit of playtime, making for a happy, content pup overall. It was a really good day for Louis, and he handled everything with a great attitude!
Pupdate: 1/7/2026
Today, Louis and I worked on extending a couple of his commands, and he absolutely crushed it! Using the long leash, we practiced his recall from a much greater distance, and Louis did a fantastic job coming back in with enthusiasm and focus. This is a great step toward building reliability and confidence with his recall.
We also worked on extending his Place command, asking him to go to his spot from farther away rather than just nearby. Louis had a blast with this exercise and really showed off how much potential he has. He was eager, engaged, and clearly enjoying the challenge.
Overall, today was a fun and productive session, and Louis continues to show great progress as we raise the difficulty and expectations. Really proud of him!
Pupdate: 1/8/2026
Today we took a trip to the mall! We went nice and early before the crowds rolled in, which made it a very easy and relaxed outing for Louis. He handled the environment well and stayed calm as we walked around.
The biggest distraction for him was the fish and turtles in the fountain—they were very interesting—but even then, he was able to relax quickly and settle back in without much effort. Overall, Louis did a great job taking everything in stride and showed how comfortable he’s becoming in new places. Great work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 1/9/2026
Louis and I were back at the mall today, and once again he did a great job! He had a bit of excitement here and there, but overall it was a really good day for him. We spent a lot of time walking around, practicing his manners, and working through distractions.
After taking a short break at home to relax and recharge, we headed back out to the park to get some extra fun and movement in before the end of the day. Louis handled the full day well and stayed engaged, making this a solid, well-rounded outing for him. Nice work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 1/10/2026
Louis had a great day soaking up some fresh air at the park! We enjoyed some nice walks, got in some fun playtime, and he was happy to be out and about. After getting a little muddy from all the outdoor fun, Louis wrapped up the day with a bath in the evening and cleaned up nicely.
He was an absolute pleasure to have today, sweet, easygoing, and a joy from start to finish!
Pupdate: 1/11/2026
Today was a more relaxing day together as we stayed closer to home, spending time around the house and in the neighborhood. Louis did a noticeably better job remaining calm and polite this morning, which is usually when he’s the most excited, so that was great to see. We kept things low-key while still getting in some quality time, making it a relaxing but fun day overall for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/12/2026
Louis and I had a great day at the park today! We noticed the tennis court was empty and took advantage of the enclosed space to give Louis a bit more freedom. With his leash dragging behind him, he clearly enjoyed the extra room to move around.
Even more impressive was how well Louis responded to me out in public without the leash in my hand. Despite several distractions around us, he stayed engaged and continued to listen and work with me, which is a big win. For now, this type of exercise is best kept to safe, enclosed areas like the tennis court or back at home, but Louis really showed how far he’s coming with his focus and willingness to cooperate.
Overall, a really good day for Louis—he did an excellent job and should be very proud of himself!
Pupdate: 1/13/2026
Louis had another fun-filled day at the park today, enjoying some fresh air and time to stretch his legs. We also spent a good amount of time focusing on grooming, and he did a really nice job with it! He stayed mostly cooperative and handled the process well, making it a more smooth and positive experience overall. A great balance of fun and care for Louis today!
Pupdate: 1/14/2026
Louis and I had another fun-filled day together, splitting our time between the park and home! We got in some good work and plenty of play, and Louis handled both really well. He was a good little pup all day and clearly enjoyed himself. Overall, a happy, productive day for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/15/2026
Louis and I headed to the mall today, and he did a really nice job—especially with the crowds! He stayed fairly calm, took everything in stride, and handled the busy environment well. It definitely seemed like he was having fun and enjoying the outing. In the evening, we wrapped up the day with a trip to the park, where he got to unwind and enjoy some extra outdoor time. Overall, a great day for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/16/2026
Back at the mall today, Louis and I spent more time wandering and taking in the sights. We did some shopping for my girlfriend’s birthday, and Louis behaved pretty well while we browsed the stores—staying polite and patient throughout. He handled the environment nicely, and we really enjoyed having him with us today!
Pupdate: 1/17/2026
Louis and I got an early start this morning to get some work and exercise in. We added cones into our routine to focus on precision and control. At first, Louis was a bit skeptical—after all, the cones were almost taller than he is! But he quickly gained confidence and started navigating around them well. There were a few moments where he wanted to turn it into playtime, but after several run-throughs, he really settled in and did a great job following the routine with focus and intention.
Later in the afternoon, we headed back to the mall, especially since it ended up being warmer than expected today. Louis handled the outing very well and seemed comfortable being out and about.
Overall, Louis had a really good day today and showed great growth in both confidence and control!
Pupdate: 1/18/2026
This morning, Louis and I checked out a new park! It was pretty quiet overall—aside from a few squirrels—but Louis still had a great time exploring. We took advantage of the calm environment to practice Place on some small rocks, and Louis clearly enjoyed hopping up, balancing, and checking things out. He showed good confidence and enthusiasm during the exercise.
After our morning adventure, we enjoyed a more relaxed day at home. Louis wrapped things up with another well-earned bath, which he handled very well. He continues to make great progress with bath time and is becoming more comfortable with brushing each day.
All in all, a fun, calm, and productive day for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/19/2026
Louis has been doing pretty well overall, but his biggest challenge tends to show up when he gets very excited—those are the moments when listening becomes the hardest for him. Today, we leaned into that by using playtime as a training opportunity rather than avoiding it.
We had plenty of excited play, but frequently stopped the fun abruptly to see how quickly Louis could shift gears and settle. By engaging him in high-energy play and then immediately (and intermittently) asking him to Sit or Lay Down, we’re working on building his ability to calm himself quickly when needed.
This kind of impulse-control work is challenging, but Louis showed improvement today. He’s starting to settle faster after excitement and respond more reliably instead of staying in “play mode.” Great progress for him, and a very productive session!
Pupdate: 1/20/2026
Louis and I got an early start this morning, heading out to burn off some energy and get a little work in. I was really proud of him — the training and play we’ve been focusing on lately (especially yesterday) clearly paid off! Even first thing in the morning, when he’s usually most excited, Louis did a much better job switching from playful, high-energy mode into listening and waiting politely when asked.
Later in the day, we continued mixing playtime with structured work, reinforcing those same expectations. He’s starting to understand that fun doesn’t disappear just because we pause — it simply resumes once he’s calm and focused. Overall, a great day of progress for Louis, and I’m loving the improvement in his self-control and responsiveness!
Pupdate: 1/21/2026
Today, Louis and I headed back to the mall to continue building on his public manners and confidence. Overall, he did a really nice job! One big win was how much faster he was able to settle and find a calm mindset compared to earlier visits — that’s a great sign that the work we’ve been putting in is paying off.
He was generally well-behaved throughout our time there, though he did still get a bit too excited when meeting new people. That enthusiasm is very on-brand for Louis, and we’ll keep working on helping him greet others in a calmer, more polite way while maintaining his focus.
Looking ahead, Louis will be heading to the groomer tomorrow! I feel confident that his training and handling work with me have set him up for success in a professional grooming environment. This will allow him to get a proper haircut and a more thorough grooming than I can provide on my own, and it’ll be a great real-world test of his patience and cooperation.
Pupdate: 1/22/2026
This morning, Louis headed to the groomer for a fresh haircut! Grooming can be a big ask, especially with all the handling involved, but Louis did a solid job overall. He did growl a couple of times, but nothing escalated and the groomer was able to work through it calmly and professionally. I’m really proud of Louis for making it through the entire appointment! Experiences like this are great confidence builders for him.
With the rainy weather keeping us indoors for much of the day, we shifted gears and enjoyed some downtime at home. Louis was very playful, happy, and clearly feeling himself after his haircut. He seemed comfortable, relaxed, and full of good energy, which tells me he’s feeling pretty good about his fresh new look!
Great job today, Louis!
Pupdate: 1/23/2026
Today we headed over to a different park to get some training practice in, which was a great way to change things up and test Louis in a new environment. Overall, he did quite well and handled the new setting nicely.
When the tennis court opened up, we took advantage of the safe, enclosed space to try taking his leash off for a few minutes at a time. As expected, he was a little less responsive without the leash compared to when it’s on, but that’s completely normal at this stage. The important part is that he was still making good choices, checking in, and staying engaged a lot of the time.
This was a really positive step for Louis. Off-leash work introduces a whole new level of freedom and responsibility, and he handled it well while also clearly enjoying himself. We’ll continue building his responsiveness and reliability in these moments, gradually increasing expectations as his confidence and understanding grow. Great work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 1/24/2026
Back at the park today, Louis had another really good day! We balanced things nicely with more fun and more focused work, and he did a great job staying engaged while still enjoying himself. These kinds of sessions are perfect for reinforcing his training while keeping his enthusiasm high.
At home, there’s been a nice bonus improvement too — daily brushing has been going much more smoothly since his recent grooming appointment. He’s noticeably more tolerant and relaxed about it, which makes it easier for everyone and helps keep him feeling his best.
Overall, a great day all around for Louis, and it’s awesome to see these little wins stacking up!
Pupdate: 1/25/2026
Louis had another great day! We made a few trips over to the park for some fun playtime, mixed in with plenty of restful breaks to help him reset and recharge. He did a nice job balancing excitement with calm moments, making it a really well-rounded day. Another fun and successful day for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/26/2026
Today, Louis and I headed over to the Century City Mall, and it was a busy one! With lots of people and plenty of other dogs around, Louis was understandably very excited at first. After some time to warm up and settle in, he began making much better choices and listening well despite all the stimulation.
We got tons of attention, which gave us plenty of opportunities to practice greeting manners. Louis did a nice job about half the time—sometimes staying calm and polite for greetings, and other times getting extra playful when the excitement took over. That mix is totally normal in a high-energy environment like this, and the important part is that he was able to recover and keep working.
Overall, it was a fun, productive, and confidence-building day for Louis. Busy outings like this are great practice, and he handled the challenge well while still enjoying himself!
Pupdate: 1/27/2026
Today we were back at the mall continuing our focus on calm, polite behavior in a busy public environment. A big emphasis was placed on staying composed while people stopped to say hi to him. With so many friendly faces and attention, this is still one of the more challenging areas for Louis.
He definitely still gets excited, but the encouraging part is that we’re seeing more and more moments of calm behavior mixed in. The repetition and consistency are starting to pay off, and Louis is slowly learning that he can enjoy attention without going over the top.
Overall, another productive outing that’s helping build his confidence and manners in public spaces. Great work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 1/28/2026
Louis had a nice, slower-paced day today with an emphasis on calm behavior. We focused on maintaining a relaxed demeanor throughout the morning and carried that mindset into our neighborhood walks. He did a good job staying composed and settling into a more relaxed rhythm while out and about.
Back at home, we continued working on his Place command. Louis showed solid understanding and did pretty well hopping onto place and remaining there, especially given the calmer structure of the day. Overall, it was a productive session that reinforced relaxation, focus, and follow-through. A great low-key day for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/29/2026
Louis had a great outing today at Lake Balboa! Overall, he did quite well taking in the new environment and all the sights around the lake. One notable challenge was walking over the bridge — Louis was a bit unsure at first and showed some nervousness. Rather than rushing it, we took our time and revisited the bridge multiple times throughout the day. With repetition, patience, and encouragement, Louis became more comfortable each pass, and by the end of our visit he was walking over it with much more confidence.
It was a productive day focused on building trust and confidence in new situations, and Louis handled it well. Great progress today!
Pupdate: 1/30/2026
Back at the lake today, Louis had another great outing! We spent more time around the water, using it as an opportunity to continue practicing his commands while also building his confidence in that environment. He was engaged, curious, and clearly settling in more compared to our last visit. Overall, I think he had even more fun today, and it was great to see him enjoying himself while still getting some productive work in. A really nice day for Louis!
Pupdate: 1/31/2026
Louis and I got outside today with another friendly dog for our first walk together. Louis clearly liked him a lot and was excited about the company! He did try to initiate play a few times, but overall he was pretty polite, well behaved, and able to settle back into walking nicely. It was a great learning experience for him, and most importantly, he had a really fun day out.
Nice work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 2/1/2026
The dynamic duo headed back out together today, and they did a nice job walking side-by-side at the park. Louis showed improvement in ignoring his buddy and staying polite, especially while we were on the move. He was able to walk, explore, and stay engaged without getting overly fixated, which is great progress.
If we stayed still for too long, Louis did show that playful side and wanted to engage his friend a bit—but that’s very understandable and something we’ll continue to work through with structure and movement. Overall, he did really well while walking and exploring, and today was another solid step forward for him working calmly around a canine friend.
Pupdate: 2/2/2026
Louis had another fun and successful day today and behaved very well overall. He enjoyed spending time outside, getting some activity and fresh air, and then did a great job settling back at home afterward. His balance between play, movement, and calm time was really nice to see.
We ended the day with a bath and his daily brushing. Louis handled both pretty well, staying cooperative and mostly relaxed throughout. All in all, it was a smooth, positive day for Louis, and he continues to show great manners and a good routine.
Pupdate: 2/3/2026
Louis and I had a fun and productive day at the park today! We worked on his brushing while out at the park, which is definitely a much more exciting environment for him. Even with all the added stimulation, Louis stayed pretty polite and did a nice job handling the brushing.
Before and after that, we spent most of our time running around, playing, and just enjoying the park together. That extra playtime gave Louis some great motivation to behave well during brushing, and it really showed. Overall, a fun day full of play, engagement, and continued progress with his manners!
Pupdate: 2/4/2026
Louis and I got out to the park this morning to start the day off on a good note, but it didn’t take long for the heat to start creeping in, so we kept things smart and headed back home pretty quickly.
Once we were inside, Louis did a great job settling in and relaxing through most of the afternoon. We focused on keeping him comfortable and calm, while still making sure he got some activity throughout the day.
Instead of staying out too long in the heat, we broke things up with a few quick walks here and there, giving Louis some fresh air and exercise without overdoing it. Overall, it was a nice balanced day—Louis stayed happy, behaved well, and handled the slower indoor schedule like a champ!
Pupdate: 2/5/2026
Louis and I had a fun day at the park today! The weather was a bit cooler, which made it a really nice day to be outside and enjoy some time together.
We spent most of our session hanging out, getting some energy out, and just enjoying the park. We even got hit by the sprinklers a few times, but Louis didn’t seem to mind at all — if anything, it just added to the adventure!
Overall, it was a simple but great day of fresh air, playtime, and bonding. Louis had a blast, and so did I!
Pupdate: 2/6/2026
Louis and I had a nice, slower paced day today, mostly spending our time at home and keeping things relaxed. We took it easy and focused on just enjoying a more restful routine together.
We spent lots of time hanging out outside throughout the day, with a little time inside as well, and overall Louis behaved really well for me. This morning he did show me a bit more excitement than usual once he realized we weren’t heading straight to the park, but after a little time he settled back down and adjusted to our calmer day.
Overall, it was a peaceful and enjoyable day for Louis and I, and he did a great job staying polite and relaxed while we took things slow!
Pupdate: 2/7/2026
Louis had a fun day at the park today! We spent most of our time hanging out around the ponds, which is definitely one of Louis’ favorite spots and always gets him excited. Because of that, it ended up being a really great place to practice his training and manners, since it gave him the chance to work through distractions in an area he finds extra motivating.
Overall, Louis did a great job today and was a very good boy. He had a lot of fun while still staying polite and making good choices!
Pupdate: 2/8/2026
Louis and I had a nice easy-going day today, mostly keeping things relaxed at home and around the neighborhood. We spent a good amount of time playing, having fun, and just enjoying a slower “normal day” together, which Louis was more than happy about!
To wrap things up, Louis ended the day with his bath and brushing, and he did a great job staying calm and cooperative for both. Overall, it was a simple, happy, fun day for Louis — exactly the kind of day he loves!
Pupdate: 2/9/2026
Louis and I had a great day today! We met up with some other trainers and their dogs, which was a really good opportunity for Louis to get some structured social time and practice his manners around new distractions.
At first, Louis was definitely excited to see the other dogs (which is totally understandable), but I was really happy with how quickly he settled in. Even with all the extra stimulation, he stayed pretty polite and did a nice job staying responsive to me when asked.
Overall, Louis had a lot of fun, got some great exposure, and showed solid self-control and progress in a busy environment. Great work today, Louis!
Pupdate: 2/10/2026
Louis and I had a fun and relaxing day today! We started our morning with a trip to the park, where Louis got to enjoy some fresh air and have a good time getting some energy out.
After that, we headed back home just in case the rain rolled in, and we ended up spending the rest of our day hanging out around the house. Louis was a very good boy all day long and did a great job staying calm and well-mannered.
Overall, it was a simple but enjoyable day, and Louis did awesome!
Pupdate: 2/11/2026
Louis and I spent our day at the park today once the morning rain finally cleared up! We had a great time getting some fresh air and enjoying the day together.
While we were there, we worked on brushing up on Louis’ commands, making sure he stayed engaged and responsive while still keeping things fun and enjoyable for him. Louis did a good job balancing work and play, which is exactly what we want during training sessions like this.
I also spent a lot of time giving Louis affection and petting him whenever he settled down and stayed calm. This is a great way to reinforce that he doesn’t need to get overly excited every time he receives attention, and he started catching on nicely as the day went on.
Overall, Louis had a really good day at the park and continues to make great progress!
Pupdate: 2/12/2026
Louis had another fun and productive day today! We spent time both at home and out at the park, mixing in a great balance of training, play, and exercise.
He did a nice job working on his commands throughout the day, and he also enjoyed plenty of time to run around and have fun. Whether we were practicing manners at home or enjoying the park environment, Louis stayed engaged and showed a great attitude.
Overall, it was a great day for Louis, and he ended it happy, fulfilled, and tired out!
Pupdate: 2/13/2026
Louis had a great day today getting to explore a new park! We spent some time around a new pond, which came with its fair share of distractions, but Louis handled it really well and still made sure to enjoy himself.
There was plenty to look at and sniff, and overall Louis stayed in a good mindset. The geese definitely caught his attention and gave him a moment of hesitation, but he worked through it and was able to settle back in and keep moving forward.
Aside from that, Louis was a very good boy today and had a fun, successful outing!
Pupdate: 2/14/2026
Louis had another great day of training, and we spent some extra time working on his commands around people!
Overall, he was fairly polite and did a nice job staying responsive even with distractions nearby. The biggest improvement today was how well he handled attention from strangers — he was much calmer and more respectful, and did a better job holding his manners instead of getting overly excited.
Really good progress for Louis, and I’m happy with how he’s starting to understand that people don’t automatically mean chaos and excitement!
Pupdate: 2/15/2026
Louis had another fun day today! Since it might be raining over the next few days, we made sure to take advantage of the nice weather and get plenty of time outside. He really enjoyed being out and about, and it was a great way for him to burn some energy and stay engaged.
Overall, Louis was a very good boy today and had a great time getting his outdoor time in while we could!
Pupdate:2/16/2026
Louis and I had a fun and productive day today! We made sure to get to the park early in the morning before the rain rolled in, so he could get some good exercise and work in while the weather was still cooperating. He did a great job getting out and enjoying the fresh air, and it was a perfect way to start the day.
After that, we headed back home and spent most of the day inside to stay dry. Louis still had a great time hanging out with me and my dog, and he did a nice job settling in and enjoying some relaxed downtime. Overall, he had a fun day with a good balance of activity and calm time!
Pupdate: 2/17/2026
Louis and I enjoyed a nice day away from the rain over at La Mirada Park! It was a great change of pace, and he had a lot of fun getting to explore the area while still staying on track with his manners and responsiveness.
He especially enjoyed spending time around the larger pond and walking through the open fields, taking in all the new sights and smells. Overall, it was a relaxing and productive outing, and I’m really glad we were able to get him some quality outdoor time while escaping the rainy weather!
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