Phil | Vizsla | Manhattan Beach, CA | In Training
Updated: Aug 30
Everyone say hello to Phil! Phil is a four-month-old Vizsla who has joined me for our Three-Week Puppy Board and Train Program! He’s a sweet little guy with plenty of personality, but he can be a bit nervous when he’s in new places or meeting new people. Once he gets comfortable and excited, though, his puppy energy really comes out! Phil loves jumping all over people, getting right in their faces, and occasionally showing off those puppy teeth with a little too much play biting.
Over the next twenty-one days, we’ll be working through all of those typical puppy behaviors while building a strong foundation of obedience, manners, confidence, and impulse control. We’ll also spend plenty of time exposing Phil to new environments and experiences so he can learn how to stay calm and confident wherever we go.
He’s got a lot of growing and learning ahead of him, but I’m excited to see how much he can accomplish! Stay tuned for Phil’s three-week transformation!
8/9/2026
After picking up Phil today, we headed over to Almansor Park to spend some time getting to know each other! He was a little timid when we first arrived, taking some time to check out his new surroundings and figure out who I was. Luckily, that shyness didn’t stick around for long! Before I knew it, Phil was coming out of his shell and showing me plenty of his puppy personality.
Once he got comfortable, the jumping and nipping started, along with plenty of affection. Phil is definitely a cuddly little guy and loves being close to me, although he’s still learning that jumping all over people and using his mouth isn’t the best way to say hello!
After our time at the park, we headed home, where Phil settled in surprisingly quickly and took a well-deserved afternoon nap. He’s been a very pleasant little guy to have around so far, and I’m already looking forward to helping him build his confidence, learn some manners, and channel all that puppy energy in the right direction!
It’s only day one, and Phil is already starting to show us who he is. I’m excited to see what the next three weeks have in store!
8/10/2026
Phil and I had a good first full day together! We spent most of our time focusing on the basics, starting with his Sit command and beginning to teach him how to respond to leash pressure instead of pulling against it.
Phil definitely likes to wander and explore while we walk, but he’s already starting to understand that when he reaches the end of the leash, he needs to move back closer to me rather than pulling forward. He’s doing a noticeably better job of making that adjustment, which is great to see this early on!
We’ll continue building on this foundation as we work through his commands and practice his leash manners. He had a good first day, and I’m looking forward to seeing how quickly he continues to pick things up!
8/11/2026
Phil and I spent a lot of time working on his Place command today! For Place, I simply want Phil to hop onto an object like his cot or a bench and remain there until he’s released. He’s starting to do really well with it, and I’m seeing him become more comfortable with the idea of staying put even when I’m not directly interacting with him.
Place is going to be especially useful for Phil at home. There will be plenty of times when I’m doing something that doesn’t involve him, like cooking, cleaning, or working around the house, and having a reliable place for him to settle will make those moments much easier for everyone. He’s already starting to understand that being on Place means he can relax and wait patiently.
We also introduced a Touch command to help build his recall. For now, Phil gets rewarded for bringing his nose to the palm of my hand. He seems to really enjoy this game, and it gives us a simple, positive way to teach him to move toward me when asked. Eventually, I’ll be able to use that motion as a guide for other commands, including Come To Sit.
Phil really seemed to like learning this way, and we made noticeably more progress today using Touch as a foundation! He’s starting to understand what I’m asking and is becoming more engaged with the training. Another good day for Phil!
8/12/2026
Phil and I spent our morning at the park today, putting all the things he’s learned so far to work! We focused especially on his Heel command, and he’s starting to understand the value of staying right by my side. He still has a tendency to get excited and veer off when something catches his attention, but I can feel him doing it less and less every time we go out. Slowly but surely, he’s making some really nice progress, especially for such a little puppy!
Back at home, his Place command has already been coming in handy, and he’s getting better and more comfortable with it each day. Another big win today was that Phil didn’t jump up in my face at all—not even when I was squatting down to play and pet him! That’s a great sign that he’s learning to keep his manners even when he’s excited.
He also hasn’t had a single potty accident and has been doing a great job going potty when he needs to. Lots of little victories adding up to a really good day for Phil!
8/13/2026
Phil and I had a great time together today! We headed to the park and spent some time working more on his Down command. Today, I wanted Phil to start understanding the word itself and responding to it without me needing to help him into position with the leash or lure him down with food.
He’s starting to really pick this up! Phil is beginning to recognize what I’m asking when he hears “Down” and is laying down with much less help from me. It’s great to see him starting to make that connection and respond more independently.
I’m really happy with how today went for Phil. He made some nice progress with his Down command, and I think he had a great time at the park too! Another very productive day for this good boy!
8/14/2026
Phil and I explored a new park today, and he had a really productive day! We spent quite a bit of time working on his Place command using all sorts of different objects, including benches and even the stone water fountains. He did a great job figuring out that Place means hopping up onto whatever surface I ask him to use and staying there.
We also mixed in some playtime, which Phil was more than happy about! Even with the extra fun, I noticed a big improvement in his work today. He was more focused and did a really nice job listening throughout our training.
His potty training is coming along wonderfully too! Phil still hasn't had any accidents inside, which I love to see. Even better, he's starting to understand exactly what I mean when I say "Go Potty!" and is doing a wonderful job taking care of business shortly after we get outside. That's a huge step in the right direction!
Really good stuff from this pup today!
8/15/2026
Today Phil and I spent most of our time working on his Heel command! We’re building on the leash skills he has already been getting good at, and now I want him to take that next step by walking directly at my left side, with his ears staying near my knee as we move.
Phil is learning to pay attention to leash pressure and keep the leash nice and loose while walking, and building upon those skills has helped him pick up this new part of Heel fairly well. He is a curious little pup who loves getting distracted by every little thing we come across, so seeing him start paying more attention to me instead has been great to see!
Heel can be a tough command for such a curious puppy, but Phil has been making steady progress. I think he’s going to do really well with it as we continue practicing!
8/16/2026
Phil and I headed over to Petsmart today for a fun change of scenery and a new environment to explore! He did such a great job from the moment we walked in. There were plenty of distractions for a young pup, including other dogs walking around, lots of people, and even the little birds and hamsters in their cages. Despite all the excitement going on around him, Phil remained very polite and did a great job listening to me and staying focused.
We spent some time walking around the store, practicing his commands and letting him take in all the new sights, sounds, and smells. I especially liked seeing how naturally he handled the other dogs. He was curious without becoming overly excited, and he continued to behave himself even when there was a lot going on around him.
Phil also received several compliments during our visit! Everyone thought he was adorable, of course, but I was especially proud when people commented on what a well-behaved pup he was. He definitely made a great impression today.
This was a really cool environment for Phil to get some exposure in while continuing to build his obedience and confidence. He really impressed me with how mature he was throughout the outing, especially for such a young puppy. We had a great time exploring Petsmart together, and we'll definitely be going back another day to keep working around all those fun distractions!
8/17/2026
Phil and I had a packed day today! We met up with another dog and spent some time practicing his Heel and impulse control around a dog distraction. It’s important for Phil to understand that being around other dogs means staying calm and polite—he can’t pull on the leash just because he wants to go say hi! He was pretty excited at first, but he quickly started making some good choices and settled into the exercise nicely. He did a great job showing that he’s learning how to control those puppy impulses!
We also worked on the idea of sitting or laying down while I continue walking. Phil loves to follow me everywhere, so asking him to stay put while I walk away really puts his Sit reliability to the test! He did quite well with this exercise and is starting to understand that he doesn’t always need to follow me around.
His potty training is also coming along really well! Phil is really starting to understand what “Go Potty” means. He’s gotten especially good at it first thing in the morning, but today after we finished at the park, I asked him to “Go Potty,” and he immediately started sniffing around before peeing and pooping! That impressed me greatly. He gets lots of rewards and celebration whenever he gets it right, and he’s clearly starting to put the pieces together.
Really good day with Phil! He worked hard, made some great choices, and continues to make progress every day!
8/18/2026
Phil and I had another fun day at the park! He got to watch some basketball and soccer today, which were pretty exciting at first, but after just a few minutes, he really didn’t care much about them anymore. That’s great to see, because it shows he’s already becoming more desensitized to those types of distractions and learning that he doesn’t need to react to everything going on around him.
Phil was especially interested in the geese around the pond, but even with those tempting distractions nearby, he did a great job giving me his attention when I asked and remained polite. His toughest command is still his Heel. He can walk perfectly with me for a few minutes at a time, but eventually something catches his attention and he gets distracted. We’re slowly chipping away at this every day, gradually extending the amount of time he can stay focused and maintain a nice Heel. He’s making steady progress, and I’m really happy with how he’s coming along!
8/19/2026
Phil and I headed over to Petsmart today for a fun little adventure! He did a great job while we were there, and after all his hard work, he earned some well-deserved playtime and even got to pick out a new toy. I chose a duck with a rope attached, which is perfect for Phil. The toy on the end gets him excited and ready to play, while the rope gives me a great handle for tugging and makes it much easier for me to grab and hold onto when I need him to drop it.
The biggest win today, though, was Phil’s ability to turn his play mode on when he was given permission, and then turn it right back off when I asked him to. That can be a really difficult skill for a fun-loving puppy like Phil, especially when he’s having a great time! He did an excellent job switching between playtime and being calm and attentive, and he really impressed me today. Great job, Phil!
8/20/2026
Phil had the time of his life this morning!
We had plenty of fun with his new toy, but we also took our time working through his commands to make sure he remembers that playtime doesn’t mean the rules go out the window. He did a great job staying focused and listening even when he was excited about his new toy. Phil is such a good boy, and I’m really happy with how well he’s learning to balance fun and good manners!
8/21/2026
Phil and I worked on one of the important household manners we’ve been practicing today: door manners!
For this exercise, I want Phil to learn that even when a door opens and he’s excited to see what’s on the other side, he still needs to wait politely and let me go through first. Rushing through an open door can be tempting, especially for an energetic puppy like Phil, so learning to stay patient during these exciting moments is a big part of his training. He has been doing really well with this so far!
This same idea can be applied to all kinds of thresholds, too—not just doors. Gates, fences, car doors, and even invisible boundaries inside the house, like the line between the living room and kitchen, can all become opportunities to practice patience and impulse control. Phil is picking this up nicely, and it’s great to see him becoming more polite in everyday situations!
8/22/2026
Phil and I had a great morning at the park! We got around plenty of fun distractions, including some basketball games, and Phil did a great job staying focused and listening despite all the activity around him. He’s continuing to make great progress with his confidence and obedience in busier environments!
Phil is also doing very well with his potty training. He’s reached the point where he can hear me say “Go Potty,” immediately understands what I’m asking, and quickly gets to work! Having him reliably potty on command makes our outings so much easier, and I’m really happy with the progress he’s making. Great job, Phil!
8/23/2026
Phil and I had a fun day at the park today! We got to hang out and watch some soccer games while I hand-fed him his breakfast. This gave Phil a great opportunity to experience all kinds of sights, sounds, and movement while creating completely positive associations with those distractions. He did a great job staying calm and enjoying himself throughout the morning. Phil behaved well for me all day and continues to be such a fun puppy to spend time with! Another great day with Phil!
8/24/2026
Phil and I got to meet up with his friend Charlie again today, and Phil was absolutely thrilled to see him! He was happy and excited to have a buddy around, but I was really pleased with how well he handled himself. Even with the extra excitement, Phil continued to show good manners and stayed responsive to me. He performed his commands when asked and did a great job balancing having fun with remembering his training.
We had a fun and productive morning together, giving Phil plenty of opportunities to practice his obedience around a familiar friend while still enjoying himself. Once the afternoon heat rolled in, we headed home to cool off and relax indoors. Phil settled in nicely and enjoyed a more peaceful afternoon after our busy morning. All around, it was another great day for this good boy!
8/25/2026
Phil and I had a fun morning at the park today! For today’s video, though, I’m showing off some of the food manners we’ve been working on.
For food manners, I want Phil to be able to sit politely while I place his food in front of him and wait patiently until I give him his release command. He’s been doing so well with this that we took it a step further and practiced Food Refusal!
For this exercise, I want to be able to place tasty human food right in front of Phil and have him remain polite instead of going for it. When I ask him to break, he comes toward me rather than grabbing the food. Phil did a great job with this today!
These skills can make everyday feeding time much more manageable, but they’re also an important safety measure. If I accidentally drop something Phil shouldn’t eat while cooking, I want him to know that he needs to leave it alone and look to me instead. Great work from Phil today!
8/26/2026
Phil and I had another great day, and today he got to spend some time with his friend Foxy! They’ve played together a little bit before, so Phil was understandably very excited to see her. We decided to add some structure to their time together and work out side-by-side instead of letting it turn into one big play session.
At first, Phil was convinced it was playtime and had a hard time focusing on anything else, which was completely expected given their history. But he caught on surprisingly quickly once he realized we were there to work! He settled down, started listening, and continued getting better and better throughout the morning. He still wasn’t quite as focused as he is when we work one-on-one, but for such a playful puppy, I was really impressed with how quickly he adapted. It was a great opportunity to teach Phil that even when his friends are around, he can still listen, focus, and get his work done!
8/27/2026
Phil and I had a really fun day with his friend Foxy! The two of them got along wonderfully and enjoyed having some time together. We made the most of the cooler parts of the day with fun outings in the morning and evening, while Phil behaved himself very well throughout the day. He was happy, playful, and still able to settle down and be a good boy when it was time to relax. Another great day with Phil!
8/28/2026
Phil and I had another good day together! He continues to do a wonderful job with his potty training. Whenever he needs to go, we head outside and use our “Go Potty!” command, and he’s been doing a great job understanding exactly what we’re asking of him. It’s been really nice to see him becoming so consistent with his routine and communication. Beyond that, Phil was a happy, well-behaved puppy today and a pleasure to spend the day with!
8/29/2026
Phil and I had a great adventure at the mall today! It was a brand-new environment for him, so he was understandably pretty excited at first, but he very quickly settled in and got comfortable with all the sights, sounds, and people around us. We spent some time working through his obedience and manners, and Phil did a fantastic job staying focused and responsive despite all the distractions.
After our training session, we did some shopping together, and Phil was an absolute gentleman! He walked politely, stayed well behaved, and handled the busy environment like a pro. We even had several people compliment us on how well behaved he was!
I'm really proud of Phil today. He's showing just how much he's growing and maturing, and it's always exciting to see him confidently handle new experiences! Great job, Phil!
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