DOROTHY | DALMATIAN | BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
Meet Dorothy, a spirited 7-month-old Dalmatian who’s just beginning her training journey. Like many young dogs, she’s still learning how to navigate the world with confidence. Dorothy currently struggles with leash manners and can be anxious or unsure around new people, often displaying signs of nervousness or hesitation in unfamiliar situations. Over the next three weeks, we’ll be focusing on helping her build trust, strengthen her confidence, and develop calm, consistent behavior—especially when walking on leash and facing public distractions. With the right guidance and structure, we’re excited to help Dorothy grow into the balanced, well-mannered dog we know she can be. Stay tuned for her transformation!
Pupdate 2:
Date: June 18th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: 1/2
Training Highlights:
We’re continuing to build trust with Miss Dorothy, and while she can be a bit skittish at first—often freezing up when she’s unsure—she’s already showing signs of progress. With patience and consistency, once we start moving through the routine, she gradually begins to relax and engage more confidently. It’s clear she just needs a little time and reassurance to feel safe in new situations. Day one was a success for her, and she’s already starting to ease into the structure and expectations. We’ll continue reinforcing positive experiences to help her build that confidence and trust in both her environment and her handler.
Pupdate 3:
Date: June 19, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: 3/4
Training Highlights:
Dorothy is gradually settling into her new environment and making great strides in her adjustment. She’s already met a few members of the pack, including Chip and Percy, and has shown a very playful and social side, getting along well with the other dogs. Her confidence is starting to grow as we continue to create positive experiences and build trust through consistent interactions. Each day brings small wins that are helping her feel more comfortable and secure in her surroundings.
Pupdate 4:
Date: June 20th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: 3/4
Training Highlights:
We’re working on making the e-collar a positive and constructive experience for Dorothy by pairing it with things she already enjoys—like her toys. During play sessions, we’ve been incorporating basic commands to help build clarity and engagement while keeping the environment fun and low-pressure. By blending training into moments of excitement and movement, Dorothy begins to associate the e-collar with guidance rather than correction. This balanced approach not only helps reinforce her understanding of commands but also boosts her responsiveness and overall confidence during training.
Pupdate 5:
Date: June 21st, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: 3/4
Training Highlights:
We’ve started to extend Dorothy’s commands, and she’s making steady progress. Her “heel” is becoming much smoother and more consistent with each session. While she’s still learning how to respond to leash pressure, she’s beginning to understand what’s being asked of her. This process is also helping her build confidence, especially in new environments. With continued structure and repetition, she’s showing great potential and is slowly but surely becoming more comfortable and responsive.
Pupdate 6:
Date: June 23rd, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy is making fantastic progress with her leash work. She’s now walking on a loose leash beside me, showing much better awareness and self-control. While she’s not quite in that close, tight heel position just yet, she’s no longer pulling and is staying more in tune with my pace and direction. This is a huge improvement from where we started, and it shows she’s beginning to understand the structure and expectations of a proper walk. We’re definitely moving in the right direction, and with continued consistency, that perfect heel is just around the corner.
Pupdate 7:
Date: June 24th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy continues to make steady progress each day. While she can still be a bit stubborn when it comes to the down command, she’s showing impressive consistency with her heel-to-sit series. Her focus and responsiveness during structured walks have improved significantly, and she’s beginning to show a clearer understanding of what’s being asked of her. It’s great to see her confidence building and her ability to follow through in real-time scenarios becoming more reliable. With continued practice, that stubborn streak will soften, and she’ll become even more well-rounded.
Pupdate 8:
Date: June 25th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy is making great progress when it comes to working around other dogs. She’s learning to stay focused and complete her commands even with dog distractions nearby, which is a huge win for her. One of the most noticeable improvements is how she handles the leash—what used to feel like a game of hide and seek is now a calm, cooperative moment. Instead of dodging or getting overly excited, she sits patiently and allows me to put the leash on without a fuss. It’s clear that her understanding and impulse control are growing every day.
Pupdate 9:
Date: June 26th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy has been doing a great job meeting new dogs and learning how to navigate social situations in a more balanced way. While she naturally enjoys playing, our focus during training has been to help her understand that being around other dogs doesn’t always mean it’s time to get excited. We’re practicing calm energy and neutrality in the presence of other dogs—working on commands, maintaining focus, and staying composed even when there’s the temptation to play. This is a key part of helping her become a well-rounded, well-mannered dog who can coexist peacefully in social settings without becoming overstimulated.
Pupdate 10:
Date: June 27th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy continues to make great strides in her training, steadily building both confidence and consistency. She’s now extending her commands with more reliability, holding her positions longer and responding with increased focus. Socially, she remains very friendly and well-mannered around other dogs, showing excellent behavior in group settings. Her progress is a testament to her willingness to learn and adapt—keep up the great work, girl!
Pupdate 11:
Date: June 28th, 2025
Weight: 68.72lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We put it all together for Dorothy’s first training session at Lowe’s, combining everything she’s been learning in a new, distracting environment. At first, she was a little nervous—taking in all the unfamiliar sounds, sights, and smells—but with some patience and encouragement, she began to settle in. We focused on reinforcing her commands and helping her stay calm and confident despite the stimulation around her. By the end of the session, she was showing great progress, responding well, and finishing on a strong, positive note. Proud of how far she’s come!
Pupdate 12:
Date: June 29th, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy is doing an amazing job with her training—she’s consistently performing all her commands with growing confidence and focus. One of the biggest improvements has been her behavior in public; she’s no longer barking at strangers, which is a huge step forward for her social development. Along the way, she’s also been making new dog friends, showing a much more balanced and approachable demeanor. Little by little, she’s progressing into the well-mannered and calm companion we’ve been working toward. Great work, girl—keep it up!
Pupdate 13:
Date: June 30th, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
She’s doing much better around distractions and making noticeable progress with her confidence. Today at Lowe’s, we were able to cruise through the store, even weaving through large groups of people without any issues. She stayed composed, focused, and responsive throughout the outing. It’s clear she’s beginning to trust the process and build resilience in busier environments. On top of that, she continues to show what a sweet and gentle dog she really is.
Pupdate 14:
Date: July 1st, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy is doing an excellent job with her training—she’s now completing all her commands with consistency and has developed a solid off-leash recall. Her responsiveness and focus are really shining through, even in more distracting environments. On top of that, she’s showing great social skills by making friends along the way, which speaks volumes about her growing confidence and trust. Things are truly coming together nicely for her, and it’s been rewarding to see her progress unfold.
Pupdate 15:
Date: July 2nd, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
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!
Puodate 16
Date: July 3rd, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
On her second trip out to Hollywood, Dorothy displayed a noticeable increase in confidence. The busy environment, filled with loud noises, people, and distractions, didn’t shake her the way it might have before. She was able to extend her commands with much more consistency, holding positions longer and staying focused despite the chaos around her. Training in real-world settings like this is where the work really starts to pay off, and Dorothy is proving that she’s up for the challenge.
Pupdate 18:
Date: July 4th, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
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 19:
Date: July 5th, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Dorothy did an awesome job during our outing to Hollywood tonight. She’s showing noticeable improvement in handling big crowds and staying composed in high-traffic areas. Despite all the distractions—people, noise, and movement—she held a tight heel and remained focused throughout the walk. It’s clear that her confidence is growing, and the consistency in her training is really starting to shine. Great work, Dorothy—keep pushing forward!
Pupdate 20:
Date: July 6th, 2025
Weight: 69.88lbs
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.
