Theo | Belgian Malinois | Bakersfield, California
Say hello to Theo, a 7-month-old Belgian Malinois with a story that’s already touched our hearts. Recently rescued from the shelter by a loving family, Theo is now settling into his new life—and beginning his two-week board and train journey with us!
Unlike the typical high-drive Malinois, Theo has a calmer demeanor, but he’s still got that playful spark. He struggles with leash manners, basic obedience, and building confidence in new situations. He also has a habit of play biting with his owners, which we’ll be working on throughout his stay.
Theo’s here to learn, grow, and thrive—and we’re so excited to guide him through his transformation. Stay tuned for updates on his progress. This sweet boy is just getting started!
Pupdate 2:
Date: April 9th, 2025
Weight: 37.82lbs
Morning Feed: half
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We had our first real training session with Theo today, and it went better than expected. We worked on introducing leash pressure and recall, and he handled it all really well. He’s picking things up quickly and seems to be getting comfortable with the process. You can tell he’s a smart dog—very in tune and eager to figure things out. On top of that, he’s super affectionate, always checking in and looking for that connection. It’s only day one, but I’m already excited to see how he progresses.
Pupdate 3:
Date: April 10th, 2025
Weight: 37.88lbs
Morning Feed: 3/4
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today, we took Theo out to lunch with us at In-N-Out, and it turned out to be a great opportunity for socialization. It was his first time in that kind of bustling, public environment, and we wanted to expose him to the sights, sounds, and smells of a busy outdoor setting. From the moment we arrived, Theo seemed curious but calm, taking everything in without showing signs of stress or overwhelm. He sat with us at the table, watched people come and go, and even observed other dogs from a distance—all while remaining pretty relaxed. It was a simple outing, but a big step in helping him build confidence and adjust to new experiences outside the home.
Pupdate 4:
Date: April 11th, 2025
Weight: 37.91lbs
Morning Feed: 3/4
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today we introduced Theo to the “place” command, and he is already showing great progress. He’s warming up nicely to the training environment and proving to be an incredibly smart pup. Theo is catching on to the routine quickly, showing a strong ability to focus and understand what’s being asked of him. It’s clear that he’s eager to learn, and his responsiveness to commands is improving with each session. We’re excited to see how much more he’ll progress in the coming days!
Pupdate 5:
Date: April 12th, 2025
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today, we took our training session to the park, introducing a new and stimulating environment to further challenge and support his progress. Working in a public space added distractions and new sights, sounds, and smells, giving us the perfect opportunity to generalize his training beyond the home setting. We focused on reinforcing his commands while helping him build confidence in his reps, especially with the added unpredictability of the outdoors. Each successful repetition not only strengthened his obedience but also boosted his comfort and engagement in a less familiar environment, setting the foundation for more advanced training in real-world scenarios.
Pupdate 6:
Date: April 13th, 2025
Weight: 38.03lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We continue to reinforce Theo’s commands daily, helping him build consistency and confidence in his obedience. Today, he had the chance to meet my dog, Danté. At first, Theo was a bit shy and hesitant, taking his time to warm up to the new interaction. However, as the introduction progressed, he began to let his guard down and eventually gave in to the fun, engaging in playful behavior. It was great to see him open up and enjoy himself. This kind of exposure is incredibly valuable, as it helps Theo learn how to interact appropriately with dogs of all sizes—both big and small. Great work, buddy!
Pupdate 7:
Date: April 14th, 2025
Weight: 38.12lbs
Morning Feed: 3/4
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today, we took our training session to Lowe’s to challenge him in a brand new environment, filled with unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. This kind of exposure is essential for building confidence and helping him learn to stay focused despite everyday distractions like people walking by, loud noises from equipment, and all the enticing scents around the store. For his very first time in such a busy public setting, he did incredibly well—remaining engaged, responsive, and composed throughout the session. It was a great step forward in his training journey.
Pupdate 8:
Date: April 15th, 2025
Weight: 38.57lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today, we finally had the opportunity to practice off-leash commands with Theo, and he did an incredible job. While he still needs a bit of leash guidance when working on the “down” command, his progress overall has been impressive. Theo has shown excellent recall and walks beautifully both on and off leash, demonstrating a growing sense of focus and reliability. We’re continuing to reinforce his training daily, sharpening his skills and building his confidence. I’m super proud of how far Theo has come and excited to see him continue to improve!
Pupdate 9:
Date: April 16th, 2025
Weight: 38.88lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Today, we took our training session to Lowe’s again, but this time the store was noticeably more crowded than usual, providing an excellent opportunity to challenge his focus and composure in a busier environment. While he handled most of the experience well, he did get a bit spooked by a loud forklift in the lumber section, which was a new and intimidating stimulus for him. Despite that moment, he remained eager to engage, especially when interacting with people—he truly loves meeting new faces and continues to show a friendly, social temperament. Overall, he’s making steady progress each day, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come.
Pupdate 10:
Date: April 17, 2025
Weight: 38.91lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Theo is making incredible progress every single day, and it’s been amazing to watch his transformation. He’s gaining so much confidence—not just around other dogs, but also in new and unfamiliar environments. Each outing is a little smoother, and you can see him starting to trust himself more with every experience. I’m genuinely so proud of how far he’s come and excited to see him continue growing into the confident, well-balanced pup we know he can be.
Pupdate 11:
Date: April 18, 2025
Weight: 38.91lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
Theo continues to build his confidence both around other dogs and in interactions with new people. It’s been rewarding to see his progress, as he’s becoming more relaxed and sure of himself in a variety of social settings. I now fully trust him off-leash, as he consistently demonstrates excellent recall, even in environments with distractions. His responsiveness and eagerness to return when called show just how far he’s come, and it’s clear he’s developing into a well-rounded and reliable companion.
Pupdate 12:
Date: April 19, 2025
Weight: 39.03lbs
Morning Feed: all
Evening Feed: all
Training Highlights:
We continue to elevate his training by consistently introducing new challenges that help him grow and adapt. This includes exposing him to unfamiliar people, other dogs, and various environmental noises to build his confidence and focus in distracting situations. At the same time, we are reinforcing and refining all of his commands, both on and off leash, to ensure reliability and responsiveness regardless of the setting. This balanced approach not only strengthens his obedience but also helps him become a well-rounded and socially adaptable dog.
