PERCY | SHEPHERD-PITBULL MIX | BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
Meet Percy, a striking German Shepherd–Pitbull mix from Bakersfield, California, who just joined us for our two-week board and train program. At first glance, Percy’s big personality and sweet nature are immediately evident—he’s a loving, playful pup who gets along great with other dogs. But beneath that charm, Percy is dealing with a few significant behavioral challenges that we’re here to help him work through.
One of Percy’s biggest struggles is severe separation anxiety. He becomes distressed when left alone, which can lead to destructive behavior and elevated stress levels. In addition to that, Percy has earned the title of escape artist, finding creative ways to break out of crates and even backyard enclosures. He can also be a bit overwhelming when meeting new people, often coming on too strong with excitement, which can make introductions a bit chaotic.
Over the next two weeks, we’ll be focusing on building Percy’s confidence, improving his impulse control, and helping him learn how to be calm and relaxed when alone. We’ll also be working on polite greetings and reinforcing boundaries to help him become a more well-mannered companion.
Percy has so much potential and we’re excited to guide him through this transformation. Stay tuned as we share updates on his progress, milestones, and the incredible growth we know he’s capable of achieving!
Pupdate 2:
Date: June 11, 2025
Morning Feed: 1/2
Evening Feed: 1/2
Training Highlights:
We’ve started introducing leash pressure to Percy, helping him understand that this is one of our primary forms of communication during training. It’s a foundational skill that teaches him how to respond to gentle guidance and direction through the leash, creating a clear and consistent way for us to communicate. Percy handled the introduction well and is already showing signs of catching on. On top of that, he had a smooth and calm first night, which is a great sign that he’s settling into the new environment and ready to learn.
Pupdate 3:
Date: June 12, 2025
Morning Feed: 1/2
Evening Feed: 1/2
Training Highlights:
We’re continuing to introduce leash pressure to Percy as a way to strengthen our communication and reinforce his understanding of commands. This foundational work is important, especially for a dog like Percy who thrives with clear structure and consistency. We’re going through all the motions—sit, down, place, heel—so he begins to associate leash pressure with guidance rather than resistance. Along the way, we’re also focused on building trust and a solid relationship. The more we work together, the more Percy learns to rely on me as a calm, confident leader, which helps him feel more secure and responsive during training.
Pupdate 4:
Date: June 13, 2025
Morning Feed: 1/2
Evening Feed: 1/2
Training Highlights:
We’re continuing to build a strong foundation of trust with Percy, and it’s really starting to show in his behavior. He’s becoming more comfortable with the daily routine and is settling in nicely. One big win today was how much easier it was to get him into the crate—something that was a real challenge in the beginning. He’s also making noticeable progress on his leash skills, walking with much more ease and responsiveness. It’s clear that he’s beginning to feel more secure and confident in his environment.
Pupdate 5:
Date: June 14th, 2025
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Percy’s leash walking has come a long way since the start of his training. He’s showing much better control and is more responsive during our walks. However, he still has a tendency to practice avoidance when he feels unsure or overwhelmed. To help with this, we’ve been focusing on gradually building his confidence through consistent exposure, encouragement, and clear communication. Despite those moments of hesitation, he’s made great progress, and we’re proud of the improvement he’s shown so far.
Pupdate 6:
Date: June 15th, 2025
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We’ve been focusing on reinforcing Percy’s “down” command with consistent reps, and he’s showing great progress. His confidence on the place cot has noticeably improved—he’s more relaxed and willing to settle, which is a big step forward for him. Another huge win has been his interaction with smaller dogs; Percy is learning how to be respectful and appropriate during play, showing much better social awareness. Great work, bud —we’re proud of the strides you’re making!
Pupdate 7:
Date: June 16th, 2025
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
The down command is becoming easier for him as he continues to build confidence and trust. While he can still show signs of anxiety—especially if he’s pushed too quickly or encounters a barking dog in the neighborhood, which may trigger avoidance behaviors—he’s learning to cope more effectively with these situations. At home, he’s noticeably more calm and at ease, settling in better and showing progress in his overall emotional state. This combination of structure and a familiar environment is helping him feel more secure.
Pupdate 8:
Date: June 17th, 2025
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
He can still have his moments where he reacts to other dogs, especially in stimulating environments, but we’re seeing steady progress. It’s important to redirect his focus by giving him a task—whether that’s asking for a sit or keeping him engaged in a structured heel. These small moments of direction help him stay in a working mindset and reduce the likelihood of reactivity. With consistent structure and guidance, he’s improving day by day.
Pupdate 9:
Date: June 18, 2025
Weight: 84.32lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Percy had his very first visit to Lowe’s, and while it started off a bit overstimulating for him, he made some real progress. The sights, sounds, and foot traffic were initially overwhelming, but we walked through the entire store, giving him a chance to take it all in at his own pace. By the end of the visit, he was noticeably more composed—not as startled or wary of people around him. I’m really proud of how he handled it. Despite the distractions, he was able to follow through with all his commands, which shows how far he’s come. We’re going to keep focusing on building his confidence and ensuring he feels secure in every new environment he enters.
Pupdate 10:
Date: June 19th, 2025
Weight: 84.32lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We continue to focus on building calmness and confidence, especially during public outings. He’s shown impressive progress with his recall, responding quickly and consistently when called. During our recent visit to Lowe’s, we chose a quieter, less distracting section of the store to help set him up for success and reinforce that sense of security. It’s important to always follow through with commands and maintain clear communication so he understands what’s expected of him. With each session, he’s becoming more confident and composed, and it’s clear that the structured, low-pressure environments are helping him thrive.
Pupdate 11:
Date: June 20th, 2025
Weight: 84.32lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We’re continuing to extend Percy’s commands and take him through increasingly high-distraction environments, and he’s showing great improvement. Compared to his first few sessions, Percy is much more focused and responsive, even when there’s a lot going on around him. He’s learning to hold his commands for longer durations despite the noise and movement, and it’s clear he’s building both confidence and impulse control. This kind of progress takes consistency and patience, and Percy is proving he’s up for the challenge.
Pupdate 12:
Date: June 21st, 2025
Weight: 84.32lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Percy is making amazing progress—he’s now confidently completing all of his commands with consistency. His recall has become especially impressive, responding promptly and reliably even with distractions around. We’ve started putting everything together off-leash, and he’s showing a solid understanding of what’s expected of him. His focus, responsiveness, and eagerness to work have really come together, and it’s been rewarding to see him thrive. Great work, Percy!
Pupdate 13:
Date: June 22nd, 2025
Weight: 84.32lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Percy is now confidently executing all of his commands, showing just how far he’s come since day one. We’re still working through some lingering anxiety, but he’s becoming much more manageable and responsive with each session. His progress has been steady and encouraging, and it’s clear that he’s starting to feel more secure and in control. Every training session brings noticeable improvement—proud of this guy for putting in the work and pushing through. Keep it up, Percy!
