Meet Remy! He's a thirteen year old Terrier Mix from Van Nuys, California here for our One-Week Board and Train Program! He's very sweet, and full of energy despite his age, and he loves spending time chasing cats! He is very independent and often decides not to listen to any of his commands. He pulls on his leash, and can be quite reactive toward other dogs while out walking. Over the next seven days, we will work on Remy's obedience skills, his manners in and out of the house, help hone his impulse control, and help him be the best pup he can possibly be! Stay tuned for Remy's one week transformation!
Pupdate: 12/15/2024
Today I had the pleasure of meeting Remy, a sweet and energetic little dog. I picked him up at Maple Park, where we took a walk to get to know each other. It was clear right away that he’s full of personality—and energy!
Remy is definitely a leash puller, eager to explore everything around him. We’ll need to work on that, but I could see how excited he was to be outside, taking in all the sights and smells. He was a little reactive to other dogs we passed, getting a bit worked up, but nothing too extreme. With time and training, I think we’ll be able to help him feel more confident and calm around other pups.
The drive home was an adventure of its own. Remy whined a bit at first, probably feeling unsure about this big change. It’s completely understandable—new environments and people can be overwhelming. Thankfully, he settled down after a little while, and before long, we were pulling into the driveway.
At home, Remy has started settling in nicely. He’s been curious, sniffing around and checking out his new space. It’s heartwarming to see his sweet side shining through, despite all the transitions he’s going through. I’m looking forward to helping him feel completely at home and starting our training journey together.
There’s something special about the first day with a new dog. It’s the beginning of building trust and a bond that will only grow stronger with time. Welcome, Remy—I think we’re going to make a great team!
Pupdate: 12/16/2024
Today was Remy’s first real outing to the park to meet with other trainers and their dogs, and it was a solid start to what I hope will be a great training journey. I wasn’t sure how he’d handle the new environment—after all, Remy is still settling in and has been a bit reactive to other dogs—but he did better than I expected.
There were a couple of moments when his excitement got the better of him. New dogs, new people, and a lot of action are hard to ignore for a pup who’s still figuring things out. But most of the time, he managed to keep himself in check. He didn’t have any strong reactions to the other dogs, which was a huge win. Watching him process everything and choose calmer behavior made me really proud.
We also started working on two important commands: Sit and Place. Sit is something we’re building as a foundation, while Place (teaching him to stay in a designated spot, like a mat or platform) is a great way to give him structure and calm his mind. I could tell right away that Remy isn’t exactly thrilled about being told what to do—he’s got a bit of that independent streak—but he’s smart and capable. After a little back-and-forth, he started catching on.
What impressed me most today was his ability to adapt. Sure, he tested the waters a bit, but that’s to be expected. For a dog who’s still adjusting, his focus and willingness to engage were promising. By the end of the session, I think we both felt accomplished—him for learning something new and me for guiding him through his first “big day out.”
Training isn’t about perfection on day one, and today was proof of that. It’s about building trust, patience, and consistency. Remy showed me that he’s ready to learn, even if he’s not quite ready to love it yet—and that’s a great place to start.
In addition to his pictures today, I'm adding a tutorial video and picture of his new E-collar! Watching this will make the transition process much smoother once he's ready to go home!
Pupdate: 12/17/2024
Today was a productive day with Remy as we worked on two foundational commands: Heel and Come To Sit. It’s been exciting to see him learn, even as we work through a few challenges.
We started with Heel, focusing on keeping him by my side as we walked. Remy is still getting the hang of maintaining focus, especially in environments with distractions. He has moments where he drifts or gets curious about his surroundings, but when he does stay with me, he does so beautifully. I’ve noticed that consistency and clear cues make a big difference for him. When I stay patient and upbeat, he’s more eager to engage.
Next, we practiced Come To Sit. This command asks him to come to my right side, walk around my legs and sit at my left side with his ears at my knee. Remy is starting to understand what’s expected, but he hesitates sometimes, especially if he’s unsure of what to do next. I’ve been breaking the command into smaller steps and rewarding even small successes to build his confidence. By the end of the session, he was responding more quickly and sitting with better focus.
Overall, Remy is doing really well. I remind myself that training is a process, and it’s normal for a dog to take time to fully grasp new skills. The fact that he’s already showing improvement in both commands is a testament to his potential.
We came across several other dogs today, and Remy did not show any reactivity. He seemed more focused on maintaining his Heel position than the other dogs, which is a big win in my book. We still haven't seen any cats, but perhaps we will this evening on our walk.
Pupdate: 12/18/2024
Today, Remy and I went to the park to continue working on his commands in public! We worked alongside Lucky, and it was incredible to see how well Remy handled the challenges of the day.
One of the main focuses of the session was teaching a "double heel," walking both dogs side-by-side. Remy has been a bit of a leash puller in the past, but today he surprised me. With Lucky setting a calm and steady example, Remy quickly picked up on the routine. He stayed focused, adjusted to our pace, and looked like a pro walking alongside his much bigger training partner.
Playtime was another highlight of the day. Despite the size difference, Remy and Lucky played beautifully together. Lucky was incredibly gentle, and Remy seemed to feel right at home with her. He even managed to take turns, each of them letting the other play with me for short amounts of time, showing some impressive impulse control for a dog who's still adjusting to his new environment.
The real challenge came when we ventured into the busier parts of the park. Joggers, other dogs, and even strollers passed by, but Remy held his composure. I noticed him looking to Lucky for cues, and her calmness helped him stay grounded. There was a meeting of small dogs, which you can see in the far background of one of the pictures. These dogs are not well mannered and have tried to chase me before, so I steer clear of them. I did, however, get close enough to let Remy see them wreaking havok to gauge his reaction. He definitely noticed them, but refrained from pulling or barking at them. I think Lucky's good example made a difference in his behavior.
Pupdate: 12/19/2024
Today, Remy and I visited Home Depot. I wanted to expose him to new environments and help him build confidence around different sights, sounds, and smells. It turned out to be a great learning experience for both of us.
From the moment we walked in, Remy was curious and alert, his nose working overtime to take in all the scents of the store. He stayed by my side as we navigated the aisles, showing off the basics we’ve been practicing, like loose-leash walking and focus.
However, some of the loud noises, like the rumble of carts and the clattering of lumber, caught him off guard. A few times, he startled and stepped back, his body language showing he was unsure. When that happened, I would continue forward, maintaining a calm demeanor, showing him that the environment wasn’t as scary as it seemed.
By the time we made our way to the garden section, Remy was more relaxed. He even started sniffing the plants and wagging his tail at the occasional passerby. It wasn’t a perfect trip, but it was a productive one.
I’m proud of how Remy handled himself today. Exposing him to these situations is all part of helping him grow into a more confident dog. With more outings like this, I know he’ll continue to improve and adapt.
For now, he’s happily snoozing at home, no doubt dreaming about his big adventure at Home Depot.
Pupdate: 12/20/2024
Today, Remy and I embarked on his first outing to Santa Anita Mall. It was a big step for him, as he’s still getting used to new environments and all the sights and sounds that come with them.
At first, Remy was a bit skeptical, taking his time to process everything around him. The hustle and bustle of the mall seemed a little overwhelming at moments, and certain sudden movements startled him. However, he surprised me with how quickly he regained his composure each time.
Despite these challenges, Remy mostly maintained a calm demeanor throughout the trip. He stuck close to me, looking for reassurance and guidance, which is a good sign of trust building between us. While it wasn’t perfect, it was a solid start for him, and I’m proud of how he handled this new experience.
With more exposure and reinforcement, I know Remy will grow more confident in environments like this. Today was a reminder of his potential and resilience, and I’m excited to see how he continues to progress!
Pupdate: 12/21/2022
Today, Remy and I took another trip to Santa Anita Mall. This time, the atmosphere was busier than yesterday, with more people, noise, and activity all around. It was a great opportunity to challenge Remy’s focus and adaptability in a high-energy environment.
As expected, there were a few moments when the distractions got the better of him. Certain sounds or sudden movements caught his attention, but he recovered quickly and redirected his focus back to me. Watching him navigate such a bustling setting with growing confidence was rewarding.
Overall, Remy did a great job considering how overwhelming the mall could be. Each outing helps build his confidence and strengthens our bond. I’m proud of his progress and look forward to seeing him continue to grow into a more calm and focused companion.
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