Mookie | Great Dane/Pitbull | Thousand Oaks | In - Training
- cristianoffleash
- Jun 8
- 20 min read
Updated: Jun 21
Mookie is a 1-year-old Great Dane mix from Thousand Oaks who has joined us for a two-week Board and Train program. He’s here to work on several behavioral challenges that have become concerning for his family. At home, Mookie has been getting into frequent fights with his canine sibling. He also reacts strongly to other dogs, barking at them from a distance and becoming increasingly agitated as they approach. Additionally, Mookie tends to jump on strangers—a behavior that can be intimidating due to his size—and has a habit of biting or chewing on random objects, which can be dangerous depending on what he gets hold of. Most concerning, Mookie has recently started displaying protective or aggressive behavior around a child in the household. This is something we’ll be closely monitoring and addressing during his training.
Over the next two weeks, I’ll be working with Mookie to improve his obedience, build impulse control, and help him develop a clearer understanding of boundaries and appropriate behavior. Follow along to see his progress as we help him become a more balanced and well-mannered companion!
Pupdate 6/8/2025
Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Mookie for the first time. He was initially cautious during our introduction, but I remained calm and confident to help him feel more comfortable. I gave him time and space to approach me at his own pace, allowing him to sniff and investigate. This helped him settle quickly, and I was able to pet him without any hesitation or signs of discomfort.
Once we got on the road to my hometown, Mookie was quiet and calm in the crate throughout the entire car ride, showing no signs of stress. After arriving, we made a stop near a local park to stretch our legs and get some exercise. Mookie appeared happy and confident while exploring the area. We walked past the dog park to observe his reaction to other dogs. At first, he seemed a bit fearful when he saw dogs running toward the fence. However, after a few minutes, he began using his nose to investigate the surroundings and eventually was able to greet the dogs on more positive terms.
We returned to the park area to let Mookie enjoy some more freedom and fun before practicing a few basic obedience commands. He responded well to recall, sit, and down, though he struggled a bit with holding the duration. That’s completely normal for a first day. I continued reinforcing these commands to build engagement and begin establishing our training relationship.
Later, we headed back to my home, where Mookie met my family. He entered the house confidently and noticed my parents moving around, but I didn’t allow him to approach too freely, as his body language suggested he might jump in excitement. I kept the interaction calm and structured. When we entered my room, Mookie saw my personal dog, Hunter, in his crate. He was hesitant to approach at first, but I allowed him time to observe and get comfortable from a distance. Once he began using his nose and showed relaxed body language, I praised him for his good behavior. We then went to the front yard to work on more training and reinforce the basics of obedience.
So far, Mookie has been adjusting well and is showing great behavior during his stay. I’m excited to continue working with him and guide him through his obedience training journey. Stay tuned for more updates as Mookie progresses with me as his personal dog trainer!
Pupdate 6/9/2025
Today, we took a trip to Whittier Narrows Park in El Monte, CA, to train around some off-leash dogs and their handlers. These friends and their dogs provided a great opportunity for Mookie to practice staying calm and focused in a stimulating environment.
When we first arrived, Mookie did a great job staying by my side. He didn’t try to take the lead and walked with a consistent pace all the way to our meeting spot. Once we got there, Mookie had the chance to meet Ruby and Oso—two very friendly Labradors owned by Mike. He greeted both dogs calmly, without showing any signs of aggression or discomfort, which was a great start to our session.
In the first video clip, after our friends joined us, I worked on managing Mookie’s impulse control. With all the new people, dogs, and activity around us, it was a challenging setting, but a perfect opportunity for training. Mookie repeatedly tried to get up and come to me, but I consistently redirected him back into position. Despite his eagerness, I remained patient and firm, ensuring he stayed in place. With enough repetition, Mookie began to settle for longer periods. Once he reached a neutral and calm state, I gave him his “break” command—his release cue—and praised him for his good behavior.
In the second video, we moved to a quieter path away from the group to focus on Mookie’s heeling and recall training. My main goal here was to reinforce walking nicely on leash and building a stronger recall foundation. At one point, people passed by while Mookie was in a sit, and although he startled slightly, I calmly redirected him back to his original position. We practiced several rounds of recall to help Mookie respond more quickly and reliably. After the video ended, we continued our recall work and took a full lap around the park before stopping for a water break.
For the remainder of the visit, we stayed near our friends as they trained their dogs around us. This gave Mookie more chances to practice staying calm in a high-distraction setting. He did very well overall, holding his down-stay command for extended periods. While he occasionally got up without reason, I redirected him each time and reinforced the expected behavior. By the end of the session, Mookie showed noticeable improvement—confidently remaining in place even as people and dogs passed by.
Pupdate 6/10/2025
This morning, I took Mookie and my personal dog, Hunter, on a walk together. Before we left, I gave them some time to sniff and get acquainted with each other. Once they seemed comfortable, I put on their collars and leashes, and we headed out. The walk went very well—Mookie maintained a steady pace and didn’t bother Hunter at all.
In the video above, we’re practicing door manners with Mookie. The goal is to help him understand how to behave when the front door opens. I guide him through each step slowly and deliberately, working toward being able to open the door fully without him reacting impulsively. If he gets distracted by movement or sound outside and tries to act on it, I immediately redirect him back into obedience. While walking toward the front or even into the kitchen, Mookie often tries to follow me. I'm using the e-collar to help reinforce boundaries and make it clear that he shouldn't act on those impulses. Since we're still in the early stages of Mookie’s board-and-train program, it's perfectly normal for him to make mistakes. Training is a process of trial and error, and our focus is on shaping reliable behavior over time. Once Mookie learns to stay still and composed while I move freely, I’ll reward him with a “break” command to release him and positively reinforce his good behavior.
After the video, we went for a walk around the neighborhood and then spent some time in the backyard. I allowed the dogs to socialize freely. At this point, their interaction is limited to sniffing and calmly lying near each other. They’re acknowledging each other’s presence, but it's still too early to tell if they’ll become playmates.
Later in the day, we continued training in the front yard, focusing on obedience commands for conditioning and to strengthen our bond. Mookie seems to be responding quicker to my cues, which shows he's becoming more engaged and respectful during our sessions.
Pupdate 6/11/2025
This morning began with our usual routine — a walk with Hunter followed by some time in the backyard to allow the dogs to socialize. While they didn’t make any new efforts to rekindle their friendship today, they continued showing interest in each other by sniffing when given the opportunity.
Around noon, we took a trip to Home Depot in Anaheim, CA to work on obedience training in a public setting. Upon entering, Mookie appeared nervous due to the unfamiliar environment. He lagged behind me with noticeable hesitation and was reluctant to perform a sit next to me. I took my time walking him slowly through the store, as anything unfamiliar seemed to make him timid and easily distracted.
As we trained in individual aisles, we began making some progress. However, when I applied the e-collar for redirection, Mookie would occasionally yelp, which seemed to decrease his motivation. To help him feel more at ease, I put the remote away and continued working with him on-leash, focusing on creating a calmer and more positive experience during our visit.
After about 20 minutes of leash work and reinforcing commands, I reintroduced the e-collar. Mookie managed better, but he continued to show hesitation with the “sit” command — often taking two steps backward before sitting. We’ll continue working on this behavior if it persists. Aside from that, he performed his other obedience commands with minimal issues. It's clear that Mookie could benefit from more confidence-building exercises in public spaces, as he seemed a bit unsettled during today’s outing.
To finish off the day, we focused on reinforcing obedience commands at home. We also revisited door manners and incorporated treat-based training to keep Mookie engaged and motivated. These at-home sessions are helping maintain his progress and building a stronger foundation for future outings.
Pupdate 6/12/2025
Today, we visited Wilderness Park in Downey, CA to work on Mookie’s obedience training and public exposure in an outdoor setting. Upon arrival, we started with a lap around the park, practicing commands along the way. Early on, Mookie showed a tendency to lag behind, but I remained patient and mindful not to overuse the e-collar as a correction.
We then moved to an open grassy area where I encouraged Mookie to run around and be more active. This helped boost his energy and engagement. Once he appeared more confident and eager to follow commands, I began reintroducing the e-collar for reinforcement. As we continued our walk around the park, we encountered ducks and geese, which initially made Mookie anxious and fearful. I took my time navigating this situation, keeping him close and allowing him to investigate using his nose. I avoided speaking or repeating commands, instead guiding him with gentle leash pressure. After passing by the ducks twice, Mookie became noticeably more comfortable and was even willing to pose for a picture near them.
In the video above, we are near the park’s pond, demonstrating Mookie’s behavior after spending some time in the environment. His obedience has become more consistent, although his responses remain somewhat slow. This appears to be linked to the intermittent use of the e-collar. During the session, we practiced recall, sit, heel, and place. Mookie completed each command when prompted, and I rewarded him with praise and a break after his successful performance. In the final video clip, we focused on the "down" command. Mookie patiently held the position as I walked around him in a circle, a drill designed to improve his impulse control—particularly his ability to stay put when someone moves behind him. He maintained his down command without breaking, and I rewarded him with a release and positive reinforcement for his excellent behavior.
Overall, Mookie shows growing confidence, especially during extended periods without e-collar input. However, when the e-collar is used for redirection, he sometimes becomes hesitant, which indicates we need to continue building his trust and clarity in those moments.
Pupdate 6/13/2025
This morning, we followed our usual routine with a 45-minute walk before returning home to let the dogs socialize in the backyard. They’re beginning to show more playful behaviors and seem increasingly comfortable around each other. However, a strong “best friend” bond doesn’t seem to be forming just yet. Their play sessions are brief, and they both tend to enjoy roaming independently—which is completely fine and natural at this stage.
Later in the day, we visited Anaheim Pet & Feed Co. to practice obedience training in a controlled indoor environment and hopefully get some positive social interaction with the staff, who are familiar with me and generally enjoy the dogs I bring in. Upon entering, Mookie was very curious and tried to sniff most of the shelves and counters. I consistently redirected his attention, encouraging him to keep his head forward and stay engaged with me rather than becoming distracted by the surroundings. We took our time working through obedience commands in the aisles, focusing on structure and precision. If Mookie performed a sit but turned to look at something else before fully settling, I would either redirect him or take a step forward to bring his attention back in line with mine. The goal was to keep him mentally engaged and physically aligned during every command.
After about 20–30 minutes, I noticed a shift—Mookie’s confidence began to show. He started accepting treats from my hand, which is significant given his usual hesitance during training. On many days, his stubborn streak makes it hard to introduce new commands, but today was different. With the help of some store employees, who kindly offered treats and interacted with him, Mookie responded very well. He accepted treats from every person he met.
One woman, in particular, was excited to meet him—he reminded her of her own Great Dane mix. She enthusiastically greeted him with baby talk and compliments, which made Mookie visibly happy and excited to interact. Impressively, he greeted her calmly without jumping, which was a great milestone. To wrap up our visit, we focused on duration training for the "down" command, building up to a solid 2–3 minutes before releasing him. He performed this exercise well, maintaining good focus throughout.
For the remainder of the day, we practiced loose-leash walking in front of the house as preparation for future off-leash training. As expected, Mookie moved at a slow, steady pace but stayed consistently by my side. He showed no desire to wander off, and at times even leaned into my leg while heeling, which was a great indicator of trust and engagement.
Pupdate 6/14/2025
This morning began with our usual routine—a 45-minute walk with Hunter. After returning home, we let the dogs play in the backyard. They seemed more energetic than usual today and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company during playtime.
In the video above, we demonstrate our door manners using the side gate that leads into the backyard. Mookie showed great confidence and self-control, allowing me to walk all the way to the front of the house and back—even when I was completely out of his line of sight. My father was also in the backyard, walking in and out while working, but Mookie remained focused and maintained his down-stay command without issue. When I returned to close the gate, I noticed Mookie’s paw was in the way, so instead of forcing it, I approached from the side, left the gate open, and gave him a release command ("break"), followed by praise. I repeated the exercise a second time, and again Mookie held his position calmly and confidently until I returned and released him with more praise.
Later, we worked on off-leash obedience while walking around the neighborhood without Hunter. Unexpectedly, Mookie became uneasy near a particular house, despite there being no visible distractions. I used the e-collar to correct his position and bring him back into heel, but he chose to turn around and head back toward our home.
Recognizing his discomfort, I gave him a short break and switched gears—focusing on obedience drills using treats and toys to rebuild his confidence and keep him motivated. After that, we tried the walk again, this time with the leash dragging loosely. Mookie completed the walk without hesitation, even calmly passing the same house that had previously triggered his discomfort.
I took Mookie to Cerritos Mall in Cerritos, CA to help him gain exposure and practice his obedience skills in a public setting. We started by walking around the mall to let Mookie get familiar with the environment, including the crowds, noise, and general atmosphere. He adjusted quickly and appeared happy and comfortable, which gave me the confidence to begin working on his obedience exercises throughout the mall.
We focused on practicing duration holds, especially the "down" command. Because some areas had smooth, slippery flooring, I had Mookie perform his sits and downs on sections with more traction to prevent him from sliding. We practiced in high-traffic areas to simulate real-life distractions, and Mookie responded very well in each instance.
At one point, two individuals attempted to provoke Mookie by behaving erratically. I immediately gave him the "leave it" command, which he followed, keeping his attention on me and ignoring their actions. One of these individuals, a young woman, later approached Mookie attempting to get his attention again. I confronted her calmly and asked her to walk away, explaining that Mookie was in training. I also reminded her that it's important not to approach a dog without first asking the handler, especially when the dog is working. Had she asked respectfully, I likely would have allowed her to greet him.
After this brief incident, several other people approached with curiosity and respect, asking for permission before interacting with Mookie. These encounters were positive and went smoothly, particularly because many of these individuals understood dog training and proper etiquette around working animals. By the end of our visit, Mookie and I were enjoying ourselves while continuing our training. We received multiple compliments from other visitors who were impressed by how well-behaved and focused Mookie was in such a busy environment.
Pupdate 6/15/2025
Happy Father’s Day!
We started the day early with a morning walk and some playtime in the backyard to get everyone’s energy out before beginning our day. The dogs spent about 30 minutes outside, enjoying some playtime together. Mookie played nicely but didn’t get overly excited, and throughout their time outside, he didn’t display any problematic behaviors. He consistently showed a desire to play in a positive and respectful way.
In the video above, my younger brother Nick is working with Mookie on obedience training. Nick has a solid foundation in training since I’ve been teaching him about it from a young age. I asked Nick to use only leash pressure while giving commands, which helps build a bond with Mookie while maintaining control. Nick executed each command smoothly and rewarded Mookie after each one, helping Mookie learn to listen and respond to others—even those younger than me—using the same rules and manners.
At one point, my mom came home with groceries from Costco, so I stepped in to help her while Nick stayed with Mookie. I was pleased to see that Mookie didn’t try to follow me or act impulsively—he remained focused on Nick and stayed calm.
In the final clip, we practiced a training scenario involving knocking on the door. When Nick knocked and entered, Mookie didn’t bark or vocalize—he simply looked toward the door while staying in a down position. I then increased the challenge by knocking more loudly myself, and Mookie still remained composed. I rewarded him with praise for his calm behavior.
As the weather warmed up, we moved inside to keep cool. Nick spent some quality bonding time with Mookie, laying on the floor with him, giving belly rubs, and offering treats to make the experience enjoyable and memorable.
Later in the day, our family came over to celebrate Father’s Day. I had Mookie meet guests while on leash so I could control the introduction process. If he were off-leash, he might act impulsively, so using the leash allows me to grant permission for him to greet people in a controlled manner. During our backyard meal, Mookie stayed in a down position and did well throughout the visit.
Pupdate 6/16/2025
Today, we visited South El Monte, CA to meet up with some friends from OffLeash and work on Mookie’s obedience training. When we first arrived, Mookie maintained a consistent walking pace with me, even on grass—a surface that sometimes distracts him. We began our training under the gazebo at the park, practicing impulse control in the presence of other dogs. Mookie handled the environment well and didn’t seem bothered by the other dogs around him.
In the first video, we focused on loose leash walking in a low-distraction area. I used a 15-foot leash during the session to allow for freedom while still maintaining control in case Mookie decided to make independent choices. While walking and giving obedience commands, Mookie seemed focused and responsive. However, we’ll need to continue this type of training in various environments to ensure he can eventually work reliably off-leash.
We also practiced recall and the "down" command. Overall, Mookie responded well, though when called for recall, he tends to sit slightly off to one side rather than in the proper heel position. During our walk, he remained neutral and calm, and I released him with a “break” command to reward and reinforce his positive behavior.
In the second video, we moved to the open field to test his focus with more natural distractions, such as scents on the ground. Mookie stayed engaged with me throughout. I kept the session light and fun, running and walking with him to create a positive, memorable experience. When I asked for a down, he responded quickly and stayed in position even as I moved behind him—showing growing confidence and trust. After that session, we stayed on the grass a bit longer to continue reinforcing his training.
By the end of our visit, Mookie had a chance to rest and rehydrate. While other trainers continued working nearby, Mookie stayed in his down position without reacting impulsively. Eventually, he fell asleep, so I moved him onto a place mat to rest while the others continued their training around us. Back at home, Mookie relaxed with Hunter, and as the weather cooled down, I had my younger brother work with him. This gave Mookie another opportunity to practice his obedience commands with a teenager, which helps build his confidence and reinforces his ability to respond to different handlers.
Pupdate 6/17/2025
This morning began with our usual routine—a walk with Hunter. After returning home, the dogs enjoyed some playtime together in the backyard.
Later, we headed to Lemon Park in Fullerton to relax in a shaded area, since most other parks were too exposed to the heat. We made an effort to stay cool by sticking to shaded spots. The park was relatively quiet, which made it a good opportunity to focus on obedience training. We began with on-leash work to ensure safety and to help Mookie become more familiar with his surroundings. After some time practicing commands, I removed Mookie’s leash to work on his off-leash obedience. In the first video, you can see Mookie walking with me, following commands such as heel, recall, sit, and place while remaining off-leash. At one point, I asked him to "place" and then walked toward the nearby fountain where kids were playing. I quickly returned to begin recall practice. When I called him, Mookie initially returned to the place mat instead. After some redirection, he responded appropriately, and we moved to a more shaded area to continue practicing recall.
In the second video, we repeated the recall command several times. Mookie began to get playful and tried to walk ahead of me instead of maintaining a proper heel position. With consistent redirection and the help of the e-collar, he became more responsive and eventually followed the structure I was asking for. After ending our park session with a short break, we returned home to avoid the peak heat. At home, we shifted focus to other aspects of training, including door manners, food manners, and loading into the car. Once the temperature cooled down later in the day, my brother also spent some additional time working with Mookie on his training.
Pupdate 6/18/2025
Today, we took a trip to the Santa Monica Pier to expose Mookie to a busy, stimulating environment and assess his obedience and overall performance in a public setting. As we walked down the pier, we encountered many people, which naturally made Mookie a bit nervous at first. However, he was still able to respond to commands and ignore most distractions around him.
After spending some time walking and observing his behavior, I noticed that Mookie was growing more confident. He was able to train with the leash dragging, demonstrating consistency in his obedience. Once I felt he was reliable and focused, I took the leash off and began running him through his commands off-leash.
In the video above, you can see Mookie's off-leash obedience in action at the Santa Monica Pier. We walk along the pier, I cue him to place, then recall him, and we continue our walk before ending the session with an extended sit. After he completed his final command, I released him with praise to mark the moment with positivity and reward.
After the session, we took a break to rest and give Mookie some water as the day began to warm up. While sitting, several people approached us, complimenting Mookie’s behavior and commenting on how well-trained he seemed compared to other dogs they had encountered. A mother and her daughter asked if they could greet him. I gave them permission, and Mookie remained calm and composed during the interaction.
We spent the final moments allowing Mookie to continue desensitizing to the crowd. As groups of people and other dogs passed by, I made sure to praise him for staying focused and well-behaved, reinforcing a positive mindset and helping him build more confidence in busy environments.
Pupdate 6/19/2025
Today we returned to Anaheim Pet & Feed to do some indoor training and avoid the heat, as the past few days in Fullerton have been especially warm. When we first arrived, I kept Mookie on leash to help him ease into the visit calmly, without getting overly excited before going inside. As we approached the entrance, Mookie began to pull ahead, eager to go in. To address this, I turned around and walked him back outside so we could re-enter the store together in a more controlled and intentional manner.
Once inside, we began practicing some of our foundational commands. After observing how confident and focused Mookie was, I removed his leash and transitioned into off-leash obedience work. He did an excellent job maintaining his recall, sit, and down commands, even with shoppers and distractions around him.
Several store employees came over to greet Mookie, and they were excited to see him. I used these moments as training opportunities, rewarding Mookie with praise and occasional treats to reinforce that interactions with new people are positive and enjoyable experiences. We spent some time near the front registers, allowing Mookie to practice staying calm around foot traffic and additional greetings. After about an hour of training in the store, we headed back home to relax with Hunter and wait for the temperature to cool down.
Later in the day, I had my brother, Nick, work with Mookie for another 30 minutes outside the house. They focused on basic obedience commands, which Mookie is responding to well. Occasionally, Mookie would try to make his way over to me, so I made sure to avoid engaging with him—no eye contact or physical interaction—to help reinforce Nick's leadership and keep Mookie's focus on him. Nick also worked with Mookie on door manners and food manners, both of which are progressing nicely.
Pupdate 6/20/2025
This morning, we followed our usual routine with a walk to start the day. However, instead of our typical post-walk playtime, I focused on Mookie’s obedience training. Since the temperature was cooler in the morning, it was a great opportunity to work on training before the heat set in. After our training session, I let the dogs enjoy some playtime in the backyard.
The video above shows Mookie and Hunter playing together. When they first met, Hunter didn’t seem very interested in Mookie—he typically takes a few days to warm up to new dogs. What really helped build their confidence and bond was going on walks together. During these walks, I allowed them time to sniff each other, especially when they were on the grass for potty breaks. This gave them a natural, low-pressure way to get familiar with one another. After a few days of this, they became comfortable being around each other without any issues.
In the video, their play may appear rough or aggressive at times. However, this is common for certain breeds and is a normal part of their play style and body language. One thing I’ve noticed about Mookie is that he tends to keep trying to engage Hunter in play even when Hunter is ready to stop. When this happens, I step in and have Mookie do a down-stay using his obedience command, allowing both dogs to settle and catch their breath. After a short break, I give the release cue, “break,” which either leads to more play or signals that it’s time to follow me back inside.
We spent most of the day continuing Mookie’s obedience training indoors to avoid the afternoon heat. Once it cooled down in the evening, we went out front so my brother could get more involved in Mookie’s training and continue building consistency with him.
Pupdate 6/21/2025
This morning followed our usual routine—starting with a walk with Hunter, followed by some playtime in the backyard. While we were outside, our neighbors had workers in their yard using tools and making noise. Despite the distractions, Mookie remained calm and didn't bark at them, showing great composure. He and Hunter played together for about fifteen minutes before we took Mookie out for some more one-on-one fun.
In the video above, we headed to a nearby park to give Mookie some off-leash freedom to roam on the grass. I ran around to encourage him to engage and follow me, and he stayed close, clearly motivated to be near me. I mixed up my movements—changing directions and waving my hands—which made it feel like a game to Mookie. While he may have interpreted it as play, my goal was to reinforce his focus and responsiveness. When necessary, I used his e-collar only to correct unwanted behaviors such as play-biting or jumping. We also practiced some obedience commands at the park. Mookie was a bit slow to respond to the “down” command, but with patience and a calm, gentle tone, he eventually followed through. After our training, we stopped by the dog park, but unfortunately it was empty, so we headed back home.
The final video clip shows Mookie practicing his door manners off-leash. He waited patiently as I stepped away toward both the front and back doors. When I returned, I gave the “heel” command, and he followed me with good focus toward the front yard.
Later in the day, Mookie spent time reviewing his obedience commands with my brother. Mookie is very comfortable with him and follows his direction with ease, even in my presence. He no longer tries to come to me impulsively, showing good progress in focus and impulse control.
As Mookie’s board and train program comes to an end, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see his confidence grow each day. In the beginning, he was nervous when trying new things or visiting unfamiliar places. Over time, though, he has become more willing and open, consistently approaching new experiences with a positive attitude.
Mookie has been nothing but respectful and sweet with me and my family. He has caused no trouble and is always eager to receive affection when offered. The bond between Mookie and Hunter has blossomed over many walks and gradual introductions. Once Hunter became comfortable, one playful bow from him marked the beginning of their daily play sessions. Mookie has shown that he’s a loving, sensitive dog who thrives on affirmation and engagement. With that support, he becomes his happiest, most balanced self. He’s now ready to return home and continue being the amazing dog he’s grown into!
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