Pepper | German Shepherd Mix | Bakersfield, California
HI everybody my name is Pepper! I am a German Shepherd mix, joining my trainer for a Two Week Board and Train Program. My family brought me because I bark at people from a distance, become easily fixated, and struggle with getting along with other smaller dogs. Over the next two weeks, my trainer will guide me in the best way possible to become a well balanced pup for my family! Stay tuned daily to see my progressive progress!
Pupdate 2:
Date: May 8th, 2023
Morning Feed: 3/4
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.02lbs
Training Summary: Today we simply introduced all commands with leash pressure. Leash pressure is only used when guiding her into a command. Once she’s on a command, ALL pressure is released. She is super smart and is getting the motions really well. She acts very skittish when bigger dogs bark at her. Great first day, keep up the hard work girl!
Pupdate 3:
Date: May 9th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.12 lbs
Training Summary: Over at the park today we were able to reinforce all commands. Training in a new environment brought new challenges to Pepper. She gets really fixated on people & dogs that are far away from us. She is improving on her heel, now she walks on my left side and is going with the flow/motion of the command. We will continue to improve on extending the commands and socializing her to new environments.
Pupdate 4:
Date: May 10th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.27 lbs
Training Summary: Big improvements from Pepper today while we trained over at the park. She did get fixated while people walked by. It’s important to redirect that energy into a command. She is doing a much better job extending both her sit and down commands. She still acts a bit skittish when she hears random sudden noises. She is eating all of her meals and is drinking water regularly. Keep up the great work Pepper!’
Pupdate 5:
Date: May 11th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.38 lbs
Training Summary: Today we took our training to Lowe’s. We started off in the garden area where there was fewer distractions, and eventually made our way into the store. She did really well in the garden area. Pepper was able to complete multiple reps of each command. In the store she was a bit skittish of the shopping carts. Not bad for her first visit. Overall she did really well with humans and didn’t bark at anyone in the store! Great work!
Pupdate 6:
Date: May 12th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.38 lbs
Training Summary: We continue to reinforce all commands. She is gaining more confidence by the day. Now she leaps into the crate when we go out to train. She is completing more reps of her down command. Great work girl!
Pupdate 7:
Date: May 13th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.67 lbs
Training Summary: Pepper got to meet my pups Freddy the Siberian Husky and Dante the Belgian Malinois! It took some time for her to get comfy with them but she did it! She didn’t not bark at either dog and was able to be on or off the place cot. Great work girl!
Pupdate 8:
Date: May 14th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.67 lbs
Training Summary: Happy Mother’s Day from Pepper! She is doing much better socializing around other dogs. It’s important to always supervise Pepper when she’s playing or with other dogs. She is doing really well extending her sit and down command.
Pupdate 9:
Date: May 15th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.7 lbs
Training Summary: Pepper was a bit shy today at the Americana. Even though she was shy, she didn’t bark at any humans or dogs! She is doing really well at extending all her commands. Her favorite command is the place command. She loves to be on a raised place cot when we train at home.
Pupdate 10:
Date: May 16th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.74 lbs
Training Summary: Pepper did much better today when we revisited the Americana in Glendale. She is still timid of the water fountain and the noises it makes. She has improved really well with her aggression towards people. Pepper is no longer barking at humans or dogs in her environment. She is becoming much more calm and confident in these public environments like these. She is on the right track, great work Pepper!
Pupdate 12:
Date: May 17th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.81 lbs
Training Summary: Pepper is finally completing all commands off leash! She stays on my left side when were on heel. Pepper can hold her sit and down commands for a really long time. When she’s on command I reward with verbal praise or with treats if I have some in the moment.
Pupdate 13:
Date: May 18th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.81 lbs
Training Summary: We took our training to Hollywood! She was timid of the very packed streets but was able to overcome the fear as we continued to walk through. Her manners have around people have improved so much. She doesn’t bark at people in public or even at dogs. Great work girl!
Pupdate 14:
Date: May 19th, 2023
Morning Feed: All
Evening Feed: All
Weight: 70.77 lbs
Training Summary: Pepper showed lots more confidence today out in Hollywood. The environment was familiar to her and we continued to make it a positive experience. It’s important to be a great leader to Pepper and guide her through all the chaos safely. She improves daily! Great work Pepper!
