Mals &Pals Training

05/05/2026

Major’s Update: Growth Spurt

Major has officially entered his “I outgrew it overnight” era 😂

This boy used to curl up perfectly in this bed… now he’s got half his body spilling out like he’s trying to claim squatter’s rights on the floor too. Legs everywhere, head barely hanging on, and somehow still sleeping like he pays the bills here.

It’s wild how fast he’s growing—one minute he’s a tiny land shark, the next he’s a full-sized goofball wedged into a bed two sizes too small.

Safe to say… someone is due for an upgrade 🛏️🐾

05/05/2026

Training day = “Place” command in full swing 🐾

Major and Zulu thought this was the BEST game ever. The moment I tossed a piece of kibble and said “FREE!”, they launched off the elevated place board like it was an Olympic event 😂

Zulu, being the overachiever she is, already understands “place,” so she was hopping right back on without hesitation. We started adding distance to the command, and she handled it like a pro. Calm, confident, and right back to work.

Major needed a little more coaching—some direction, a little guidance, and yes… the occasional food lure 😏 But after a few reps, it clicked, and you could see the lightbulb moment. He got it and started moving with purpose!

Then there’s Zima… who absolutely knows “place” but has opinions 🤣
Elevated bed? Not her vibe. She prefers her feet on solid ground, thank you very much.

It took some convincing (and a solid lure) to get her up there, and the second I said “FREE,” she was OUT—straight to find her ball. Food? Irrelevant. Ball is life.

At this point, Zima’s version of “place” is putting her ball on the elevated bed and calling it a day. Honestly… I respect the creativity 💀

Different dogs, different motivations, same goal—building reliability, clarity, and a whole lot of fun along the way. 🐶💪

04/28/2026

What is it like to take three dogs to the vet?

When they are properly trained it’s a piece of cake! My crews always get tons of compliments when they are out.

04/25/2026

Mocha had her third training session with her veteran today, and we took things out into the real world for some solid exposure work. First stop: Academy Sports + Outdoors…because nothing says “let’s test your focus” like a store full of smells, sights, and questionable mannequin design choices.

Mocha came in a little excited (understatement 😄), taking in all the newness. And then… she spotted the mannequins. You know, the ones with no heads just casually standing there like they pay rent. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of them at first—are they people? Are they statues? Are they some kind of silent threat? It took her a minute, but she worked through it like a champ and settled back into training mode.

Next stop: MOD Pizza for lunch. And this is where Mocha really showed off. She was an absolute angel—laid quietly, waited patiently, and held her position the entire time. As kids walked by (her absolute favorite people), she gave a happy little tail wag but stayed right where she was. No lunging, no breaking position—just calm, controlled, and so proud of herself.

Every session like this builds confidence—for both Mocha and her veteran. Watching that partnership grow is what it’s all about. 💙🐾

Now it’s time for a mental break as she takes in a much deserved nap!

04/24/2026

Major’s Daily Update: Timmy’s Toys

Apparently, in Major’s world, “dog toys” are just a suggestion… and cat toys are where the real fun begins. 🙃

Every morning while we’re upstairs getting ready, Major bypasses his entire collection of perfectly good dog toys and heads straight for the forbidden treasures—Timmy’s stash. His favorites? The little puff balls and that braided plastic stick toy that’s barely 4 inches long.

And he doesn’t just play with them… oh no. He turns it into a full production. Toss it in the air → chase it down → dramatic stomp like he just conquered a wild beast. Repeat. Over and over.

It’s all fun and games… until the toy lands near Timmy.

Now, Timmy (our 11-year-old resident menace) has a reputation to uphold. Stealth mode. Surprise attacks. Zero tolerance for nonsense. And Major knows this. He has experienced this.

So the moment that toy lands too close to the danger zone, Major suddenly remembers he is not, in fact, brave. 😂

Cue the slow retreat… the concerned stare… and then coming to find me like:
“Excuse me, I made a poor life choice. I’m gonna need adult supervision to retrieve my toy.”

And of course, I have to es**rt him like a security detail while Timmy watches, plotting violence.

Moral of the story:
Major may be growing into a big, confident dog… but Timmy still runs the house. 😅

04/23/2026

Major’s Training Update: Problem Solving

Major is learning that sometimes you have to think your way to the prize… not just stare at Mom and hope she helps 😂

Today’s lesson: problem solving.

I took his beloved rubber chicken and hid it under a blanket. He could hear it… but couldn’t see it. At first, he did what any spoiled puppy might do—looked at me like, “Excuse me, you forgot to finish this game. Please retrieve my chicken.” 🙄

Nope.

So I showed him the chicken again and hid it one more time. This time? You could see the gears turning. Instead of giving up, he got persistent—sniffing, pawing, nudging… determined to figure it out.

And just like that, the lightbulb moment 💡

Confidence doesn’t just come from obedience—it comes from learning how to work through a challenge. Proud of this boy for sticking with it!

04/21/2026

Backyard Patrol Report: Major vs. Jethro 🐍

So apparently, we’ve added a new resident to the property… meet Jethro — the (roughly) 3-foot garter snake who decided the fence line was prime real estate. Yes, I named him. No, he doesn’t pay rent.

I knew something was up with Major right away. He kept doing this hilarious little routine — jump back, c**k his head, inch forward… pause… then repeat. Every time Jethro moved, Major hit the reset button like, “Ummm… excuse me… what ARE you??”

Once I realized exactly who he had discovered, it was a full-on “everybody inside, NOW” situation. Because let’s be honest — the rest of the crew would have turned Jethro into a very unfortunate memory real quick.

I scooped everyone up and es**rted them inside, then carefully relocated Mr. Jethro to the front fence line where he stands a much better chance of living his best snake life (away from the canine demolition squad).

Honestly, I’m impressed. Major identified an “intruder,” stayed curious but cautious, and didn’t go full send. That’s a win in my book 👏

Meanwhile, Jethro has officially been evicted from the backyard and placed on a strict “no loitering” policy.

04/20/2026