Ruby | Labrador Retriever | Los Angeles | In-Training
- scottoffleashsocal
- Apr 26
- 8 min read
Updated: May 9
Meet Ruby! She is a 3 year old Labrador Retriever enrolled in a board and advanced training program. She will be boarding while her owner is out on vacation! Ruby will advancing her existing training while her parents are out of town. Her expanded list of training will now include a recall off leash to the front, a recall to the side (heel), a few party tricks such as "play dead", as well as just an overall off switch (when play is done). This "off-switch" will greatly help her in her pursuit of becoming a therapy dog! Ruby is an extremely loving dog and once she learns to cap her excitement from meeting new people, she will be a "paw-in" her new role as a therapy dog. This loving ball of energy is a welcome addition to the Off-Leash Family!
04/26/2026
Today’s session with Ruby was focused on working in the backyard, where her puppy energy was definitely on display. We spent time building her extended sits, which
started off a bit challenging as she worked through that excitement. As the session progressed, Ruby really began to settle in and show improvement, holding her positions much more reliably by the end.
We also introduced recall to front and recall to heel. Ruby was able to grasp both concepts well and showed a solid understanding of what was being asked. At times, she mixed the two up—which is completely normal at this stage—but overall she responded with good effort and engagement.
By the end of the session, Ruby did a great job working through her initial energy and finishing on a strong note.
04/27/2026
Ruby bounded into the local park with infectious enthusiasm, her tail wagging in wide, eager arcs as she anticipated the training session ahead. At first, her excitement threatened to spill over into distraction, every sound and movement catching her attention, but with steady guidance she began to channel that energy into focus. As the session progressed, Ruby learned to gather herself, responding more deliberately to cues, her bright eyes locked onto her handler. She practiced a clean recall to front, racing back with speed but finishing with surprising composure, sitting squarely and waiting for the next command. From there, she flowed into a through-the-legs maneuver, weaving neatly with growing precision. By the end, Ruby was still joyful, but it was a balanced, attentive kind of joy—one that made her training both effective and a pleasure to watch.
04/28/2026
Ruby the dog has been hard at work learning several new tricks, and this time the reward was her favorite—a ball! The moment she spotted it, her excitement took over, and she could hardly wait to chase it across the yard, almost forgetting she was still in training. Despite her enthusiasm, Ruby is making impressive progress, especially with her recalls, confidently coming both to front and side positions. She’s even mastered her “through” the legs on a verbal command, showing just how quickly she’s picking things up. Ruby is progressing as fast as her tail is wagging, and every training session is filled with energy, focus, and plenty of joyful zooms after that ball.
04/29/2026
We worked on helping Ruby understand that “down” doesn’t always mean returning to me first—it means laying down wherever she is, even at a distance. Naturally, she wants to come back to the handler before settling, so the goal was to clearly communicate that it’s okay—and actually expected—for her to drop right where she’s at. We built this off her existing understanding of the place command by setting up a place mat along her route to retrieve the ball. She picked up on the pattern quickly, though she still tried to inch her way back toward me with a slow crawl while staying down. After a few dozen repetitions, it started to click, and she became more confident holding position away from me. I wrapped things up by letting her just be a dog again and chase the ball freely. In our final test, aside from that little “baby crawl,” she showed a solid grasp of the behavior. Tomorrow we’ll remove the place mat and work toward fully transferring that understanding without the visual aid.
04/30/2026
With the heat of the day settling in, I’ve been focusing on training Ruby indoors where it’s cooler and easier for her to concentrate without distraction. These quieter sessions have been perfect for working on more detailed commands, especially “play dead.” I guide her step by step, encouraging her to roll fully onto her back rather than just flopping to the side, and then gently reinforce the importance of staying in that position. At first she pops right back up, unsure of what’s being asked, but with patience, repetition, and well-timed rewards, she’s beginning to understand that the goal isn’t just the roll—it’s holding that relaxed, committed pose for an extended moment. Each session builds a little more confidence and control, and it’s been rewarding to watch her slowly connect the command with the full, dramatic finish I’m aiming for.
05/01/2026
Ruby worked on a precise and controlled transition from a seated position between my legs into a heel position, gradually learning to rotate her body smoothly into place. It took many repetitions with the guidance leash before she could reliably perform the movement on her own, but her consistency improved with each attempt. Once she showed confidence in that skill, we introduced a new behavior: “play dead.” I gently guided her through the motion of rolling over and settling into the correct position, then paired it with the verbal cue “bang” before marking and rewarding. She picked up on the association quickly, showing a clear understanding of both the physical movement and the cue, which made the progression feel seamless and rewarding for both of us.
05/02/2026
Ruby approached learning to “play dead” with a mix of curiosity and quiet determination, experimenting with different ways to settle into her final pose. At first, she would tip over awkwardly or shift around, as if trying to find just the right position that felt natural rather than forced. Sometimes she stretched out on her side; other times she tucked her paws in closer, testing what was most comfortable. While the dramatic “fall” was part of the trick, Ruby seemed far more interested in the peaceful stillness that followed. She clearly enjoyed the calm, almost meditative moment of simply lying there, soaking in the pause and the gentle praise that came with it. In the end, it wasn’t just about playing dead—it became her favorite excuse to relax and be still.
05/03/2026
Training Ruby in the park is a great way to build reliable impulse control while keeping things fun and engaging. I intentionally get her a little excited—using a toy, quick movements, or playful cues—so she reaches that heightened state where listening can be more challenging. Then, I calmly give the “off” command and wait for her to disengage, rewarding her the moment she makes the right choice. Repeating this for several reps helps her learn that even when she’s amped up, she can still settle herself and respond appropriately. Over time, this kind of practice strengthens her ability to switch from high energy to calm focus, which carries over into everyday situations.
05/04/2026
Ruby flopped onto the cool patch of grass, her paws stretched out as she let out a contented sigh after a light training session. Her older brother Oso lay nearby and occasionally glancing over at her with a relaxed wag of his tail. The air was calm, filled with the soft rustle of leaves. There was no rush, no pressure—just the quiet comfort of resting side by side. For Ruby, it was the perfect balance: a bit of training to stay sharp, and plenty of time to unwind with her brother, enjoying a peaceful day together. She also decided to test out her "bark-core" style climbing to strike a pose on top of her travel crate.
05/05/2026
Ruby the Labrador took to training with an enthusiasm that made every session feel like a performance. When she began learning the “play dead” command, it quickly became clear she had a flair for the dramatic. At first, she hesitated, unsure why she was being asked to flop onto her side, but with gentle encouragement and a few well-timed treats, Ruby started to understand the cue. Before long, she wasn’t just lying down—she was committing fully, rolling over with exaggerated flair and staying perfectly still, as if she were on stage. Her trainer joked that Ruby wasn’t just obedient, she was expressive, holding her pose until released and even adding a little tail flick for effect. With her natural charm, focus, and ability to perform on cue, Ruby began to show signs that she could excel beyond basic training—perhaps even stepping into the world of acting, where her dramatic instincts and lovable personality would surely steal the spotlight.
05/06/2026
Ruby had an exciting day during her training session at the local The Home Depot, where she practiced staying focused around busy carts, loud noises, and friendly shoppers. We worked on her ability to "lay down" while heeling along my side. She proudly showed off her commands, walking calmly through the aisles, sitting patiently near the garden section, and happily accepting treats after each successful task. After all the hard work, Ruby came home tired but full of energy in the best way, flopping onto the couch for a few minutes before spotting her favorite ball pit. With a burst of excitement, she leaped right in, sending colorful balls flying everywhere as she rolled around and played before finally settling down for a cozy evening nap.
05/07/2026
Ruby did an excellent job during her off-leash training session while working in the heel position. She focused on learning how to lay down directly by your side without rolling over or drifting out in front, maintaining a clean and controlled heel position throughout the exercise. With patience and repetition, Ruby began to understand exactly where she was supposed to be and stayed attentive to your guidance. By the end of the session, she successfully performed the down command while holding her heel position perfectly, showing both discipline and confidence. After all her hard work, Ruby earned plenty of well-deserved belly rubs as a reward for her success.
05/08/2026
Ruby the dog spent the afternoon re-sharpening every skill she had learned, carefully practicing each command and trick until it felt fresh and natural again. Sheworked through them one by one with determination and pride. Ruby understood that practice kept her mind sharp, so she gave each lesson her full attention, making sure none of her hard-earned abilities became rusty. By the end of the day, her confidence shined brightly, and every skill was once again crisp in her mind, ready whenever she needed it.
05/09/2026
Ruby the Labrador has been making great progress in her training, especially when it comes to managing her excitement around guests and other dogs. Originally, her command to stop jumping and settle down was “off,” but over time it became less effective because she heard the word so often in everyday conversation. To create a clearer and more distinct cue, her training shifted to the command “cease.” Now, whenever Ruby starts getting overly excited, she is told “cease,” which signals her to immediately calm herself, stop the unwanted behavior, and lay down quietly. With consistency, positive reinforcement, and plenty of practice, Ruby has begun responding much more reliably, showing how adaptable and intelligent Labradors can be when given structured guidance.
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