Zuko | German Shepherd | Bakersfield, CA

ByAnthony Rivera

Hello Everyone! Meet Zuko!

Zuko comes to us for our 2-week board and train program! Zuko will be working on his basic obedience and ensuring that his owners can take him out in public with distractions. Zuko is curious and loves to pull on leash but is willing to learn and ready to get to work! Stay tuned for his progress!

 

Pupdate 2:

  • Date: October 25th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: all
  • Evening Feed: all
  • Training Summary: Today we took Zuko over to a new park he’s never been too. Being in a new environment we practiced and reinforced all commands (heel, sit, down, come, place). At the beginning of the session Zuko was really worked up and pulled a lot. As we continued to train, he began to trust me more and allowed me to guide him into the commands. He can get spooked out going on elevated surfaces like the place cot and park benches.

 

Pupdate 3:

  • Date: October 26th 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Today we continued to reinforce all commands. He does well with his sit command. Building his confidence in his commands, he held an extended sit and allowed me to take these cute photos! He will get overly excited when he sees another dog. He has no problem finishing his food and is drinking water regularly.

 

Pupdate 4:

  • Date: October 27th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Over at the lake Zuko came in contact with lots of new distractions. He was super fascinated on all the ducks who swam near him on the lake. Zuko loves to please and I praise him every time he keeps a tight heel to remind him he’s doing GREAT. He continues to improve on his sit and down commands. Great day of training Zuko !

Pupdate 5:

 

  • Date: October 28th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: We revisited the lake and Zuko portrayed lots of confidence in his commands. He’s extended the duration of his sit and down commands. He is much more walkable on the leash and is obeying leash manners. He can still be timid when placing on new surfaces.

 

Pupdate 6:

  • Date: October 29th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Training consisted of lots of exposure to people, dogs, and life in the city! Zuko came along with me to run a few errands out in Hollywood. We got some coffee a Starbucks. It does take him some time to acclimate to the new environments he’s in. Once he’s in his zone, walks become really enjoyable and we get to go more places! Great work today Zuko!

 

Pupdate 7:

  • Date: October 30th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Today we continued to expose Zuko to high distraction areas. He loves to be around people. Sudden noises on the main street can spook him a bit. Great work Bud!

 

Pupdate 8:

  • Date: October 31st, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM ZUKO! He got to train around my dogs and even played with them for a bit. It’s important to keep an eye out when he’s with other dogs. He can play with other dogs, we just want to make sure he doesn’t get overly excited with them. Overall he did really great and we even got to practice some off leash commands!

 

Pupdate 9:

  • Date: November 1st, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Great work from Zuko today! We took training over to Home Depot today where he was exposed to lots of human distractions. He has continued to build his confidence in all his commands. We continue to teach him to control his nerves in the different environments he’s in. In environments like these it is important to be calm throughout the store. As we leave the store I use the break command and lots of praise to reward the good behavior he just portrayed.

 

Pupdate 10:

  • Date: November 2nd, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Today we revisited Home Depot. We continue to familiarize him to our everyday common distractions. He has so much fun in the place command! This command is great for when you want him to remain on an elevated surface like his dog bed, couch, bench, etc. He continues to improve everyday. Most importantly teaching him how to redirect the hyper energy into training efficiently.

 

Pupdate 11:

  • Date: November 3rd, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Today we really broke the ice with public distractions. I took Zuko with me to do some shopping in the Hollywood area. He was really excited seeing so many people and hearing the different types of noises. It’s important to work him through the developed anxiousness. Every new environment will be challenging for Zuko but the more he’s exposed too high distracted areas, the more these distractions become desensitized. Every time he revisits the a location it only gets better. Great work Zuko!

 

Pupdate 12:

  • Date: November 4th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: We continue to reinforce all commands. Zuko completes all commands both on and off leash. He’s been to so many different new environments. Keep up the great work!

 

Pupdate 13:

  • Date: November 5th, 2022
  • Morning Feed: All
  • Evening Feed: All
  • Training Summary: Today we took our training to the Americana! Zuko got to hang out in public on a Saturday where he was around so many people! He loves going out in public. His behavior improves every time we revisit a public environment.
Anthony Rivera

Anthony's goal is for owners to be able to effectively communicate with their dogs and for their dogs to live long, well-balanced lives with affection and obedience. Read more about Anthony here.