Molly | German Shephard Mix | Seal Beach | In Training
Updated: Jul 21
Please welcome Molly!
Molly is a 1-year-old German Shephard mix from Seal Beach, California! She’s come to us to join our Two-Week Community Board and Train Program. She’s a bouncy gal with a lot of energy and willingness to listen, though that can be easily distracted by digging. And if she’s not digging, she’s letting anyone who comes into the house know she’s the first to greet if she doesn’t bulldoze you over first! She’s quite the prey driven little predator and will chase squirrels or anything that might look like fun to chase; good luck if you’re attached to the leash!
Follow along as she and I get to know one another and see if maybe we can’t direct that puppy energy to being a more productive and easier companion for her mom!
Pupdate 7/8
Today was all about first impressions, building a connection, and starting Molly’s training journey! We kicked things off at a local park where we began working on the Heel command. Heeling teaches Molly to walk politely at my side instead of leading the way, helping her learn that paying attention to her handler is more rewarding than everything else happening around her. The park gave us just the right amount of distractions to start introducing this important skill while keeping things fun and positive.
We also started pairing Sit with Heel. Every time we came to a stop, Molly was asked to sit rather than standing and waiting for the next adventure. This helps build the habit of automatically checking in with her handler whenever movement stops. Over time, this creates better impulse control, improves focus, and encourages calm behavior whether we’re waiting to cross a street, greeting someone, or simply taking a break during a walk.
For our very first day together, Molly did a wonderful job! Every training partnership starts with getting to know one another, and today was all about laying that foundation. She showed a willingness to learn, and I’m excited to watch her confidence and skills grow with each session.
Great job today, Molly; we’re off to a fantastic start!
Pupdate 7/9
Today we took a trip out to Century City Mall to continue challenging Molly's obedience in one of the busiest environments we can safely train in. With the summer heat making outdoor training a bit tougher, the mall's shaded walkways gave us the perfect opportunity to work while still exposing her to countless real-world distractions.
There were crowds of shoppers moving in every direction, children running by, strollers rolling past, people carrying shopping bags, automatic doors opening and closing, elevators, loud conversations, and all kinds of new sights, sounds, and smells. It's an environment that's constantly changing, making it an excellent place to teach Molly that her commands remain the same no matter what's happening around her.
Throughout our outing, we focused on Heel, Sit, Come to Sit, and Place. Rather than rushing through each exercise, we emphasized consistency and clarity, making sure Molly understood exactly what was being asked of her before moving on.
One thing you'll notice in the video is that I'm praising Molly while she's actively holding the command, not just after she's completed it. This is incredibly important because it lets her know she's making the correct decision at that very moment. Calm verbal praise helps build her confidence, encourages her to continue making good choices, and reinforces that remaining in position is exactly what earns positive feedback. If we only praised after releasing her, she could begin thinking the reward comes from getting up instead of successfully maintaining the behavior.
Molly rose to the occasion beautifully today. Even when people walked closely by or exciting distractions appeared, she stayed engaged, frequently checked in with me, and remained willing to work. That's exactly what we're striving for. Public outings like this aren't about expecting perfection; they're about teaching her how to think through distractions instead of reacting to them. Every successful repetition builds reliability, strengthens our communication, and helps Molly understand that she can confidently navigate busy environments by looking to her handler for direction. She did an outstanding job today, and I'm incredibly proud of the progress she's continuing to make.
I'd say today was Molly-velous! Keep it up, sweet girl! Terrible attempt at a pun but I tried.
Pupdate 7/10
Today we took another trip to Century City Mall to continue building on Molly's foundation in a busy, distraction-filled environment. We spent time polishing up her Heel, Place, Come to Sit, and Sit while working around passing shoppers, new sights, and plenty of everyday distractions. Training in environments like this teaches Molly that her commands don't change just because the world around her gets exciting.
Today was also a big milestone as we officially introduced Down; one of the more challenging commands for many dogs to learn. Unlike Sit, which is a fairly natural position, Down asks a dog to lower themselves completely to the ground, putting them in a more vulnerable position. Because of that, many dogs are hesitant at first and need time to build trust and understand what's being asked.
As you might guess, Molly wasn't exactly sold on the idea right away. She put up a bit of a protest, leaning against the leash and trying just about everything she could think of before offering the correct behavior. Instead of rushing the process, we stayed patient and consistent, giving her clear guidance and rewarding every success. By the end of the session, we had come to an understanding, and Molly was beginning to grasp what Down was all about. We're not quite to the level of do I expect it without guidance? No, but it is progress.
Not every lesson comes easy, and that's perfectly okay. Working through those moments of uncertainty is where the biggest breakthroughs happen. Molly continues to make steady progress every day, and I'm excited to see her confidence grow as we keep building on these new skills.
She may have been a little down about learning Down, but she didn't let it keep her down for long!
Pupdate 7/11
Today we took a trip to Lake Balboa to put Molly's obedience to the test in one of the best distraction-filled environments around. Between geese, ducks, squirrels, pigeons, and plenty of people enjoying the park, there was no shortage of things competing for her attention. Needless to say, "Off" was definitely the word of the day!
The purpose of outings like this is to teach Molly that she doesn't have to investigate or react to everything happening around her. Instead, she's learning that her focus should stay on her handler unless she's given permission otherwise. The great thing about mentally engaging a dog through obedience is that it naturally redirects their energy.
Rather than spending all her time scanning the environment for the next exciting thing, Molly became much more invested in working and figuring out what I was asking of her.
She certainly kept things entertaining with her enthusiasm! Molly was more than happy to hop up onto the park benches whenever the opportunity presented itself, showing off both her confidence and athleticism. We also continued working on Down, and while she was a bit more resistant today, that's completely normal. Down asks a dog to lower themselves into one of their most vulnerable positions, and in a stimulating environment where so much is happening around them, many dogs would rather stay upright so they can keep an eye on everything. With patience, consistency, and clear communication, she'll continue building the confidence to relax into the command no matter what's happening around her.
Lake Balboa is proving to be a fantastic classroom, so we'll likely be making another visit soon. Every successful repetition around all these exciting temptations helps reinforce that staying engaged with her handler is far more rewarding than chasing every distraction that catches her eye.
Molly is making great strides, and she's learning that the only thing worth chasing is success!
Bonus photo!
Pupdate 7/12
Today Molly and I headed back to Lake Balboa to continue building on yesterday's progress, with a big emphasis on her Down command both on the ground and while working from Place. Returning to the same environment is an important part of training because confidence is built through successful repetition. Rather than constantly introducing brand-new locations, revisiting an area full of familiar distractions allows Molly to realize that she already knows how to navigate this environment. As her comfort grows, so does her ability to focus on her commands instead of everything happening around her.
I'm especially happy with how her Come to Sit is coming along. She's beginning to understand that coming when called isn't just about getting to me, it's about finishing neatly at my left side, ready for whatever command comes next. Each repetition is becoming smoother and more confident, and she's putting the pieces together nicely.
Now... Down is another story. While today's performance was a noticeable improvement over yesterday's, it is still, without question, Molly's least favorite command. Every time I ask for it, I get the world's biggest stink eye as if I've personally inconvenienced her by requesting such an outrageous task. Instead of simply lying down, she'll let out an exaggerated huff before dramatically splooting onto the ground as though she's making the greatest sacrifice imaginable. It's certainly a bit of theatrical flair, but at the end of the day, obedience is obedience!
Even if she insists on adding a healthy dose of sass to the performance, she's still completing the command, and that's what matters. I may be internally shaking my head at her little temper tantrums, but I can't help but laugh at the personality she brings to every training session.On a small side note of her eating habits, she really seems perfectly content to just nibble at her topper and leave the rest. She has such an expectant look on her face when I check her bowl like "I had the parts I wanted, take it back."
About the only thing Molly seems to be Down with is the sassiness!
Pupdate 7/13
Today Molly took a trip out to Klingerman Park where we expanded her training by working around other Off Leash trainers and their dogs. This type of environment is incredibly valuable because it introduces a whole new level of distraction while still allowing us to reinforce the commands she already knows. It's one thing for a dog to perform obedience when the biggest distraction is a passing squirrel or a jogger. It's another thing entirely when there are several dogs nearby that look like they could be potential new friends. Training around other dogs helps teach Molly that obedience doesn't end the moment something exciting appears. Instead, she learns that she can acknowledge distractions without immediately acting on them.
Needless to say, Molly certainly had to dig deep today. Being the social girl that she is, she had a very strong desire to go say hello, engage, and see what all the other dogs were up to. Throughout the session, we focused on maintaining her Heel, practicing her duration work, and rewarding her for choosing patience over impulse. While she would have much preferred to introduce herself to every dog in attendance, she gradually began to understand that staying focused and waiting for direction was the faster path to success.
One of the most important lessons a dog can learn is that they don't need to act on every impulse they have. Excitement is perfectly normal, but learning how to channel that excitement appropriately is what creates a reliable companion. Molly made some great choices today and showed that even when temptation is high, she's becoming more capable of putting her training first.
I'd say Molly earned an A+ in patience today, though if it were up to her, she'd have majored in her Doctorate in Meet-and-Greet Studies.
Pupdate 7/14
(I thought I captured a nice moment, but the sass never stops with Molly!)
Today Molly and I took our training to Century City Mall, where we had the perfect opportunity to practice her commands in a very high-distraction environment. With a FIFA tournament taking place, the mall was absolutely buzzing with people. Families, shoppers, excited soccer fans, loud conversations, and constant movement created an atmosphere that would tempt just about any dog to lose focus.
As expected, Molly certainly had a few moments where the excitement got the better of her. Whether it was someone walking by or something interesting catching her eye, I had to remind her with an "Off" to disengage from whatever had stolen her attention. That's exactly why we train in environments like this. The goal isn't to expect perfection right away; it's to teach her that even when something exciting happens, she can acknowledge it and then choose to refocus on her handler. I'm happy to say that after those reminders, she settled back into work and stayed with me for the majority of our outing, making some very nice decisions despite everything going on around us.
We're continuing to spend extra time polishing her Down command, which remains her least favorite request. Molly has made it abundantly clear that if she had a vote, Down simply wouldn't exist! While she's becoming much more consistent with completing the command, she still can't resist adding her own little commentary.
Every now and then she'll give me that signature look of disapproval before dramatically easing herself to the ground with an exaggerated huff, as if I've asked her to perform the most impossible task imaginable. It's a bit theatrical, but the important part is that she's following through. As she learns that Down is simply another expectation, not a negotiation, that little bit of sass will continue to fade.
Though I might take some time if the photos are any proof!
Overall, Molly handled today's busy outing wonderfully and continues to grow more confident with each adventure. Every successful trip into a distracting environment helps strengthen her reliability, proving that even with plenty going on around her, she can choose to stay engaged with her training.
Safe to say Molly is making great progress... she's just convinced every Down deserves an Academy Award performance first!
Pupdate 7/15
Today, Molly and I returned to Century City for another round of exposure training! With the crowds, noises, people, dogs, and all the general chaos of a busy shopping center, there was certainly no shortage of distractions for our girl to experience.
Now, I would love to tell you that Molly walked through the mall like a perfectly polished little professional from start to finish… but that would be a little too generous to her. Her focus today was, shall we say, sporadic at best. One moment she was locked in and doing exactly what we asked, and the next, something in the environment would suddenly become the most fascinating thing she had ever seen in her entire life.
But honestly? That’s okay! Exposure training is not about expecting a dog to immediately be perfect in every new environment. The whole point is to give them opportunities to experience distractions, process what’s happening around them, and learn that they can still listen and work even when the world is busy. Some days they are more focused, some days they are a little more… “Oh my gosh, did you see that?”
Molly still did a great job working through those moments. Whenever her attention wandered, we calmly redirected her back to the task at hand and continued working. Each repetition helps her understand that the exciting environment around her doesn't get to dictate her behavior. With more practice, those sporadic moments of distraction will become fewer and farther between as she gains confidence and learns how to better manage everything happening around her.
Overall, another productive day for our girl! She may not have been perfectly consistent today, but every moment she worked through a distraction was another step toward becoming a more focused and reliable companion in the real world.
Pupdate 7/16
(Silly Molly with her tail mid wag!)
Today Molly and I headed back out to Lake Balboa to begin working on an exciting new step in her training journey: leash dragging! This is an important transition as we work toward eventually having her reliable off leash. Rather than simply removing the leash and expecting her to suddenly understand all the rules, leash dragging allows us to give her more freedom while still having a safety net available if needed. She gets to experience what it's like to move around with more independence, while I can still calmly step in and regain control if she makes a poor decision.
This is also a great way to test whether Molly truly understands her commands without constant leash guidance. She has to make the choice to stay engaged, listen, and maintain her training even when she has more freedom to do whatever she wants. And with squirrels and geese especially abundant during today's outing, she had plenty of opportunities to make some questionable decisions!
Thankfully, Molly showed some fantastic restraint. Despite having plenty of tempting critters around her, she didn't try to take off after a single one. That's a huge win and a great sign that she's beginning to understand that just because something catches her eye doesn't mean she gets to chase it. Instead, she stayed with me and continued working through the distractions like the good girl she is. Well done, Molly!
Every successful session with more freedom brings her one step closer to being genuinely reliable off leash. She's learning that independence doesn't mean ignoring her training; it means carrying that training with her even when the leash isn't doing the reminding.
Molly is officially entering her leash-dragging era, and with this much restraint, I'd say she's really starting to pull off her training! Nailed it.
Pupdate 7/17
Today Molly and I headed back to Lake Balboa once more, but with a little change of pace! Lately, I've been incredibly impressed with how well she has been following my lead. As she becomes more comfortable and independent off leash, she's developed a great sense of perception and has become very tuned in to my body language and direction. She's doing a fantastic job of reading what I want from her, even before I always need to say anything.
However, with that progress comes an important next step. While it's wonderful that Molly is so connected to me, I also want her to understand that her training and obedience don't depend solely on one person. So today, I had fellow off-leash trainer Heather work with her as well. Heather has had minimal interaction with Molly, making her the perfect person to test whether Molly could take the skills she's learned and apply them with someone else.
And Molly absolutely rose to the occasion! Despite working with someone she's much less familiar with, she was still able to follow direction, respond to commands, and adjust to Heather's handling. You can see for yourself in the video just how smart this girl is! She did incredibly well and showed that she isn't simply memorizing one person's routine; she's genuinely beginning to understand her training.
This is a huge step toward building a truly confident and reliable off-leash dog. Molly is learning that her commands, expectations, and good decision-making skills apply no matter who is holding the leash; or, in this case, whether anyone is holding one at all!
Molly is proving that she's not just a good student... she's got class!
Pupdate 7/18
After hitting Molly's training pretty hard over the last week, today we decided to take things a little easier and enjoy a simple neighborhood walk. Of course, "simple" doesn't mean unproductive! We spent the entire walk practicing her commands off leash, giving her the opportunity to demonstrate that she can carry her training into a more casual environment without needing constant structure or correction.
And she did fantastic! Despite the local wildlife doing its absolute best to tempt her, including one particularly bold squirrel down the street who seemed determined to test her self-control, Molly stayed close by instead of taking off after it. That may sound like a small thing, but it's actually a huge indicator of progress. The goal of off-leash training isn't just to have a dog perform commands in a controlled training session; it's to build the judgment and impulse control to make good decisions even when something exciting suddenly appears.
Today was a great example of Molly beginning to understand that freedom comes with responsibility. She had plenty of opportunities to wander, investigate, or chase after distractions, but instead she chose to stay near me and continue checking in. After a week of more structured and intensive training, a relaxed walk like this also gives her the chance to practice those same skills without feeling like every moment has to be a formal lesson.
Sometimes the best test of training is seeing whether a dog can simply enjoy being a dog while still making good choices. And Molly absolutely nailed that today!
She may have gone for a casual stroll, but Molly is proving that she's got her training squirrel-ed away!
Pupdate 7/19
Today Molly and I took ourselves on one last venture out to Lake Balboa, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to put all of her hard work to the test. With the hustle and bustle of the weekend celebrations bringing plenty of people, noise, movement, and distractions to the area, I decided to see how well Molly could handle everything she's learned during her time with me.
And I have to say... the video speaks for itself! Molly was completely off leash, walking alongside me with strangers passing by and all sorts of noises and activity happening around her. Despite having every opportunity to wander off, investigate, or get distracted, she chose to stay with me and continue following my direction. That's an incredible accomplishment, especially considering how much more freedom she now has.
This is exactly what all of her training has been building toward. The goal was never simply to have Molly perform commands in a quiet or controlled environment. It's about teaching her to make good decisions when the world around her is busy and exciting. Today, she demonstrated that she can take everything she's learned and apply it in a real-world setting, even when there are plenty of distractions competing for her attention.
I genuinely could not be prouder of her. Molly has worked incredibly hard throughout her time with me, and seeing her confidently navigate such a busy environment completely off leash was the perfect way to showcase just how far she's come.
Well done, Molly! You've worked hard, learned so much, and absolutely knocked this final test out of the park!
Pupdate 7/20
Today Molly and I headed out to Klingerman Park to meet up with fellow trainers and their dogs! It was a great opportunity to practice her skills in a social environment, especially since she was working completely off leash.
To her credit, Molly handled herself very well. She was able to move around the park, interact with the other dogs, and remain generally responsive despite all the excitement happening around her. Of course, Molly is also a very social girl who gets especially excited when it comes to playtime. And when she sees an opportunity to have a little fun, she is more than happy to test the boundaries and see exactly how much she can get away with!
That's why staying firm and consistent is so important. Once a command has been given, Molly needs to understand that it remains in effect until she's released, not until something more exciting comes along. Even while she's playing or surrounded by distractions, I continued reminding her of the expectations and reinforcing the commands when needed. This helps her learn that obedience isn't something she only has to do when it's convenient. She can still have fun, but she also needs to be able to listen when asked.
That consistency is especially important for an off-leash dog. Molly has earned more freedom because she's learning to make good choices, but freedom doesn't mean she gets to rewrite the rules whenever she feels like it! By calmly following through and reminding her when necessary, she learns that listening is simply part of the deal.
Overall, Molly did a fantastic job and continues to show how much progress she's made. She may be a little too enthusiastic about testing the limits, but she's also proving that she can listen, refocus, and get back to work when asked.
Molly may be a social butterfly, but today she learned that even butterflies have to stay within the lines!
Pupdate 7/21
Today was Molly's last day with me, so instead of heading out for one last field trip, I decided to spend our time around the house putting the finishing touches on the skills she'll use every single day. We focused on greeting manners, door manners, food manners, and car manners; some of the most practical lessons a dog can learn. While these exercises may not be as flashy as practicing in a busy park or shopping center, they're what make the biggest difference in day-to-day life. Teaching a dog to remain composed when visitors arrive, patiently wait at doors instead of rushing through them, resist the temptation of unattended food, and calmly load into the car helps create a safer, more enjoyable companion both at home and on the go. It's all about reinforcing self-control and showing Molly that patience is almost always rewarded.
As you can see in today's video, Molly absolutely knocked it out of the park. Whether it was waiting politely, exercising restraint around food, or remaining calm during greetings, she handled each task with the confidence and discipline we've worked so hard to build. At this point, I honestly couldn't be prouder of her. She knew exactly what was expected of her and carried it out beautifully, showing just how much she's matured over the course of our time together.
I've truly enjoyed getting to know Molly. While our journey together was only a few weeks long, it's been incredibly rewarding watching her grow into a more thoughtful, responsive, and well-mannered dog. Every dog leaves an impression in their own way, and Molly certainly did. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of her journey, and I hope her family continues to build on everything she's learned so she can keep growing into the amazing dog I know she's capable of being.
Good luck out there, Molly! Keep making your family proud, keep showing off that brilliant mind of yours, and never stop being your wonderful self. It's not goodbye, it's just the next step on your paw-some journey!
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