How Finnegan Built Better Recall, Puppy Manners, and Heel Skills in 1 Week in Richmond, VA

At A Glance

Finnegan is a 9-month-old German Shepherd who came to Off Leash K9 Training of Richmond for a 1 Week “Freedom” Board & Train plus an added heel lesson. His training focused on recall, core commands, jumping, mouthing, and calmer puppy behavior.

Dog: Finnegan
Breed: German Shepherd
Age: 9 months
Program: 1 Week “Freedom” Board & Train plus an added heel lesson
Main Issues: Inconsistent recall, jumping, mouthing, puppy energy, and whining
Outcome: Better recall, improved puppy manners, stronger obedience, and added heel skills

The Challenge

Finnegan was a sweet and smart puppy, but he had reached a stage where his recall was becoming less reliable. He knew some commands, but he needed stronger consistency and better manners.

Before training, Finnegan struggled with:

  • Recall becoming inconsistent
  • Jumping
  • Mouthing
  • Whining when away from his owner
  • Puppy energy and excitement
  • Needing better heel skills

The Training Approach

Finnegan’s training focused on core obedience, recall, place, and an added heel lesson.

What training focused on:

  • Strengthening recall
  • Improving sit
  • Building place
  • Adding heel work
  • Reducing jumping and mouthing
  • Helping calm puppy energy

The Results

After training, Finnegan had a stronger foundation for better behavior and more consistent obedience.

What improved:

  • Recall became more consistent
  • Sit and place improved
  • Heel skills were introduced
  • Jumping and mouthing became easier to manage
  • Puppy energy became more controlled

Trainer Insight

Finnegan is a smart, sweet puppy who needed structure and consistency during his adolescent phase. Once training focused on recall, manners, and heel work, he had a stronger path toward becoming a calmer and more reliable young dog.

Ready for Better Recall and Puppy Manners?

If your puppy is starting to ignore recall, jump, mouth, or lose focus, professional training can help build clearer habits and better communication. 

Schedule a consultation today to discuss your puppy’s behavior, training goals, and the best next step for building stronger obedience.