Vino | Shepherd/ Husky Mix | Venice, CA. | In Training.
Updated: 11 hours ago
Meet Vino!š¾
Vino is a one-year-old Shepherd Husky mix from Venice, California, who has joined us for our Three-Week Reactive Board and Train Program. He is quite the enthusiastic young man, especially when heās out on walks. Vino has a tendency to bark and lunge at people and other dogs. While he may mean well, these behaviors can easily be taken out of context and perceived as aggression.
Vino also enjoys jumping up to say hello, which is not always the most polite way to greet people. When we add in his lack of personal space around mealtimes and his reluctance to listen to direction from his handler, itās safe to say that Vino is ready for some guidance.
Over the next three weeks, we will be working closely with Vino on his basic obedience, leash manners, reactivity, and house manners. Our goal is to help him blossom into a proper gentleman who can calmly walk with his handler without barking, lunging, or jumping to greet passersby.
Stay tuned for Vinoās journeyāitās sure to be a fun one! š¾
9/6/2026
Today marked the beginning of Vinoās training journey! After picking him up at the park, Vino and I headed over to Home Depot to escape the rain and find a nice, dry place where we could begin getting acquainted with his training. Home Depot isnāt typically where I like to take a pup on their very first day, as the sights, sounds, and activity can definitely be a bit overwhelming. But Vino was up for the challenge, and I was excited to see how he would handle it!
Once we arrived, we wasted no time getting to work on introducing his heel command. Vino certainly didnāt waste any time showing me that he prefers to be the one leading the expedition! š He was eager to take the lead and pull toward whatever caught his attention, so I worked on showing him that he doesnāt get to decide where weāre going. Whenever he pulled ahead, I would give a quick pop on his collar and change direction opposite of where he was trying to go. With some repetition, Vino started to catch on to what I was asking and began walking a bit more nicely with me. It was a small step, but a good one for his first session!
I also took some time to assess what Vino may already know, and I discovered that he does have a pretty good understanding of his sit command. The only problem is that right now itās more of a āIāll sit when I feel like itā kind of command. š Weāll definitely be working on turning that into an on-command behavior as our training continues. Once Vino did choose to sit, however, he was actually able to hold it for quite some time. That naturally gave us an opportunity to introduce his extended sit, and he did a nice job with it! By the end of our session, he was also beginning to offer his sit more readily when asked, which was great to see.
We also introduced Vino to his come to sit command. This consists of Vino coming when called, circling around my right side, and finishing by sitting neatly on my left. He doesnāt quite understand the whole routine just yet, but thatās perfectly okay! This is brand-new information for him, and weāll continue breaking it down and practicing it until it becomes second nature.
As we worked throughout the store, I also got to experience some of the areas weāll be focusing on moving forward. Vino has a tendency to fixate pretty intensely on people, and he was also quite on edge with unfamiliar sounds and activity around him. There were definitely moments where he wasnāt quite sure what to make of everything happening around him.
However, as we continued working together, I was happy to see him gradually relax a little. That was a great first step! Our goal moving forward will be to help Vino learn that all of these unfamiliar things around him are simply part of everyday life and that he doesnāt need to fixate on them. With continued exposure to different environments and plenty of guidance, my hope is that heāll become more comfortable coexisting with the things that may initially seem strange to him and develop the ability to settle down and focus more on his handler.
Once we finished up at Home Depot, we loaded back into the car and headed off to check out Vinoās home away from home for the next few weeks! Getting into his travel crate took a little encouragement, but once he made it inside, he settled down nicely and remained quiet for the ride. That was a great start to our time in the car together!
When we arrived at my house, I gave Vino some time to explore his new digs, both inside and outside. He took some time to check everything out and, for the most part, didnāt seem to have too many complaints! š He did give one of my cats a little growl when he spotted them, but that was the extent of it. Afterward, he simply went about his business and continued exploring, which was nice to see.
The rest of the day was all about decompressing after such a big first day. We got cozy, played with some toys, and gave Vino some time to relax and start getting comfortable in his new surroundings. Not a bad way to end a rainy day! š§ļøš¶š§ø
All in all, Vino is doing well for his very first day. Thereās no doubt that heās still a little nervous and unsure while adjusting to all of these new environments, people, sounds, and routines, but thatās completely understandable. He has already shown me that he is capable of working through those nerves when given the right guidance, and Iām sure that as we continue our adventures together, heāll start settling in more and more.
Iām especially proud of him for conquering Home Depot on day one! It may not have been the easiest environment to start in, but he worked through it with me, and thatās what counts. We have plenty of time to build on todayās progress, and Iām excited to see what this big guy is capable of!
Way to go, Vino! Youāre officially off to a great start! š¾ā¤ļø
9/7/2026
Today we kept things nice and relaxed with our training around my neighborhood. Since Vino is still getting acquainted with me, his new commands, and some new tools, I wanted to stick with a quieter environment where we could focus without too many distractions. Today was all about continuing his introductions to his commands while also getting him familiar with his E-collar.
For the E-collar introduction, I paired gentle leash corrections with low-level collar corrections anytime I needed to make an adjustment. This helps Vino learn that the collar is simply another form of communication, working alongside his leash rather than being something to worry about. For the most part, Vino handled it well! Of course, he had a few opinions when he first started feeling the new sensation, but thatās completely normal when a dog is learning about a new training tool. The exciting part was seeing that, by the end of our session, he was beginning to register what the collar was there to communicate. Smart guy! š
We also worked on his heel command, and at the beginning of our walk Vino definitely tried to take the lead. But with some guidance and repetition, we were quickly back to walking nicely side by side. His sit command was much more on cue today as well. He did try to ignore a few requests in the beginning, but with a little patience and persistence on my end, he came around and started listening nicely.
Next up was his down command, and I quickly learned that Vino does know this oneāitās just another command he likes to offer whenever he feels like it! š Weāll continue ironing that out just like weāre doing with his sit command, and Iām confident heāll learn that these commands are expected when asked, not just when heās in the mood.
The really exciting part was that we were already able to add some distance and duration to both his sit and down, turning them into his extended commands. Vino was patient about holding his positions, which was wonderful to see! We also worked on come to sit, and he did quite well with the leash guidance for this command. I can already tell heāll be getting the hang of this one in no time and will soon need much less guidance.
We even dabbled a little bit with place, having Vino hop onto a raised platform before asking him to lay down and stay put. This came surprisingly easily to him, which was lovely to see! š¾
After our first session, Vino was more than happy to relax for a bit and take a well-earned nap. Learning lots of new things can be tiring! Later in the afternoon, we had another session where he continued doing a nice job getting the hang of his work. Once training was finished, we spent some time hanging out in the living room, where Vino enjoyed some treats and got to play with his toys. š§øš
As for his crate, Vino did wonderfully on his first night! He was able to settle in quietly and comfortably, and when I let him out in the morning for his potty break, I was greeted by a very happy boy who immediately planted a sweet little kiss right on my nose. š„°
All in all, Vino is settling in nicely! We may have experienced a little turbulence as we got his training journey started, but he was able to work through it and come out the other side on a very positive note. Iām already seeing those little lightbulb moments beginning to happen, and Iām excited to see what this smart guy accomplishes next!
Way to go, big guy! Keep up the great work, Vino! š¾ā¤ļø
9/8/2026
Today Vino and I headed out to a local park before the rain clouds rolled back in to continue working on his commands. And for the most part, Vino did a great job! Of course, the moment we arrived, our big boy was quite excited and immediately decided the grass looked like an excellent appetizer. š± I quickly reminded him of his heel command before he could turn our walk into a full-blown salad run. While he may have had a few opinions about this arrangement, he eventually settled in and began walking nicely with me.
For a while, we simply walked around and explored, allowing Vino to burn off some of that initial excitement before we got down to business. Once he seemed a little more focused, we found a nice spot to settle in and started working through his commands.
Vino is making some nice progress with his heel command, though he still has a little room to grow. He has his moments where he would very much like to be the one making the executive decisions about where we go, but thatās okay ā heās learning! With some reminders and repetition, he did a nice job settling back into position and walking with me.
For his extended sit, Vino did wonderfully. He was patient and did a great job holding his position. His down command was a little more challenging when it came to that patience, so we spent some extra time working on it. Anytime he broke the command, I would simply redirect him back into position and start again. By the end of our session, he was holding it much better, which was great to see!
His place command was another bright spot today. Vino didnāt have too much trouble holding his position, which was wonderful to see. And when it came to his come to sit, we are really starting to see those puzzle pieces click into place! He still needs some guidance, but he is beginning to understand the motion and what weāre asking of him, which is spectacular progress for our big boy.
As we wrapped up our session, I was rewarded with some kisses on the cheek while giving Vino plenty of love for a job well done. Apparently, despite all of our hard work, I still passed the friendship portion of todayās evaluation. šā¤ļø
We spent the rest of our day getting cozy and staying dry in the house, where Vino got to play with some toys and provide some exceptional snuggles. All in all, today was another great day! Vino continues to steadily improve with his work, and Iām very proud of the progress he is making. Heās learning more and more every day, and Iām excited to see what he accomplishes next! š¾
9/9/2026
Today Vino and I headed back to Home Depot to continue building on his command work around distractions, and boy, did Home Depot have plenty of distractions waiting for us! With shoppers everywhere, carts rolling by, loud noises, and all sorts of activity happening around us, it was definitely a busy environment for Vino to take on.
With all of that going on, Vino was understandably a bit nervous when we first arrived. Rather than jumping straight into his commands, we started out nice and simple by practicing his heel as we navigated through the store. This gave him a job to focus on while also allowing him to take in his surroundings at his own pace. As long as Vino was walking nicely alongside me, he could observe everything happening around him without feeling like he needed to worry about it.
After some time, he began to relax a bit, so we started incorporating more of his commands. His extended sitposed absolutely no issue today! Vino was able to sit patiently and hold his position while all sorts of activity continued around him, waiting for his cue to move.
His extended down was a bit more of a challenge, which is completely understandable. Being asked to lay down in an unfamiliar and busy environment can make a pup feel particularly vulnerable, especially when they are already feeling a little unsure about their surroundings. The important thing was that we worked through that discomfort rather than allowing it to stop him. By the end of our visit, Vino was able to hold an extended down in a much more populated section of the store without breaking his command!
And honestly, that extended down accomplished more than just practicing a command. It gave Vino an opportunity to slow down, observe everything happening around him, and realize that all of those noises, shoppers, and movements werenāt actually there to bother him. Sometimes the best way to build confidence is simply giving a pup the chance to sit back and watch the world go by while learning that nothing bad is happening.
For his come-to-sit, Vino did really well today and is beginning to show more and more understanding of what we are asking of him. It is always exciting when you can see a command starting to really click, and Vino is definitely heading in that direction!
For his place work, I found a step ladder that Vino could safely hop onto and lay down on. A raised surface like that can be pretty intimidating for some pups, but Vino trusted my guidance and climbed right up onto it. Once he was up there, he settled into a nice down and patiently waited to be released. We repeated this a few different times, and he continued to trust the process. What a good boy!
That moment of trust was probably one of my favorite parts of todayās outing. Vino may still feel a little nervous in environments like this, but seeing him trust my guidance enough to try something that could have easily intimidated him was such a great sign. I could really see a little bit more confidence starting to peek through today, and I couldnāt be more pleased with him.
After all of our hard work, we spent the rest of the day enjoying some air conditioning and playtime with his toys since it was quite a warm one outside! After tackling a busy Home Depot, I think Vino earned a little relaxation.
All in all, today was a great step in the right direction for Vino around distractions. He worked through his nerves, practiced his commands, and most importantly, gained a little more confidence in the process. I couldnāt be more proud of this big boy and the effort he put in today! š¾
9/10/2026
Today Vino and I kept things close to home as the temperatures started rising pretty quickly. It gave us a chance to slow things down a bit and spend some extra time working through a few of the areas that have been a little more challenging for him.
We started our session with a nice long walk, using the time to continue practicing his heel command before finding a comfortable spot to settle in and work through some of his other commands. His extended sit continues to be pretty easy for him, but his extended down is still proving to be a bit of an obstacle, so we spent some extra time working on it today. By the end of our session, he was holding the position much more easily, which was great to see!
Now, weāre also working toward getting Vino to truly settle into the position rather than hovering with his torso and staying ready to pop back up.
I think some of this comes down to Vino still feeling a little on edge in many environments. From what Iāve observed, he seems to have a much easier time relaxing when weāre simply hanging out without anything being asked of him. So part of his training journey is teaching him that he doesnāt always have to be on high alert and that itās okay to slow down, breathe, and relax. I know that with time, patience, and plenty of practice, Vino will continue to become more comfortable with this.
His come-to-sit continues to go well, and weāre gradually working toward needing a little less guidance as he becomes more confident with where he needs to finish the command. His place command is also continuing to go smoothly, so weāre seeing some really nice consistency there!
All in all, weāre continuing to make good progress at Vinoās pace. Heās learning to trust me, trust his surroundings, and feel just a little more comfortable in the world around him each day. And honestly, thatās all we can ask for! š¾
9/11/2026
Today Vino and I headed to the mall to continue building on his command work with distractions, and this big guy did a fantastic job!
As expected, when we first arrived, Vino was a little nervous. There was a lot for him to take in, and I could practically see him thinking, āOkayā¦ where do I even start?ā š Rather than asking too much of him right away, we simply walked around and gave him some time to take everything in at his own pace. After a while, I could see him beginning to relax, and he started checking in with me more and more. That was exactly what I wanted to see, so once he was feeling a bit more comfortable, we got to work on his commands.
His extended sit was fantastic today. Vino patiently held his position and waited for his cues, even as groups of shoppers walked past us. That kind of patience in a busy environment is a big step for him!
But his extended down was definitely the star of the show today. Not only did Vino do a wonderful job holding the command, but for the first time since our journey together began, I watched him actually settle. And when I tell you I got excited, I mean it! š Iām pretty sure a few shoppers were wondering why I was celebrating a dog lying down like he had just won an Olympic medal, but they didnāt understand what I was seeing.
Iāve been working with Vino to help him build confidence and learn that he doesnāt always need to remain on edge when there are new sights, sounds, and people around him. To see the shift from yesterday to today was something truly worth celebrating. Not only was he able to settle comfortably in his place, but he was also able to relax on the ground while people walked by. Go Vino! This is exactly the kind of progress weāve been working toward.
His come-to-sit is also continuing to show good understanding, which is wonderful to see. And when it came to his place command, Vino was feeling brave!
He confidently hopped onto every surface I asked him to, showing that heās becoming more willing to trust me and take on new challenges. Good boy!
All in all, today was filled with some really awesome progress. Vino is beginning to show us that the confident dog we know is in there is slowly making his way to the surface. Watching him go from nervous and unsure to relaxed, engaged, and able to settle in such a busy environment is something I couldnāt be more proud of.
He worked hard today, but more importantly, he showed himself that he can handle these environments. And thatās a pretty big win for our big guy! ā¤ļø
9/12/2026
Today Vino and I headed out to a local park to continue practicing his commands around distractions, and he did great! There was definitely quite a lot happening around us, but Vino worked through it all with me and continued to show some really nice progress.
His heel is looking lovely! He still needs the occasional reminder not to pull, but thatās okayāitās all part of the process. His extended sit continues to remain pretty solid, which is always nice to see. And his extended down is coming along as well! Heās showing more patience and a better ability to settle into the command, which is especially exciting considering how much of a challenge it was for him when we first got started.
His come-to-sit is also starting to click. Heās getting the idea, though he still needs a little guidance to get things going. And when it comes to his place command, he has no problem! Itās always nice to see him confidently working through something that once required a bit more effort.
One thing weāre still working on is Vinoās ability to calmly take redirection. Sometimes, when he gets nervous, he can tend to panic a bit when I give him a correction. And thatās not uncommon in some pups!
We simply need to help him learn that a correction is not the end of the world and that he can work through it without becoming overwhelmed. With more practice, patience, and consistency, Iām sure this will start to click for him too. Each day, it gets a little easier, and thatās what matters.
After our park trip, we headed back to the house for our usual afternoon of playtime and relaxation, which Vino never seems to have any complaints aboutāespecially when it comes with a good cuddle or two. And I canāt lie, itās a pretty good deal for me too! š
All in all, Vino had a great day today, and Iām so proud of him for working through all the distractions with me. He continues to make progress, and itās been wonderful to watch him become more confident and comfortable with his work. Weāll keep taking things one step at a time, and I have no doubt that with continued practice, this sweet boy will keep blossoming! š¾ā¤ļø
9/13/2036
Today Vino and I headed out to another local park to continue building on his command work around distractions, and this handsome boy did a fantastic job! Every day, weāre seeing his understanding of his commands grow a little more, and itās becoming increasingly clear that heās starting to understand not only what Iām asking of him, but also what is expected of him in different environments. That consistency is exactly what weāre looking for!
His heel work continues to make great strides as well. Itās taking much less encouragement and leash guidance to get Vino walking nicely alongside me, which is awesome to see. Heās beginning to naturally choose to stay with me rather than needing quite as much help to make that choice. His come-to-sit is progressing right along with it! Today he needed just a little less leash guidance to complete the entire motion, from coming to me to circling around and settling into position. Watching him start to put the whole sequence together with less assistance is such a fun part of the process.
Vino also showed some wonderful patience with his extended commands today. Even with plenty going on around him, he did a great job staying put and waiting for his release. That ability to remain calm and stationary while distractions are happening around him is an important piece of building reliable obedience, and Vino is showing that heās more than capable of it!
And of course, Vino collected quite the fan club during our outing! He received so many complimentsānot only about how handsome he is, because letās be honest, he certainly knows how to turn some headsābut also about how well behaved he was. And he absolutely earned those compliments! We even ventured over toward a playground where the kids were having a fantastic time. I could practically see Vino thinking, āExcuse me, why am I not invited to this party?ā š He was clearly interested in all the fun happening around him, but he was able to exercise self-control and mind his manners instead of letting that excitement take over. That was a great real-world opportunity for him to practice making good choices even when something he finds exciting is right in front of him.
Once we wrapped up at the park, we headed back to the house to escape the heat and settle in for some well-earned relaxation. After all that good work and all those good choices, Vino enjoyed a wonderful snack as his reward. He certainly deserved it!
All in all, Vino continues to make steady, meaningful progress. Heās becoming more confident in his commands, requiring less guidance, showing better patience, and doing an increasingly great job carrying his manners into distracting environments. Iām incredibly proud of the effort this boy is putting in each day, and I canāt wait to keep building on everything heās learning! Great job today, Vino! š¾
9/14/2026
Today Vino and I headed out to Rosemead to meet up with some of the other trainers and their pups so we could continue working on his commands around distractions. And overall, this big boy did wonderfully!
It of course took us a little bit of time to settle in, as Vino was understandably quite excited about the fact that there were so many other pups around. There was a LOT happening, and he definitely wanted to keep tabs on everyone! But after a little time to take everything in, he was able to settle himself and focus on his work. Once he found his groove, he was able to perform his commands even with all of the activity happening around him.
We had some especially wonderful wins today! One of my favorites was seeing Vino execute his come-to-sittoward the end of our session with almost no guidance from me. This is a command weāve been steadily building, and seeing him begin to complete the movement more independently is a great sign that his understanding is really starting to grow!
Our other big win came with his extended down. Even with the other trainers and pups around us doing their own thing, Vino was able to settle in and hold his command for quite some time. This is exactly what Iāve been encouraging him to work toward since we started this journey. He is learning that he can relax, trust his handler, and remain in his command even when the world around him is busy. Seeing that trust continue to improve was fantastic!
Now, one little hurdle weāre currently working through is his tendency to offer a down when I ask him for a sit. And honestly, this one simply comes down to teaching Vino to slow himself down and listen carefully to what is actually being asked of him rather than enthusiastically offering up a different answer. He clearly wants to please, he just sometimes gets a little ahead of himself! With more time and consistency, Iām confident weāll get this worked out.
And thatās exactly why today was about progress, not perfection. Vino is still learning, and there was plenty today to keep that big brain busy! Weāll celebrate the wins, continue polishing the areas that need a little more work, and keep moving forward.
While I had some experienced hands available today, I also decided to take the opportunity to work on something else that can sometimes be difficult for Vino: meeting new people. Three separate trainers approached us and offered Vino some pets, giving us a chance to see how he would respond to unfamiliar people in a busy environment.
The goal was for Vino to remain seated while checking each new person out, and while he did his best, this boy is quite the melty lover when it comes to affection! He definitely wanted to lean into whoever was petting him and soak up all the attention he could get. He responded beautifully to each person who approached, happily accepting their affection and even offering up some kisses along the way.
It was really wonderful to see Vino being so open and comfortable with new people. That was a huge win for him, and of course we celebrated him for being such a good boy!
All in all, we had a fantastic day filled with some really meaningful progress. Vino handled a busy environment, worked around plenty of distractions, showed improvement with his come-to-sit and extended down, and even opened himself up to some new human friends. Iām incredibly proud of this big lover boy and all of the effort he put in today! ā¤ļø
9/15/2026
Today Vino and I took a trip to the mall to continue working on his commands around distractions, and he did a fantastic job! He is still learning to find his footing in environments like this, which for Vino means learning that he doesnāt always need to be so nervous about everything happening around him. He definitely had his head on a swivel as we navigated the mall, taking in all the sights, sounds, and people, but even with so much going on, he was still able to listen and follow my guidance very well. And honestly, I canāt blame him for being curious and wanting to inspect his surroundings because there was certainly plenty to see!
Otherwise, Vino showed a wonderful understanding of his commands today. I was especially impressed with his extended down! He was able to hold his position right on the ground and settle in even as people continued walking past him. That kind of patience is a huge step forward for him.
Another moment that really impressed me happened when I asked Vino for an extended sit right in the middle of the food court. While he was holding his position, a gentleman came over and began asking me some questions. Vino patiently remained in his sit and waited for his cue. Previously, a situation like this might have caused him to become bored and start moving around, but not this time! He stayed exactly where he was and waited patiently until I released him. That was such a great demonstration of the progress he has been making.
Vino also received plenty of compliments throughout our outing about how well behaved he was and, of course, how handsome he isāand I couldnāt agree more! He truly carried himself like a gentleman today. His other commands are progressing just as nicely as his extended sit and down, which is wonderful to see.
All in all, we had a fantastic day. Iām so proud of Vino and the effort he put in today. He showed some awesome patience, and toward the end of our trip, I could even see just a little more confidence in the way he carried himself. Heās learning that he can handle these busy environments, and today he showed us just how far heās come.
Way to go today, lover boy! ā¤ļø
9/16/2026
Today Vino and I headed out to Lake Balboa Park to continue building on his command work around distractions, and this boy did very well! We spent some time walking around the park and practicing his commands, and Vino showed a wonderful understanding of his work while being an excellent listener throughout the entire outing.
One of the things I love most about Lake Balboa is that there is always something happening, which means there is no shortage of distractions to work around. With Vino still learning that he doesnāt need to become nervous when the world gets a little busy, I decided to try something a little different today. We found a bench, sat down together, and simply spent some time people watching.
To be honest, I was half expecting Vino to have a reaction to at least one of the many people passing by, but instead, he absolutely surprised me! He was simply curious and calmly observed everything going on around him. People on bikes and roller skates zipped by, people made noises at him, and there were even birds and other wildlife flying around and scavenging for snacks nearby. Through it all, Vino just watched. No need to react, no need to worryājust taking everything in.
The one thing that did make him a little nervous was a giant mower that happened to pass by us a couple of times, which was completely understandable! Thankfully, it was easy to help him settle back in next to me, and before long, he was comfortable again. Eventually, Vino relaxed into a nice, comfortable down right beside me on the bench and completely settled in.
It was so nice to watch him realize that being on edge isnāt a requirement when weāre out and about. Moments like this are exactly what help build confidence, and it really seems like Vino is starting to understand that he can trust his handler and take on new situations without feeling like he has to worry about everything around him.
All in all, we had another very fruitful outing, and Iām incredibly proud of Vino for his efforts today. He continues to make some wonderful progress, and seeing that confidence grow is something we absolutely love to see!
Keep up the good work, my friend! š¾
9/17/2026
Today Vino and I headed back to Home Depot to continue working on his commands around distractions, and I was so happy to see a noticeable difference in his demeanor compared to our last visit!
While he of course kept tabs on all the activity happening around himāwhich is completely normal in a busy environmentāhe was still able to focus on his work and practice some really great listening skills. More importantly, he carried himself in a much more relaxed way throughout our outing, which was wonderful to see!
When asked for a down today, Vino was able to settle into it nicely without hovering or looking like he was ready to pop right back up at any moment. His heel and come-to-sit were also looking great, but most of our focus today went toward helping him understand exactly where we want him positioned when he comes to a sit. Rather than turning to face me, Iād like Vino to remain facing forward when he comes into position next to his handler. After a few corrections to help guide him into the right positioning, things started to click pretty quickly for this smart boy!
And as you can see, Vino is doing a fantastic job with his place command! I was especially proud of the way he handled getting down from the step ladder. Instead of trying to jump straight off, he thoughtfully chose to take the stairs down one at a time. Very mindful, Vino! š It may seem like a small thing, but those little moments of thoughtful decision-making are exactly what we want to see.
He was able to work through all of this while shoppers passed by, carts rolled around, and all kinds of noises were happening around us, which made todayās outing an especially productive one. All in all, Iād say weāre making some great progress in helping Vino relax more, trust his handler more, and feel confident working through busy public environments. Weāre also making some nice progress with his positioning and understanding of where he should be when sitting next to his handler.
Iām incredibly proud of this boy and all the effort he put in today! And, of course, Iām especially thankful for all the kisses he blessed me with throughout our session. š„° Itās so much fun getting to watch Vino relax a little more and show us more of his sweet personality with every outing!
9/18/2026
Today, I had a few things that required me to stick a little closer to home, so we took the opportunity to work around my neighborhood and continue fine-tuning Vinoās positioning with his commands. And Vino did great! His understanding of his work continues to grow every day, and at this point Iām really just helping him refine the little details. One thing weāve been working on is teaching him that when he sits or downs, he doesnāt necessarily need to turn his entire body to face me. He was able to make some meaningful progress with this today, and itās always nice to see those little pieces start to click into place.
As we walked through the neighborhood, I also noticed that Vinoās heel command has improved immensely. He no longer needs nearly as many reminders to walk nicely at my side, which has been such a great improvement to see! His come-to-sit is also looking lovely. Heās becoming much more consistent with coming back to me and finding his position, and itās really starting to look smooth.
For his place command, we ventured over to a small baseball field where we utilized some of the benches.
Vino continues to do very well with hopping up onto new surfaces when asked and staying put once he gets there. Heās becoming much more confident with the concept of place, even when we change up the environment and give him something different to work with.
After our training session, I gave Vino some extra slack on the leash and let him check everything out to his heartās contentāas long as he wasnāt pulling. He seemed to absolutely love this little bit of freedom! It was a nice way to let him decompress after putting his brain to work while still reinforcing that he can enjoy his surroundings without dragging me along with him.
I also wanted to give you an update regarding Vinoās reactivity toward people. So far, the only person Iāve really seen him react to has been my roommate. When Vino first arrived, it didnāt matter whether he was in his crate or out and about with meāif he saw or even heard my roommate, he would bark and growl at him. Iām very happy to report that after plenty of calm exposure and positive interactions, these two have become the best of friends! Vino now gets genuinely excited when he sees him and will happily shower him with kisses. Itās been a pretty adorable transformation!
When Vino is in his crate, however, he will still bark when he hears my roommate come home or when someone approaches the house. In this context, heās essentially alerting to the possibility of someone unfamiliar approaching the home. That natural alerting behavior isnāt necessarily something we want to completely eliminateāhaving a dog who lets you know someone is approaching can certainly be useful.
What we are working on is making sure the alert doesnāt turn into a drawn-out barking session. Once Vino gets himself going, it can take him a little while to settle back down, so weāve been incorporating his āoffā command to help him understand when itās time to disengage and quiet down. Itās still a work in progress, but there has definitely been progress, which is what we want to see!
We spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying each otherās company. All in all, Vino continues to make some really good progress, and Iām proud of him for working through everything with me today! Heās becoming more confident, more consistent, and much more understanding of what Iām asking from him each day.
9/19/2026
Today Vino and I took an afternoon adventure out to Westfield Mall to continue working on his commands around distractions, and he did a fantastic job! There was definitely a lot going on, and all of the sights, sounds, and people initially made Vino a little nervous.
However, after spending some time walking around and taking everything in, he gradually settled in and became much more comfortable, allowing us to get to work on his commands.
His extended commands went especially well today. Vino did a great job holding his positions with patience and waiting for my cue before coming to sit.
At one point, he was holding an extended down when a large group of little girls came running right past him, and Vino remained completely calm and held his position! It was incredibly impressive to watch, especially considering how much movement and excitement was happening right around him. Moments like that really showed how much progress he is making with his ability to stay composed and focused despite distractions.
His come-to-sits started out with him leaving quite a bit of space between himself and me during the initial follow-through, but he still came nicely back to my side. The best part was watching that gap gradually close as we spent more time at the mall. By the end of our outing, he was much more comfortable and confident with the exercise, which was a great improvement to see!
We also worked on his place command, and Vino did well hopping onto a variety of different surfaces. Overall, his command work continued to improve as the outing progressed, and I was especially proud of how well he handled being around all of the people.
In fact, Vino even made a few new friends! A couple of people asked if they could meet him, and in both instances they got down on the ground to say hello.
Vino wasted absolutely no time taking them up on the offer. One gentleman even ended up holding Vino like a big baby in his lap! Normally, I wouldnāt encourage that kind of interaction, but given Vinoās reactive tendencies, I felt that a little positive socialization and some extra love could be a valuable experience for him. And let me tell you, it was absolutely adorable watching this big boy completely melt into the attention. š„¹
Vino can definitely look a little intimidating at first glance simply because heās such a big boy, so it was really nice to see his softer side come out today. Watching him gradually relax, accept affection, and enjoy these interactions was just as rewarding as seeing his obedience improve.
All in all, today was a fantastic outing for Vino! Iām incredibly proud of how well he handled himself and how much more comfortable he became as the afternoon went on. His greeting manners still have some room for improvement, but weāll keep working on those! Way to go, big love! ā¤ļø
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