Turkey | Shih Tzu | Los Angeles, CA | In Training
- Alex Kruse
- Dec 28, 2025
- 14 min read
Updated: Jan 17
Meet Turkey! He's a 6-year-old Shih Tzu from Los Angeles, California, and he's here for our Three Week Reactive Board and Train Program. Turkey is very sweet and friendly for the most part, but he gets a bit territorial when new people come by the house, and he's having some issues getting along with his human baby brother. He's also attentive, but doesn't currently know any formal commands. Over the next three weeks we'll work on manners around the house when it comes to strangers, and teach him a set of basic commands so he goes home with a new foundation and understanding of house rules. Stay tuned for Turkey's three-week transformation!
12/28/25
After pickup I spent some time in the park with Turkey just getting a feel for his personality and what he knows. He was certainly curious about all the smells, and he was very friendly meeting other dogs, but I might as well have been invisible when it came to trying to give him any instruction. He followed along willingly enough while we were walking around though, so I think it shouldn't be too hard forming the type of bond with him I'll need to carry out his training.
At home he settled in pretty quickly. He was a little nervous meeting the bigger dogs, so I let him have some private space for today. We'll ease him into play time with them as he gets more comfortable with their presence, but otherwise he seemed pretty content just watching from a safe space. Inside he was quiet and showed no signs of anxiety. He's going to fit in just fine around here for his three week stay!
12/29/25
First of all, Turkey did extremely well overnight. He snuggled up and went to sleep, no problem, and he's decided he likes one my boarders (a smaller Bernedoodle). He's already gotten attached to me and to my housemate, who had him with her in her office today while I was out for a bit. He did bark a tiny bit when someone passed by outside, but settled in quickly enough with a simple verbal correction. He also hasn't had any accidents in the house. For our session we went out to a park today and met with some of the other Offleash crew. He did fine around the other dogs at the park, and had no issues with any of the people. As mentioned on his intake form, he was very happy crawling into the lap of anyone who would hold him lol. For his commands we started out slow with teaching a simple Sit and doing a little bit of work on his Heel, plus getting him accustomed to listening for a Release word. This word lets him know when it's okay for him to break whatever command he's in, and that he isn't supposed to do so without hearing that word. He was starting to catch on by the end of session, so I think he'll fully pick it up in no time!
12/30/25
We had a pretty successful day with Turkey today. He's really been struggling with the concept of Down, so I worked with him for a solid half hour this morning using his breakfast as treats before it finally sunk in. He did it four times cleanly on command by the end, so I'm hoping he'll remember it moving forward! For our outing today we went over to Santa Anita Mall and cruised around the outdoor section. We only worked on our Heel and our Sit, reminding him he needed to stay in that Sit position until released. He did really good with that today considering he's only just started learning it. The Heel definitely needs more work, but he was starting to get there without me having to apply leash pressure by the time we left. We also tested him on the elevator, and he had no issues with that at all!
12/31/25
It's going to be the first of many days of indoor work with this second round of rain! I took Turkey over to Home Depot, which also gave him some exposure to new smells and sounds. He did pretty good with those added distractions, not nearly as nervous as I thought he might be. He's starting to grasp the concept of leash pressure and where he should be at the Heel, his Sit is coming along nicely, and this was the first time he's done his Down for me on a hard floor! We also started on the beginnings of his Recall, which for us isn't just coming when called, but also coming around to sit at the Heel position. It only took us a few tries before he started getting the gist of it. He's really smart! With the barking at strangers at home, typically a small verbal correction and some redirection work has been successful so far. He hasn't gone full protect mode yet, but he does go alert and lets out small woofs. I'm hoping that starting to correct it early will keep him from going full territorial here. New house, new rules, but that should carry over to when he goes home as well.
1/1/26
We went back to the mall again today, but this time we ventured inside to test out Turkey in the crowds. He was definitely more anxious than he's been anywhere else we've practiced, but I can't blame him with so many people moving around him. He's just a little guy! Despite that, he was still able to hold his Sit whenever I asked, he stuck pretty close on his Heel, and we're continuing to work on getting him to do that Down smoothly. The rain is supposed to hold off for a bit tomorrow so I'm hoping to get to work him in more of the park and neighborhood settings again, but we'll see! He's at least starting to become a pro at navigating crowded spaces!
1/2/26
I took Turkey out to the park today where I was anticipating running across children playing. He did absolutely fine with the kids, and much to my surprise, to the big dog that came flying past us too! I thought for sure he was going to break his Sit when that happened, but no, he was calm as could be and totally ignored that other dog. I was so happy with that! Outside of that, I'm doing much less correction with his Heel, his Downs are still a little on the slower side, but he's starting to get it, and we're still practicing his positioning with his Recall. Today was the first time we worked on getting him to Place outdoors, which is what I was using those tree stump stairs for. Places means to go to a specified spot, lay down in the spot, and stay in that spot until released. He did great with going to the step and staying until I released him, still just a little resistance with the Down itself. We're getting there, though!
1/3/26
Since the rain held off for an extra day, Turkey and I went on a nice little adventure along my favorite trail. It was a little busier than I expected with everyone else trying to take advantage of the dry(ish) weather, so we had to navigate around bikes, joggers, families with small children and strollers, and of course other dogs. Turkey didn't care about any of them! He was busy sniffing everything and marking his territory, paying no mind to anything else going on. We practiced going on and off the Heel position, letting him move ahead so I could work his Recall, and of course his Sits and Downs. He wasn't as fond of doing those today since the surfaces were still wet, but we got him there. Inside the house where it's nice and dry, though, he's getting very good at those! He's also stopped barking with people coming to the door. He's alert, but he's not even doing the little woofs anymore, which is totally acceptable. He's coming along with his training very nicely!
1/4/25
I was going to take Turkey back to Home Depot today, but then the rain let up again so I thought maybe I could chance a playground that I know always has kids on it. The intent was to just walk him around a little to give him more exposure to the chaos that is children at play, but he was so calm and listening so well, I wasn't too nervous when the little boy ran up to pet him. Turkey just sweetly sat there, no signs of fear or aggravation at all. The only times so far that I've seen him snap at anything is when bigger dogs want to play with him at home and he isn't in the mood, but he isn't inappropriate when he does it. He's just telling them no if they don't pick up on his first cues to leave him alone, which he does give. Otherwise he exists just fine with everybody no matter how rough they're playing with each other. He doesn't seem to mind chaos so much in itself, he just doesn't want to be involved in it, so I think just giving him a safe space to retreat to where he can be left alone when he needs it would work just fine for him when he's starting to get grumpy.
1/5/26
I took Turkey over to my favorite dog park today - not to work inside the dog park, but in the surrounding areas and parking lot where he'd be exposed to many other types of dogs. As has been his pattern, he was unbothered by any of that, even when they were barking at him through the fence. We worked on all our commands, mostly on getting him to be a little closer on his Heel. I walked him with the fence right against his left side since he tends to try to move away that direction, and after a few times going back and forth like that, I was able to move out into the open and he caught on to hold position. This morning I used his breakfast as treats to work him inside off the leash. He was a little hesitant on moving all the way into his proper position during the Come, but outside of that, he performed everything very well. Also, for the first time since he got here, he did display just a little bit of possessive guarding over me when my dog came over for attention. I don't want to say "good" lol, but at the same time, if that's some of what we're dealing with in regards to how he acts around people at home, then I now have something I can actually work with and start correcting here. I still have two more weeks to work with that, so we'll see how it goes!
1/6/26
Today Turkey and I went over to the Wash Trail, which I often use when I'm working on refining the Heel. It's narrow and closed in on both sides so there's less distractions, and it makes a good visual for the dogs on where they should be positioned. I tried to be fairly hands-off on the leash today, keeping it clipped to my belt for safety, but with little leash pressure. I did still have to reach down to tug on it for corrections here and there, but for the most part he was pretty responsive to verbal cues. I had to use the collar once when he decided to dart ahead for a second, but he only needed that one reminder to keep pace with me for the rest of the session. He's also gotten really good at going straight into that Sit when I stop moving, but I'd like him to be more lined up properly with my leg when he does so. He has a tendency to turn sideways or all the way around before sitting, so we're working on correcting that. He does the same thing often when I ask for a Down, so while we're at least getting into the position without much difficulty now, I'll see if I can get him to do it without the extra turns!
1/7/26
Today I took Turkey out to another busy playground at Library Park in Monrovia. There were plenty of young kids running around, several of whom wanted to pet him. Turkey was very patient with everyone and showed no signs of being uncomfortable. We also worked on all our basic commands. He was much better at sitting in the direction I wanted him to, but is still turning some on the Down. Watching him more closely, he may be doing it because he has to compensate for his knees being out of place. I'll continue to monitor more closely and if it looks like that's the main cause, then he'll be allowed to adjust accordingly as long as he's moving into the Down on command. Outside of that, he had a fun day getting to run around in the grass and took a nice nap when we got home!
1/8/26
I brought Turkey to a local neighborhood park today just for general practice. He was having a little bit of a stubborn day on the Recall so we had to do it several times over, which is unusual because we also practiced this morning in the house, completely off leash, and he did absolutely great. There weren't really any distractions at the park, so I think he was just having an 'I don't want to' moment, but the important thing to note when they get in that mode is you can't let them get away with it. He was doing pretty good with his Downs and his Place today, so for the most part we just drilled that Recall again and again, and also worked more on his Heel. He definitely knows everything now, so it's just a matter of refining and making sure he knows he won't get his way when he's being stubborn!
1/9/26
Turkey had a much better day today, which is funny because I took him out to Old Town Monrovia where there were way more distractions! He was heeling beautifully down the sidewalks between people, strollers, outdoor diners, and other dogs, no problem. He held all his sits and downs until I released him, and did much better with his Recall work. He's still doing a little resource guarding at home with me against some of the other dogs, but a little redirection into commands is helping a lot. Mostly I just put him into a normal sit, or have him place, and I pet both him and the other dog at the same time. Once he realizes it's no big deal, he settles right back in. He's doing really well, I'm really happy with his progress on everything so far!
1/10/26
I took Turkey back to Live Oak Park, which is much busier today because it's a weekend and it's nice weather. There were a ton of kids running around everywhere, which Turkey was a little less sure about, but not in any sort of reactive way. Understandably, he was attentive so he wouldn't get run over. His Heel was a little less clean because of that, but otherwise he was able to perform all his commands fairly well. At home he's gradually doing better with his guarding against the other dogs. As long as he gets direction and reassurance that he's both safe and that he's still going to get attention, he calms down very quickly. He's doing well!
1/11/26
Turkey and I headed out to Arcadia Park today, which is the biggest park we have in the immediate area. We wandered over towards the playground first for his usual practice around kids, and he didn't have any issues. Then we walked around the park for awhile, practicing all his commands in between letting him have some free time. This little Bichon was off leash and kept running up to him, and they'd sniff and go on their way, then the dog would run over again. A kid kept chasing the dog around, catching it when it would stop to visit Turkey, then he'd let it go again. Turkey was a perfect, patient gentleman through the chaos, and when I had him on a break, he actually got excited and wanted to run after the other dog to play! He's been getting the zoomies around the house lately too, he's so cute when he's in a playful mood!
1/12/26
It was another group practice today, so Turkey got a chance to show off all he's learned since the last one. He was doing well, but then the gardeners came with the big mowers and leaf blowers, which stressed him out a little. He still did all his commands despite being anxious though, which just goes to show how far he's come since that first day. He of course did great around all the other dogs and people as well, simply curious but showing no signs of reactivity. I'm still working on sharpening up his Heel a little bit more, but outside of that, he's been performing very well for me on everything.
1/13/26
In continuing our quest of finding new playgrounds to take Turkey to, we went to a little park in Monrovia by a school. There weren't too many kids on the playground itself, but we worked on Heel up and down along the fence by the school while all the kids were out at recess. Still no signs at all of Turkey being bothered by any of it. He's gotten a lot more calm again at home with allowing the other dogs into my space, and the few times he's barked when strangers come to the door have been when the other dogs started it first. He's been playing with some of the other dogs at home too, and he was super cute rolling a ball around this morning. He's adjusted really well to everything here once he understood the routine and all the rules!
1/14/26
For today I wanted to show off some of Turkey's general manners and what our expectations are. Mostly it's for teaching impulse control by making them wait before we give permission to do things. This includes waiting before he's allowed to eat, showing him that we're in control of his food, which makes him respect us more. He has to wait before jumping into the car so he stays out of the way while we're trying to take care of things before letting him in. And, the most important one, he can't just run out doors. This is for his own safety more than anything, but will also help when guests need to come inside. If he isn't being sent to his Place, then he should still be asked to sit or lay down before opening the door, and holding his manners until he's been released. All of these things help establish boundaries so he'll listen better when we're asking him to be patient or to give us space as needed, creating a healthier relationship overall.
1/15/26
We're closing in on our last few days of training! It was back to Live Oak Park to work around the kids again, and I ran Turkey through all the commands he's learned while he's been with me. He stayed pretty focused for me and ran through all his drills without issues. I wish I'd caught it on video, but after we stopped filming, another little boy came running over, full speed, and stopped directly in front of Turkey. Turkey didn't even flinch. The kid waved at him and ran off, and Turkey just looked bored lol. Overall he's been doing really well, he just needs some boundaries while also knowing that he can count on his people to protect him so he doesn't have to.
1/16/26
I brought Turkey and his training buddy Mocha out to another little park in Arcadia in my quest to find more playgrounds. This one had a baseball field attached and a little dog park across a bridge, so we had some kids and some other dogs moving around us. This time a little girl who wasn't paying attention nearly ran him over! But he just stepped aside under one of the structures where it was safe and waited for her to pass. He's continuing to perform all his commands beautifully, and has even gotten more playful with toys and the other dogs at home. I'm sad I only have one more day with him, he's such a fun little guy!
1/17/26
It's our last pupdate in your three week program! I took Turkey back to Rotary Park today to try him outside without holding onto the leash. The park is fully fenced, but with him being so little I kept the leash on just in case he decided to squeeze through the bars! I started him off on the usual long lead that he's used to, then just dropped it and let him drag it around. He was a little confused at first and slowed down quite a bit with his Heel, but he stuck with me and followed all his commands without issues. Then I let him just run around in the grass for a little bit since it's our last day together, and I wanted to give him the opportunity to have some free play at the park. He stuck close voluntarily even with that, so I probably didn't have to be worried about him taking off at all!
Turkey has been an absolute pleasure to have around in general, he's a really great little guy! From what I can tell, he doesn't have issues with children as a whole, but he does get more guarded when he's afraid of being trampled over, and he is a little bit possessive over people. Establishing boundaries with him is very important - you should be able to send him away to a Place and call him back at any point. This is to help remind him that he doesn't own you and you're the one in charge of when he gets to be in your space or not. On the other side, it's also very important to be present and alert when he's around the child at home. He needs a chance to trust that you'll step in as needed if play is getting too rough, that he can stop at warning sides and leave it to you to handle the rest so he doesn't have to take action. He's a loving, gentle dog in general so I feel with setting some clear boundaries on both sides, he shouldn't have any issues. We're certainly going to miss him at our house, and I want to thank you for letting me be a part of his learning journey!
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