Rocky | French Bulldog | Long Beach, CA | In Training

Rocky | French Bulldog | Long Beach, CA | In Training

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shannonoffleashsoc
Apr 19
13 min read

04/19/2026

Meet Rocky! He’s a four-year-old male French Bulldog here for our 3-Week Reactive Board and Train program. Rocky is incredibly sweet, friendly, and definitely knows how charming he is—he’ll flash that adorable smile and immediately roll over for belly rubs. He’s got that classic Frenchie personality too… a little stubborn, a little sassy, and very confident—like he already knows it all, lol.

Rocky does have some understanding of basic commands, but we’ll be focusing on consistency. Right now, he tends to listen when he feels like it and tunes out the rest of the time. The main reason he’s here is to work on his interactions with other dogs. From what I observed today, I wouldn’t label him heavily reactive just yet, but he definitely needs guidance on how to greet and communicate with new dogs properly. He did show reactions to several dogs at the park—one interaction was a bit tricky to read, as it was another Frenchie named Rocky (about six months old) who was barking directly at him through a fence. When we returned home, he also reacted to my GSD by barking, but she remained neutral, which will help as we begin slow, structured introductions.

There may also be a bit of separation anxiety, and he’s been known to step into a protective role when his mom is around. I’m really looking forward to working with Rocky and helping him channel his personality in the right direction—he’s got a ton of potential. Stay tuned for his transformation!

04/20/2026

Soooo I may have spoken a little too soon when I thought Rocky was only mildly reactive. Today we really got to see his full personality come out during our group session, and he was responding to every dog—and not in a positive way. He started off a bit unsure, even shaking slightly, but once he settled in, he was ready to challenge just about every dog in the group. Thankfully, none of the other dogs fed into his behavior, which gave us some valuable opportunities to catch and reinforce better moments.

I did notice a clear pattern—Rocky became most reactive when other dogs were in motion. The faster they moved, the more he locked on, staring them down and forging toward them with intensity. He wasn’t intimidated by any of them, which tells me this is more about over-arousal and control rather than fear alone. The good news is I was able to break his focus and get him to reconnect with me, and once we had that engagement, he did really well. Tomorrow, I’m going to bring things back to a calmer environment and make sure his basic obedience is solid without the added pressure of other dogs, while also working on lowering that reactivity. The funny part is—when no other dogs are around, he is the sweetest, most loving little guy. I’ve got some work ahead, but I’m really excited to help Rocky work through this and reach his full potential!

04/21/2026

Today Rocky had a great day! We kept things low-pressure and focused by training multiple times in my backyard with little to no distractions. This really allowed me to get his full attention, and I saw a huge improvement in his basic obedience across the board. His “Auto-Sits” in particular looked much cleaner and more consistent, which was exciting to see. We did have a few breaks in his extended sits, but that’s completely normal at this stage—especially as we continue building duration and reliability.

After training, we went for a long walk hoping to find some real-world opportunities, even with the light rain coming and going. We didn’t see too many dogs, but we did come across a couple—one with a Pitbull and another with a German Shepherd mix. It turned into a great training moment. I placed Rocky into an extended sit as they approached. When the Shepherd mix started to get reactive, the owner stepped in by covering their dog’s eyes and putting them into a sit as well. We both paused, waiting for the right moment to move. I decided to put Rocky into a “Heel,” fully anticipating that he might forge ahead or start barking—but he didn’t react at all. He maintained a steady gaze on the other dog, but stayed right with me and didn’t escalate. That level of control is a big step forward for him.

I was really happy with how he handled the situation. Moments like this show that he’s starting to think through the excitement instead of just reacting to it. We’ll keep building on that focus and engagement so he can continue making calm, confident decisions around other dogs.

04/22/2026

Today I decided to step things up a bit and take Rocky to a local spot with more distractions—just enough to challenge him without overwhelming him. He’s really starting to come along with his basic obedience, which is great to see. I also introduced the “Down” command today. I expected a little stubbornness (typical Frenchie!), but after working on it multiple times throughout the day, he began to understand and was much less resistant by the end.

We also had a nice real-world moment when we came across a woman with an older dog. We stopped and chatted for a bit—Rocky did growl initially, but he was able to settle himself and remain in an extended sit for most of the interaction. That’s a big win. Going forward, I’ll continue gradually increasing his exposure to other dogs while reinforcing calm, appropriate behavior. As his obedience becomes more consistent, you’ll see his confidence and control continue to improve.

04/23/2026

This morning we followed it up with a late walk, keeping things controlled and intentional. We came across several dogs, mostly on the opposite side of the street, and Rocky did a great job maintaining focus without showing reactivity. Later, we set up a more structured training session with one of my team members and her dog, working side-by-side. Rocky did show some reactivity at closer proximity, which is completely expected, but he was able to work through it with guidance. He’s slowly starting to understand what behavior is expected of him around other dogs, and these consistent, positive reps are really helping him make progress.

04/24/2026

What a great day! I had the opportunity to work with another trainer on my team, and he brought along a Husky he’s currently boarding. She’s a well-mannered dog with a bit more energy than the one we worked with yesterday, which made for a really productive training setup.

We started by having both dogs heel around each other in a tight circle. Keeping them in constant motion was extremely helpful and set both dogs up for success. Rocky did show some reactivity at times, but the focus was on getting his attention back on the handler and maintaining his heel. Once he re-engaged, he did really well. I was able to run him through all his basic commands, and he performed very well. He’s clearly becoming more comfortable around other dogs, and his ability to recover and refocus is improving every day!

04/25/2026

Today, Rocky and I headed over to Monrovia Library Park and worked on his basic obedience in a real-world setting. I introduced the long line today, and Rocky did great with it! It’s a big step giving him more freedom while still maintaining control, and he handled it really well overall.

He did break one of his extended “Downs,” which is completely normal—especially with the added distance and freedom that comes along with a long line. This is a great sign that everything we’ve been working on is starting to come together!

04/26/2026

Rocky and I took a trip to The Home Depot to work on his basic obedience in a busy, real-world environment. There were plenty of distractions—people walking by, carts moving around, and all the store activity—but Rocky stayed focused the entire time, which was awesome to see.

We also came across a beautiful Husky who didn’t mind us passing by multiple times. Rocky handled it perfectly—no signs of reactivity at all. He stayed calm and composed, even lifting his paw when I praised him, which showed he was relaxed and comfortable in the situation. This was a big win for Rocky and a great example of how far he’s come!

04/27/2026

Today Rocky and I trained with another trainer on my team who brought two of his dogs—the Husky we worked with on Friday and a Cane Corso who is an absolute sweetheart. It was a great setup to continue building Rocky’s confidence around different energy levels and sizes of dogs.

We focused on keeping Rocky in an extended sit and reinforcing his heel while the other dogs were in motion. This is where he’s really learning to stay composed and not react to movement, which has been a big trigger for him. He handled it really well and showed noticeable improvement in staying engaged with me. We’ll continue gradually introducing more dogs and carefully pushing his comfort level so he can build confidence the right way. Rocky did great today and continues to make huge progress!

04/28/2026

We’re really starting to build and layer these training sessions for Rocky, and it’s paying off. Today I met up with two trainers on my team, and they each brought two dogs, which created a great pack environment. Introducing new dogs like this is huge for Rocky—it helps him learn how to adjust, stay focused, and build trust in a changing environment.

He did really well today! He was able to work through the added distractions, stay more engaged, and show better composure around the group. These are big steps forward for him, and it’s great to see his confidence continuing to grow. Good job, Rocky!

04/29/2026

Today I wanted to work with Rocky in a more real-life environment, so we headed to a dog park in Pasadena. I strategically positioned us near the gate so we could train alongside dogs coming and going, creating the perfect opportunity to practice neutrality amid constant movement and new arrivals.

I was very mindful of how close I allowed Rocky to get to each dog, carefully reading both the other dog’s energy and the owner's attention to their dog’s behavior. This helped set Rocky up for positive, controlled interactions while still challenging him. We also spent time working on his “Place” command, reinforcing calmness and structure in a stimulating environment. Overall, I think Rocky had a really solid day and continues to make great progress!

04/30/2026

Rocky and I trained with another trainer and her board-and-train dog today, with the main goal of working both dogs in much closer proximity. Rocky did an amazing job! He showed no signs of reactivity toward the other dog and stayed focused in his heel command throughout the session, which is a huge accomplishment considering where he started.

We spent time walking the park, specifically looking for dogs we could practice around—circling them or calmly passing by—and Rocky handled each interaction really well without displaying any reactivity. To challenge him even more, I added the long line while the other trainer’s dog stayed nearby and asked Rocky to perform an extended sit, sit-to-come, extended down, and down-to-come. He did fantastic. There were a few moments where he was clearly interested in moving when the other dog was practicing recall, but Rocky held each command until released.

We also worked on his “Place” command and increased the difficulty by having the other dog repeatedly walk past him. Rocky remained in place the entire time until I gave him the break command. Another great day for Rocky! We’ll continue gradually adding more dogs at closer distances to keep challenging him and building on all of this progress.

05/01/2026

Today, Rocky and I headed to Westfield Santa Anita for some training in a busier real-world environment. There was a decent amount of foot traffic, which gave us plenty of distractions to work through, and we even came across a woman with her dog. Rocky did not react to the other dog at all, which was a great win. I would have preferred to get a little closer for a greater challenge, but I was still very happy with how calmly he handled the situation.

Rocky also did really well with all of his basic obedience commands throughout the outing. He stayed engaged, responsive, and showed nice consistency in his work despite the busy environment. We’ll continue building his confidence and exposing him to more dogs, but he is truly growing into a much more confident and obedient pup. Good job, Rocky!

05/02/2026

Another great day for Rocky! I met up with two trainers today, and one of them brought a dog Rocky had never worked with before. It was nice to see how much more relaxed he has become around the dogs he’s already familiar with, while still showing healthy awareness toward the new German Shepherd in the group.

Rocky kept an eye on the GSD but never attempted to forge, lunge, or react, which is a huge improvement for him. He stayed relaxed and was able to heel calmly around the other dogs with much better composure. To make things even more challenging, one of the trainers had their dog move into a slow trot while Rocky held an extended sit. Rocky handled the exercise exceptionally well and stayed in command the entire time. Great job, Rocky!

05/03/2026

This morning, there was some drizzle, so I decided to take advantage of the indoor time and focus on Rocky’s house manners by working on Door Manners and Place. Rocky fully understands the concept of sitting patiently and waiting for me to release him into either a break or heel command. He’s showing great impulse control and is becoming much more consistent with this exercise.

To continue progressing, the next step will be making this more challenging by adding additional distractions, such as people entering and exiting or eventually incorporating multiple dogs into the exercise. We also spent time on his “Place” command, and Rocky did an amazing job! He was able to hold his place for 40 minutes in my home with low distractions until I released him with a break command. To make it even more challenging, I would leave the room and periodically check to see if he had gotten up—but he remained exactly where he was supposed to be. Awesome work today, Rocky!

05/04/2026

Today we trained together as a team, and wow—what a huge difference from just two weeks ago! Rocky has come such a long way, and I truly couldn’t be more proud of him. Seeing his progress in a group setting really highlighted how much work he has put in and how far his confidence and obedience have developed.

Dogs were being trained nearby, both on and off-leash, and Rocky handled it beautifully. He didn’t forge, lunge, bark, or growl at any of the other dogs. Instead, he stayed focused, calm, and responsive to all of my instructions. Moving into this next week, I’ll be working on giving Rocky a bit more freedom by reducing leash pressure and allowing him more responsibility on the leash. The goal is to build trust and confidence so he can make the right choices with less physical guidance. Great job, Rocky!!!!!

05/05/2026

Rocky and I took a nice, casual walk around Monrovia today and captured some great photos of him along the way! It was a more relaxed outing with minimal distractions, which gave Rocky a chance to practice his obedience skills in a lower-pressure environment.

What I was happiest with was how little leash pressure I needed. Rocky stayed engaged, responsive, and walked very nicely without much guidance from me. This is a great sign that his training is really starting to transfer naturally into everyday situations. He did awesome today!

05/06/2026

Today, Rocky and I headed to the promenade at Westfield Santa Anita to work on his basic obedience in a more public setting. He was a little tired when we first arrived, but once we got started, he settled into work mode nicely.

I spent time really drilling his recalls from the “Place” command, focusing on getting him to come directly to me in a straight line instead of drifting off course. It took some repetition, but eventually it clicked, and he started responding exactly how I wanted. Once we finished training, Rocky was more than ready for some belly rubs and praise. Good boy, Rocky!

05/07/2026

Rocky continues to impress me! After all the hard work we put into his recalls yesterday, he absolutely crushed them today. We trained at Monrovia Library Park with minimal dog distractions, which gave us a great opportunity to really focus on sharpening his obedience skills.

Even though there was a lot of activity and noise happening behind us, Rocky stayed focused and handled it really well. His recalls were much cleaner and more consistent, showing that all the repetition from yesterday really paid off. It’s always rewarding to see things click for him, and today was definitely one of those days. Great job, Rocky!

05/08/2026

Rocky and I headed back to Westfield Santa Anita today for another training session, and there were definitely more distractions than usual. With the extra people, movement, and overall activity, it made for a great real-world challenge.

Rocky handled it like a champ and hit all of his commands beautifully. He stayed focused and responsive, showing just how much his confidence and obedience have improved throughout his training. It’s been awesome watching him grow more reliable in busy environments. Great job, Rocky!

05/09/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/kExKWsLmCxE

These past three weeks with Rocky have flown by, and it’s hard to believe it’s already time to say goodbye. Rocky has truly been such a fun dog to work with. He is loving, funny, and full of personality, always finding a way to make everyone around him smile. Whether he was flashing his cute grin for attention or rolling over for belly rubs, Rocky brought so much joy to each day.

Watching his transformation throughout training has been so rewarding. Rocky came in seeking guidance on his reactivity around other dogs, and over time he learned to manage his emotions better, stay focused, and trust his handler in more challenging situations. His confidence has grown tremendously, and his obedience has become so much more consistent and reliable.

Rocky will absolutely be missed around here, but I couldn’t be happier or more proud of how far he has come. He put in so much work and made huge progress every step of the way. He is such a special little guy, and I know he has a bright future ahead of him. Good job, Rocky!

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