Simone | Sheepadoodle | Santa Monica, CA | In- Training

priscillakhoroffle
Jun 7
12 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Meet Simone! She’s a one-year-old Sheepadoodle from sunny Santa Monica, California, here for our Two-Week Board and Train Program. Simone is a friendly, playful pup who loves adults, children, and a good cuddle from her dad. While she’s already crate and potty trained, her biggest challenges come from her boundless energy—especially when it's time to come when called. Right now, “come” sounds more like an invitation to play, and “sit” and “stay” are still a work in progress, especially when her youngest human is trying to manage her. Over the next 14 days, we’ll be focusing on building Simone’s recall, teaching her reliable obedience commands like sit and stay, and helping her practice impulse control so she can be the calm, responsive companion her family needs. Stay tuned for her 2 Week Transformation!

Pupdate 6/7/25

Today, Simone and I headed to the park so I could get a better sense of her personality and current skill level. She showed a nice start with her sit—she can hold it briefly, which gives us a great foundation to build her stability and patience. On our walk, she tended to pull ahead toward anything that caught her attention, but she wasn’t frantic or reactive. With a light leash tug, she was willing to circle back, which tells me she’s open to guidance.

Her recall on-leash is decent, so we began introducing the come-to-sit position. However, off-leash at home, she showed her playful side by turning recall into a game of chase. Socially, Simone has some work to do—she gets overly excited around other dogs, immediately diving into rough play by nipping necks and pinning. Right now, she assumes every dog she meets is a playmate.

Over the next few days, we’ll focus on leash manners, structured recall, and building stability in all her commands.

Pupdate 6/8/25

Today, Simone and I worked around the neighborhood to help her understand the relationship between the e-collar and her new obedience commands. We focused on building stability in her sit and refining her heel positioning. While she can be impulsive, Simone picks up on concepts quickly and is already showing improvement. Since day one, she’s learned to walk with a loose leash instead of pulling, though she still gets distracted by smells and lags when I make turns. To fix that, we’re working on a more structured heel, keeping her right at my side. We also introduced more pressure-based guidance for her down command, and she’s beginning to understand that leash and e-collar cues mean to lie down. One area where she truly shines is her place command—she holds it solidly, even when other dogs run past.

Pupdate 6/9/25

Today’s pupdate is about Simone’s place command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the place command would look like.

When they are either in a sit or down on the place object, I praise with a “good sit!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

There are four rules when it comes to the place command:

The place object must have defined edges or boundaries (a dog bed, towel, or bench are good place objects.)
Only place on objects your dog is allowed to be on. Don’t place on the bed if they’re not allowed on the bed, and don’t place on the antique table if they’re not allowed to be on it.
Always get the “win” when practicing the place command. If they struggle to place on a tall object, help them up. Consistently following through with the command builds confidence in your dog and accountability.
The duration they are expected to be in place is built over time. We start low, a few seconds or minutes, before building up the time they are in place over many repetitions.

Once they are in the place, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in place
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in place
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in place

In the video, I am working on all three, as both people and dogs pose as great distractions. They have learned to remain in place even when people are around, even petting them.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 6/10/25

Today’s update is about Simone’s day at the park and helping her generalize her training to different people and settings.

At the park, Simone had the opportunity to work not just with me, but also with a couple of other trainers. This helped her start to understand that commands don’t just come from one person—they can (and should) be followed no matter who gives them. Her sit and place are already looking solid, so we focused more on heel and down.

She’s still learning how to interpret repeated taps from the e-collar. Right now, if she forges ahead or falls behind in heel and I tap the remote, she tends to turn and react to the sensation rather than adjusting her position. However, when I use leash pressure, she responds correctly, which tells me she understands the concept—we just need to help her connect the dots with the collar.

Socially, Simone did great. She noticed the other dogs around her but didn’t fixate or get overstimulated, which is a very promising sign.

Pupdate 6/11/25

Today’s pupdate is about Simone’s sit command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the sit command would look like.

When their butt touches the ground in a sit, I praise with a “good sit!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

Once they are in their sit, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in their sit
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in their sit
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in their sit

In the video, I am working on distance and duration. Each time they are in the sit, I walk around them, getting farther away as we progress, and also leaving them in the sit for longer. This teaches them to have stability in their commands rather than breaking it whenever they please.

As we get to practice in busier areas, we will naturally have a higher amount of distractions to train with, and their stability in the sit will increase drastically.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 6/12/25

Today, Simone and I took a trip to the pier with a few other trainers to practice in one of the most high-distraction environments around. One of Simone’s main challenges has been building confidence on new place objects, so we started there—and she impressed us all. At first, she was hesitant, stepping on one paw at a time, but by the end, she was hopping up with confidence onto various benches and platforms. We used that momentum to work on her duration and stability, where she really shines. Whether in sit or down, Simone held position calmly, even with people walking all around her.

Her main struggle continues to be with her heel in crowded areas. When strangers get too close, she becomes nervous and tends to drift out of position. Corrections make her unsure of what to do next, so we’re taking a gentle approach to help her build clarity and confidence. With more structured exposure to busy spaces like this, she’ll learn to stay grounded and focused. Overall, she handled the chaos of the pier like a champ.

Pupdate 6/13/25

Today’s pupdate is about Simone’s come to sit! I demonstrate in the video above what a few repetitions of the command looks like. The key to this command is how they make the u-turn behind me to end up in a sit by my left leg, where the heel command also starts.

On the remote, I use the black ‘S’ button to mark each command as I give them. This helps catch or maintain their attention as we are working on the training. I say the command and press the black “S” button at the same time. Even as they’re coming towards me, I watch for signs of them slowing down or walking away, which is when I will tap them again and remind them with “come”.

In the video, I am also reminding them with “sit” when they are in the right spot, but that will be faded out so they know that the “come” command includes the sit at the end.

When they are sitting by my leg, I praise them with “good come!”, throwing the command back at them.

As they become more reliable with the u-turn motion, we start recalling them from higher distraction environments and from farther away.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” and give them lots of love.

Pupdate 6/14/25

Today, Simone took her first public off-leash outing at Home Depot, and we used the opportunity to focus on her heel command and building clearer communication through the e-collar. Since it was her first time off-leash, we took things slow and intentional. Overall, she stayed near me, but she had a tendency to drift ahead, especially when her curiosity kicked in. We worked on correcting that throughout the trip, and by the end, her heel was looking much sharper.

One moment that stood out was when I placed her on a plywood panel—Simone decided she liked it a lot and didn’t want to get off. That little display of stubbornness is something we’ll continue to work through, especially in building reliable recall even when she doesn’t feel like cooperating.

All in all, Simone handled the environment well, and her progress in heel today shows she’s starting to understand the expectations more clearly. We’ll keep reinforcing these skills throughout the week!

Pupdate 6/15/25

Today’s pupdate is about Simone’s heel command! I demonstrate in the video above what a couple repetitions of the heel command would look like.

The heel command is different from all the other commands in that it is a moving command. The dog is joining your motion rather than assuming a position in one spot. The moving position I am teaching them to be in is right next to my left leg, where their face does not go past my knee. That is the heel position we are working towards.

The dog should start and stop the heel command in a sit next to your leg. When they are in position, I say “heel”, tap the remote, and move forward at the same time. I keep walking, and whenever they leave the position next to my leg, I remind them with “heel” and another tap on the remote. We are essentially creating a safe zone near your leg where they aren’t getting reminded to be in heel.

It is important to praise your dog while they are in heel to reinforce that position. I remind them, especially when they’re in a good heel position, with “good heel!” to mark the correct position for them.

When coming to a stop, give your dog a heads up by saying “and Simone sit”, and stop walking on the word “sit”. This alerts your dog to the change in pace, allowing them to predictably sit at the end of your heel.

To further practice, we will work around distractions such as other people and dogs, and reinforce the command as we go. We will also move the command off leash when they are ready, which will follow the same pattern as on leash.

Pupdate 6/16/25

Today, Simone and I joined a few other trainers at the park, and she truly impressed us with how far she’s come. For the first time, she was able to complete all of her commands completely off-leash. She stayed engaged with me throughout the session, even with the distractions of other dogs, people, and the environment around us.

One moment that really stood out was during her place command—another dog came up to sniff her, and Simone didn’t even flinch. She held her position calmly and confidently, showing just how much her impulse control has improved. Where she used to get overstimulated or distracted by the presence of other dogs, she now knows how to pause, think, and make better choices.

Her off-leash heel and come-to-sit are looking great, and she’s able to perform both without the need for leash pressure. The only command that still needs a bit of work is her down—occasionally she needs a gentle tug on the leash to remind her what’s being asked—but even then, she responds without resistance.

Simone is really starting to show consistency, focus, and maturity in high-distraction environments, and we’re proud of the progress she’s making.

Pupdate 6/17/25

Today’s pupdate is about Simone’s down command! I demonstrate in the video above what a targeted repetition of the command looks like. I’m teaching them that me squatting and opening my arms does not mean “break”.

When their elbows touch the ground in their down, I praise with a “good down!”, throwing the command back at them in the praise.

Once they are in their down, there are three things we work on:

Duration: how long they stay in their down
Distance: how far away we can be while they stay in their down
Distractions: how many things can go around them while they stay in their down

In the video, I am working on all three. Each time they are in the down, I walk around them, getting farther away as we progress, and also making gestures that they think means attention. This teaches them to have stability in their commands rather than breaking it without the word “break”.

Every time they break the command, I tap the remote and remind them to “down”.

As we get to practice in busier areas, we will naturally have a higher amount of distractions to train with, and their stability in the down will increase drastically.

When we are done with the command—or any command—I release them with their word “Break!” which allows them to do whatever they want.

Pupdate 6/18/25

Today’s update is about Simone’s trip to Petco, where she got to put all her hard work to the test in a new and distracting environment. There were a couple of other dogs walking through the store, a full room of cats up for adoption, crates stacked up, and plenty of tempting smells—but through it all, Simone stayed calm and composed. She walked past the cats without a second glance and didn’t react to any of the other dogs around her.

We used the narrow aisles to our advantage, practicing her heel and come-to-sit in tight spaces. Both commands are looking much sharper than before—she’s staying close, focused, and responsive. Simone is really starting to feel solid in her obedience, showing that she can maintain her training both on and off-leash in busy environments. She’s building confidence and clarity with every outing, and she’s just about ready to take on anything that comes her way.

Pupdate 6/19/25

Today, Simone and I headed to the mall to showcase just how far her obedience has come—and she did not disappoint. The mall was full of people, strollers, noise, and distractions, but Simone stayed focused and responsive while working completely off-leash. Even when strangers came up to say hello, she held her sit calmly and didn’t jump on anyone—a big win for her impulse control and manners.

We navigated the busy walkways together, and it was clear how much more confident and reliable she’s become. One highlight was when she encountered a brand new place object. In the past, she’s been hesitant to get up on unfamiliar surfaces, but today, it only took her a couple of tries to hop up and settle in. That moment really showed her growing confidence and ability to generalize her training in new environments.

Simone gave it her all today—every command, every interaction—and by the end of our mall adventure, she was ready for a well-earned nap. She’s come such a long way, and we’re proud of how steady and composed she’s becoming out in the real world.

Pupdate 6/20/25

Today’s update is all about Simone’s manners—and she’s been showing off just how polite and well-practiced she’s become in everyday routines.

First up are her door manners. When it’s time to go outside, Simone sits calmly in the hallway while I open the door and step in and out. She doesn’t try to bolt or follow until I give her the heel command to move through the doorway with me. This kind of patience and control is a huge part of helping her stay safe and calm in daily life.

We’ve also been sharpening her food manners. Simone sits and waits politely while her bowl is placed down in front of her. She doesn’t touch it until she hears the word “break.” We’ve layered in the “leave it” command to make it extra clear that she’s not allowed to eat until she’s given permission—and she’s doing a great job staying steady and focused, even when tempted.

Last but not least, her car manners are looking solid. Before loading up, Simone sits in front of the open trunk and waits while I get everything ready. She doesn’t jump in until I cue her, and once inside, she calmly goes straight into her crate without hesitation.

All of these little moments show just how much progress Simone has made with her impulse control and ability to follow direction in real-world routines. She’s becoming a well-mannered companion both in and out of the house!

Simone | Sheepadoodle | Santa Monica, CA | In- Training

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