Sirius | Cocker Spaniel Mix | Rancho Palos Verdes | In Training
- Chelsea Benz
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
Please welcome Sirius!
Sirius comes to us from Rancho Palos Verdes and has enrolled in our Three-Week Reactive Board and Train Program. At around seven years old, Sirius carries quite a bit of anxiety and uncertainty with him. If he isn't busy becoming defensive toward people he believes are encroaching on his home, he's usually finding opportunities to swipe whatever he can get his paws on, especially food! And if he's not up to that kind of mischief, he's been known to mark areas around the house that he feels need his personal seal of approval, much to his family's expense.
Over the next three weeks, we'll be working to uncover what drives these behaviors while helping Sirius build confidence, trust, and healthier coping skills through structure, consistency, and clear communication. Follow along as he and I get to know our quirky little guy a little better, and maybe we'll discover whether everyone really is a Voldemort in his eyes... or just friends in disguise.
Stay tuned!
Pupdate 7/7
Today we headed out to the local park for Sirius's very first day of training, where we began laying the foundation for one of the most important obedience commands: Heel. A solid Heel isn't just about walking politely without pulling; it's about teaching Sirius to pay attention to me, trust my guidance, and move through the world as a team. Everything else we do together becomes easier once we establish that communication.
Given Sirius's current condition, I decided it was best to introduce the Heather's Hero instead of using a prong collar for the time being. The Heather's Hero allows me to gently guide his head and, in turn, his body without putting unnecessary strain on him. Needless to say, Sirius was not thrilled with this new fashion statement! He demonstrated with a few impressive temper tantrums; flipping and pawing at his face in protest, but that's completely normal. Dogs don't naturally enjoy having their choices limited, especially when they're learning something entirely new. The important part is calmly and consistently working through those frustrations without giving in, showing him that even when things feel unfamiliar, they're safe and manageable.
It took a little while for Sirius to begin following along with me, and that's perfectly okay. This was his very first day in a brand-new environment with a brand-new person asking him to do brand-new things. That's a lot of change for any dog! Add in the summer heat; even tucked away in the shade; and there was no reason to rush the process. Today wasn't about perfection; it was about building trust, establishing our relationship, and letting Sirius discover that learning can be a positive experience. Patience and a steady hand go a long way.
We also gave Sit a more formal introduction. For now, I needed to physically help him into position so he could begin understanding exactly what I was asking. That's all part of the learning process. As he gains clarity and confidence, that physical guidance will gradually disappear until he can respond on his own.
To finish things off, we had a little fun introducing Come to Sit, and Sirius surprised us all by offering a Sit on his own! That was a huge decision on his part, and as you saw in the video, it earned him some massive praise. Moments like that are exactly what we love to see because they show those first connections starting to click.
We wrapped up the session on a positive note. Sirius was definitely a little confused about what "Break!" meant, but before long he'll learn it's one of his favorite commands; the one that tells him training is finished and he's free to relax.
Fantastic first day, Sirius! Looks like this training journey is off to a Siriusly magical start; no need to wait for an owl from Hogwarts to tell us you're on your way to becoming a star pupil! Oh yes, I will be having fun with puns for the next three-weeks!
Pupdate 7/8
With the temperatures climbing today, we kept things safe and comfortable by heading to the shaded backyard to work on Sirius’s “Place” command.
As you’ll see in the video, I’m using place mats to give him a clear visual target, making it easier for him to understand exactly where I’d like him to go. A gentle guiding hand helped him onto the mat, and he’s already starting to catch on to the idea.
Sirius did a great job for one of his first sessions! Keeping training short and positive in the heat is important, so after his hard work he enjoyed some nice, refreshing water before settling in for a well-earned nap.
10 points to Gryffindog for a job well done!
Pupdate 7/9
Today we headed out to Century City Mall to continue building Sirius' confidence in one of the busiest environments we can train in. With the summer heat in full swing, the shaded walkways made for the perfect training location while still giving us plenty of opportunities to work through real-world distractions. The mall was packed with shoppers moving in every direction, children running around, strollers rolling by, automatic doors opening and closing, elevators, food aromas, and constant noise and movement.
For Sirius, who came to us feeling anxious and uncertain in unfamiliar situations, outings like these are invaluable. They help him learn that the world isn't nearly as scary as it first seems and that he can always look to his handler for guidance when things become overwhelming.
Today we worked on Heel, Sit, and Come to Sit, focusing not just on completing the commands but on maintaining them despite everything happening around us. One thing you'll notice throughout the video is that I'm praising Sirius while he's actively performing each command rather than waiting until it's over. This is intentional. Praising him during the behavior lets him know he's making the right choice in that exact moment. It builds confidence, keeps him engaged, and reinforces that staying in position is what earns the praise; not simply getting released from the command.
Sirius handled himself wonderfully today. Of course, he noticed the people passing by and all the excitement around him, but instead of shutting down or becoming defensive, he continued checking in with me and trusted my direction. That's exactly the mindset we're working to build.
Every successful repetition teaches him that he doesn't have to solve every situation on his own. He can stay calm, work through distractions, and rely on his training instead of his uncertainty. Seeing him navigate such a lively environment with growing confidence is a huge milestone, and I'm so proud of how far he's come in such a short time.
Sirius must've found the right spell today; Expecto Pawtronum! (Nailed it) His confidence keeps getting stronger with every outing.
Pupdate 7/10
Today we headed back to Century City Mall to continue building Sirius' confidence while sharpening his obedience in a busy, distraction-filled environment. We worked on his Heel, Place, Come to Sit, and Sit, all while navigating crowds, passing shoppers, and plenty of sights and sounds. These outings are invaluable because they teach Sirius that even when the world around him is constantly changing, looking to his handler for guidance is always the right answer.
Today we also introduced Down, which is often one of the more difficult commands for dogs to learn. Unlike Sit, Down asks a dog to lower themselves completely to the ground, putting them in a more vulnerable position. For a dog like Sirius, who has struggled with uncertainty and anxiety, that can be an especially big ask.
As you can likely assume given his resistance to Sit, Sirius wasn't immediately convinced this was the world's greatest idea. He resisted the leash at first and tried a few alternatives before settling into the correct position. Rather than forcing the issue, we stayed patient and gave him clear, consistent guidance, rewarding every step in the right direction. Once he realized what was being asked, everything began to click, and he started offering the behavior with much more confidence. I am being quite gentle with him given this command is a huge ask for a guy like him who likes to be in control of his environment at all times.
Watching Sirius work through these challenges has been incredibly rewarding. Every small victory builds trust, strengthens our communication, and helps him realize that trying something new doesn't have to be scary.
One command at a time, he's becoming a more confident version of himself; and with his speed of training, Dumbledore wishes he could've taken his studies for Sirius-ly. Did it.
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