Phoenix | Mixed Breed | Pasadena, CA | In Training
- Tanner Strong
- Sep 28
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 19
Meet Phoenix! She's a five year old Mixed Breed dog from Pasadena, California here for our Three-Week Board and Train Program. Phoenix can be severely reactive, especially towards people coming into her home. She also tends to have strong reactions to other dogs, people, and wildlife while out on walks. While she is familiar with some commands, her reactivity takes over sometimes and she is unable or unwilling to follow through with commands. Over the next twenty one days, we will be working with Phoenix to mitigate this reactivity, help her with her obedience skills, show her some manners in and out of the house, help build her confidence levels, and help her become the best pup she can possibly be! Stay tuned for Phoenix's three week transformation!
Pupdate: 9/28/2025
After picking Phoenix up, we headed home to start getting settled in. She was still a bit unsure of me and showed her teeth from time to time, but I gave her space and patience. We walked around the living room so she could sniff and take in the new smells and environment. My own dog stayed calmly in her crate during this time, and neither dog seemed overly concerned about the other yet — a good first sign.
Later, we went to the park, and Phoenix perked up a bit more. She even gave me a quick tail wag when she hopped out of the car, though she dropped her tail again once she remembered it was me holding the leash. Still, she allowed me to lead her around the park, and while she wasn’t very interested in what I had to say, she did let me pet her a few times. By the end, she even offered me a Sit when asked, which was a promising step.
We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but considering it was her first evening with me, I’d say it went much better than it could have. Small wins add up, and Phoenix showed some glimpses of trust and curiosity that we can build on from here.
Pupdate: 9/29/2025
We went to the park today and met with some other trainers and their dogs. Phoenix was extremely nervous for much of the session, but she held it together and refrained from lunging at anyone, which is a positive step. She did raise her lip at me a few times, mostly when my hand came close, but overall she managed her discomfort better than yesterday.
When it was time to leave, she hopped right up into the car with very little direction—much smoother than before. Back at home, she settled in much faster today, showing that she’s starting to get more comfortable in her new environment. From what I’m seeing so far, a lot of Phoenix’s challenges seem to stem from a lack of confidence. This means handling her with calm, steady confidence will be essential—both in my time with her and once she transitions back home.
A big focus moving forward will be making her obedience commands more predictable and reliable, which will help us (and eventually you) handle her with more confidence. Speaking of obedience, Phoenix showed improvement today: her Sit command went much better, and she was a bit more willing to walk politely at my side, though she still often wanted to stop or pull back.
All in all, today was a step in the right direction for Phoenix. She’s beginning to trust the structure and is showing signs that with consistency and confidence, she’ll continue to improve.
Pupdate: 9/30/2025
Phoenix had two sessions at the park today, one in the morning and another in the evening. At the start of each visit, she was extremely nervous and hesitant, often wanting to pull back away from me. With a little time and movement, she began to settle in, pulling back less and less as our walks continued.
We also spent long stretches of time simply sitting and letting people pass by, giving her exposure to a steady stream of humans in different contexts. She often kept her focus on me, still unsure but showing slightly more trust by staying engaged. The most challenging moments for her were when people jogged behind us, which made her want to turn around and watch them.
By the end of the day, Phoenix seemed noticeably more confident and also a bit more comfortable with me. While she still has a long way to go, today felt like another step in the right direction, and I’m encouraged by the progress she’s making.
Pupdate: 10/1/2025
You can watch the video above to join us for part of one of Phoenix’s walks today! She’s doing a much better job of sticking with me during our walks, and it’s clear she’s starting to get more comfortable with me. Her trust is growing, and she seems a little more at ease, though not fully.
The best demonstration of her progress so far came when multiple dogs started barking and pulling toward us. Instead of reacting, Phoenix stayed fairly calm and even looked up at me in the moment. That little glance said a lot about the trust she’s building. In situations like this, it’s important for me to stay calm and neutral so she can feed off that energy. By treating the barking dogs and people around us as no big deal, Phoenix learns that we can simply continue walking past without it being a problem. She’s doing a great job making these connections, and I’m very proud of how far she’s come already!
Pupdate: 10/2/2025
Phoenix and I spent time at the park on and off throughout the day, continuing our focus on exposure and confidence building. Each time we went out, she showed a little more curiosity about her surroundings and seemed less hesitant to explore, which is a great sign of her progress.
One of the biggest highlights came while practicing her Place command. In the video above, you’ll see her hesitate at first when asked to hop up onto a rock in front of us. But as soon as I hopped onto it myself, she followed right after and joined me! This was a wonderful moment for her—not only because it helped her build confidence in trying something new, but also because it showed just how much more she’s beginning to trust me!
Pupdate: 10/3/2025
We had another slow but fulfilling day together, going back and forth at the park. Phoenix seemed to loosen up more than usual and showed signs that she was not only more comfortable, but actually having some fun. She explored the space with a little more curiosity, moved around with more freedom, and even gave off lighter, more playful body language than before.
It was great to see her taking time to enjoy herself instead of being so focused on her nerves. She sat with me calmly at times just watching the world, and at other moments she perked up with genuine interest in what was going on around us. Each of these small shifts is a big win for her, showing me that she’s beginning to trust the environment and, more importantly, trust me.
Days like this are a good reminder that even small steps add up. Seeing Phoenix start to settle into herself and allow a bit of joy to come through is a very encouraging sign, and I’m excited to keep building on that progress.
Pupdate: 10/4/2025
Today was an extremely busy and exciting day at the park, and we took full advantage of it! There were soccer and baseball games happening at the same time, with plenty of people, noise, and movement all around us. Despite the chaos, Phoenix handled herself remarkably well. She was certainly nervous, especially in the more crowded areas, but I was very pleased with how polite and composed she stayed — even walking within inches of people passing by!
We continue to use the muzzle as a safety measure. It allows me to confidently close the distance around distractions without hesitation, which in turn helps Phoenix feel more secure and guided by a calm, steady handler. This confidence transfer is an important part of her progress, and today it really showed.
By far, this was the most challenging environment we’ve worked in so far, yet Phoenix impressed me with her responsiveness and growing trust. She’s learning to look to me for direction, even when her nerves are high — and that’s exactly the kind of progress we’re aiming for!
Pupdate: 10/5/2025
Today we spent more time focusing on Phoenix’s recall command — Come To Sit! She’s starting to understand that when she hears the cue, she should come directly to me and finish in a nice seated position. Each repetition is helping her build confidence and clarity with what’s being asked. You can check out the above video to see how we’re doing! She’s showing good progress and getting more responsive every day.
Pupdate: 10/6/2025
Phoenix and I went to the park today to meet up with several other trainers and their dogs! We started our session with her muzzle on while she got used to the environment and activity around us. After a few minutes, she seemed comfortable enough that we decided to take it off. Though she was still visibly nervous, Phoenix handled everything very well both with and without the muzzle.
The biggest win of the day was that she started taking treats from me consistently, something she hadn’t been willing to do before! That’s a big sign of growing trust and comfort. She even offered me a few tail wags throughout the session, which was wonderful to see.
There were a couple of moments when loud noises, like a truck backfiring, startled her and made her jump, but she recovered quickly and stayed composed overall. Phoenix is making steady, meaningful progress, and today’s breakthroughs showed just how far she’s come already.
Pupdate: 10/7/2025
Today we focused on Phoenix’s Place command! For this exercise, I ask her to hop onto an object and remain there until I either release her or give her another command. This skill is not only great for impulse control at home, like when I’m cooking, cleaning, or answering the door, but also serves as a huge confidence booster out in public.
Phoenix can still be a little hesitant when approaching new surfaces, such as benches or unfamiliar cots, but she’s making steady progress! Once she’s up, she’s starting to hold her position with more consistency. She still needs some extra encouragement to stay put for longer durations, but her willingness to try and her growing confidence are great signs of how far she’s come. Each day she’s learning to trust the process, and herself, a little more!
Pupdate: 10/8/2025
Today was a slower, more relaxed day focused on polishing Phoenix’s commands and working on her indoor manners. One of the main things we practiced was her Door Manners — teaching her to stay calm and wait patiently instead of trying to rush out ahead of me when a door opens. The goal is for the door opening to be a complete nonevent.
This skill is not only an important safety measure (so she doesn’t bolt through doors or gates), but it also helps make everyday life a little easier and more peaceful. We work on this a little bit each time we go in or out, and it applies to all kinds of thresholds — not just doors, but also gates, fences, or even areas in the house that are off-limits, like my kitchen.
For the purposes of today’s video, Phoenix is right in front of the door, but ultimately, I want her to be able to remain calm no matter where she is in the room when a door opens. She’s doing very well with this so far, showing good patience and control!
Pupdate: 10/9/2025
Today we worked on extending Phoenix’s duration commands and strengthening her Down from a distance! She tends to get a little antsy when I move away, often wanting to break position or come closer, so we focused on helping her stay put and feel comfortable holding commands even when I step back. I also started asking her for a Down from further and further away, which is a great next step in her training.
Practicing these exercises not only builds stronger obedience but also boosts her confidence and independence—showing her that she doesn’t need to be right next to me to feel secure. With consistency and patience, she’s learning to trust that she’s doing the right thing even when I give her space.
Pupdate: 10/10/2025
Phoenix and I went to Santa Anita Mall today for training! We went fairly early to beat most of the crowd, which made it a perfect opportunity to introduce her to a new environment without it being too overwhelming. When we first arrived, she was understandably a bit nervous, taking everything in carefully. After a little time and encouragement, she started to relax and show more confidence.
She was especially cautious around the fountains at first, but after spending some time nearby and practicing calm exposure, she adjusted beautifully and carried herself with much more ease. By the end of the visit, she was noticeably more comfortable and engaged. Phoenix did really well today, and our plan is to return at a slightly busier time soon to see how she handles the extra distractions!
Pupdate: 10/11/2025
Phoenix and I went back to the mall today, this time with a few more people around! She didn’t need much warm-up time at all and showed more confidence right from the start. We even ventured inside instead of staying in the promenade area, and she handled it beautifully. Phoenix seemed relatively calm and confident throughout, responding to her commands just as well as she does outdoors. Overall, today was a really great day for Phoenix, she continues to show more comfort and progress each time we go out!
Pupdate: 10/12/20225
We went back to the park today! It was really nice seeing how much more Phoenix enjoyed the park after our recent mall trip — she seemed noticeably more relaxed and confident overall. There were a few baseball and basketball games going on, but the park wasn’t too hectic, which made for a good training environment.
Phoenix had fun exploring and practicing her commands. A few loud noises, like car engines and sirens, startled her briefly, but what stood out was how quickly she regrouped each time. She looked to me for reassurance, refocused, and continued on without hesitation, great progress in her confidence!
Command-wise, she did very well across the board. Her Heel command was the most challenging today, especially when her playful and curious side came out, causing her to drift a bit. But overall, she stayed consistent, responsive, and had a much more enjoyable, relaxed day at the park!
Pupdate: 10/13/2025
Today was a big day for Phoenix! We met up with several other trainers and their dogs, which made for a challenging training environment. To help with her social confidence and trust-building, we had a few of the other trainers handle Phoenix for parts of the session. This was definitely tough for her — she really wanted to come back to me and kept checking in for reassurance throughout.
Although she did react once to a nearby dog, Phoenix composed herself and did was able to perform her commands for the other trainers. Most importantly, she made it through a very difficult training day and showed a lot of effort even when she was clearly uncomfortable. I’m really proud of her for pushing through and trying her best — this was definitely her toughest session so far, and she handled it with determination!
Pupdate: 10/14/2025
It was a rainy day today, so we made the most of the breaks in-between showers for quick outdoor sessions. The rest of the day was spent indoors practicing manners and keeping things calm and productive. Phoenix did really well with the change of pace and showed great composure inside. A highlight of the day was seeing her get comfortable enough to take a nap near the other dogs — a great sign of growing confidence and relaxation! Overall, it was a nice, quiet day focused on indoor training and a bit of social time too.
Pupdate: 10/15/2025
We both got some cardio in today! Phoenix’s mom is a runner but hasn’t been able to run with her in the past, so I wanted to see how Phoenix would handle a jog. Admittedly, I’m not the best runner in the world—but I wanted to give it a try! The rules were about the same as her Heel command during walks, which she’s been doing well with.
At first, Phoenix seemed a little unsure about the new pace and wanted to pull back a bit, but after I encouraged her and tried to make it fun, she started sticking with me pretty nicely. We ended up running about a mile total with a couple of breaks in between. While I was definitely feeling it by the end, Phoenix wasn’t panting much or showing signs of fatigue—she clearly could’ve gone farther if I could keep up!
A few notes for when you run with her: avoid running right after meals to prevent bloat, and keep an eye out for signs of exhaustion like her tongue hanging completely out of her mouth. It was nice and cool today, but on warmer days it’s best to avoid running in the middle of a hot afternoon. From what I saw, Phoenix has the potential to be a great running partner as long as we keep up with her training and build her endurance safely and gradually!
Pupdate: 10/16/2025
We went to a different park today, which had some fun new objects to use for Place! Phoenix did a great job with everything and seemed to enjoy the change of scenery. We also tried out a different type of leash today. A gentle leader, or headcollar, and she did really well with it. She didn’t seem to mind the new feeling at all and performed nicely during our walks while using it. Overall, she had a great day and handled the new experiences like a pro!
Pupdate: 10/17/2025
We went to the mall today for more practice in a distraction-filled environment! Phoenix wasn’t nearly as nervous at first as she had been on previous visits, which was great progress to see right from the start. She seemed much more confident walking through the crowds and around all the different sights and sounds, and she responded well to her commands throughout our time there. I got to see more tail wags and even some polite playfulness from her, which showed just how much more comfortable she’s becoming in these busier settings.
We took a few breaks to let her take everything in and practice staying calm while people and other dogs passed by. She handled it like a champ and stayed focused on me most of the time, even when things got a little noisy. After the mall, she was happy to head home, where she relaxed and enjoyed some downtime after a job well done. It was a great day for Phoenix, she showed so much progress and confidence today, and I’m really proud of how far she’s come!
Pupdate: 10/18/2025
Phoenix had a great time at the park today! She enjoyed getting out and stretching her legs while practicing her commands in a more relaxed environment. For today’s video, I wanted to highlight some of her indoor manners, particularly her food refusal and car manners.
For food refusal, the goal is for Phoenix to be able to sit calmly even when food is placed right in front of her, without feeling the need to gobble it up. This exercise is great for building impulse control and can also serve as an important safety measure in case something drops on the floor that she shouldn’t eat. She’s been doing very well with this so far and is showing good patience and understanding.
For her car manners, I want Phoenix to remain sitting when I open the car door, then hop in only when asked and walk directly into her crate. This helps keep everything calm, organized, and safe during travel. We’ve been practicing both of these skills a little bit each day, and Phoenix continues to make steady progress. She’s showing a lot of maturity and is doing a great job overall!
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