Peanut is a Poodle and Shih Tzu mix in Overland Park who fixated on his surroundings, pulled on the leash, and went stiff around unfamiliar dogs. Across 5 sessions between 27 May and 17 July 2026, every one graded improving, he moved from tolerating dogs at a distance to three calm interactions in a single outing. A week before the last session he shook the entire time in public. By the final session he wandered out on his own to sniff and lie in the grass, and when a strange dog charged him he gave a clear back off signal without escalating or making contact.
Week 10 · 2026-06-19
Peanut, a Shih-Poo puppy in Overland Park, spent Week 10 proving that obedience and play don’t have to be separate. Mid-fetch, he dropped into a down from across the room, no walking back to his handler, just a clean response from a distance.
The focus this week: weaving commands into everyday play. Fetch became a self-control drill, sit, throw, release on cue, and ‘off’ when he wanted to keep the ball. He also met the family cat and held it together, staying curious instead of pushy.
That Poodle half is all brain, so the real work now isn’t teaching new tricks, it’s giving him a job. Short, mixed-up reps keep him thinking and turn good manners into a habit.
Wins: puppy impulse control · distance commands · place command · off cue