Summer | Shepherd Mix | Long Beach, CA

Meet Summer! Summer is a 15-month-old Shepherd Mix from Long Beach, CA who joins Off Leash for our One Week Board and Train Program. Summer is a beautiful, happily rescued pup who can be quite a handful. Summer doesn't know how to walk on the leash, she chews on the leash and chases after squirrels. Summer also likes to jump up to meet people. Lastly, Summer is highly inconsistent with her obedience commands. While with Off Leash, Summer is going to learn how to be a well-mannered and obedient pup. We will teach her obedience through consistency, balanced training, and clear communication. Stay tuned for Summer's 7-day transformation!

Pupdate 6/18/23

Today I picked up Ms. Summer and brought her to my home to start her one-week transformation. After you left the park today, I tried to see what Ms. Summer knew and that was a unique experience. I don't think I've ever had a "what does the dog know" experience quite like that one. Ms. Summer is very playful and I think she has been rewarded too many times with tug of war with the leash. Tug of war might be off the table for a while until she figures out the difference between playing with a toy/reward versus pulling on her leash and it turning into a game for her. I think she even tore my shirt but that's ok. I'll see how she does on a proper fitting and used pinch collar in conjunction with the e-collar in the next few days and work to get her on a flat collar.

I introduced her to my family and to my other dogs. I had her on a leash while she met my family and kids because she was a little jumpy on me. I wasn't worried about her doing anything bad but with her size, she could easily scratch or knock them over. When she has better self-control, I'll give her more freedom with them. The first meeting with the other pups was a little interesting as she had her hackles up. Ms. Toji, my German Shorthaired Pointer, is nice and only wants to inspect the new dogs but sometimes they don't like that. Mr. Bumi is my other board and train and he's one of the nicest pups around. Mr. Bumi and Ms. Toji know the lay of the land and Ms. Summer was a stranger so I only had her out there for a few minutes and then brought her in to relax. I let her back outside later in the day and they have all been fine. I look forward to working with Ms. Summer!

As pointed out when we were together, she did come with scars from a previous injury but they don't seem to bother her. They just add to her personality.

Pupdate 6/19/23

Today we hit the ground running with Ms. Summer! First I introduced the e-collar to see what level she was operating at. I was a little nervous because she is a rescue and sometimes even the slightest correction or over-stimulation could cause the dog to shut down or not trust me. As I was trying to figure out what her level was, I made sure to have treats on hand. Once I figured out her range, I put on a properly fitted pinch collar. She was receptive to it but it is uncomfortable. I gave her lots of treats so that she doesn't associate them with negativity. Then I introduced the "sit" and "heel". She did pretty well for the first time. She did have a tantrum at one point and threw herself on the floor but I used my voice and a little bit of leash pressure to get her to come back with me. She popped up and came with me. I even was able to introduce the "down" and "place". That was a lot in one session but she was willing to try and loves to work for treats. The treats and pinch collar are temporary tools to help her learn the obedience commands. As I am saying the commands, I am also applying low-level stimulation to her to pair them all together. Great start Ms. Summer!

Pupdate 6/20/23

Last night Ms. Summer and I went over to Norwalk Park in Norwalk, CA. We reviewed all of his commands and I introduced her last command, "Come to sit". Ms. Summer did ok with this one. She did throw a little tantrum at some point but I used my voice and encouraged her to keep working. Ms. Summer is quite intelligent and is picking up on things well. She was even willing to "place" on one of the park benches without issue! She wasn't overreactive to the soccer practices and basketball games going on. Today it was a little warm so we are holding off completing her training until we go to softball practice this evening with another mini-me. I am quite pleased with her progress thus far. I have taught her everything she needs to know and now we just have to do more and more repetitions from now until you get her back.

Pupdate 6/21/23

Last night, Ms. Summer and I headed over to Discovery Park in Downey, CA to work on her commands around distractors. There were soccer practices and softball practices going on. Ms. Summer did really well. We started on the pinch collar for her extended "down" and she did amazing. She did well enough that I decided to take the pinch collar off and see how she did. Ms. Summer did great without the pinch collar. She performed both of these tasks without me holding the leash. Today, I will practice with her using my long lead and not the short, heavy leather lead I was using. Ms. Summer is also doing well with loading in and out of the car. We just have to work on her door manners, food manners, and greeting manners and she's ready to head home!

Ms. Summer, Ms. Toji and Mr. Bumi seem to be playing a little rough as they are all approximately the same size. I observed some scratches where Ms. Summer already had her scarring and a little abrasion on her rear, right thigh area last night. I treated them both with anti-septic and today there's nothing significant. However; Ms. Toji did suffer some sort of injury, not sure how or when exactly but it was this morning. So just to be safe going forward, the pups will be monitored or separated so that you get your pup back the same way you gave her to me but just much better behaved.

Pupdate 6/22/23

Today Summer and I headed over to Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA. Ms. Summer got to meet some of our fellow Off Leash Trainers and their pups! Summer was interested in all the pups and can be a little overwhelming for the other pups but she can also listen and be patient if we are consistent and persistent with her. I enjoy taking her places as she has become more and more obedient. I did hang out with her for a little bit in the shade and she wound up chewing through one of my leashes. This is a note to keep an eye on her and ensure she isn't doing unwanted behavior. Other than that, Summer is doing great and we can't wait to show you what she has learned!

Pupdate 6/23/23

Today Ms. Summer and I went to Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, CA. We reviewed all her commands around distractions. She did such. a great job! I'm super proud of all her work this week. She has a foundation that you guys will have to continue to build upon. She understands the e-collar and behaves much better with it on. When it's off, she's willing to push the limits a little more. Just stay consistent with her and you'll get there. She still has a lot of puppy behavior and can test her limits. Stay consistent and persistent with her and you'll have a well-behaved pup!

Pupdate 6/24/23

Today Ms. Summer and I worked on her manners around the house. We focused on door manners and food manners. Door manners are where she is to patiently wait at the door while you go outside or people come in and out. Ms. Summer was eager to go outside at first but I reset her until she grasped the concept. Once she understood because I was consistent and persistent in what I was asking of her, she locked in and nailed it. Same thing with her food manners. My floor was a little slippery so staying in the "sit" took some effort but she got it.

As a reminder, here is what she learned over the past week with me(on leash):

Sit/Extended Sit
Down/Extended Down
Place/Extended Place
Heel
Come to Sit
Door Manners
Food Manners

We can't wait to show you how she has transformed over this past week!

Summer | Shepherd Mix | Long Beach, CA | In-Training

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