Wallace | Poodle/Cattle Dog Mix | Los Angeles, CA | In Training
- Tanner Strong
- Nov 2, 2025
- 15 min read
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Meet Wallace! He's a four year old Poodle/Cattle Dog Mix from Los Angeles, California here for our Three-Week Reactive Board and Train Program! Wallace is a sweetheart, but he often loves to run over to any other dog he sees and has trouble coming back when called. He's familiar with some obedience commands, but has a bit more trouble following through around distractions. Wallace has the most trouble around bikes, which make him intensely nervous and reactive. Over the next twenty one days, we will be tightening up Wallace's obedience skills, working on his manners in and out of the house, helping build confidence around distractions, working on mitigating his reactivity to bikes, and helping him become the best pup he can possibly be! Stay tuned for Wallace's three week transformation!
Pupdate: 11/2/2025
After picking up Wallace, we stayed at the park to spend some time getting to know each other. He was curious and full of energy, and right away we started learning a bit about where he's at with his training. His recall was definitely a challenge today, and he had a little trouble holding a solid Heel position with me. That said, he showed a good foundation with his Sit, Down, and Place commands, not quite as quick or consistent as I know he’ll be soon, but a solid start!
Not long after recording the video above, a bicycle rolled past us. Wallace immediately noticed it, but he held himself together fairly well. No barking, lunging, or trying to pull toward or away from it. He might have still been getting used to me and decided his attention was better spent on me than the bike, but I'm not entirely sure yet.
Once we arrived home, Wallace got the chance to explore and sniff around, getting familiar with his new environment. He settled in nicely and has been very friendly with me and my dog so far. He already seems pretty happy and comfortable here!
Pupdate: 11/3/2025
Wallace had a big social day at the park today! We met up with a few other trainers and their dogs, giving him a great opportunity to work on his social manners, engagement, and impulse control around a variety of canine personalities.
When we first arrived, there was a large reactive male dog calmly holding a Place command. Wallace definitely noticed him and was excited and wagging his tail, but I kept a little distance to set him up for success. Even though he wanted to pull toward him, it wasn’t very strong, and after a polite sit and about a minute of watching, Wallace lost interest almost completely, a great sign of his ability to settle and redirect.
A little later, two friendly dogs joined us. Wallace was very excited to see them and broke his Sit when they approached, but with a couple little leash reminders, he came back into position and reset beautifully. After that, he was much more polite and calm while interacting, showing me how quickly he can learn and adjust.
Walking near the other dogs, Wallace split his attention about 50/50 between the dogs and me, but still stayed in position and didn’t pull much. For him, that’s a solid win, staying engaged with his handler when fun distractions are around is a big skill and he’s already building it.
We also introduced some very short-distance recalls today. Wallace has a reputation for ignoring recall when distractions show up, so practicing in this environment was an important first step. He did well for the short distance reps, and we’ll gradually build that difficulty.
At one point an electric scooter passed through the park trail far in the distance. Wallace likely saw it, but it was too far away to draw any reaction, still a good environmental exposure moment.
Toward the end of our session, a new dog arrived. Just like earlier, Wallace perked up excitedly but quickly settled down and moved on when he saw he wouldn’t be greeting. Teaching him that he won’t get to say hello to every dog will go a long way toward reducing that excitement and helping keep him confident and neutral, especially around other intact males.
Overall, Wallace had a confident day with no noticeable signs of nervousness or anxiety. He was social, responsive, and able to refocus well after corrections. This was a great foundation-building session, and he’s off to a really promising start!
Proud of you, Wallace!
Pupdate: 11/4/2025
Wallace and I headed over to the mall today for a step up in distraction work, and he handled the challenge really well! Since he’s been progressing nicely, this felt like the right time to put him in a busier environment and see how his skills transfer, and he definitely showed up.
We practiced all of his commands, and he made solid progress, but what stood out most was his behavior around other dogs. Yesterday he really wanted to say hi to everyone, especially early on, but today he was much more composed and able to walk past other dogs without trying to greet them. That’s a big win for Wallace and shows he's starting to understand that staying focused comes first.
His biggest distractions today were the mall fountains, especially the one with turtles! Those definitely piqued his curiosity, but even then, he did a nice job looking back to me and redirecting his focus when I asked. As for obedience, Heel was his toughest command today. He did well overall, but there were moments where he wanted to sneak ahead instead of staying in position. Totally normal for this stage, and each repetition is helping him improve.
Overall, Wallace did a really good job in a big environment today. Proud of this guy and the progress he’s making!
Pupdate: 11/5/2025
Today was all about Wallace’s Come To Sit command! In a lower distraction setting, he’s really getting the hang of it, his timing, positioning, and focus have all been spot on. The real challenge for Wallace, though, comes when more apparent distractions enter the picture, and today we had a great test!
While filming, a friendly little puppy came by to say hello, and of course, Wallace was very interested! It definitely made the exercise more difficult, but that’s exactly the kind of real-world scenario we want to practice. Rather than avoiding those moments, we used them to reinforce that Wallace still needs to follow through with his commands, even when there’s something exciting happening nearby.
Despite the tougher circumstances, Wallace did well overall and made noticeable progress. Notably, my ability to plant my feet and have Wallace complete the full motion without me moving by the end was exactly what I was looking for today. It may have been more challenging than yesterday’s session, but that made today’s outing even more valuable for his continued growth and reliability!
Pupdate: 11/6/2025
Wallace and I went to Balboa lake today! There’s a bike rental area there, so it was a great opportunity to work around one of his trickier distractions. Interestingly, Wallace seemed more skeptical of the stationary bikes than the ones actually moving. For example, it took a few tries walking him around the parked bikes in the above picture before he was comfortable enough to sit politely facing away from them, rather than turning toward them.
When it came to the moving bikes, he wasn’t as hesitant. Since we were moving too and I was consistently reminding him of his Heel position, I believe his attention stayed more on me and the task at hand. It’s also worth noting that the moving bikes passed by many feet away, whereas the stationary ones were just inches from us, and he was allowed to observe them more freely.
Overall, Wallace handled the distractions quite well. He didn’t bark, lunge, or hide, just needed a little guidance and time to get used to the situation. After a few circles around the bikes and some patience, he was sitting calmly without trying to turn toward them. Great progress for Wallace today, and solid exposure to something he typically doesn't like!
Pupdate: 11/7/2025
Today was all about the hunt for bikes! As you can see at the beginning of the clip, our search wasn’t exactly successful at first — I’ve been finding it tricky to actually capture bikes on camera with Wallace. Last night, two e-bikes cruised by during our walk, but by the time I pulled out my phone, they were gone. Same story early this morning with a regular bicycle, and even at the park later, the bikes had already parked by the time we caught up. The good news? Wallace barely paid them any mind in all those instances, which is exactly what we want to see!
To make it easier to film these moments, I pulled out my camera glasses this evening and we went back to the park. There, we came across a few people with e-bikes and an e-scooter, and they were kind enough to ride around us for a bit. Wallace definitely noticed them, but he did an excellent job holding a Sit, Heeling around them, and even giving me his Come To Sit command. He was a more nervous than usual, glancing between me and the bikes, but he still stayed composed and responsive.
At one point, one of the riders even offered to rev his “engine,” which turned out to be surprisingly loud for an electric bike! Despite the unexpected noise, Wallace kept it together. Every minute or so, I released him from command and gave him some love. This helps him balance the pressure of focusing through distractions with the relief of affection and encouragement. It teaches him that he’s expected to stay composed, but that the pressure comes in small, manageable doses.
Today was definitely Wallace’s most bike-filled day yet, and even though he showed a little more nervousness, he handled everything like a champ!
Pupdate: 11/8/2025
Wallace and I went over to Home Depot today for some training! There were lots of new distractions, squeaky carts rolling by, forklifts moving around, lumber being sawed, and all kinds of new noises and smells. Despite it all, Wallace did a great job keeping his composure.
The most distracted he got was right when we arrived in the garden center. With all the new smells and plants around, his curiosity definitely kicked in, but a quick “Off” reminder (our “do not do” command) helped him refocus, and he continued on really well from there. Even when we passed through the lumber section, easily the loudest part of the store with saws running, Wallace stayed calm and unbothered.
Overall, he handled the environment like a champ and showed great focus in a busy, noisy place!
Pupdate: 11/9/2025
Today we spent some focused time working on Wallace's household manners, specifically his door manners!
In the video, you’ll see Wallace practicing sitting calmly in front of the door, waiting politely before entering or exiting. The goal isn’t just to have him sit every time, but to help him understand that the door opening is a non-event, no need to rush, bark, or get overexcited.
Eventually, I want him to wait calmly regardless of where he is in the home when the door opens, and only go through with me or when given permission. This concept also applies to other thresholds, like gates, fences, or even indoor boundaries (like my kitchen, which is a dog-free zone!).
We work on this a little each day, and he’s making great progress. In fact, during the video, the neighbor’s dogs are barking nonstop, but Wallace, who sometimes used to want to join in the commotion, is learning that the doorway isn’t his responsibility. Whether it’s barking dogs, people passing by, or a package being delivered, he’s starting to tune it out and stay grounded.
Pupdate: 11/10/2025
We went to the park today to meet with some other trainers and their dogs, and Wallace really impressed me! Compared to last week’s meetup, where he was excited to say hi and play with everyone, today was a big step forward. Even as we approached the group, Wallace stayed composed and didn’t get overly excited by the other dogs.
A couple of the dogs were familiar to him, but most were new, and despite that, Wallace gave me most of his attention throughout the entire meeting. It was great to see how much calmer and more focused he’s becoming around other dogs. His progress in maintaining composure and following direction in these social settings is really starting to show!
Pupdate: 11/11/2025
We took a trip out to Huntington Beach today! It’s always a fun environment with plenty of bikes to practice around, and Wallace really impressed me with how well he handled everything. The biggest distraction of the day was another dog running around on the sand, but even then, Wallace stayed with me and kept his composure nicely.
We had tons of opportunities for bike exposure, stationary bikes, bikes passing while we were sitting still, and even walking alongside moving bikes, and Wallace handled it all with ease. I thought the most challenging part would be bikes coming up from behind us on the path, but he didn’t seem phased by that at all.
It’s worth mentioning that we were joined by my personal dog, my girlfriend, and her dog, a little group that Wallace really enjoys being around. That likely gave him a confidence boost, but we’ll plan to go back on our own soon to see if his calm behavior holds up solo.
We even came across a few motorcycles, which we hadn’t really seen before! While they were less frequent, he was able to walk politely near them both heading down to the beach and back up again. Even though we haven’t seen any signs of reactivity, this kind of calm exposure, especially in a fun, relaxed setting, should go a long way toward building a more positive and confident outlook for him.
Pupdate: 11/12/2025
We took advantage of the nice weather today and went back to the beach, since it looks like rain is coming in over the next few days. I went with Wallace on my own this time, and he did a really good job! His confidence seemed about the same as yesterday, steady and consistent, which I’m very happy with. We spent a few hours walking around and hanging out by the beach, and after seeing how well he was doing, we called it a day and headed home.
Since Wallace was a little sandy and salty from our recent beach trips, he got a nice bath when we got back. After that, he was perfectly content to relax and lounge for the rest of the evening. He’s been especially great about using his place cot at home lately, often choosing to curl up and rest there on his own without even being told. Great job today, Wallace!
Pupdate: 11/13/2025
Today we’re talking about Wallace’s Place command! Wallace has been doing extremely well with this one, especially at home. He’s showing great understanding of what’s being asked, hopping onto his bed or designated spot and staying put until released. This command is an awesome way to build impulse control and teach calm behavior and Wallace is really doing well with it!
Check out the video above to see how he's doing. Great job, Wallace!
Pupdate: 11/14/2025
Wallace and I headed over to Home Depot today to stay out of the rain, and once again, he was polite, responsive, and pretty easygoing throughout our visit. We spent most of our time in the lumber section, usually the toughest area for noise and activity, but Wallace handled it like a pro and didn’t seem bothered at all.
I think he remembered the garden center as his favorite spot, because when we had to walk past it (closed due to big puddles), he paused to peer longingly through the entrance. Even so, he didn’t fuss and happily continued along with me once we moved on.
For the rest of the day, we stayed home to avoid getting too wet. Wallace relaxed alongside my dog and we took the opportunity to practice his indoor manners and boundaries. He did well with everything and despite having a bit less exercise today, settled in nicely and behaved well at home!
Overall, another solid day for Wallace!
Pupdate: 11/15/2025
Wallace had a great day at the mall, even though it was absolutely packed with people avoiding the rain. Despite the crowds, the noise, and all the new Christmas decorations popping up, he stayed composed. Only getting a bit curious with some of the new decorations. I wasn’t entirely sure how he’d handle spending all our time indoors, as normally we break things up with a more relaxing loop around the promenade, but Wallace showed me today that he can be a flexible, reliable partner no matter the environment.
One of the biggest tests came when we stopped by the Dr. Martens store so my girlfriend could shop for rain boots. Wallace was immediately the star of the show. The employees couldn’t stop complimenting his manners and cuteness, and although all that attention tempted him into breaking his Sit or Down a couple of times, he reset quickly and stayed impressively polite through the whole shopping trip. Waiting calmly in a tight space, surrounded by people stepping around him, is no small task, and he handled it beautifully.
Overall, Wallace showed incredible maturity today in one of the busiest mall environments we’ve seen. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to wait for my girlfriend to shop. Great job, Wallace!
Pupdate: 11/16/2025
Another day of staying out of the rain meant another trip to the mall, and Wallace handled it like a champ. We weren’t really shopping today, but still we focused on settling, hanging out around benches, and building up the time he could hold his positions. Wallace stayed composed and attentive the whole way through.
He even caught the attention of a couple who were being dragged around by their own pup. They went out of their way to compliment how politely Wallace walked at my side, which was a nice moment and well-deserved on his part.
All in all, another strong day for Wallace. He continues to show up and impress!
Pupdate: 11/17/2025
Wallace had a full day today, and he handled every part of it with his usual polite, steady attitude. We started off at Home Depot, where we met up with a few other trainers and their dogs. Even with the added excitement of a few new canine faces, Wallace stayed just as calm and responsive as he is when it’s just the two of us. He was clearly happy to see the other dogs, but he kept his manners in check and stayed focused whenever it counted.
After wrapping up at Home Depot, we headed home for a quick break before going back out for a long walk. I wanted to make sure Wallace got plenty of outdoor time in case the rain moved in, and he definitely enjoyed the extra stretch of fresh air.
Once we were back home, we finished the day with some light indoor play before settling in for a cozy, stay-at-home evening. A productive, well-balanced day for Wallace!
Pupdate: 11/18/2025
We were back at Home Depot today, and spent a good chunk of time working around distractions, especially the biggest one of all: the gigantic Chewbacca decoration they’ve put up. A few other dogs wanted nothing to do with it, but Wallace stepped up like a champ. He not only sat politely next to it for a picture, but when Chewbacca suddenly started moving and talking, Wallace just looked up with a curious little “huh?” expression and stayed calm. I know that wasn’t easy, and he handled it well.
At home, the weather has kept us indoors more than usual the last several days, and it’s definitely brought out Wallace’s playful side. It’s been really nice to see more of that fun personality, though it’s also meant brushing up on those at-home manners. After long outdoor days, curling up on his Place cot during dinner is no problem for him. But last night and this evening, he got a bit antsy during that routine, so I made sure we followed through on the commands.
His payoff for holding Place through dinner and dishes? Extra playtime with me and my dog, which he absolutely loves. It’s been a great way for him to burn off that extra indoor energy and end his evenings on a high note!
Pupdate: 11/19/2025
Today we focused a bit more on Wallace’s Heel command, and he continues to make great progress. Since the rain took a break, we made the most of the clear weather and headed out to the park.
He stayed close, checked in often, and handled the natural distractions of the park with ease. Birds, joggers, and kids playing nearby all grabbed his attention for a moment here or there, but he quickly redirected and got right back to work each time.
Overall, it was a solid day for Wallace! Great attitude, great focus, and great Heeling. The audio in the video cuts out for a moment, but essentially what I said was if he lags behind, pulls ahead, or veers off to one side or another, that's when I'll reiterate the Heel command and click the button on his E collar. Check out the above video to hear more!
Pupdate: 11/20/2025
Wallace had a great day today! We made the most of the dry morning by taking a long, relaxed walk around the neighborhood and over to the nearby park. It seemed like everyone had the same idea, there were plenty of people, pups an even some bikes out getting some exercise before the rain rolled in. Even with the extra activity around us, Wallace stayed composed and didn’t let any of the commotion bother him.
As the clouds started to gather, we headed back inside to stay dry. The rest of the day was a nice balance of indoor playtime, practicing manners, running through his commands, and getting plenty of rest. Wallace handled the change of pace really well and enjoyed himself from start to finish. Another solid day for him!
Pupdate: 11/21/2025
Today we're looking at a couple more of Wallace’s everyday manners, and he continues to impress!
First up was food refusal. I’m working on building a habit where Wallace ignores any food on the ground, whether it’s a harmless crumb or a tempting burrito. This skill is not only great for impulse control, but it’s also an important safety measure in case something unsafe falls within reach. Wallace has been solid with his own food, sitting politely while I place his bowl down and waiting for his release before eating. Since he’s been so reliable, we increased the difficulty and practiced with human food. The challenge this time was for him to walk past it and come directly to me instead of expecting a reward at the end. He has handled it wonderfully!
Next up is car manners. When I open the car door, I want Wallace to sit calmly and wait until I cue him to hop in. Once released, he should head straight into his crate. Wallace has been very polite and consistent with this routine, and he continued to be just as reliable today.
He’s doing a great job refining these real-world skills, and I’m proud of the control and confidence he’s building along the way!
Pupdate: 1122/2025
Wallace had a wonderful day out on the town today! We explored the downtown area, which came with plenty of sights, sounds, and activity all around us. Through it all, Wallace stayed calm, attentive, and curious in the best way.
Our highlight stop was lunch at Starbucks. Wallace was exceptionally polite while we ordered, and he settled in beautifully as we ate. He waited patiently, didn’t beg, and maintained such good manners the whole time that a few people even took notice.
Overall, he was an absolute pleasure to have with me today. Wallace handled the busy environment like a pro and made the entire outing smooth and enjoyable. Really great job, Wallace!
Comments