Mickey, a three year old German shepherd, has joined OffLeash SoCal for our Two Week Board and Train program. Mickey comes to us knowing some commands but not always following them if distracted, not walking properly on leash, not liking men, and reactive towards objects (blow dryer, vacuum, broom, etc.). Over the two weeks Mickey will be working on his on leash obedience and manners. Check in to see his progress!
Pupdate 11/5/2023
Mickey is settling in at my home. He got to meet a few of my pack members. He actually did very well. He showed no aggression or reactivity towards them. He sniffed them and said hello, then moved along to do his own thing.
Pupdate 11/6/2023
Today Mickey and I went to the park to work on his commands. I introduced and conditioned him to the ecollar. We practiced Sit, Down, and Place. Mickey did very well and caught on quickly to his new command. We met with other OffLeash SoCal trainers and their dogs, so Mickey had some dog distractions to work around. He showed no interest in the other dogs. One of the male trainers approached Mickey. Mickey didn’t growl or bark. He actually went up to sniff him and allowed the trainer to pet him.
The first video is an ecollar tutorial. I didn’t get to send you home with one, but you will receive an ecollar kit on the day of Mickey’s turnover. Please watch this video as many times as you need to be come more familiar with the training collar.
Pupdate 11/7/2023
Today Mickey and I went to the park to work on his commands. We practiced more of Sit, Down, and Place. He is a very smart boy and learns quickly, but can be very stubborn when he doesn’t want to do something. He was easily distracted with people at the park. All he wanted to do was sit and observe everyone. We had an unleashed dog that try to approach us. Mickey and I moved away and tried to keep a distance until the woman grabbed her little dog. Mickey didn’t react, but was alert and watched the dog as it walked away
Pupdate 11/8/2023
Today Mickey and I stayed home to train. We practiced all of his commands. We started working on his Heel command. Mickey is actually not a bad walker; he just likes to try and walk slightly ahead. I just need to get him to slow down and walk at my pace and we will have a perfect heel. So far so good with men. Mickey has met my boyfriend and my sister’s boyfriend. He went up to both of them, sniffed them, and was fine.
Pupdate 11/9/2023
Today Mickey and I went to a local shopping center to work on his commands around light distractions. He did pretty well. He was focused and obedient. We practiced all his commands and worked on his distance and duration. Mickey does well with holding commands if I am close by, but if I try to distance myself from him, he will try to get up to follow me. We also worked on Come to Sit. This is where Mickey comes around my right side to my left and sit nicely in the heel position. This command can be a little tricky, but he is starting to get the hang of it.
Pupdate 11/10/2023
Today Mickey and I went to Lowe’s to work on his obedience around distractions. He was a little nervous with the new surroundings, but still able to focus and follow his commands. We worked more on his duration, holding commands longer. He he did very well with people in carts passing by us. We came across another dog walking around Lowe’s. A little dog was pulling towards us and barking at Mickey. Mickey responded very well. He just sat and watched the dog as it passed by.
Pupdate 11/11/1023
Today Mickey and I stayed home to train. We practiced all his commands and worked on his distance and duration. Mickey is doing much better with the vacuum and blow dryer. He’s no longer reacting or trying to bite them.
Pupdate 11/12/2023
Today Mickey and I went to the park to work on his commands. There were very minimal distractions, but Mickey seemed to be very nervous when we first got there. As we walked around and trained he was able to settle down and relax. We had a loose dog that ran up to us while we were training. I kept space between Mickey and the other dog. Mickey did very well. He just sat and watched the other dog, calmly, until the owner was able to get her dog.
Pupdate 11/13/2023
Today Mickey and I went to the park to work on his commands. We met with other OffLeash SoCal dog trainers and their dogs, so Mickey was able to practice around other dog distractions. He was a little uncomfortable with the dogs when I first brought him around them, but as we trained Mickey relaxed and was fine with the dogs. He did well with following all his commands.
Pupdate 11/14/2023
Today Mickey joined me on a little shopping spree at the mall. It was pretty busy, so Mickey had plenty of people distractions to work around. He did very well and followed all his commands. We came across a little dog that tried lunging towards us. Mickey just looked at the dog and proceeded on with our walk.
Pupdate 11/15/2023
Today Mickey and I went to the mall to work on his obedience. He was a little nervous with the new surroundings, which made hard to focus in the beginning. As we walked around and trained, Mickey was able to relax and focus.
Pupdate 11/16/2023
Today Mickey and I stayed home and trained. We practiced all his commands we work on his food manners, teaching Mickey to wait patiently until given permission to eat. We also worked on his door manners, teaching him not to pass thresholds until given permission. You said he gets riled up whenever you turn on the shower or try to use the hose. He did fine with the shower, no reaction to it. I even stepped inside the shower to see if the reactivity is because of the separation, but he didn’t respond. Mickey was mostly calm when I had the hose on. He got a little excited, but I gave him a tap on the collar and you see he stops and goes back to being calm. Even with the other dogs trying to chase the water, he stayed calm and didn’t try to keep joining in with them.
Pupdate 11/17/2023
Today Mickey and I went to the outlets to work on his obedience around distractions. As usual, he was very well behaved and followed all his commands. He received a few compliments on how well mannered he is. A woman approached and asked to pet him. Mickey sat nicely as he received all the love and attention from her. We only had two issues today. Mickey is not a fan of elevators and tiled floors. He was very nervous when we had to walk on the tile, to the point he froze and just lied down. I helped reassure him that he was fine and, at his pace, we slowly walked around until he was comfortable.
Pupdate 11/18/2023
Today Mickey took the day off from training and spent the day socializing with his friends before he goes home tomorrow. Mickey has done a great job with his training! He can’t wait to go home and show you everything he has learned
