KATIE | GOLDEN RETRIEVER | BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
Meet Katie, a sweet and spirited 1-year-old Golden Retriever who just joined us for our two-week board and train program! Like many young pups, Katie is full of energy but still figuring out how to channel it. She struggles with pulling on the leash, has little to no recall, and needs some clear structure to become a more manageable companion both at home and in public. Over the next two weeks, we’ll be focusing on building her confidence, teaching her essential commands, and helping her become the well-mannered dog her family knows she can be. Stay tuned for Katie’s transformation!
Pupdate 2:
Date: June 25, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie is settling in well and beginning to understand the structure of her training. We’ve introduced leash guidance, teaching her that the leash isn’t just something that restrains her—it’s a tool for communication. Through gentle pressure and release, she’s learning to tune in, follow direction, and stay connected with her handler. It’s a new concept for her, but she’s catching on quickly. She also had the chance to meet my pack, which gave her a great opportunity to observe calm, balanced energy from more experienced dogs. It’s a solid start for Katie as we lay the foundation for better behavior and clearer communication.
Pupdate 3:
Date: June 26, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie is settling in nicely and starting to show real progress. Her leash manners have noticeably improved—she’s no longer pulling as much and is beginning to follow with more focus and intention. Each walk is an opportunity to build her confidence, and she’s becoming more comfortable in new environments and around distractions. With consistent structure and guidance, Katie is learning to trust the process and respond calmly to everyday challenges.
Pupdate 4:
Date: June 27, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie is still in the process of opening up, but each day brings noticeable progress. She’s been getting more comfortable around the pack, slowly starting to engage, run around, and explore her surroundings with more curiosity and ease. These social interactions are helping her build confidence, and it’s been rewarding to watch her take small but meaningful steps forward. With consistent exposure and support, Katie is beginning to come out of her shell and show more of her true personality.
Pupdate 5:
Date: June 28, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie is really settling into the training routine and making great progress. Her leash manners have noticeably improved, and it’s clear she thrives with structure and consistency. She’s starting to look forward to each session, showing more focus and enthusiasm every day. Since her first day here, she’s gained a significant amount of confidence—not just on leash, but in how she carries herself overall. It’s been rewarding to watch her grow more comfortable and engaged as the days go by.
Pupdate 6:
Date: June 29, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie is making solid progress with her leash manners, becoming more responsive and focused during our walks. With the 4th of July approaching, fireworks have already started going off in the neighborhood, which has made things a bit more challenging for her. She tends to be skittish around sudden loud noises like fireworks or cars passing by, but we’re working through it by gradually exposing her in controlled ways and creating positive associations. Her “down” command on leash is also improving steadily—she’s beginning to understand what’s expected even in distracting environments. We’ll continue building her confidence so she can feel more comfortable and secure, no matter what’s going on around her.
Pupdate 7:
Date: June 30, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Training at the park today gave us the perfect opportunity to introduce some new distractions and continue building her confidence in a more dynamic environment. She’s showing great improvement with her heel—staying closer and more in tune with me as we walk—and her recall has become much more reliable, even with all the activity going on around us. The “down” command, which she initially struggled with, has also gotten noticeably easier for her to follow. Little by little, she’s becoming more responsive and confident, and it’s exciting to see her progress unfold.
Pupdate 8:
Date: July 1, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie is steadily building her confidence, and it’s showing in every training session. The “down” command, which was initially a bit of a challenge, is becoming much easier for her as she grows more comfortable and trusting. She’s responding well to the e-collar, allowing for clearer communication and more reliable obedience, especially in moments of distraction. On top of her progress with commands, she’s also making friends along the way, showing improvement not just in her skills but in her social confidence as well.
Pupdate 9:
Date: July 2, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today we took our first trip to Hollywood, and it was definitely a whirlwind of distractions. The noise, the crowds, and the energy can be overwhelming—especially for dogs who tend to be a bit flighty in new environments. But bringing Dorothy and Katie together proved to be the perfect match; their energy balanced each other out, and they really complemented one another’s behavior. Once they had a chance to settle in and get acclimated, both dogs displayed a surprising level of confidence. They navigated the busy streets with focus and calm, and we were even able to practice some off-leash work amidst all the chaos. Huge progress for both pups—great job, Dorothy and Katie!
Pupdate 10:
Date: July 3, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
On her second trip to Hollywood, Katie showed a noticeable boost in confidence. The bustling streets and overwhelming distractions that once made her uneasy now seemed more manageable. She was able to extend her commands in a real-world setting, holding positions longer and responding more reliably despite the chaos around her. This kind of progress is a testament to the importance of consistency and exposure—each outing builds her resilience and sharpens her obedience in the environments that matter most.
Pupdate 11:
Date: July 4th, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Both Dorothy and Katie aren’t big fans of fireworks, so it was essential to make sure their needs were fully met before the noise kicked off in the evening. I prioritized giving them plenty of physical and mental stimulation during the day—long walks, structured training, and playtime—to help burn off that extra energy and ease any anxiety. By the time the fireworks started in the neighborhood, they were relaxed and ready to settle in. Thanks to the prep work, the 4th of July went smoothly, and both girls had a much more positive experience than expected.
Pupdate 12:
Date: July 5th, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Katie did great tonight during our trip to Hollywood! She’s really starting to show improvement when it comes to navigating through large crowds and busy environments. Despite all the distractions, she maintained a tight heel and stayed focused, which is a huge step forward for her. This kind of progress in such a high-stimulation setting shows that all the hard work is paying off. Proud of you, girl—keep it up!
Pupdate 13:
Date: July 6th, 2025
Weight: 69.78lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
This evening, we took Katie and Dorothy out to train in front of the iconic Chinese Theatre, immersing them in one of the most distraction-heavy environments you can imagine. From flashing lights and loud street performers to heavy foot traffic and sudden noises, they were exposed to it all—and they absolutely crushed it. Training during the cooler evening hours not only helped them stay comfortable in the summer heat, but also allowed us to challenge their focus and obedience in a high-stimulation setting. Both girls are showing impressive self-control, confidence, and reliability despite the chaos around them.
