Theo | Pitbull Mix | Lakewood,CA | In-Training
- Reine Melnick
- May 24
- 17 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Meet Theo, a 19-month-old Pitbull Mix from Lakewood who has officially joined us for our 3 Week Reactive Program! Theo is a big, strong boy with a lot of personality, and he definitely knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage. On walks, he tends to pull his owners around wherever he wants to go, making outings a bit challenging at times. Theo also gets very excited when meeting people and loves to jump up to say hello the moment he gets the chance.
While Theo is a very sweet and loving boy with his family, he struggles with strangers coming into the home. He becomes very vocal, aggressively barking at visitors, and has even attempted to nip at people’s feet when feeling uncomfortable or overstimulated. Over the next three weeks, we’ll be helping Theo build confidence, structure, and better communication through obedience training and clear boundaries.
During his program, we’ll be focusing on basic obedience, improving his leash manners, teaching calm and respectful house manners, and helping him remain relaxed and under control when guests come to visit. We’re excited to help Theo become the best version of himself and can’t wait to show everyone his progress. Stay tuned for his transformation!
Pupdate 5/24/26
Today was Theo’s very first day with me, so instead of jumping straight into a lot of structure and training, we decided to take things slow and help him settle into his new environment. We headed to a quiet park where Theo was able to decompress and spend about 20 minutes simply sniffing around the grass field and taking everything in. With all the new smells, sounds, and surroundings, he was understandably a bit hesitant and unsure at first. However, after about 20–30 minutes, Theo began to relax and show more curiosity toward me, coming over for pets, attention, and affection on his own.
Once I felt like his stress levels had come down, we started working on his introduction to “Heel.” Knowing how strong Theo is and how much he likes to pull during walks, I chose to use a prong collar as the best communication tool for him. Theo is an incredibly smart boy, and he quickly started learning that he needed to pay attention to where I was going instead of trying to lead the walk himself. As you can see in the video, anytime I changed directions or Theo started to pull ahead, I gently guided him back into the correct position. He did get a little distracted by the camera-woman a few times, but he settled back down very quickly and got right back to work.
Since it was only his first day, I wanted to keep things positive and avoid putting too much mental pressure on him right away. Overall, Theo did a fantastic job for Day One, and I’m very excited to continue building his confidence, obedience, and manners over the next few weeks. Can’t wait to see him continue to grow and learn more each day!
Pupdate 5/25/26
Theo had another big day today as we took a trip to the park and met up with a few other trainers and their dogs! Our main focus for the day was helping Theo continue to relax, decompress, and feel comfortable in a more active environment. We spent the beginning of our session simply letting him explore at his own pace, taking in all the new sights, smells, and sounds while the other trainers worked nearby with their own dogs.
Once I started noticing Theo relax a bit more and become curious about his surroundings instead of nervous, we introduced a little bit of training. We worked on teaching him “Sit” and “Down” while on Place. At first, Theo was definitely distracted by all the activity and needed a few reminders to stay focused.
However, after about 10–15 minutes, something really clicked for him! He began relaxing more, staying engaged with me, and became much more receptive to what I was asking instead of shutting down or ignoring the training. This was a huge win for Theo, especially considering just yesterday he was still feeling pretty nervous while learning new things.
After spending a few hours at the park, we decided to leave on a positive note and head home so Theo could decompress and process everything we worked on. Since the middle of the day started getting pretty warm, Theo spent most of the afternoon relaxing with naps, along with a few short 10–15 minute neighborhood walks sprinkled in between.
Once the weather cooled down later in the evening, we headed out for a longer walk around the neighborhood and over to a nearby park. During our walk, we mainly focused on his “Heel” and “Sit.” One of the best parts of the day was seeing Theo really start coming out of his nervous shell and becoming more excited to be around me. He even started doing little happy hops around me with his tail wagging! That may seem small, but for Theo it is a massive step forward as he continues building confidence and learning to trust the process.
Good job today, Theo!
Pupdate 5/26/26
Theo had another awesome day of training today as we headed out to a park with two other trainers and their dogs! Since Theo was feeling much more confident today, we decided to jump right into the session with a structured “Heel” around the park.
Overall, he did a really great job staying with me and remaining well behaved throughout the walk. There was only one moment where he got a little confused and tried walking on my right side instead of my left. When that happened, I simply kept moving forward and guided him back into the correct position. After that, Theo stayed right on my left side for the rest of the walk, which was amazing to see! He is really starting to put the pieces together and make good choices on his own.
To keep things fun and engaging for him, I mixed in a few “Sit” commands throughout the walk instead of only focusing on heeling. This helped keep Theo paying attention while also continuing to build his understanding of obedience. He is such a smart boy and picked up on it very quickly, only needing a little guidance once or twice before understanding exactly what was being asked of him.
Since he was doing so well, I decided to challenge him a little more by testing his duration with “Sit.” I had Theo hold the command while I walked around him a few times to see if he would remain in place or get up early. Theo absolutely nailed it and stayed put the entire time until I released him with “Break!”
I am super proud of how much progress Theo has made in just a few short days. His confidence continues to grow each day, and he is becoming more eager to learn and work. I can’t wait to see how much more this smart boy accomplishes throughout the rest of the week. Good boy Theo!
Pupdate 5/27/26
Theo had a big confidence-building day today as we headed to Home Depot to train alongside another trainer and their dog! Right away, I could tell Theo was feeling a bit nervous in such a high-traffic environment with loud noises, moving carts, and constant activity happening around him. Instead of jumping straight into training, we decided to slow things down and start with a relaxed walk through the garden section to help Theo decompress, sniff around, and build confidence at his own pace. We spent about 30 minutes simply allowing him to explore and process the environment without any pressure or expectations, which was exactly what he needed.
Once I noticed Theo starting to settle in, we transitioned into a more structured “Heel” and slowly worked our way further inside where there were many more distractions. Theo actually did really well overall! You could definitely see he was still unsure at times with his head low and sniffing the ground, but I intentionally allowed him to sniff while remaining in “Heel” because I understood he was using it to help himself feel more comfortable in the environment. As long as he stayed by my side and continued listening, I considered that a HUGE win for him today!
After spending some time working through Heel, we moved on to practicing his “Extended Sit” in a slightly busier area of the store. Honestly, I expected Theo to break position multiple times, but he surprised me and only got up once after something moved behind him. I simply gave him a small reminder, and he settled right back in and held the command until I released him with “Come.” His “Come to Sit” is still very much a work in progress, but I was incredibly proud of him for not trying to avoid coming back to my side despite everything happening around him.
We then continued with more Heel work before attempting “Extended Down.” This was definitely more challenging for Theo, which is completely understandable. Theo is naturally a bit nervous in new environments, and “Down” can feel like a very vulnerable position for dogs. I spent about two minutes calmly guiding him into position with light leash guidance to help him understand what I was asking. Even though he struggled a bit with this command, I am beyond proud of him for continuing to work through things in such a difficult environment full of distractions and unfamiliar sounds.
Since Theo was putting in so much effort and making such good choices, we decided to end the session on a positive note and head home so he could relax and decompress. Overall, this was a HUGE day for Theo and an important step forward in building his confidence. Super proud of him today!
Pupdate 5/28/26
Today Theo and I headed out on a walk to a local park to continue working on his commands in a fun and engaging environment! Since Theo was feeling a little extra excited and energetic at the start of our session, we decided to jump right into a structured "Heel" to help him shift into a focused working mindset. He did an amazing job transitioning from excitement to work mode and stayed right by my side the entire walk to the park.
To keep things interesting and make sure Theo stayed engaged, I mixed in several obedience commands throughout our walk. Anytime we approached a crosswalk, I asked for a "Sit," and Theo did a fantastic job listening and responding promptly. We also bounced back and forth between "Sit," "Down," and "Heel," which kept him mentally engaged and eager to work.
Because Theo was doing such an outstanding job, I decided that once we arrived at the park, he had earned some time to simply be a dog and enjoy himself. I let him decompress by exploring his surroundings, sniffing the grass, investigating the trees, and taking in all the sights and smells. Theo was especially goofy today and had a blast rolling around in the grass and soaking up the experience.
After he got some energy out and had his fun, we finished our outing with a short 10-minute "Place" session using a bench along the walkway. Once again, Theo impressed me with how well he listened and remained on place, even as several people walked by nearby. He continues to make great progress and is becoming more confident and focused with each session.
Great job working hard today, Theo!
Pupdate 5/29/26
Today, Theo and I headed back to Home Depot to continue strengthening his commands while also working on building his confidence around loud noises and busy environments. Since Theo is still a bit nervous when unexpected sounds happen around him, I wanted to create a training session that allowed him to observe the world without feeling overwhelmed.
We started by finding a more open area in the lumber section and worked on his Extended Sit. The goal was to have Theo remain calmly in command while watching forklifts, carts, employees, and customers moving throughout the store. Sometimes the best way to help a nervous dog gain confidence is not by constantly moving them through distractions, but by allowing them to settle in one place and simply experience the environment around them.
Theo did an excellent job! He remained in his sit and stayed focused even as people pushed large trolleys past him and various noises echoed through the store. While you could tell he was taking everything in, he handled himself very well and continued making good choices throughout the session.
Since Theo was working hard and processing a lot of new experiences, I decided to end the session on a positive note and head home so he could relax and decompress. Confidence-building takes time, and every successful outing helps him become more comfortable with the world around him.
I am incredibly proud of Theo for all the hard work he has put in this week and the steady progress he continues to make in his training journey!
Pupdate 5/30/26
Today, Theo and I headed to Thousand Oaks Mall to continue building his confidence while practicing all of his commands in a new environment! Going into the session, I knew the busy main floor with large crowds and constant movement would likely be a bit overwhelming for him. Rather than pushing him into an environment that was too intense, we made the decision to work primarily on the second floor where there was less foot traffic and fewer distractions. This helped Theo feel more comfortable and allowed him to focus on learning rather than worrying about everything happening around him.
We started our session with a structured "Heel" around the second floor, passing by a handful of people along the way. Theo did a great job staying by my side, and I made sure to praise him whenever he calmly ignored people as they walked past us. Once he settled into the environment, we moved on to practicing his "Place" command using a bench off to the side of the walkway. This gave him an opportunity to work while avoiding being overwhelmed by crowds moving all around him.
As Theo became more relaxed and confident, we began working on his Extended Sit and Extended Down in the middle of the pathway to help strengthen his impulse control. Despite the new environment and occasional distractions, he did a nice job remaining in position and working through the exercise. Since this was one of Theo's biggest outings so far and he was handling everything so well, we decided to end the session on a positive note and head home to let him decompress and process everything he experienced.
I am very happy with Theo's progress and proud of the confidence he continues to build each day!
Pupdate 5/31/26
Today, we headed back to the park later in the day to continue working on Theo’s exposure to other dogs while reinforcing his obedience commands. When we arrived, we noticed a gentleman sitting on a bench along the path with his German Shepherd. Since Theo has shown some reactivity toward other dogs, I saw this as a great training opportunity to begin working on those challenges in a controlled way.
Knowing that Theo can be a bit nervous in new situations, we started our session with a full lap around the park, focusing on his Heel, Down, Place, and Come to Sit before moving any closer to the other dog. Theo did an excellent job staying engaged and responsive, even while the German Shepherd was barking quite a bit from a distance.
As Theo began settling in and showing more confidence with his commands, we started walking back and forth past the other dog while maintaining a structured Heel. The goal was to teach Theo how to appropriately respond to the presence of another dog—even one that was being quite vocal. You could clearly see that Theo wasn’t a huge fan of the situation and would occasionally try to avoid the other dog by moving to my opposite side. Rather than forcing the interaction, we allowed him to work through those feelings while continuing to focus on his obedience.
This is an important part of the process. The more positive and controlled exposure Theo gets around other dogs, the more comfortable and confident he will become over time. Instead of feeling the need to react or avoid the situation, he will learn that he can remain calm, listen to his handler, and move through the environment successfully.
After several successful passes and some really nice work from Theo, we ended the session on a positive note and headed home to let him decompress and process everything he learned today. I’m very proud of the effort he put in and the progress he continues to make!
Pupdate 6/1/26
Today, Theo and I met up with a few other trainers and their dogs at a local park to continue building his confidence and improving his behavior around other dogs. Since Theo has shown some avoidance and uncertainty around dogs in the past, I wanted to use this opportunity to help teach him that other dogs are neither a threat nor something he needs to become overly excited about.
We started our session with a structured "Heel" to get Theo into a focused working mindset. This helped him stay engaged with me rather than worrying about the dogs around him. As we gradually worked closer to the other dogs, I paid close attention to his body language, watching for any signs of tension, stress, or discomfort. Theo did an excellent job staying calm and relaxed, so I felt comfortable increasing the challenge.
Once we were near the group, I positioned Theo between two other dogs and placed him into an Extended Down. He handled this incredibly well! Throughout the exercise, I provided calm praise to reinforce his good choices and continue showing him that being around other dogs is a safe and positive experience. The more positive experiences Theo has in these situations, the more confident and comfortable he will become.
While the other trainers were working their dogs, we also spent time practicing Theo's "Come to Sit" and "Place" commands. Once again, Theo proved just how hard he is working. He remained focused and respectful, even as other dogs walked past him and moved around nearby. He stayed engaged with me and consistently followed through with the commands he was given.
Today was a huge step forward for Theo. Seeing him remain calm, focused, and confident around other dogs was something to be very proud of. He continues to make great progress every day, and I can't wait to see how much more he grows throughout the rest of his program!
Pupdate 6/2/26
Today, Theo and I worked in the yard alongside my personal dog to continue building his confidence and exposure around other dogs in a controlled environment. We started the session right away with a "Place" command to help get him into a working mindset, especially with another dog nearby. Theo did an excellent job staying focused and was very responsive to all of his commands throughout the session!
We also spent some time working on helping Theo become more comfortable jumping onto elevated objects. The goal is to build his confidence and body awareness so he can eventually jump into the car on his own without needing any assistance. At first, he was a bit skeptical and unsure due to his limited hind-end awareness, but after a few repetitions, he started figuring it out and became much more confident. This was a huge win for Theo and a great confidence-building exercise!
Afterward, we moved on to practicing his "Come to Sit." He is still learning how to properly come around from behind and find the correct position at my side, but he is making steady progress each day. With how quickly Theo has been learning, I have no doubt he'll have this command dialed in before long.
I am incredibly proud of Theo's progress so far. He continues to work hard, build confidence, and show us just how capable he is every day!
Pupdate 6/3/26
Today Theo and I headed to Lake Balboa to continue working on his exposure to other dogs, people, and all the distractions that come with a busy park environment. When Theo first came out of his crate, he was feeling very hyper and excited, so we started our session with a structured "Heel" to help get him into a working mindset. Once we got moving, he did a fantastic job shifting gears and settling into a much calmer state of mind. He was very well behaved and stayed focused as we worked our way around the park.
After spending some time walking, I decided to have Theo practice his "Extended Down" while people, dogs, birds, and other distractions moved around him. This was a huge opportunity to see how far he has come in his training. Theo remained calm and composed, watching everything going on around him without getting up or breaking command. I was extremely proud of how well he handled the environment and all the activity around him.
We also spent some time working on his "Come to Sit." Theo was feeling a little extra excited during this exercise and occasionally wanted to circle around me instead of coming directly into position at my side. Whenever he got confused, I simply took a few steps back and gave him another opportunity to succeed. With a little guidance and repetition, he quickly figured it out and performed the command correctly.
Overall, Theo continues to make fantastic progress, especially around other dogs. He has shown very little reactivity and is becoming much more comfortable and confident in busy environments. Every outing is helping him learn that he can remain calm, focused, and successful even when there are plenty of distractions around him. Great job today, Theo!
Pupdate 6/4/26
Today Theo and I headed back to Lake Balboa to continue building on all of the commands he has been learning! One of the best things to see is how much Theo is starting to come out of his shell and show off his fun, energetic personality. This is a huge win because it tells me that he is becoming very comfortable with me, his new environments, and the training process overall.
When we arrived at the lake, we jumped straight into a structured "Heel" to help channel some of that excitement into a calmer, more focused mindset. Theo's Heel has come soooo far since the start of his program! He is now walking very respectfully on just a flat collar and leash, which is awesome progress. Even with lots of people, dogs, and other distractions passing by, Theo remained focused and stayed right by my side throughout our walk.
Once he settled into a calmer state of mind, we moved on to practicing his "Extended Down" and "Extended Sit." Theo continues to impress me with how much progress he has made. He remained patient, composed, and responsive even with plenty of activity happening around him. Watching him calmly hold his commands while the world moves around him shows just how much his confidence and obedience are improving.
Overall, Theo had another fantastic day of training and continues to make huge strides every time we go out. I am incredibly proud of how far he has come and how well he is learning to work through distractions. Good boy, Theo!
Pupdate 6/5/26
Today Theo and I headed to the Oaks Mall to continue strengthening all of the commands he has been learning throughout his program! Since he came out feeling pretty excited and ready to go, I decided to start our outing with a structured "Heel" right from the beginning to help him settle into a calmer, more focused working mindset. After about 10 minutes of consistent reps and clear communication, Theo did a fantastic job relaxing and shifting his focus onto me.
Once he was in a calmer state of mind, we made our way inside the mall where we spent time practicing our "Heel" around plenty of people. Theo showed some really impressive self-control as we walked past shoppers, and he wasn't interested in trying to greet every person who stopped to admire how handsome he is! Anytime Theo made the choice to ignore distractions and stay focused on me, I made sure to praise him for making good decisions so he continues to understand that calm behavior is exactly what we are looking for.
After working on our walking skills, we used the fountain in the middle of the mall to practice "Place" and "Extended Down." Theo was such a good boy and listened very well to all of his commands. I was especially proud of him when a child was walking around the fountain nearby. Instead of becoming overly excited or distracted, Theo remained calm, focused, and committed to the task at hand. Seeing him choose to listen and remain composed in situations like that is a huge accomplishment!
We also spent some time working on his "Extended Down" in front of Starbucks while people were ordering coffee, sitting at tables, and moving around. Once again, Theo did an amazing job demonstrating patience and impulse control while remaining relaxed in his command.
I am SOOOOOOO proud of how far Theo has come! He continues to make great choices, stay engaged with his training, and show more confidence and self-control with every outing. Keep up the awesome work, Theo!
Pupdate 6/6/26
Today Theo and I took another trip to the Oaks Mall to continue building reliability with all of the commands he has been learning during his program. Since he was feeling pretty energized when we arrived, I started the session with a structured "Heel" to help channel that excitement into something productive. After several minutes of working together, Theo began to settle nicely and shifted into a much calmer, more focused mindset.
Once he was relaxed and engaged, we headed inside the mall to put his obedience skills to the test around real-world distractions. We spent time practicing his "Heel" while navigating through groups of shoppers, and Theo did an excellent job staying by my side. Even though plenty of people noticed him and wanted to admire him as we passed, he remained focused on his job instead of trying to seek attention. Whenever Theo chose to ignore distractions and maintain position, I made sure to reward and praise those good decisions.
Afterward, we made our way to the seating area near the fountain where we worked on "Place" and "Extended Down." This gave Theo an opportunity to practice remaining calm while people sat nearby, talked with friends and family, and relaxed around us. He handled the environment exceptionally well and stayed committed to the commands he was given. I was especially proud of how relaxed he remained despite having people close by, choosing to focus on me rather than everything happening around him.
To finish the outing, we moved over near Starbucks and worked on another "Extended Down." With people ordering drinks, chatting, and coming and going, it was a great environment to challenge his impulse control. Theo rose to the occasion and did a wonderful job remaining settled and attentive despite everything happening around him.
Overall, Theo had a fantastic session today. His ability to stay calm, make good decisions, and work through distractions continues to improve every day. I am incredibly proud of the progress he is making and excited to see him continue building confidence and reliability with his commands!
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