Suki | Golden Retriever | Malibu | In Training
- Chelsea Benz
- Jun 14
- 25 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Please welcome Suki!
Suki is an 18-month-old Golden Retriever from Malibu, California, joining us for our Old School Three-Week Board and Train Program!
This sweet girl has quite the story. Suki was adopted through a rescue organization that saves dogs from the meat markets of China. While we can only imagine the challenges she may have faced early in life, one thing is certain; her journey has led her to a loving family here in California, where she's been given the opportunity to thrive and experience all the comforts a dog could ask for.
Despite her loving home and happy life, Suki has developed a few habits that have become frustrating for her family. From pulling on the leash and counter surfing to mouthing, ankle nipping, stealing snacks from the kids, and always trying to be the one calling the shots among the other dogs in the household, Suki has plenty of opinions and isn't afraid to share them!
The good news is that many of these behaviors stem from a lack of structure, clear communication, and appropriate outlets for her energy. Over the next three weeks, we'll be helping Suki learn better manners, improve her impulse control, build her confidence, and develop the skills needed to become a calmer, more enjoyable companion both at home and out in the world.
She may be small in stature, but she's got a big personality, a sharp mind, and all the potential in the world. Follow along as we help Suki channel that energy into positive habits and guide her on her journey toward becoming the well-mannered companion her family knows she can be!
Pupdate 6/14
Today, we decided to take things nice and easy with Suki and headed to our local neighborhood park to get a feel for where she's currently at with her leash manners and begin introducing the foundations of a proper Heel.
Needless to say, Suki had a few opinions about that.
Like many dogs who are used to leading the way, Suki felt that she had a pretty good idea of where we should be going and how quickly we should get there. To help her understand that walks are a team effort, I utilized a technique we call the pivot. A pivot is simply a change in direction whenever the dog begins forging ahead. By turning and moving the opposite way, it encourages the dog to reconnect with the handler and match their pace rather than charging ahead on their own agenda.
The goal isn't to make the walk difficult; it's to teach the dog that paying attention to their handler is valuable. After all, this walk belongs to both of us, not just Suki!
What I loved seeing today was the moment things started to click for her. Towards the end of the video, you'll notice Suki frequently glancing up at me, checking in to see what my next move might be. Every time she offered that attention, I was quick to praise her. Those check-ins are incredibly important because they show that the dog's focus has shifted away from the environment and back onto the handler. It's one of the first building blocks of a great Heel.
As the session progressed, Suki began to realize that when I turned, she should turn too. Rather than fighting the movement, she started flowing with it. You may have noticed my excitement in the video when that happened! It always impresses me when a dog begins watching the handler and working with them instead of against them. By the end of our outing, I found I couldn't "trick" her nearly as easily because she had started paying such close attention to my body language and movement.
I also wanted to test her "Sit" during this to see where we are at. The ears did go up but the follow through will need some work. That's okay! It's the first day and I didn't expect anything nor was I going to push her on the day she was acclimating.
Overall, it was a calm but productive day focused entirely on building communication and engagement. Tomorrow, we'll be introducing the E-Collar to see how Suki responds and how we can continue improving her focus and understanding.
I'm already seeing some promising signs from this girl and have high hopes for her journey ahead.
Until next time!
Pupdate 6/15
(What a cute little smile.)
Today was another productive day for Suki as we continued building the foundations of her obedience and introduced her to the E-Collar. As with any training tool, our goal is to create a clear line of communication and help the dog understand exactly what is being asked of them. While this is something Suki has been exposed to in the past, it's my hope to give her a positive spin on the tool going forward so she knows and is excited to have it on. Because if the e-collar is in use, that means we're going somewhere! It's a bit early to determine exactly how she'll progress with it long-term, but she handled the introduction nicely and showed a willingness to work through the learning process.
Afterward, we headed over to Klingerman Park to put some of our training into practice around real-world distractions, including one of Suki's favorites; other dogs. Given her predisposed tendency to insert dominance in an aggressive situation, she acted quite mellow and was very desensitized to the dogs surrounding her for the most part.
Public outings like these are incredibly valuable because they allow us to work on obedience in environments where there are plenty of exciting things competing for a dog's attention.
I'm happy to say that Suki did a nice job! While she certainly noticed the other dogs around her, she was able to work through those distractions and focus on the tasks at hand. Her body language showed a dog that was interested and aware of her surroundings without becoming overly fixated on them. She remained engaged in the training process and showed growing confidence as we moved through the park.
One area where she's making particularly nice progress is with her Sit and Come to Sit. These commands are starting to come together much more naturally for her. You can see the gears turning as she begins to understand not only what is being asked, but where she should be positioning herself. Those little moments of understanding are always exciting to watch because they mark the transition from simply following guidance to genuinely learning the behavior.
Overall, Suki put together a solid day of work. Between being introduced to a new communication tool, practicing her obedience around other dogs, and continuing to sharpen her Sit and Come to Sit, she gave me plenty to be proud of.
I will definitely be keeping an eye on her body language and how she engages with dogs as we progress to see if I can catch those tendencies for reactions. Today, everyone behaved. But it's likely whether walking on the street or in a public place we will run into a dog that wants to try and "throw hands". That will be a real test for Suki. But today, pretty darn good success!
Great job, Suki! You're starting to realize that sitting pretty and coming when called is a pretty sweet deal after all!
Pupdate 6/16
Today Suki took on the busy atmosphere of Century City Mall, and with a soccer match drawing in crowds, excitement, noise, and plenty of distractions, it turned into the perfect training opportunity. While many dogs might find a bustling environment like that overwhelming, Suki showed us just how much confidence she's beginning to develop. She remained calm, composed, and simply unbothered by everything happening around her.
One of the biggest goals of public training is teaching dogs that they don't need to react to every person, sound, movement, or distraction they encounter. The world is full of exciting things, but learning to stay neutral and engaged with their handler is what creates a well-rounded companion. Suki did a fantastic job demonstrating this today. In the video, you can see her body language remains loose and relaxed, with a soft expression and a comfortable posture. Rather than fixating on the crowds or constantly scanning the environment, she was able to check in, focus, and move through the mall with confidence. That's a great sign that she's processing her surroundings without feeling stressed or overstimulated.
As if that wasn't enough, we decided to have a little fun by introducing two new concepts: "Down" and "Under." To our surprise, Suki picked up on both almost immediately! "Down" helps build impulse control, patience, and the ability to settle in different environments, while "Under" teaches her to tuck herself neatly beneath tables, benches, or other objects; an incredibly useful skill for outings to restaurants, cafés, or other public spaces. Many dogs need several repetitions before these concepts begin to click, but Suki's sharp mind was already putting the pieces together from the start.
Needless to say, this girl continues to impress us every day. Between her confidence in a busy public setting and her eagerness to learn new skills, she's proving herself to be one smart cookie. At this rate, Suki isn't just learning tricks; she's becoming quite the paw-fessional student! Terrible pun, I know. But wow, Suki. You really are a pro at this!
Even if she breaks commands occasionally, the biggest success was just her being so unbothered by the crowds of people. I can't wait to bring you more news tomorrow on her progress!
Until Next Time!
Pupdate 6/17
After such a big adventure at Century City Mall, we decided to tone things down a bit and enjoy a nice stroll around the neighborhood. Sometimes those quieter outings are just as valuable, allowing a dog to settle into their training and practice good habits in a more relaxed environment.
Suki has been taking to everything so well that I've already transitioned her from the slip lead to a regular leash and collar. I suspect her family deserves some credit here, as she seems very comfortable with things around her neck and has done a remarkable job staying with me. I still have to call her back and remind her when she starts getting just a little ahead of me, but honestly, I'm not complaining one bit. Gone is that day of ruthlessly dragging me down the sidewalk, and that's already a huge victory in my book!
Since we've now introduced all of her commands; including Place; we've shifted our focus toward helping her truly understand what those words mean, using hand gestures and consistent communication. Eventually, she won't be relying on leash guidance to help her make the right decisions. Instead, she'll begin making those choices on her own because she understands what's being asked of her.
And that's okay; we have plenty of time for her to get comfortable with my guidance and gentle leadership. As the days have gone on, I've noticed Suki becoming much more relaxed in her body language. Her movements are softer, she's less concerned with controlling every situation, and she seems genuinely content knowing someone else is providing direction. Often, dogs that try to take charge aren't looking for power; they're simply trying to make sense of the world around them. For a sweet girl like Suki, having clear and fair guidance has allowed her to let go of that responsibility, and in return she's really come out of her shell.
She's become such a loving little gal, and it's been a joy watching her confidence grow each day. With her tail wagging, her body loose, and her trust growing stronger, Suki is proving that sometimes all a dog needs is a gentle hand and someone to show them the way.
Way to go, Suki! You're really making some paw-sitive strides, and I'd say you're walking your way straight into everyone's hearts. She really makes me appreciate the breed. She's a great example of why Goldens are so popular!
Pupdate 6/18
Today was a big day for Suki as she made her very first trip to Home Depot! New environments can be overwhelming for young dogs with all the strange smells, noisy carts, towering shelves, and unfamiliar people, but Suki took it all in stride and did an amazing job.
Throughout our outing, she showed off a lot of curiosity and confidence. Her body language remained loose and engaged, and while she occasionally paused to take in all the exciting sights and scents around her, she was quick to check back in and continue working. That's exactly what we want to see; a dog that feels comfortable enough to explore but attentive enough to remember she's not navigating the world alone.
Of course, there were a few hiccups along the way, and that's completely okay! New experiences aren't about perfection; they're about building positive associations and teaching our pups how to work through distractions. Every little mistake is simply an opportunity to learn, and Suki showed us that she's more than willing to do just that.
For a first trip to such a busy and stimulating place, Suki really exceeded expectations. Each new adventure helps build her confidence, strengthens her communication with her handler, and teaches her that unfamiliar places aren't scary; they're just another opportunity to practice being the wonderful little lady she's becoming.
Way to go, Suki! She's really nailed her first Home Depot adventure! Hurray for puns!
Pupdate 6/19
Today Suki embarked on a big adventure to the Santa Monica Pier! Between the bustling crowds, ocean breeze, endless new smells, and the excitement surrounding both the FIFA festivities and the holiday, there was a lot for a young pup to take in; especially on her very first visit.
And honestly, feeling a bit overwhelmed was completely fair. Santa Monica can be sensory overload even for people! Despite all the commotion, Suki gave us her best and showed wonderful resilience throughout the outing. Her body language told us she was processing a lot, and whenever she needed support, we were there to help guide her through it rather than expecting perfection.
One area we focused on was Place. While practicing, Suki wasn't quite sure about balancing on a bench and was hesitant to trust the unfamiliar surface beneath her paws. Rather than forcing the issue, we took our time, encouraged her, and helped her work through those uncertainties at her own pace. Building confidence means teaching our pups that it's okay to be unsure and that they can rely on us to help them navigate new challenges safely.
Even with a few hiccups and moments of uncertainty, Suki continued to try, recover, and move forward. That's what matters most. Training isn't about creating robots; it's about creating understanding, trust, and confidence. Every new experience, especially the difficult ones, helps shape her into the wonderful companion she's becoming.
We're incredibly proud of this sweet girl. For her first trip to one of the busiest places around, she gave it her all, and that's more than enough. Way to go, Suki! She's learning that even when life gets a little pier-pressure-filled, she can always lean on her people and keep making waves. Snuck that pun right in there.
Pupdate 6/21
Today Suki took another exciting training trip to Lake Balboa, and she did a great job working through real-world distractions! Trips like these are incredibly important because they expose dogs to new sights, sounds, people, bicycles, wildlife, and unfamiliar environments. This type of socialization and environmental training helps build confidence, improves focus, and teaches dogs to listen even when there are exciting things happening around them.
During our outing, we continued working on Suki’s “Place” command. She had a few moments where she decided to jump off the bench before being released, but that’s all part of the learning process! Rather than giving up, Suki worked through the challenge and practiced returning to her place position. Every successful repetition helps strengthen her understanding that “Place” means remaining calm and staying put until she hears her release command.
We also noticed something that can happen with dogs who have learned the “Under” command. Because Suki has been taught to go underneath objects, she occasionally assumes that when she sees a bench or similar structure, the correct answer is to go underneath it rather than on top of it for “Place.” This isn’t stubbornness; it actually shows that she’s thinking and trying to apply her training. The challenge is helping her understand that different commands have different expectations, even when using the same object.
To help fix this, we focus on being very clear and consistent with our cues. When asking for “Place,” we guide and reward Suki for getting on top of the object, while reserving “Under” only for situations where we specifically want her beneath something. By practicing both commands separately and rewarding the correct choice each time, dogs learn to distinguish between the two and become more confident in making the right decision. Over time, the hesitation disappears as they better understand the difference between going on an object versus going under it.
Training in a busy environment like Lake Balboa is much more difficult than training at home, which makes today’s accomplishments even more impressive. Suki showed determination, kept trying, and made progress despite the distractions around her. Every outing like this helps build a more confident, focused, and well-mannered companion.
Great job today, Suki! We’re proud of the effort you put in, and every challenge you work through is another step toward becoming an even more reliable and confident dog. Keep up the fantastic work!
Pupdate 6/22
Today Suki took another trip to Home Depot, and every outing like this is an important step in building her confidence, obedience, and ability to work around real-world distractions. Home Depot provides a constantly changing environment with new people, carts, sounds, and smells, making it the perfect place to practice maintaining commands outside of the home. It was a good place to practice Heel work since Suki can get easily distracted by noises and smells. I have been working diligently on her keeping close to me. We’re doing less leash correction and more relying on the e-collar for guidance.
Suki continues to show progress with her obedience work! While she can still be a bit antsy at times and occasionally wants to break commands a little earlier than asked, we’re seeing improvement where it matters most; her initial command execution.
She’s becoming more reliable when first given a command and is starting to better understand that following through consistently is what earns her success. Building duration and patience takes time, but each outing helps strengthen those skills.
Today we focused on reinforcing those expectations, working through moments where she wanted to pop out of position early and guiding her back to success. The important thing is that Suki is learning, improving, and becoming more confident with every session. Progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about steady improvement, and Suki is definitely moving in the right direction!
Most importantly, she had a fun time exploring, learning, and spending quality time training. Great job today, Suki! Keep up the good work; you’re really starting to nail down those commands! I’ve definitely made that pun before.
Pupdate 6/23
Today we took to the neighborhood for a relaxing walk and spent some time working on duration exercises. While teaching a command is important, teaching a dog to remain in that command until released is where the real understanding begins. Duration work helps build patience, impulse control, and confidence, and like anything worthwhile, it takes consistency and a whole lot of patience from both ends of the leash.
Suki had a few moments where she wanted to test the boundaries and see if she could get away with breaking position early. That's perfectly normal! Dogs don't test boundaries out of spite; they're simply trying to understand where the rules begin and end and whether they're always the same. By remaining calm and consistent, we help them learn that success comes from staying committed rather than making their own decisions.
After a few repetitions and some gentle reminders, everything started to click for our girl. By the end of our walk, Suki was holding her positions much more confidently and showing a much better understanding of what was being asked of her. Sometimes progress isn't flashy, but these small victories are what create reliable behaviors down the road. Great job, Suki!
Pupdate 6/24
Today we kept things a little simpler and headed out to the backyard to focus on duration work with Down. While teaching a dog how to get into position is important, teaching them to stay there despite distractions is where the real learning happens. Duration work helps build patience, impulse control, and confidence, showing Suki that she doesn't always need to be moving or reacting to everything around her.
Suki did a wonderful job settling into her Down and holding the position for longer periods of time. Like any young dog, she tested the boundaries a bit, occasionally checking to see if she could sneak out of position early, but that's a completely normal part of the learning process. Dogs learn through consistency, and every time we calmly guide them back to the expectation, they gain a clearer understanding of what earns success. By the end of our session, Suki was relaxing more quickly and showing a much better understanding that Down means staying put until she's released. Great work today, Suki! Keep it up, sweetheart!
Pupdate 6/25
Today we headed to our local park to continue building on Suki's duration work in a more distracting environment. We were also joined by my girlfriend, who is also a trainer with Offleash, Rei, and her two boarding dogs: Lyra and Fang. As they are all on the same program it makes for great work and an example for dogs to follow with one another along this journey.As she's become more familiar with her commands, we've begun utilizing both the prong collar and e-collar together for Suki. Since she already understands the commands themselves, these tools are no longer being used to teach new behaviors, but to create clear, consistent communication. The prong provides directional leash pressure, while the e-collar reinforces the command, helping her understand exactly how to find the correct answer.
One thing we've been working through is Suki's tendency to overcorrect when she feels e-collar stimulation. Instead of calmly thinking through the command, she'll sometimes rush into random behaviors in an attempt to make the sensation stop. To help her through this, I'm pairing the e-collar with clear leash guidance from the prong and precise timing, so she learns which behavior turns the pressure off. This keeps the communication consistent and helps build confidence, showing her that she doesn't need to panic; she simply needs to perform the command she already knows.
Suki is definitely entering the stage where she's testing boundaries, which is a completely normal part of the learning process. Rather than being confused, she's beginning to ask, "Do I really have to?" By staying patient and consistent, we're helping her understand that following through is always the right choice. She had a few stubborn moments today, but she worked through them nicely and ended the session much more focused and responsive. She's continuing to make steady progress every day, and I'm proud of how she's developing.
Great job today, Suki!
Pupdate 6/26
Today we made another trip to the Santa Monica Pier to continue proofing Suki's obedience in one of the busiest and most distracting environments we can find.
Between the crowds, bicycles, street performers, food vendors, and all the excitement, it's the perfect place to reinforce that her commands don't change just because the world around her does.
Today's session was a little different, as my girlfriend, who's also a trainer with Off Leash; took the reins with Suki. This is an important part of her training because we don't want her obedience to become tied to a single handler. Dogs naturally become familiar with the person they've been working with, so having another experienced trainer step in teaches Suki that the expectations remain the same no matter who's holding the leash. It helps her generalize her commands, builds confidence, and creates a dog that's dependable with anyone handling her.
Suki tested the waters a bit at first to see if the rules had changed, but she quickly realized they hadn't. Once she settled in, she worked beautifully through the distractions and showed just how much she's learned. Her Heel has become one of her strongest commands, and she's walking with confidence and consistency, even in a challenging environment like the pier. At this point, our biggest focus is refining her distance and duration on her stationary commands, helping her remain in position for longer periods and with more space between herself and the handler. She's making excellent progress every day, and it's been rewarding to watch her confidence and reliability continue to grow.
Great job today, Suki, we're both so proud of you!
Pupdate 6/27
Today we headed back to Santa Monica for another session in a high-distraction environment. Returning to the same challenging location is an important part of training because it reinforces that the expectations remain the same, no matter how exciting the surroundings may be. The crowds, bikes, food, street performers, and constant activity all create opportunities for Suki to practice making good decisions despite the temptation to investigate everything around her.
I'm happy to say Suki continues to rise to the occasion. There were definitely points where she got overstimulated by all that's going on, but she's quick to try and correct herself.
Our primary focus now is continuing to polish her distance and duration on commands like Sit, Down, and Place. As Suki gains confidence, we're asking her to hold those positions for longer periods and with greater distance between us. These exercises build patience, impulse control, and reliability, ensuring she'll be just as successful when her handler isn't standing right beside her.
Suki has made tremendous progress throughout her training, and it's exciting to see everything beginning to come together. She's becoming a more confident, focused, and dependable companion with every outing.
Keep up the fantastic work, Suki! We're so proud of you!
Pupdate 6/28
Today we headed out to Lake Balboa to continue putting Suki's obedience to the test in a highly distracting environment. Between people walking by, cyclists, squirrels, other dogs, and all the activity the park has to offer, there was no shortage of temptations. These outings are where training really begins to come together, as we're asking Suki to make the same good decisions she does at home despite everything happening around her.
As you'll notice in today's video... no leash! Over the past several days, we've been working hard to transition away from relying on leash guidance altogether. That process has taken plenty of patience, consistency, and repetition, but Suki has made tremendous strides. The goal is for her to respond because she understands and trusts the communication, not because she's physically being guided.
One of Suki's biggest hurdles has been her tendency to seek an "escape" whenever she feels unsure or corrected. Rather than working through the situation, she'll often look for an opportunity to perform her "Under" command, almost as if she's trying to remove herself from the moment entirely. Instead of forcing her through those moments or making them stressful, we've approached them with calm, consistent guidance. We acknowledge her uncertainty, gently redirect her back to the task, and reward her for choosing confidence over avoidance. Little by little, she's learning that she doesn't need to hide when something feels difficult; she's capable of working through it, and nothing bad is going to happen. Watching that confidence grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of her training.
You'll also notice today's video is a bit longer than usual. I wanted to leave more of the session intact because I felt it best showcased not only her progress, but also the reasoning behind the way we've been handling her training. It's one thing to see the finished product, but it's equally important to see how she processes challenges and works through them.
Even with a small fumble toward the end, I couldn't be happier with how Suki performed. She had countless opportunities to break position and greet people or other dogs, and she also had every reason to want to run back to me for comfort and praise. Instead, she showed tremendous self-control and worked through those impulses beautifully. That kind of restraint is something we've been building toward since day one, and today she showed just how far she's come.
I am incredibly proud of Suki, and you should be too. She's becoming a more confident, thoughtful, and reliable companion every single day. What a fantastic job today, sweet girl!
Pupdate 6/29
Today we headed over to Klingerman Park to continue building one of the most important aspects of obedience: duration. While learning a command is the first step, understanding how long to hold that command is what truly makes it reliable in everyday life. Today's focus was helping Suki remain in her Sit and Down until she's given her release command, even as the world around her continues moving.
As you'll see in the video, Suki carried herself with a wonderfully calm demeanor throughout the session. There were people passing by, sounds to investigate, and plenty of things competing for her attention, but she did an excellent job settling into her commands. Did she break position a few times? Absolutely; and that's alright. Duration work is mentally challenging because we're asking a dog to resist the urge to follow every curiosity or impulse. Rather than viewing those moments as mistakes, we use them as opportunities to teach.
Each time Suki stood up or moved before being released, I simply guided her back into the exact position she was asked to hold. There's no need for frustration or making a big deal out of it. Calmly resetting her shows that the expectation hasn't changed. By consistently returning her to the command and rewarding her for remaining patient, she begins to understand that staying in place is what earns praise and eventually her release. Dogs learn through repetition and consistency, so every successful reset helps strengthen that understanding.
One thing that's becoming increasingly noticeable is how much more relaxed Suki is during these exercises. She's beginning to realize that she doesn't have to react to every distraction around her, and instead can look to me for guidance. That growing patience and trust are exactly what we're aiming for, and they're going to make her obedience much more dependable no matter where she goes. She worked hard today, and I'm incredibly proud of the steady progress she's making!
It's a lot in the making but I think we're making our way to a calm journey together.
Pupdate 6/30
Today Suki and I returned to Century City Mall, the very place where our adventure together really began. I always enjoy revisiting locations like this because they provide a wonderful opportunity to measure progress in a meaningful way. The same sights, sounds, crowds, and distractions that were once new and overwhelming become familiar benchmarks, allowing us to see just how far a dog has come.
I have to say, Suki's improvement is absolutely undeniable. When we first visited Century City, she was much more reserved and hesitant, spending a lot of her energy trying to process everything happening around her. While she worked hard, it was clear that the environment demanded much of her attention. Today was a completely different story. She walked with much more confidence, settled into her commands more quickly, and recovered from distractions with far less guidance from me. Instead of constantly scanning her surroundings, she was able to focus on our work together, which is exactly the mindset we're striving for.
One of the biggest changes I've noticed is how much more comfortable she's become working in front of large groups of people. It's completely natural for dogs to feel unsure in busy public places, but repeated positive experiences help build confidence. Suki is really starting to come out of her shell, trusting both herself and her training. She's much more willing to perform her commands, hold her positions, and stay engaged with me even as people pass by or gather nearby.
Seeing this kind of growth is incredibly rewarding. Confidence isn't built overnight; it's earned through consistency, patience, and many successful repetitions. Suki is proving that all of her hard work is paying off, and it's been such a joy watching her blossom into a more confident, focused companion. I couldn't be prouder of our sweet girl.
Way to go, Suki!
Tomorrow we try for Santa Monica. I think we can do it. Just hold that Place, Suki and you're as Golden as ever!
Pupdate 7/1
Today Suki and I returned to tackle our biggest challenge once again: Santa Monica. This has been one of the busiest, most stimulating environments we've visited throughout her training, making it the perfect place to truly put all of her hard work to the test. Between the crowds, bicycles, skateboards, children, other dogs, street performers, and endless distractions, there's no shortage of reasons for a dog to lose focus. Today, however, Suki showed just how far she's come.
I'm thrilled to say we found great victory.
Throughout today's outing, Suki confidently demonstrated her Heel, Sit, Down, Come to Sit, Place, and Under commands entirely off leash, and without a single correction on video. That's a tremendous accomplishment and a true reflection of the understanding she's developed over the past few weeks. She wasn't simply following commands because she had to; she was making the choice to stay engaged, trust her training, and work with me despite everything happening around her.
This is exactly why we train in environments like Santa Monica. Obedience isn't measured by what a dog can do in a quiet backyard; it's measured by how well they can think, make good decisions, and remain responsive when the world around them is exciting and unpredictable. Suki rose to that challenge beautifully. She showed wonderful impulse control, maintained her composure, and transitioned smoothly from one command to the next with confidence and enthusiasm.
Watching her perform with such reliability in one of the most distracting places we've visited is something to be incredibly proud of. The nervous, uncertain girl who first stepped into this environment has grown into a confident companion who trusts both herself and her training. That transformation has been amazing to witness, and she's earned every bit of it through patience, consistency, and hard work.
You really are a golden child, Suki! Well done!
Pupdate 7/2
Today Suki and I took a bit of a victory lap through Santa Monica. Rather than introducing new challenges, we returned to one of our most demanding training locations to make sure all of the lessons we've been building over the past few weeks have truly taken root. It's one thing for a dog to perform a command once, but the real goal is consistency; being able to remain calm, focused, and responsive no matter where life takes them.
What stood out most today was just how relaxed Suki has become. When we first began visiting Santa Monica, the busy atmosphere demanded much of her attention. The crowds, bicycles, street performers, other dogs, and constant movement made it difficult for her to settle into her work. Today, however, she navigated it all with a quiet confidence. She held her duration exercises beautifully, remained engaged with me, and transitioned between commands with far less effort than ever before.
Perhaps the biggest transformation isn't simply that Suki knows her commands; it's that she understands them. Because of that understanding, she no longer feels the need to react to every distraction around her. She's learned that looking to her handler for guidance is rewarding, and that confidence has made her a noticeably calmer dog, even in one of the busiest environments we've trained in. Instead of being overwhelmed by the world around her, she's able to take it all in stride and make thoughtful decisions.
Watching Suki carry herself with this level of composure has been incredibly rewarding. The hard work, patience, and consistency have all paid off, and today was a wonderful reminder of just how far she's come.
What a wonderful job, Suki!
Pupdate 7/3
Today was all about practicing the everyday manners that make living with a dog enjoyable. While obedience commands are important, it's these little moments throughout the day that really create a well-mannered companion.
For a little bonus, I started with footage of Suki's greeting manners from our trip to Santa Monica. Rather than jumping up or becoming overly excited when someone approached to say hello, she remained seated like the respectful young lady she's become. Calm greeting manners help create positive interactions with family, friends, and even strangers, showing that excitement doesn't have to mean losing composure. It was a wonderful example of just how far she's come and how well she can maintain her manners, even in a busy public setting.
Next was car manners, where Suki practiced waiting patiently outside the crate until she heard the command, "Load Up!" Rather than jumping in on her own, she's learning that patience and permission are the expectations. This not only reinforces impulse control but also makes loading in and out of the car much safer and more organized.
Next, we worked on door manners. Suki did an excellent job remaining calmly at the doorway, even when I stepped away from her. She's learning that an open door isn't an invitation to dash outside and that she should only cross the threshold when she's given permission. This is an incredibly valuable skill that helps prevent accidental escapes and keeps her safe.
We also practiced food manners. Suki patiently waited while I prepared and placed her meal in front of her without rushing in. She understands that she isn't to eat until she's released with her "Break!" command. This exercise builds patience, self-control, and reinforces the idea that good things come from making good choices.
She has come such a long way in learning that patience and self-control are just as important as knowing her commands. Watching her put all of these manners together throughout her training has been incredibly rewarding, and I couldn't be prouder of our sweet girl.
What a wonderful job today, Suki! You've truly become the golden standard of good manners!
Pupdate 7/4
Today was Suki's final day with me, and after all the hard work she's put in throughout her training, I decided she had more than earned a day to simply relax and be a dog.
While training is important, so is taking the time to decompress. Giving dogs an opportunity to unwind helps them process everything they've learned while reminding them that life isn't always about working, it's also about enjoying the world around them.
We took a gentle stroll through our local park, casually practicing her commands at a much more leisurely pace. There was no pressure today, just quiet repetitions, plenty of praise, and time to enjoy the fresh air together. Afterward, we headed home to rest and relax, soaking in one last peaceful afternoon before she returns to her family.
Looking back at where Suki started, it's incredible to see how much she's grown. She arrived as a timid young lady who often needed a reassuring tug on the leash to help her move forward through unfamiliar situations. Today, she's transformed into a confident little tippy-tappy lady who approaches the world with so much more curiosity and trust. She still has moments where something unexpected might give her pause, but now it only takes a little gentle guidance and encouragement before that tail is wagging once again. Watching that confidence blossom has been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey together.
I couldn't be prouder of the progress Suki has made. Her willingness to learn, her growing confidence, and her sweet personality have made her an absolute joy to work with. It's been a privilege to play a small part in her journey, and I truly believe she's going to be a wonderful companion for many years to come. The foundation has been laid, and with continued consistency, patience, and love from her family, she'll only continue to flourish.
Suki, this is just the beginning of your next great adventure. Keep your tail wagging, your heart brave, and your family smiling. Well done, sweet girl; it has been an absolute pleasure!
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