Zero | Golden Doodle | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. | In Training.
- heatheroffleashsoc
- Jun 6
- 34 min read
Updated: Jul 2
Meet Zero! š¾
Say hello to Zero, an 8-month-old Goldendoodle from Rancho Palos Verdes, California, who has just joined us for our Three-Week Old School Board & Train Program!
Like many young doodles, Zero is full of energy, enthusiasm, and a healthy dose of mischief. His family describes him as an excitable pup who loves jumping on people, chewing on anything he can get his paws on, and tuning out commands whenever something more interesting catches his attention. After all, who has time to listen when thereās so much fun to be had?
While Zero certainly keeps life entertaining, itās safe to say this goofy boy is ready for some guidance. Over the next three weeks, weāll be working closely with him on basic obedience, impulse control, and house manners to help him develop better decision-making skills and become a more attentive companion.
We canāt wait to watch Zero grow and learn throughout his training journey. Be sure to follow along and stay tuned for his transformation!
6/6/2026
Today was Zeroās first day with me, and to kick things off we headed over to Averill Park for a nice walk together. Not only are these first walks a great way for a dog and trainer to get better acquainted, but they also give me an opportunity to assess what a dog may already know before we begin formal training.
After walking for a bit, we found a quiet spot in the park where we could begin introducing some foundational commands: heel, sit on command, and come to sit.
The heel command simply teaches Zero to walk politely at his handlerās side with no pulling required. This was a bit challenging for him at first because he was incredibly curious about everything happening around us. He would have much rather taken me for a walk than the other way around and quickly grew tired of my corrections. However, after putting up a valiant effort to convince me otherwise, he eventually decided that maybe walking nicely wasnāt such a bad idea after all!
Once we established some understanding of heel, we moved on to sit. I know Zero already knows how to sitāthe challenge is deciding whether or not he feels like doing it. Whenever I asked for a sit, I applied steady upward pressure on his collar toward the back of his ears until he complied. The moment he sat, the pressure was released and replaced with praise to reward his good decision. There were also moments where I had to pull his attention back to me with a snap or a gentle tap on his rear end to remind him that something was being asked of him.
From there we introduced come to sit, which consists of Zero moving around my right side, coming into position on my left, and sitting neatly beside me. While he doesnāt quite understand the purpose of this exercise yet, he handled the leash guidance surprisingly well, which is very promising. With repetition and practice, Iām confident heāll begin to understand the motion and perform it more independently.
By the end of our park visit, Zeroās leash manners had already improved quite a bit, although he wasnāt entirely convinced about me or the boundaries I was putting into place. Thatās okayārelationships take time, and I have no doubt heāll come around.
After wrapping up our training session, we headed back to the car and made our way to my house so Zero could check out his home away from home for the next few weeks. He handled the car ride beautifully, which was lovely to see.
Once we arrived, I gave him some time to explore his new surroundings. So far, he doesnāt seem to have too many complaintsāother than the crate, of course. At first, he attempted to negotiate the terms of our agreement, but once he realized I wasnāt interested in bargaining, he marched right inside. He voiced his opinions for a little while, but when he noticed his complaints werenāt getting him anywhere, he chose to settle down and relax. Good boy!
Once he had remained quiet for a bit, I let him out and rewarded that calm behavior with praise. All in all, for his first day with me, Zero is already learning a lot. He has a fun personality, plenty of enthusiasm, and a lot of potential. Iām excited to watch his progress over the next few weeks and see just how much this young pup can accomplish!
6/7/2026
Today Zero and I decided to work around my neighborhood. Considering heās quite the distractible boy, I wanted to set him up for success by keeping the environment calm while we continued introducing the e-collar and building on his commands.
Today, Zero learned both the Down and Place commands while we also continued making progress with Heel, Sit, and Come to Sit. During our e-collar work, I used a combination of low-level stimulation and leash guidance to help him begin associating the two forms of communication. At first, he wasnāt entirely convinced this new training tool was his favorite thing, but heās already starting to realize itās no big deal and is becoming more comfortable with it.
His Heel command continues to improve steadily. He still has moments where heād rather take the lead, stop to sniff, or investigate every interesting sound happening around us, but with a gentle reminder, he did a great job refocusing and continuing alongside me.
His Sit command is becoming much more of an āon-commandā behavior rather than something he does only when he feels like it, which is great to see. As for Come to Sit, heās already showing a solid understanding of what is expected. Occasionally heāll pause behind me to investigate something interesting, but with a quick reminder he follows through nicely and completes the exercise.
The Down command took a little convincing at first. Like many young dogs, Zero wasnāt immediately sure why lying down was necessary, but once he understood what I was asking, he picked it up surprisingly quickly and began offering the behavior much more confidently.
For Place, he had very little trouble understanding the concept. The biggest challenge was making sure he stayed centered on the cot. At one point, this big goofy boy managed to slowly slide right off the side, which gave me a good laugh. Thankfully, he climbed right back on and got to work.
We also began adding distance and duration to his Sit, Down, and Place commands. He handled the added challenge very well, only breaking his extended sit a couple of times. After being calmly redirected back into position and restarting the exercise, he quickly learned that staying put is the easiest and most rewarding option.
Overall, Zero had a very productive day. He learned a lot, worked hard, and was performing very well by the end of our session. Iām also happy to report that he spent his first night in the crate without any issues at allāa perfectly quiet young gentleman.
Zero is an incredibly smart boy, and Iām very proud of the progress heās already making. I canāt wait to see what tomorrow brings!
6/8/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to Rosemead to meet up with some fellow trainers and their pups so we could continue working on his obedience around distractions. When we first arrived, Zero reacted exactly as expectedāhis head was on a swivel and he wanted to pull me toward all of the exciting sights, sounds, and dogs around the park. In these moments, we focused on his heel command, allowing him to observe his surroundings as long as he maintained a nice position at my side. It took a little convincing at first, but after a few minutes Zero began to understand what was being asked of him and started walking much more politely while giving me better focus.
Once he settled in, we moved on to the rest of his commands. Extended sit proved to be a challenge initially. With so much happening around him, Zero really wanted to stay right next to me rather than hold his position independently. However, with a few repetitions and some redirection, he started to catch on and was eventually holding his sit like a pro. Honestly, this was the pattern for most of his extended commands today. The distractions made things difficult at first, but once he understood the expectation, he worked through it very nicely.
His come-to-sit command continues to improve every day. Zero is showing a much stronger understanding of what is being asked and is becoming more consistent with his execution. I know his extended commands will continue to improve as wellāwe just need to help him build the confidence to be comfortable away from his handlerās side.
Last night was also Zeroās second night in the crate. He definitely had a few opinions about the arrangement and wasnāt shy about expressing them! However, after realizing there was nothing he could do to negotiate his way out, he settled down and slept through the night like a very good boy.
Overall, Zero is making great progress, and Iām very proud of him for working through the challenge of distractions today. Every outing like this helps build his confidence, focus, and understanding of his commands, and heās continuing to move in the right direction.
6/9/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to Home Depot to continue building on his commands while working around more distractions. As expected, when we first arrived, all the sights, sounds, and activity in the store had his attention. To help him settle in and focus, we started with a simple heel exercise, walking throughout the store until he was able to tune into me a bit more and relax.
Once he was in a better working mindset, we began practicing his extended sit and down commands around shoppers and other distractions. Zero did a great job! He held his positions well and continued to show nice progress with his heel command throughout our outing.
The one moment he found challenging was when I asked him to perform a down command near an unfamiliar dog. Feeling a bit nervous, he tried to wiggle away and offered a sit instead of laying down at my side. I calmly redirected him back into position and asked again, and this time he did exactly what was asked of him. Good boy, Zero!
Overall, Zero did a wonderful job today and honestly surprised me with how well he handled the busy environment. I am very proud of this young man for working through his nerves, staying engaged, and being able to settle despite all the excitement around him. Great work today, Zero!
6/10/2026
Today Zero and I headed back to Home Depot to continue working on his commands around distractions. And today, Zero showed up in a particularly interesting mood! The name of his game? Boundary testing.
Although Zero has been making great progress with his commands over the last few days, he apparently woke up this morning and decided to see if the rules were more of a suggestion than a requirement. Because of this, we spent most of our time in the garden center re-establishing those boundaries and reminding him that, unfortunately for him, the rules are still the rules.
We started with his Come to Sit command. When called, Zero would happily come right overābut instead of completing the full motion of coming around my right side and sitting neatly at my left, he often chose to launch himself toward me for a greeting. While I appreciate his enthusiasm, that wasnāt quite the exercise we were working on! Each time this happened, I calmly redirected him through the correct sequence. Once he completed the command properly, he received plenty of praise. After several repetitions, the light bulb seemed to come on, and he began offering the correct behavior more consistently.
We also worked on his extended Sit and Down commands. Todayās version of these exercises looked a lot like Zero saying, āStay here? Are you sure? Because I think Iād rather come with you.ā The moment I stepped away, heād pop up and attempt to follow. Rather than getting into a debate about it, we simply guided him back into position and started again. Eventually, Zero realized that testing the boundaries was a lot more work than simply following them.
Once he retired from his self-appointed role as Home Depotās rule inspector, he settled in nicely and began working with me the way he has been throughout training. By the end of our visit, he was performing his commands very well and showing the focus weāve been building toward.
This type of behavior is completely normal for a young dog, especially an intelligent pup like Zero. As dogs begin to understand expectations, they often test those expectations to see if they really apply every single time. The key is staying calm, patient, and consistent so they learn that the answer remains the same, no matter how creatively they ask the question.
Overall, Zero learned a lot today and made good progress, even though he threw a few extra challenges into the mix. Iām very proud of him for working through everything, making better choices, and ending the session on a strong note. Even on a day dedicated to testing boundaries, Zero still found a way to come out on top. Great job, buddy!
6/11/2026
While Zero is still not the biggest fan of me and all my rules, thatās okay. Weāre still getting to know each other, and in time heāll learn that my rules are here to help him succeed. For now, he occasionally likes to remind me that he has opinions too!
I was especially proud of how well he handled his heel command today. Even as we passed people, dogs, and even a family of geese with their babies, Zero did a great job sticking by my side. This is a huge improvement from where he started and shows that heās beginning to understand that paying attention to his handler is more rewarding than investigating every distraction that crosses his path.
We also ran into a little obstacle with his place command. The first time I asked him to hop onto a park bench, he immediately slammed on the brakes, planted himself firmly on the ground, and stared at the bench as if I had just asked him to climb Mount Everest. After a few running starts and some encouragement, he finally gathered his courage and hopped right up, then laid down like heād been doing it his whole life. Brave boy!
By the end of our visit, Zero was hopping onto benches much more willingly, which is another accomplishment worth celebrating. Itās always rewarding to see a dog work through uncertainty and come out more confident on the other side.
Overall, we made some great progress today, and Iām very proud of the effort Zero put into his training. He continues to show improvement each day, and Iām looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes next!
6/12/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to Lake Balboa Park to continue building his confidence and progress with his commands around distractions. Zero did a great job during our outing! There was quite a bit of excitement happening around the park today, and while that definitely caught his attention at times, thatās okay ā Zero is a curious young pup who wants to take in everything around him. What mattered most was that I was able to bring his focus back to me pretty easily, which shows how much progress heās making with his engagement and understanding of his work.
Zero is still working on building more patience with his extended commands. Holding a position for longer periods of time can be challenging, but weāre practicing this skill every day. After a rep or two, Zero starts to understand whatās being asked of him and does a great job holding his position until heās given the release cue.
One thing that has been especially wonderful to see is how well Zero understands his come to sit and heel commands. Heās becoming much more confident with these behaviors and is requiring less leash guidance to complete them. Seeing him start to make these choices on his own is a huge step in the right direction!
Another big win from today was in the car. When it was time to hop into his crate, Zero decided it was no big deal and climbed right in all by himself! What a good boy! Moments like this show his confidence growing and his willingness to work through new things.
All in all, Zero continues to make great progress each day. Heās a smart boy who is putting in the effort, and Iām so proud of the work he continues to do!
6/13/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to Home Depot to continue working on his commands with distractions, and he did a great job! Today was especially exciting because we put his understanding of his commands to the test by introducing some leash dragging, which is the next step toward preparing him for off-leash work.
We started the session with a shorter leash to make sure Zero was in the right mindset and fully engaged before adding more freedom. Once he was working confidently, I let the leash drag and gave him the opportunity to show me how well he understood his commands without constant guidance. Overall, Zero handled this transition very well!
There were only a few moments where Zero got a little confused without the extra direction. The first was while working on heel when we passed a few gentlemen that Zero found very interesting. He decided heād like to go investigate, but with a quick reminder he immediately came right back to my side and continued walking with me.
The second moment came during his come-to-sit. Instead of completing his follow-through, Zero paused behind me and decided he needed a moment to observe what was happening around him. After a quick reminder, he finished the command and got right back on track.
The last challenge came during his extended down. Zero decided he was finished before I had given him the cue to get up and attempted to scurry past me when I went to guide him back into position. And thatās okay! This is exactly why we introduce leash dragging in a controlled way. Even with more freedom, I still have the ability to step in and help guide him when needed. After that correction, Zero did a great job staying with me and did not try to make any more escape attempts.
The rest of our session went very smoothly, and Zero continued to show that he has a wonderful understanding of his commands. While Zero is still a curious young man who loves to investigate the world around him, his ability to bring his focus back to me has improved tremendously. I noticed him checking in with me more often between his investigative glances, which is a huge step in building that off-leash reliability.
All in all, Iām very proud of the work Zero put into todayās session. He handled a new challenge, worked through distractions, and showed great progress toward the next phase of his training. Great job today, Zero!
6/14/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to Lake Balboa Park to continue working on his commands with distractions! Sundays at the park are always a busy time, and today was no exception. Between people setting up little shopping stands, food trucks, birthday parties, and church groups, there was no shortage of activity happening around us ā which made it the perfect environment for Zero to practice staying focused.
Of course, all of the excitement definitely had Zeroās head on a swivel at first. With so many new sights, sounds, and smells, we started by using leash guidance to help him understand that even with distractions around him, his job was still to stay connected and work with me. It took some time for him to settle in, but once he found his focus, we started progressing into leash dragging.
There were definitely a few moments where Zero decided the grass, people, and everything happening around him seemed pretty interesting and he forgot about the rule of sticking with me. However, with a simple reminder, he was able to redirect himself and come right back to my side. With continued practice in environments like this, Zero will continue learning that the show must go on no matter what is happening around him.
Aside from working through distractions, Zero also did a great job with his commands. We took some time to practice his āunderā command, where he is expected to go underneath a bench or table, lay down, and hold that position until released. Zero isnāt exactly convinced that going under things is his favorite activity just yet, but after a few tries and some encouragement, he went underneath and held his down position very nicely.
Overall, Zero did a great job today working through a challenging environment. Busy parks are exactly the kind of places where we can build reliability, and Iām very proud of the effort he put in today. He continues to show progress and is learning that distractions donāt change the expectations ā theyāre just another part of the adventure!
6/15/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to a park in Rosemead to meet up with some fellow trainers and their pups to continue building on his commands while practicing leash dragging with distractions.
At first, Zero had a little trouble focusing on the task at hand. With so many new sights, sounds, and furry friends around, there was a lot competing for his attention! So we started with some leash guidance to help him settle in and set him up for success.
This lack of focus is completely normal for a young pup who is still learning about the world around him. Everything is exciting, interesting, and sometimes a little overwhelming when theyāre experiencing new environments. With more time, exposure, and continued practice in different places, staying focused will become easier and easier for Zero.
Once Zero got into ātraining mode,ā he did a great job! The biggest thing we worked through today was helping him understand the difference between his under command and his place command. And honestly, itās easy to see why that can be a little confusing. If youāre walking toward a park bench and your usual routine is to hop up onto it, it can be a bit surprising when someone suddenly asks you to go underneath it instead!
After a few repetitions, Zero started to understand the difference more and more. The key was simply slowing him down and encouraging him to think about what was being asked instead of immediately reacting. This is another very normal part of the learning process for a young pup who is absorbing lots of new information.
All in all, Zero made some great progress today! He is showing a nice understanding of his commands, and now we just need to continue building his reliability with more distractions and different environments. The more experiences he gets, the more confident and focused he will become!
6/16/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to Century City Mall with another trainer and their pups to continue building on his progress with commands around distractions. This was a great opportunity to put Zeroās skills to the test in a brand-new environment filled with new sights, sounds, and plenty of excitement.
When we first arrived, we started with some leash guidance. This allowed Zero to take in his surroundings without too much pressure while also giving him a moment to settle in and switch into āwork mode.ā Once he was feeling more comfortable, we began practicing his commands with some leash guidance, and Zero did a really great job! He was focused, willing to work, and handled the busy environment well.
The only challenge we ran into was with his place command on a few new surfaces. Iāve noticed that Zero can sometimes have a little reservation when it comes to jumping onto unfamiliar objects. Thatās completely okay! When he has those moments of hesitation, we simply reset, build up some confidence, and take a ārunning startā toward the surface before asking him to hop up. After a few tries, we usually end up with a victory, and today was no different!
Once we got past that hurdle, I decided to unclamp his leash and give some off leash work a try. For his first time off leash in an environment like this, Zero did very well! There were a few moments where the distractions became a little overwhelming, especially with a FIFA event happening at the mall that brought in a large crowd. In those moments, it seemed like Zero would sometimes panic a bit rather than slow down and process what was being asked of him.
This is a completely normal part of the learning process. As Zero gets older and continues gaining exposure to different environments, these situations will become easier for him to navigate. What impressed me most was that even when he did have those moments of confusion, Zero was able to bounce back and get back into the game.
He even seemed to have a little fun taking some pictures with his new friend Suki!
All in all, Zero had a great first experience working off leash in such a busy environment. Heās a smart boy with a lot of potential, and Iām incredibly proud of the effort he put in today. Every new challenge is another opportunity for him to grow, and Zero continues to show just how capable he is!
6/17/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to Century City Mall to take advantage of the FIFA event happening there, which brought out an impressive amount of distractions. With crowds, excitement, sounds, and plenty of activity happening around us, it created the perfect environment to continue building on Zeroās off leash progress.
We started the session on leash to help set Zero up for success and make sure he was in the right mindset. Once he was able to focus on me and tune into his handler, the leash came off and we got to work. As we made our way through the mall, I noticed Zero consistently checking in with me and making sure he knew where we were headed. This is exactly what we want to see! Instead of becoming fixated on everything happening around him, Zero is learning to stay connected with his handler and look for guidance.
We did have a small hiccup when I asked Zero for an extended sit and he offered me a down instead. While I appreciate that he is starting to anticipate what may be coming next, I would much rather see him slow down, listen, and think about the specific command being asked of him. That attention to detail comes with time and repetition, but the fact that he understands the routine and is trying to work through it shows just how much progress he has made.
Aside from that moment, Zero did an excellent job working through his commands around distractions. We also had a few opportunities to practice his greeting manners, where Zeroās job is to sit politely and allow strangers to approach him rather than rushing into their space. He was the perfect gentleman and handled those interactions beautifully!
Overall, I was extremely proud of Zeroās progress today. He continues to show that he is becoming a reliable off leash dog who can navigate busy environments while staying focused and connected with his handler. Great job, Zero!
6/18/2026
Today Zero and I decided to take things a little easier and keep things close to home by working on his commands off leash around my neighborhood! This gave us a great opportunity to slow things down and really focus on his understanding of his commands in a familiar environment with everyday distractions.
Zero did a fantastic job! We also made a stop at a local little league baseball field where we practiced his place and under commands while a couple of teams were out practicing. With all the excitement, movement, and distractions around him, Zero did a wonderful job staying focused and holding his commands. He continues to show a great understanding of what is expected of him, even when there are plenty of things competing for his attention.
As we walked through the neighborhood, Zero did a great job staying close by my side while passing other dogs, children, and all the normal activity that comes with being out and about. He even made a few new friends along the way because, of course, he was the handsomest boy on the block!
These types of outings are just as important as some of the bigger adventures weāve taken so far. They give us the chance to slow down, reinforce his commands, and continue working through those occasional puppy moments in a more relaxed setting. Building that consistency in everyday environments is a huge part of helping Zero become reliable wherever we go.
All in all, Zero had another great day of training and continues to impress me with his progress. Iām very proud of the understanding heās developing and the confidence heās gaining with each new challenge!
6/19/2026
Today Zero got to experience one of his first visits to the Santa Monica Pier, continuing to build on his progress with his commands off leash around real-world distractions. And I have to say, Zero absolutely surprised me today!
With everything going on around him, he did an incredible job staying focused and committed to his commands. The pier was full of excitement, people, and plenty of distractions, but Zero showed an amazing amount of self-control and confidence. Even when people stopped to make kissy noises at him as we walked by, he stayed right by my side and continued to work like a pro.
Of course, Zero was the star of the show! We had so many people complimenting him on how well-behaved he was, and he truly earned every single one of those comments. Seeing how much progress he has made in just two weeks has been incredible. His focus, obedience, and ability to handle new environments have improved so much.
All in all, today was an awesome outing, and I couldnāt be more proud of the way Zero carried himself. What a good boy!
6/20/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to Santa Monica to continue practicing his commands off leash with distractions, and once again, this fluffy guy did a fantastic job! He worked through each of his commands just like weāve been practicing and showed off how much he has learned throughout his training.
Of course, there were a few moments where a little bit of puppy brain took over and some of the distractions around him made him a bit nervous. But we calmly worked through those moments together, and Zero was able to recover and come out on top. Those little moments are actually some of the best opportunities to see his growth because, not too long ago, even minor distractions could cause Zero to panic and it was much more difficult to help him work through them.
Watching him gain confidence and become such a brave little guy has been incredibly rewarding. He is learning that the world isnāt something to be worried about and that he can handle new experiences with a calm and confident mindset.
Of course, Zero made a few new friends during our outing because, well, heās the sweetest and handsomest boy around! And as expected, he was incredibly polite while greeting everyone and showed off his wonderful manners.
All in all, Zero had another amazing outing and continues to make awesome progress. Keep it up, fluffy butt! š¾
6/21/2026
Today Zero and I had a nice, easygoing morning at Lake Balboa Park practicing his commands off leash. While there were still some distractions around us, it was a much calmer environment compared to some of our recent adventures, and I think Zero really enjoyed having a little less pressure on him today.
He did very well with his commands, only getting a bit confused between his āunderā and āplaceā commands. This is very common, especially when pups are learning multiple behaviors that involve similar movements. What was awesome to see was Zero taking the time to think through what was being asked of him and ultimately making the right choice by going to place when asked. Watching him problem-solve and work things out for himself has been one of the most rewarding parts of his progress, and heās showing that ability more and more as our sessions continue.
Toward the end of our session, I gave Zero a little time to explore while still keeping him close and aware of where I was. When I called him back to come to sit, he came right back and performed the command beautifully! What a good boy!
All in all, Zero continues to make great progress and impresses me more and more every day. His confidence, understanding, and ability to make good choices are continuing to grow, and Iām excited to see what he accomplishes next!
6/22/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to Home Depot to continue practicing his commands with distractions, and Zero continues to do an amazing job!
Zero has really started to show that he understands the importance of staying connected with his handler and that making those choices leads to great things. Watching him move through the store while constantly checking in with me has been incredible to see. Heās even started occasionally nudging my hand with his nose as we walk, almost as if heās reminding me that heās right there. In those moments, itās hard not to smile and want to give him some well-deserved head scratches!
During our outing, we were stopped by a woman who was impressed by how well-behaved Zero was and wanted to ask questions about him. What made this moment even more special was that, without receiving any cue from me, Zero made the choice to calmly sit at my side and remain there while we interacted. He showed patience, self-control, and confidence until it was time for us to continue working.
Moments like these are a great reminder of just how much Zero is truly processing and how much progress he has made throughout his training. He is learning that he doesnāt always need direction to make the right choice, and that staying calm and connected with his handler is rewarding in itself.
All in all, Zero continues to impress me every day. I am so proud of the self-control, patience, and maturity he is developing. He is truly shaping up to be a spectacular boy!
6/23/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to Home Depot to continue fine-tuning his commands and putting his skills to the test in a busy environment. And once again, Zero continues to impress!
He is showing such a wonderful understanding of his commands, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch him perform each one with such little effort. The fact that he is becoming so prompt with his responses is a huge plus and shows just how much confidence he has gained throughout his journey.
Today, I decided to challenge Zeroās impulse control by creating different scenarios around him. I moved things around on shelves, walked through aisles, and added little distractions to see if he would break focus. While you could tell he noticed and may have briefly thought about investigating (a little tail wag gave him away!), he made the wonderful choice to stay committed and wait until he was given a cue.
I also challenged him by giving only verbal cues for his commands. This definitely made him slow down and think through what was being asked of him, especially since Zero can sometimes be a little impulsive. But today he showed some amazing self-control and proved that he is learning to make thoughtful choices instead of acting on every impulse.
All in all, Zero did an awesome job today. Watching how far he has come has been such a rewarding experience, and I couldnāt be more proud of this big fluff! He continues to exceed expectations and show just how much potential he has.
6/24/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to a local park to continue fine-tuning his commands off leash, and he did such a splendid job that I decided to reward him with some time to simply run around and enjoy being a pup. He absolutely loved having the opportunity to explore and have some fun, and what impressed me most was how mindful he remained throughout the entire experience.
Even with all the excitement of the park and other pups running around having a blast, Zero made sure to stay connected with me. Anytime I called him back, he promptly returned and came right into his come-to-sit position at my side. This was especially impressive considering all of the distractions around him, and it showed just how much progress he has made with understanding the importance of listening to his handler.
Zero truly seemed to enjoy the freedom, and I was more than happy to give it to him because he earned it with his outstanding behavior. Itās amazing to see the transformation from when he first started with me, when he would simply look at me and continue doing whatever he wanted without a second thought, to now understanding that staying in tune with his handler is what allows him to have these kinds of freedoms.
All in all, Zero continues to prove how much effort he is putting into his training every single day. I am incredibly proud of the work he has put in and the progress he continues to make!
6/25/2026
Today we kept things a little closer to home and started our day with a nice long walk around my neighborhood. This gave us the perfect opportunity to continue practicing Zeroās commands off leash in a familiar environment while still adding real-world distractions. And once again, Zero continues to excel! He has been doing such a great job showing that he understands what is being asked of him and is becoming more confident with each outing. Of course, he still has his moments where he has to be a goofy boy and keep things interesting, but thatās all part of who Zero is, and we wouldnāt have it any other way!
After our walk, we headed back home to continue working on his house manners. These are skills we have been practicing daily since Zero arrived in my care, and they are just as important as his obedience commands because they help create a well-mannered companion in everyday life.
One of the areas we have been focusing on is his food manners. This means Zero is expected to patiently sit and wait for his release before eating his meals. Whether I am standing nearby or walk away completely, he is expected to hold his position until he hears his release cue, either ābreakā or āokay.ā When we first started, Zero definitely struggled with the patience required to be a polite boy and wait for his meal. But with consistent practice, he has made huge improvements! He still likes to occasionally test his luck and see if Iām paying attention, but with a simple reminder, he quickly returns to his seated position and waits patiently until he is released.
We have also continued working on his door manners. Just like with his food, Zero is expected to remain seated at the door until he is given permission to move. In the beginning, he wasnāt a fan of the idea of me stepping outside without him, and if I disappeared from sight, he definitely found it challenging. Through patience, practice, and confidence building, he has improved tremendously and is learning that he doesnāt need to rush through every doorway.
His car manners have also come a long way! Zeroās routine is to sit calmly at the car and wait for his cue before loading up. At first, getting him into the car was a little tricky because he wasnāt quite convinced it was something he wanted to do. With some encouragement and guidance, he figured it out and now hops right into his crate like a pro! What a brave boy!
All of these manners play a huge role in creating a better quality of life at home. Nobody wants a dog jumping all over them while theyāre preparing food, or a dog rushing out an open door and potentially knocking someone over. These small moments of patience and impulse control make a big difference in everyday life.
Overall, Zero is doing an incredible job on all fronts. I am so proud of how much effort he has put into learning all of these new skills and how much progress he continues to make each day. He has come such a long way, and it has been amazing watching him grow into the confident, well-mannered boy he is becoming! š¶
6/26/2026
Today Zero and I hit the road and headed out to the Santa Monica Pier to continue building on his off-leash progress with even more distractions. And Iām so happy to say that he absolutely crushed it!
Zero performed each and every command weāve been working so hard on, showing just how much he has grown in his training. Not only was he focused and tuned in to me, but he also handled all of the excitement around him like a pro. Along the way, he made plenty of new friends and reminded everyone why heās such a special pup.
Zero is definitely the star of the show everywhere we go. People canāt help but stop and comment on how well-behaved he is, with some even asking if they can take pictures with him. Of course, Zero was more than happy to soak up all the attention and enjoy his newfound fame. He earned every bit of that love!
Iām also thrilled with how well Zero handles these interactions. Even with people approaching and giving him attention, he remains calm and composed, staying seated right by my side and looking to me for guidance. That ability to stay connected with his handler in such a busy environment is exactly what weāve been working toward.
All in all, Zero continues to impress me with his ability to stay in tune no matter where we go. Whether weāre walking through crowds, navigating distractions, or simply enjoying the day, heās right there with meāoften nudging my hand just to remind me heās there.
I couldnāt be more proud of this fluffy guy and the progress he continues to make!
6/27/2026
Today we headed back out to the Santa Monica Pier to continue fine-tuning Zeroās commands off leash with distractions, and once again he was the star of the show! Zero did an incredible job working through a busy environment filled with people, movement, and plenty of excitement. Even with people stopping to admire how handsome and skilled he is, he remained focused and worked through his commands beautifully.
Of course, having so many admirers made holding his commands a little more challenging. When people are excited to say hello, it can be tough for any young dog to stay put, but with a few reminders Zero was able to settle back into position and listen. I couldnāt be more proud of how well he continues to respond and look to me for guidance.
Throughout our outing, Zero had plenty of people wanting to reach out and love on himāeven without askingābut he stayed right by my side and trusted that I would guide him through each interaction. He really has our routine down and continues to show just how smart and willing he is to learn.
Even with performers drawing crowds, loud music, and all the excitement that comes with the pier, Zero made sure to check in and stay connected with me.
For a young pup, an environment like this can be a lot to process, but he handled it like a champ. Watching his confidence grow has been incredible, and he truly has come such a long way.
After such a busy adventure, itās safe to say Zero was definitely worn outāand thatās perfectly okay! We spent the rest of his day relaxing at the house and letting him recharge after all his hard work.
All in all, Zero continues to do wonderfully. Of course, he still keeps a little bit of that goofy streak that we love, and honestly, itās what makes every outing with him so fun and unique. Gotta love a fluff!
6/28/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to Topanga Village Mall to continue practicing his commands with distractions, and he did a great job overall! Today seemed to be a bit of a boundary-testing day for him, as his question of the day appeared to be, āBut do I have to?ā š
This is completely normal for a pup Zeroās age. We can have days and days of amazing progress where everything feels effortless, and then suddenly they decide they want to test the rules a little and see what happens if they push back. Just like us, dogs can have their off days too! What matters most is that we continue to hold them accountable while keeping the session positive and light.
Luckily, there was really only one command that Zero wasnāt quite feeling today, and that was his place command. When we first approached a bench, Zero decided he would rather put on the brakes and simply rest his head on the surface instead of hopping up. In that moment, we took a step back, reset, and gave him a ārunning startā to help him build the confidence and commitment to follow through. We repeated this until Zero made the choice himself to complete the command.
From there, we made place our main focus for the day by practicing on different surfaces and encouraging him to confidently hop up whenever asked. It didnāt take long before Zero realized that following through was the easiest choice, and he began happily offering the behavior on each new surface. Good boy, Zero!
The rest of his commands remained very solid. His obedience continues to improve, and he consistently shows how much heās learning. We wrapped up our session with lots of love and praise to reinforce all the good choices he made, and Zero definitely seemed proud of himself afterward.
All in all, Zero continues to do an amazing job. Even on days where he decides to test the waters a little, he continues to show us that he understands whatās being asked of him and is willing to work through challenges. Iām so proud of this guy and the progress he continues to make! š¶š
6/29/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to a park in Rosemead to meet up with some fellow pups and their handlers. This gave us the perfect opportunity to continue building on his off-leash commands while adding in the extra challenge of distractions from other dogs.
One thing Iāve noticed about Zero is that when other pups are around, he can sometimes lose focus because he gets so excited to see them. So today we made that our main focus. We worked around the other dogs to help Zero understand that exciting things happening around him donāt mean he has to lose track of his job. Just like we practiced at the pier, heās learning that he can stay engaged with me and follow through with his commands even in busy environments.
Zero did very well! He only had one small moment where he got a little turned around with his place and under commands. This was another great reminder for him to slow down, think through whatās being asked, and not let the excitement around him rush his decision-making. After we worked through that little hiccup, he bounced right back and did fantastic.
One of the highlights today was seeing Zero confidently hold his place on the same surface as another newer pup nearby. That showed just how much progress heās made with his confidence, focus, and ability to work through distractions.
All in all, Zero continues to excel and impress me with how much heās learning. Watching him become more confident and capable has been incredibly rewarding, and Iām so proud of the progress he continues to make!
6/30/2026
Today Zero and I headed out to Century City Mall to continue building on the progress he has made with his commands off leash around distractions. Although Zero has already shown that he has a great understanding of his training and knows exactly what is being asked of him, continuing to practice in different environments is important to keep those skills sharp and make sure he remains reliable no matter where we go.
With all the excitement that comes with a busy mall environment, Zero had plenty of opportunities to practice staying focused, making good choices, and maintaining his commands despite the many distractions around him. As always, Zero did an amazing job! He stayed right with me throughout our outing, checked in with me often, and showed that he understands that even in exciting places, his job remains the same.
His extended commands are still the biggest area we continue to fine-tune, as adding more distance and duration can always be a challenge, but he continues to make improvements each time we practice. Zero also did fantastic with his place command, confidently hopping up onto every surface I asked him to use. This is a huge improvement from where he started and shows just how much his confidence has grown. Every new outing gives him another opportunity to build that confidence, and it has been incredible to watch him become more comfortable and willing to take on new challenges.
Overall, Zero continues to be my top student! He is such a smart, eager, and capable boy who continues to excel in everything we work on. His progress has been amazing to see, and I am so incredibly proud of the dog he is becoming. Zero has come such a long way, and Iām excited to keep watching him grow and continue showing off all the skills he has learned!
7/1/2026
Today Zero and I headed back out to the Century City Mall to continue building on his progress with distractions and practicing his commands in a busy environment. Zero continues to do a great job staying focused and showing how much he has grown throughout his training.
Of course, being his age, Zero still has those moments where he has to be a little goofy and test a boundary or two. But that is all part of the process, and the great thing about Zero is how quickly he is able to get back on track with a simple reminder.
Todayās boundary test was, āDo I really have to stick by your side while we walk through the mall?ā At one point, Zero decided he would much rather wander over and say hello to another shopper and their pup. With a quick correction and a request for a come to sit, Zero immediately returned to my side and gave me that look that said, āYes, I knowā¦ I probably shouldnāt have done that.ā
After that little reminder, Zero was back in the zone and performed all of his commands beautifully. His confidence, focus, and willingness to work really showed today, and he ended up winning the hearts of many people who stopped to watch him practice.
All in all, Zero is a wonderful pup who continues to impress. He is making great progress, and he is truly shaping up to be the best companionāone who can confidently navigate the world while still being the happy, goofy dog we all love.
7/2/2026
Today Zero and I took one last trip together to Santa Monica to continue practicing around distractions, and he did such a great job! He was attentive, responsive, and showed just how much progress he has made throughout his training. Since he worked so hard, we stopped at the park above the pier so he could have a little freedom to simply explore and be a dog. He absolutely loved sniffing through the grass and running around like the big, goofy boy that he is! I made sure he stayed close enough that I could call him back if needed, and every time I called, he responded promptly and came all the way in to a nice sit at my side.
After our outing, we headed back home to relax for a bit before it was bath time so he could be fresh and clean for his reunion with his family. Iām happy to report that he handled his bath like a champ!
Looking back on our time together, I couldnāt be more proud of the transformation Zero has made. He went from giving me those sassy looks and choosing to do things on his own terms whenever he was asked for something, to becoming an attentive listener who genuinely wants to work with his handler. Of course, he still has his moments where he likes to test the boundaries just to make sure nothing has changed, but thatās completely normal for a dog his age. The important part is that he now understands the expectations and has the skills to make the right choices with guidance from his family.
It has truly been a pleasure being part of Zeroās obedience journey. Thank you for trusting me with your wonderful boy and allowing me to help him grow.
My hope is that Iāve provided both of you with the tools and confidence to continue exploring the world together and sharing many exciting adventures for years to come.
Zero has definitely earned a special little place in my heart, and he will be greatly missed. I canāt wait to see all the amazing things heāll accomplish with his family by his side!
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