Sissy | Pitbull | Burbank, CA | In - Training
- cristianoffleash
- Dec 8, 2024
- 24 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2024
Meet Sissy! She’s an 11-month-old Pitbull from Burbank, CA, who has joined us for our 3-Week Board & Train Program. Sissy is a very sweet dog, especially with people, but she has developed some habits that need improvement. One of her challenges is being overly friendly, which often leads her to jump on people when she greets them. When she meets new people, she tends to run toward them with uncontained excitement. Additionally, Sissy and her sibling pull severely on the leash, a behavior that needs to be corrected immediately. Over the next three weeks, I’ll be working with Sissy to help her become more desensitized to various situations, teaching her how to relax and settle in the moment. We’ll also be visiting different locations to help her socialize properly with other people and dogs. My goal is to help Sissy become the best version of herself. Stay tuned for updates on her progress as I guide her through her training journey!
Pupdate 12/8/2024
Today was my first day meeting Sissy, and she was full of energy from the moment we met. After getting her settled into my car, we headed back to my hometown of Fullerton. Our first stop was Pacific Drive Park, where I wanted Sissy to burn off some of her excess energy. In the video above, you can see our first moments walking onto the grass together. I was trying to give her commands while observing her behavior. She seemed more focused on looking around and occasionally trying to jump on me, which I didn’t mind. To prevent this, I gave small leash corrections, but they didn’t seem very effective. So, I briefly used a prong collar during our visit, which helped improve our engagement. Afterward, we made our way to the dog park area behind Pacific Drive Park, where we worked on Sissy’s heel and sit commands. We spent about twenty minutes practicing these commands in an open field before heading home.
When we got home, Sissy did well entering the house and meeting my brother. She seemed a bit shy when she noticed my personal dog, Hunter, through his crate but didn’t get any closer. We continued exploring the house to see if she would impulsively jump on any furniture, but she didn’t. I then directed her to her crate, where she started vocalizing and barking. However, her barking wasn’t constant—it came in intervals. Whenever she was quiet, I rewarded her. I repeated this process for about ten minutes, and eventually, she settled down and fell asleep.
We continued our day doing training every few hours to desensitize Sissy and help her build up her confidence being in a new home for the next few weeks. Continue to check out her progress with me as her trainer!
Pupdate 12/9/2024
Today, we visited Whittier Narrows Park in El Monte, CA, to meet up with the Offleash Team for a session of training and socializing our dogs. Upon arriving at the park, Sissy seemed curious and eager to be outside. However, when we joined our friends, she appeared a bit nervous but still stayed alert and responsive to commands. At one point, she attempted to lunge at another dog but was easily redirected, and she didn’t try it again for the rest of our visit. By the end, we were able to walk her close to the other dogs without any issues.
In the first video, Jose, another trainer, worked with two of his dogs around Sissy, one of which is her sibling. We began training on the park’s walkway, focusing on basic commands like "sit" and "heel." Sissy is picking up these commands well, though she sometimes struggles with the impulse to follow me when I create distance. During these moments, I used her e-collar to gently redirect her. Once she was able to stay in her "sit" and maintain a comfortable distance, I released her with the "break" command. This reinforces positive behavior and helps build her confidence as she learns to stay in position before being rewarded.
After some time, we waited for Jose to bring his dog Rusty over, so they could meet. They briefly sniffed each other, but both seemed uncertain about being around other dogs. To manage the interaction, Jose and I worked with both dogs on the walkway, guiding them back and forth. In the second video, we continued training with Rusty and Sissy in close proximity, keeping them engaged and focused on us. We repeated the same practices, walking them in sync and occasionally asking for a "sit" to maintain their attention when obedience cues were given. Once the session ended, we both used the "break" command to reward our dogs, making the experience enjoyable and memorable for them.
Pupdate 12/10/2024
Sissy has been gradually adjusting to spending time in her crate without excessive whining, and it’s becoming easier to leave the house for errands throughout the day. The only time she shows significant excitement is in the morning, just before being let out of her crate. When she’s released, she sometimes urinates a little, but it's easily cleaned up. She has started to potty more frequently in the backyard, as opposed to while out on walks. So far, there have been no major accidents inside the house.
Today, we went to Home Depot around 12:00 PM to practice training in a busy environment and see how Sissy would react. She surprised me by walking confidently and heeling well as we entered. Although she initially appeared nervous, she calmed down within about 10 minutes. She was able to ignore distractions like people, forklifts, and noise. Sissy performed the "sit" and "recall" commands with ease, needing only minor assistance from the leash or e-collar. I was able to create some distance between us and still maintain control, even placing her on two dollies while walking through the aisles. We also tried introducing the "down" command, but she didn’t fully commit inside the store, so I decided to postpone further practice on that until our next training session. The longer we stayed, the more Sissy seemed to settle into the store environment, and I made sure to praise her for every small success, even when people passed by her.
In the afternoon, we focused on reinforcing the "down" command and gave Sissy some time to socialize with Hunter while both were on leash. They spent some time sniffing each other, though Sissy occasionally nipped at Hunter’s face. I redirected her each time before contact was made. She seemed a bit confused, but quickly began testing her play behavior to see how Hunter would respond. When Hunter rolled over for her, she started play-bowing and showed more submissive behavior, which led to a short play session between them.
Pupdate 12/11/2024
Today’s training session focused on home-based conditioning, specifically reinforcing Sissy’s obedience while waiting at the door. We began our morning with a 45-minute walk with Hunter and Sissy, followed by some playtime in the backyard. While they weren’t as energetic during play, they were able to relax and lie next to each other without interfering with one another.
Later, we shifted our training focus to the front door and one of the side gates. In the first video, we worked with the side gate, aiming to teach Sissy to stay in place while waiting for me to return and release her. Each time she tried to follow me past the gate, she needed redirection, but she eventually started to understand that she must remain in position. By the end of the session, Sissy was able to stay put as I walked all the way to the sidewalk before returning to release her. In the second video, we moved inside and continued training with the front door. During this part of the session, Sissy did attempt to follow me outside once, but a quick redirection back to her place mat helped reinforce the routine. My mother also walked in and out of the house during the session, and Sissy remained calm and undisturbed by her presence. At the end of our training, I heeled Sissy to the front of the house as a reward for her improved obedience and good behavior.
We spent the remainder of the day focusing on her recall which seems to of come with ease to her within the first 10 minutes of consistently practicing this command. I also spent time in the front yard letting Sissy desensitize herself to noises, car, and anyone passing by along the sidewalk.
Pupdate 12/12/2024
This morning, we stuck to our usual routine: a morning walk followed by some playtime in the backyard for the dogs. At first, Sissy acted as though she had never played with Hunter before, but as they interacted more, she gradually warmed up. The longer they played, the more both dogs exhibited playful behavior.
Today, I focused on strengthening Sissy's recall, since she’s already made good progress with other obedience commands. We practiced in front of the house to help her better understand the recall command. As we continued, Sissy started to grasp the concept more clearly, which allowed me to praise her often, boosting her confidence. What's impressive is that she's already showing signs of leash dragging, and we haven’t even completed a full week of training yet. When I signal her to recall, I say “come” while performing a specific gesture—throwing both hands behind my right hip. Sissy is learning to associate this gesture with the recall command.
In the second video, you’ll see a clip from yesterday’s training with my brother. He took Sissy for a walk in the front yard, where she was exposed to e-collar training. His role was to keep Sissy engaged while giving her the opportunity to bond with someone other than me. At times, Sissy seemed inclined to move toward me, but my brother used the e-collar to redirect her and keep her focused. When he moved away to create some distance, Sissy instinctively tried to follow him. However, my brother quickly redirected her back into a sit, which is a key part of the training to reinforce proper behavior.
Pupdate 12/13/2024
This morning, we went to Hillcrest Park for some exercise and to give Sissy the opportunity to practice her obedience training throughout the park. I allowed Sissy some time to roam on the grass so she could relieve herself, but she didn’t need to go, so we continued our walk. Our main focus was having Sissy practice stepping onto platforms and staying engaged if she noticed any birds or squirrels. Each time she spotted one, she would either try to approach or become fixated on it. In those moments, I would give her the command “off,” which means “leave it.” She responded well and was quickly redirected, allowing us to continue our walk.
As we approached the fountain in the center of the park, Sissy seemed a little nervous about the sound of the water splashing. To help her adjust, I walked her around the fountain several times, then sat on the edge of the fountain to create a more relaxed environment. Eventually, Sissy felt comfortable enough to join me on the edge, and we continued her obedience training there. We explored more platforms around the park, and Sissy remained calm and patient as she approached and worked with them.
Later, when walking along a quiet path, I let the leash drop and allowed Sissy to follow me, starting to work on off-leash obedience. She did well and stayed focused as we practiced.
In the afternoon, Sissy spent time playing with Hunter, and we began working on a new under-obedience command. While Sissy understands the idea of crawling under objects, we now need to combine this with the “down” command to get her to place herself under platforms when needed.
Pupdate 12/14/2024
Today, I took Sissy to Wilderness Park in Downey, CA, to work on her obedience commands while enjoying the park. Our focus was primarily on reinforcing her "under" command, but we also worked on other obedience tasks as we explored the area.
In the video above, we focused on teaching Sissy to go under a platform rather than on top of it. At first, she kept trying to climb on top, so I had to guide her under the platform using the leash. The first minute showed her struggling a bit, but after a few attempts, she began to understand and was able to go under the platform with ease. I then introduced the "stay" command to keep her in position, and she successfully held the stay on the first try. As soon as she stayed under the platform, I released her with the "break" command, and she came to me eagerly for a reward. At one point in the video, a woman approached, and we had a brief conversation.
During this time, Sissy remained calmly under the platform. Once the woman left, I gave the "break" command, and Sissy came right to me for a reward, as expected.
After the video ended, we continued our walk around the park. We passed by several geese and ducks, but Sissy didn’t fixate on them. Instead, she showed curiosity while keeping a calm demeanor. Every time she remained relaxed around the ducks, I praised her, encouraging her to maintain a natural response to the animals. When we passed by people, Sissy was unfazed but still distracted by the smells on the ground. In these moments, I used her e-collar to redirect her focus and keep her head up, which helped her stay engaged.
Toward the end of our visit, we worked on her "down" command in an open area. I dropped the leash and walked around her to see if she would stay in position. Although she did get up a few times, we worked through it and were able to make progress. By the end of our session, she was doing well with the command, and we finished up before heading home. One additional note: Sissy is doing great with leash dragging. She can remain by my side for a good distance, but we’ll continue to build on this skill to improve further.
Pupdate 12/15/2024
This morning, we took a walk around the neighborhood with Hunter, and it went really well. Sissy stayed close to Hunter but was so excited that she didn’t try to lead. As usual, they had some playtime, followed by breakfast.
For today’s training, we focused on reinforcing the "under" obedience command to ensure it’s properly conditioned. We started in the front yard, using a platform designed specifically for this command. Sissy performed well, but she only goes under the platform if I’m already on the opposite side. She’s not yet comfortable with going under the platform as soon as we approach it. To help her understand, I use a hand gesture, as though I’m holding a treat, which signals her to go under.
Inside the house, Sissy struggled with the "under" command when I asked her to go under the table in the living room. She seemed intimidated and hesitant to fully commit to her down position. I adjusted my approach, using treats for motivation, and that seemed to help her gain confidence. As she became more comfortable, I continued rewarding her with treats to reinforce the behavior.
Later, we reviewed all of our house obedience commands, which Sissy handled easily. I also introduced a couple of new goals for the week: her "send away to place" command and "come to heel." Additionally, we worked on leash dragging as part of her transition to off-leash obedience training.
Pupdate 12/16/2024
Today, we headed to Whittier Narrows Park in El Monte, CA, to train with the Offleash team. Upon our arrival, Sissy displayed confidence, calmly observing most of the dogs, except for a large German Shepherd named Wolf. When Sissy became overstimulated by Wolf, I was able to redirect her, allowing her to settle and maintain her confidence throughout the session, even with Wolf nearby. I had placed Sissy near several other dogs, and while she initially glanced at them, she quickly redirected her attention to other things around her, showing that she wasn’t bothered by their presence.
At this point, I decided to focus on heeling as we walked around the park, ensuring she remained calm and focused even if we encountered other dogs. Our primary goals for today’s session included loose-leash walking, "place," "under," and "leave it." As we practiced, these exercises became easier for her. Sissy also had the opportunity to train with JV, another trainer, who commented positively on her progress, saying, "She listens very well and stayed in her sit and down when we created distance." I continued the rest of our visit by concentrating on loose-leash walking, which helped prepare Sissy for off-leash training by conditioning her to walk calmly without a leash.
We ended the day focusing on house training and introducing a new command: "send away to place." Sissy is making impressive progress, and I will continue to monitor her development, as she shows consistent improvement each day.
Pupdate 12/17/2024
This morning, we followed our usual routine: a walk with Hunter followed by playtime once we returned home. Sissy has been doing wonderfully playing with Hunter, but yesterday, when we introduced a toy, she immediately showed signs of resource guarding when Hunter was near it. These signs included low-pitched growling, whale eyes, and stiffening up when she realized another dog was close to a toy she liked. To prevent this, I’ve been putting all toys in secure places so Sissy can’t bring them out when Hunter is nearby. Without toys, however, they get along perfectly. When I play fetch with Sissy by herself, there are no issues, and she will drop the ball when asked.
Later in the day, we continued with our "under" and "send away to place" training, which I recorded. In the first video, we worked on the "under" command, then marked her cue to go to her place pad at a distance. We take each step slowly, ensuring she successfully completes one command before moving to the next. There are moments when Sissy appears confused by the "send away" cue, so I assist her using the e-collar with low-level stimulation. In the second video, we practiced the send away in the backyard, focusing on getting her to respond to cues from a distance. After practicing in the backyard, she was able to travel a short distance more easily, even when I had to bend down to signal her. I used treats to reward her when she placed herself on the pad without any assistance from the leash, helping her understand the concept better.
Our final session of the day focused on door manners, which have greatly improved with daily practice. Sissy now waits patiently while I finish any task before leaving the house. Once we head out, I ask Sissy to heel with me, and she follows calmly.
We wrapped up the day by focusing on the last commands in our training program, preparing to practice these obedience skills in public settings.
Pupdate 12/19/2024
This morning, we followed our usual routine, starting with a walk with Hunter, followed by playtime. Sissy can be a bit pushy during play, so whenever she starts to do something she shouldn't, I use her e-collar to redirect her. This helps her return to playing with Hunter in a more appropriate way, rather than being overly pushy.
Later, we went to a park near my house to practice training on grass, as this is an area where Sissy can sometimes get distracted. Upon arrival, I allowed Sissy some time to explore and familiarize herself with the surroundings. In the video above, you can see me working with her to stay engaged with her place mat and focus on coming to me, keeping her head up instead of sniffing around the ground. Around the 2:35 mark, I remove her leash and let her go off-leash. Interestingly, she wasn’t overly excited but instead showed a willingness to continue following commands, rather than testing me like some dogs do when the leash is taken off. While she briefly sniffs the grass, I use the e-collar to redirect her focus back to me, which helps her stay more engaged and keep her head up. After the video ends, we moved toward the park in the background, where I guided Sissy onto the jungle gym just for fun. I only took her up the stairs and around the structure while practicing off-leash obedience.
Throughout the rest of the day, we focused on off-leash obedience both inside and outside the house to assess how Sissy responded. She was able to follow most of her commands without any issues. The only time she struggled was when I went to the backyard, which caused her to break position. We worked through this to help her improve in this area.
Pupdate 12/19/2024
Today, we went to the Outlets of Orange for a walk and to practice obedience training throughout the shopping center. When we first arrived, Sissy appeared a bit confused by the large number of people in the area, so I decided to do a lap around the center before beginning the training. After that first lap, Sissy seemed more confident and comfortable in the space.
We found several spots to work on her extended sit and down commands while people walked by. The only time she struggled was when I bent down to take pictures of her. Aside from that, she did very well staying close to my side and successfully performing most of her commands, either on the first try or with a little assistance from her e-collar. We also went into several stores to help Sissy become accustomed to maintaining good behavior indoors. In some stores that were too crowded, we waited outside, allowing people to come and go while helping Sissy desensitize to the activity. Our final stop was at a Vans store, where an employee greeted Sissy. However, as the employee petted her, Sissy began to climb on her. I redirected her using the e-collar to prevent her from getting too forward, and after that, she was able to greet the employee more calmly and with better self-control.
Later, we spent the rest of the day working on off-leash obedience both inside and outside the house. Sissy has a strong understanding of her commands at home, but we’re still refining her "send away to place" behavior. She’s improving, though, as we work toward her being able to send herself to her place without the aid of a leash.
Pupdate 12/20/2024
Today, we visited Citadel Outlets in Commerce, CA, to continue Sissy's obedience training in a busy environment. Upon arrival, Sissy and I had to navigate multiple flights of stairs since the elevators to our parking lot were being repaired. Despite this, Sissy walked beside me without pulling. As we entered the outlet mall, Sissy immediately noticed how busy it was, but she remained calm and stayed by my side as we made our way to meet our friend. When we met up with Amanda and her dog, we found an open space to focus on training. After a while, we decided to take a lap around the area.
In the video above, you can see Sissy’s impressive heeling skills as we pass by a large crowd. She demonstrated her full potential by consistently staying in heel position, sitting on command, and performing her recall perfectly on the first try, even with people passing by. There were moments when Sissy was so close to me that I accidentally bumped into her, but she was quick to adjust her positioning without any further correction.
After the video, we walked a short distance to another open area where we continued working on obedience. Our final goal for the day was to practice loose-leash walking, which will help us transition to off-leash obedience in public spaces. Sissy did exceptionally well, walking with a relaxed leash as if it wasn’t there at all.
We ended the day by heading home to relax with Hunter. Later, we spent the remainder of the day focusing on off-leash obedience training, both indoors and outside. Sissy’s progress is continuing to impress!
Pupdate 12/21/2024
Today, we visited Cerritos Mall in Cerritos, CA, to focus on obedience training while people were out Christmas shopping. Upon arrival, I noticed that Sissy had been nibbling at her front paws and appeared to have bruised them, possibly due to allergies. I immediately applied some ointment to her paws before starting our training session. I also kept a close eye on her to prevent her from repeatedly biting at herself.
As we walked around the mall, Sissy seemed a bit confused by the large crowd of people. However, as we spent more time there, she became more accustomed to the environment and no longer seemed bothered by the people unless they made baby-like noises toward her, as if she were a child. During these moments, I used the opportunity to reinforce her "off" command (also known as "leave it"), which helps her ignore distractions and stay focused on me. We took a lap around the mall, and after some light exercise, I asked Sissy to perform various commands, like "sit" and "down," at random intervals throughout the mall. She executed them with ease, holding each position for about two minutes. We also worked on her "under" command using platforms where she had enough space to position herself underneath.
Next, we visited a few stores that weren’t too busy. Inside Dick's Sporting Goods, we took our time browsing, and Sissy did an excellent job staying focused, even when people walked by. I also asked her to "down" while I looked for items on the shelves. We had to wait in line at the register, and she remained calm and patient, not getting distracted.
Before leaving, we found one last quiet area where we practiced another "down" command, which transitioned into a recall. Sissy performed the recall flawlessly. Afterward, we headed home for some rest and playtime with Hunter.
In the evening, we spent the rest of the day practicing commands off-leash, with a particular focus on refining her "send away to place" command, which still needs some work.
Pupdate 12/22/2024
Happy Birthday to Sissy and Rusty! Today is their birthdays so Jose and I who are working with both siblings met up today to do some training before having the dogs get to play together. We headed over to Anaheim Pet & Feed Co. to train the dogs inside and do some birthday shopping. When training inside the store both dogs were very attentive to us when being asked for obedience commands. They didn't seem to be worried about going to each other but rather listen to their commands and let people shop around us. I started to shop for some items for Sissy buying her a few toys, some treats, bandana, and a birthday cookie since most of the cakes didn't look good. By the end of our visit the dogs started to seem tired so this was the perfect opportunity to take them back home so they can socialize.
In the video above we spent time in my backyard giving the dogs all the time and freedom to roam around and play with each other. At times they acted as if they didn't know each other so Jose and I would have to move around and be playful to get the dogs in the mood to play. We didn't leave any toys out since Sissy is known to have resource guarding issues so playing with Sissy one on one with a toy would be ideal rather than giving her something of value that she would fight over. Even though there are no toys out they are comfortable playing with each other and this is the best way to keep their relationship genuine and fun. Sissy and Rusty got to play a lot and got to eat their birthday cookies, telling them Happy Birthday! We did separate just a bit so they can eat their treats comfortably which they did. After the video ends we gave the dogs much time to spend around each other which eventually led into them laying down and resting.
After our birthday meet up for the dogs Sissy fell asleep for a few hours and Jose and Rusty went home. We spent the remainder of the day working on her offleash obedience training which has been going well. We are still working to improve our send away to place but every other command seems to be going well.
Pupdate 12/23/2024
Today, we headed to Downtown Brea, CA, to work on Sissy’s off-leash obedience training. She did exceptionally well, performing all the commands we’ve practiced in public with ease. We walked through the downtown area, passing numerous shops and people, and Sissy remained focused without getting distracted. Whenever she appeared to lose focus, I would use the word "off" to gently redirect her attention, and she responded well.
We practiced the "send away" to place and "under" command multiple times to reinforce her training while outside. When I asked Sissy to sit from a distance, people walked by without distracting her. However, one woman made baby noises at Sissy, which caught her attention briefly, but she maintained her position without getting up. It’s perfectly fine for a dog to glance, sniff, or vocalize, but once they return their focus to me, I can praise them. This helps reinforce the understanding that staying focused leads to positive reinforcement.
We also walked along Brea Blvd, a busy street with lots of traffic. Sissy was undisturbed by the passing cars while walking off-leash. After a productive training session, we headed home for some well-deserved rest.
Later in the day, we continued our off-leash obedience practice, followed by some playtime with Hunter.
Pupdate 12/24/2024
Today, we focused on home training across various areas of the house. We began with basic commands inside, which Sissy performs well, though there are times when she becomes distracted and wants to roam rather than listen. However, with the help of her e-collar, I can quickly bring her back into obedience. I also worked on having Sissy follow me inside, which is an important skill that requires practice. Many families allow their dogs to roam freely, which often leads to behaviors like jumping on furniture, especially when the dog has excess energy or the “zoomies.” At the end of the first clip, I asked Sissy for a recall and gave her praise once she complied, marking the end of the session.
In the second video, we practice door manners, which can also be reinforced using a place mat. I ask Sissy to lie down, allowing me to walk freely to the street and back before asking her to heel and walk with me outside.
In the final video, we practice food manners in the living room, which is a new environment for Sissy. This adds an extra layer of challenge, as she can sometimes get overly excited around food. She has a tendency to crawl, jump, or even try to hug my leg in anticipation. We worked through this, making great progress in helping her learn to fully wait before being allowed to eat. When we leave and re-enter the backyard, Sissy gets up, but I redirect her back into the down position and repeat the practice.
When I pass by her again after returning inside, she stays in position without issue. Once our training is finished, I give her the "break" command, allowing her to eat while offering praise. The rest of the day was spent playing with Hunter and continuing to address Sissy's resource guarding issues. While Sissy is generally okay with seeing Hunter holding a toy, there are moments when she becomes fixated on the situation. I keep a close eye on her and reward her for relaxing and settling when the toy is nearby.
Pupdate 12/25/2024
Merry Christmas! This morning, we followed our usual routine with a 45-minute walk before heading back home. Our walks with Hunter have been going smoothly, with no issues of either dog acting overly excited or trying to play while walking together. Sissy is still able to hold her bladder until we return home to go potty in the backyard or on the side of the house. However, if we’re out for an extended period near grass, she sometimes has moments where she’ll go on the grass during our walk.
\In the video above, I captured the dogs interacting and playing with each other. Sissy used to be quite dominant with Hunter, often nipping his ears and displaying behaviors that could be bothersome, such as overly rough play. After several training sessions where Sissy wore her e-collar, it became much easier to prevent these behaviors. She’s now learned to interact with Hunter in more appropriate ways. Interestingly, Hunter has started to initiate play more than Sissy, though this can vary depending on
the dogs. If Sissy were around different dogs, her play style might shift.
In the second video, we focused on impulse control while training both dogs at the same time. Sissy needed a few redirections but quickly understood that I was working with Hunter and that her role was simply to stay on her mat. To help reinforce this, I continued to go in and out of the house, conditioning Sissy to better understand that when another dog is working, she should remain in place. We spent the rest of the day continuing training with Hunter, while keeping Sissy in her designated position—whether sitting, lying down, or staying on her mat—while Hunter worked around her.
Pupdate 12/26/2024
This morning, we followed our usual routine with a 45-minute walk, after which we returned home for the dogs' playtime. Today, their play session lasted around 20 minutes, and afterward, I gave them some time to relax before enjoying their breakfast.
In the video above, one of my neighborhood friends came over to learn about dog training for his dog. I brought Sissy out to work on her obedience while maintaining distance from my friend and his dog. This also allowed me to help Sissy get accustomed to another dog being in her line of sight while at home. Initially, Sissy fixated on the new dog, but with a quick correction using her e-collar, she disengaged and I was able to continue training her without issue.
Within minutes, Sissy was calmly training around a new dog she didn’t know and performing off-leash commands. We practiced walking past my friend and his dog as distractions, and Sissy was able to stay focused and not act impulsively. When I asked Sissy to "place" and stay, she was able to remain in position while Lucy and my friend moved around.
Before finishing the session, I asked Sissy to recall and greet Lucy while staying in place. We spent the rest of the day working on commands like "under," "send away to place," and "come to heel" at a park nearby. Sissy performed these commands well, though she occasionally needed some help, especially when placing her under a different table or bench. The rest of the practice at the park went smoothly, though Sissy was distracted by eating grass, so I used her e-collar to correct this behavior when needed.
Pupdate 12/27/2024
Today, we visited the Citadel Outlets in Commerce, CA, for some exposure and shopping. When we first arrived, Sissy appeared calm and was able to stay focused, not getting easily distracted by people passing by. However, she did seem interested in small children running around. Each time she saw a child run, I would say "off," and she would refocus on me, allowing me to praise her for her attention.
Later, we met up with our friend Amanda and her dogs and walked through the area together. We practiced asking the dogs to sit or lay down in random spots while allowing people to pass by, helping desensitize them to busy environments. During a session where we worked on the "place" command, a woman approached and greeted the dogs, which went smoothly. Although Sissy did get up once, I was able to redirect her, and the second greeting went much better, with her remaining calm and not impulsive.
As we stayed longer, the dogs became more tired, so we finished up our routine and headed home. At home, Sissy spent the rest of the day practicing her off-leash obedience commands both indoors and outdoors. I also worked with her alongside Hunter on her door manners and staying at the front of the house, which went very well. With just two days left in her training, Sissy has made remarkable progress every day.
Pupdate 12/28/2024
Today marks Sissy's final day in our program, and we began the morning with a walk around the neighborhood, accompanied by Hunter. We passed by a nearby park and decided to take advantage of the park’s obstacles and platforms to work on some training with both dogs. Afterward, we returned home to focus on Hunter’s training in the front yard before allowing both dogs to enjoy some playtime.
In the video above, I highlight Sissy's obedience while using a microphone. This helps viewers gain a better understanding of how to effectively communicate with our dogs. Through consistent practice, it becomes clear that a single command is often enough for a dog to understand what we want. While some people believe that repeatedly speaking to a dog will capture their attention, this is actually ineffective and can sometimes lead to a dog becoming fixated, depending on the situation. For Sissy, all it takes is issuing her obedience commands, followed by praise, either verbal or physical.
A key detail about using the remote for redirection is that during most of Sissy's training, when we first ask for a command, it’s a "freebie"—meaning no remote is used. If Sissy doesn’t respond, then I follow up with a low-level signal on the remote, gradually increasing the intensity until she complies. Once she follows through, the remote resets to its base setting.
Sissy’s training journey has been a transformation, from pulling on the leash and reacting to other dogs to now exhibiting off-leash obedience and improved socialization. Each day, Sissy has demonstrated her potential to be obedient, but this required consistent practice. Providing Sissy with opportunities to explore the world around her and working through her thresholds has been key to helping her understand the expectations. I will miss watching her progress as we visited various places, witnessing her behavioral changes along the way. But Sissy is now ready to go home, where she will continue to thrive and be the best she can be for her owner!
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