AXEL | GOLDEN RETRIEVER | BAKERSFIELD, CA
We’re excited to introduce Axel, a lively Golden Retriever who has just joined us for our three-week board and train program. Like most Goldens, Axel is full of love and enthusiasm, but he struggles with controlling his temperament and excitement levels especially now that his family has welcomed a new baby into the home.
One of Axel’s biggest challenges is overexcitement, particularly around the newest (and tiniest) member of his family. While his intentions are nothing but loving, his boundless energy makes it difficult for his owners to manage his behavior safely. In addition to his excitement, Axel is also quite the chewer if he can get his mouth on something, he will! Whether it’s a toy, a shoe, or something he definitely shouldn’t be eating, Axel has a habit of turning everything into a snack.
Because of his high energy levels and lack of impulse control, his family has found it challenging to manage him in their daily routines. That’s where our structured training comes in! Over the next three weeks, we’ll be focusing on impulse control, obedience training, and helping Axel develop calm behavior around the baby. We’ll also work on redirecting his chewing habits to appropriate items and reinforcing proper boundaries.
Despite his challenges, Axel is an incredibly sweet and playful dog who absolutely loves playing ball. With the right training, structure, and consistency, we know he’s going to make amazing progress. Stay tuned for updates as we help Axel become a well-mannered and balanced pup!
Pupdate 2:
Date: March 5th, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Leash pressure is an essential form of communication between a handler and a dog, guiding them toward desired behaviors through gentle cues rather than force. For Axel, understanding leash pressure means recognizing that slight tension on the leash is a signal to adjust his movement, whether it’s slowing down, changing direction, or maintaining focus. By introducing this concept with consistency and clarity, Axel can learn to respond to pressure rather than resist it, creating a smoother and more cooperative walking experience. It’s important to pair leash pressure with verbal praise, reinforcing his positive responses and helping him associate the right behaviors with encouragement. When Axel reciprocates by yielding to pressure or staying engaged, rewarding him with praise strengthens the connection between his actions and the handler’s expectations. Over time, this method fosters trust and responsiveness, allowing leash pressure to become a subtle yet effective way to communicate, rather than a source of conflict or frustration.
Pupdate 3:
Date: March 6, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Axel continues to make great progress with his leash manners, showing more control and responsiveness during walks. Recently, he had the opportunity to meet my dog, Dante, and the two got along exceptionally well, displaying positive social behaviors. Their interaction has provided a great opportunity to reinforce calmness, as Axel learns to regulate his excitement and remain composed in different settings. By exposing him to well-behaved dogs like Dante, he is developing better impulse control and understanding appropriate social cues, which will help him become a more balanced and well-mannered companion.
Pupdate 4:
Date: March 7, 2025
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Training Highlights:
We continue to reinforce Axel’s commands consistently, ensuring he responds reliably in different environments. As he becomes more confident, we have started gradually extending the duration of his “sit” and “down” commands, helping him build patience and self-control. By increasing the time he holds these positions, Axel is learning to stay focused and composed, even in the presence of distractions. This steady progress not only strengthens his obedience but also enhances his ability to remain calm and attentive, making him a more well-mannered and responsive companion.
Pupdate 5:
Date: March 8, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Today, we took our training session to the busy streets of Hollywood Boulevard to expose him to a more distracting environment. While he’s not completely ready for such a high-stimulation setting, I felt it would be beneficial to gauge his threshold for distractions and see how well he could maintain focus. As expected, the crowds, noises, and overall chaos presented a challenge, but his strong toy motivation worked in our favor. Using his favorite toy as a reward, I was able to get in several solid repetitions of each command, reinforcing his obedience even in the presence of heavy distractions. It was a great opportunity to assess his progress and identify areas that need more work before he can fully master his training in such a stimulating atmosphere.
Pupdate 6:
Date: March 9, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Today, we focused on reinforcing his commands at home, ensuring he continues to build consistency and reliability in a familiar environment. Now that he’s becoming more proficient, we’ve started incorporating other dogs into the mix to gradually introduce mild distractions. This helps him learn to maintain focus and obedience even when surrounded by potential triggers. In addition to reinforcing basic commands, we are also working on increasing the duration of his sit and down, helping him develop better impulse control and patience. As he progresses, we’ll continue to challenge him with more distractions and longer durations to solidify his training.
Pupdate 7:
Date: March 10, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Today, we took our training session to Hollywood Blvd, exposing Axel to a variety of distractions in a busy environment. He handled it well, showing confidence and curiosity as he navigated the crowds. Axel is definitely a people’s person, happily soaking up all the attention along the way!
Pupdate 8:
Date: March 11, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Axle’s progress with commands has been remarkable, as they are becoming increasingly easy for him to follow. He has developed a strong understanding of what is expected, demonstrating a high level of comprehension and responsiveness. One of his most significant improvements has been with his extended sit and down commands, where he is now able to hold these positions for much longer periods without breaking focus. His ability to remain patient and composed shows not only his growing discipline but also his trust in the training process. With this solid foundation, Axle is becoming more reliable and consistent, setting the stage for even more advanced training challenges.
Pupdate 9:
Date: March 12, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Axle has developed a strong love for the place command, especially after a long day of training. It has become a reliable way for him to settle down and take a breather, helping him transition from active work to a state of calm relaxation. Whether it’s guiding him onto the place cot for a well-earned rest or having him hold the command while I move around the yard, he is learning to stay put and remain composed despite distractions. This skill will be incredibly beneficial in a home setting, particularly with a child around, as it teaches him to remain in a designated spot instead of constantly seeking attention or getting underfoot. Over time, the place command will allow Axle to be a well-mannered and adaptable companion, whether his family is busy with household tasks or simply needing him to settle in a safe and predictable space.
Pupdate 10:
Date: March 13, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Exposing Axle to new dogs is an essential part of his development, not only to help him learn appropriate play behavior but also to teach him how to work alongside other dogs and remain calm in their presence. Socialization should go beyond just playful interactions; it should include structured exercises where Axle learns to focus, follow commands, and coexist peacefully with other dogs without becoming overly excited or reactive. Introducing him to well-balanced dogs in controlled settings will help reinforce good manners, as he observes and mirrors their behavior. Gradually increasing the difficulty by exposing him to different environments, energy levels, and working scenarios—such as leash walking in a group, practicing commands around other dogs, or engaging in cooperative exercises—will help him build confidence and emotional control. Over time, Axle will learn that being around other dogs isn’t just about play but also about maintaining composure and engaging in productive activities together.
Pupdate 11:
Date: March 14th, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Today, we trained over at Hollywood Boulevard, and despite the light rain, Axle remained unfazed and focused throughout the session. The busy environment provided the perfect opportunity to work on his social manners, and he showed significant improvement in his behavior around people. Unlike previous outings, he refrained from jumping on anyone and maintained a calm demeanor even in the midst of the usual hustle and bustle. His ability to stay composed despite the distractions around him was a great achievement, highlighting his progress and growing confidence. Overall, it was a successful session, and I’m excited to see how he continues to improve.
Pupdate 12:
Date: March 15th, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Axel has made incredible progress, and I now fully trust him in public environments. He has shown tremendous improvement around people, learning to remain composed rather than feeling the need to greet every person he encounters. This newfound self-control is helping him build confidence in various settings, allowing him to navigate the world with a more balanced mindset. His responsiveness to the “come” command is also outstanding, demonstrating his growing discipline and focus. It’s amazing to see how far he has come—great work, bud!
Pupdate 13:
Date: March 16th, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Today, we continue working with Axel on mastering the ability to relax and remain still, even in the presence of distractions. This involves exposing him to various movements and stimuli while reinforcing his focus and maintaining his designated spot. These exercises are highly practical and directly applicable to real-life home environments, where dogs must learn to stay calm despite everyday activity around them. If Axel breaks command, it’s important not to make a big deal out of it but to calmly guide him back into position. The key to success in this training is consistency, clear communication, and ensuring he understands what is expected of him by always following through with commands.
Pupdate 14:
Date: March 17th, 2025
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Training Highlights:
Axel has made remarkable progress with car rides, showing significant improvement since his first day. He no longer experiences severe motion sickness as he did initially, which is a great step forward in his comfort and confidence. In addition to his progress with travel, Axel has also been thriving socially, making plenty of new friends at camp. His adaptability and positive attitude have truly shone through, and it’s wonderful to see him becoming more comfortable in different environments. Keep up the great work, bud!
Pupdate 15:
Date: March 18, 2025
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Training Highlights:
We continue to reinforce commands with Axel, and he is making great progress. He has shown a strong understanding of obedience and is particularly excelling with the place command. This command, which teaches a dog to stay in a designated spot until released, has quickly become one of Axel’s favorites. His enthusiasm for it is a great sign, as it will be incredibly useful for everyday life at home. Whether it’s practicing door manners, creating a calm environment when guests arrive, or simply encouraging structure throughout the day, the place command will help Axel develop better impulse control and patience. As we continue refining his obedience, we are excited to see how he applies these skills in real-world situations!
Pupdate 16:
Date: March 19, 2025
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Training Highlights:
We have been practicing off-leash training in a safe and controlled environment, allowing Axel to build both his confidence and independence. With each session, he is becoming more comfortable and secure in his surroundings, showing noticeable improvements in his behavior. He is learning that he can express excitement and happiness without resorting to jumping or nipping, which is a significant step in his progress. By reinforcing positive behaviors and setting clear expectations, Axel is developing better impulse control and responding well to the training structure. His growth has been remarkable, and it’s rewarding to see him thrive in this new level of freedom.
