How Raleigh Built Better Recall and Puppy Manners in Pittsburgh, PA

At A Glance

Raleigh is a 9-month-old Cavalier who joined a 2 Week Board & Train Program with Off Leash K9 Training of Pittsburgh, PA, and trainer Rachel. His owners wanted help with unwanted puppy manners, especially jumping on people, and wanted him to become more manageable so people could enjoy being around him. They also wanted a solid recall because they live on a large property and needed Raleigh to respond reliably for safety. Training focused on building better manners, stronger listening skills, and a safer foundation for everyday life at home.

Dog: Raleigh
Breed: Cavalier
Age: 9 months
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Program: 2 Week Board & Train Program
Main Issues: Jumping on people, selective listening, limited commands, poor command reliability, and a need for stronger recall
Outcome: Goal of improved puppy manners, better manageability, reliable recall, and stronger obedience around distractions

The Challenge

Before training, Raleigh had some puppy behaviors that made him harder to manage around people. Jumping on guests made interactions less enjoyable, and his owners wanted him to be calmer and easier to handle when others were around.

Recall was also a major priority. Because Raleigh’s family lives on a large property, they wanted to make sure he could respond reliably when called and stay safe outdoors. During the starting assessment, Rachel noted that Raleigh’s owners said he knew “Sit,” but he appeared selective with it and did not have a strong command foundation yet.

Raleigh needed help with:

Jumping on people
Better manageability around guests and family
Stronger recall for safety on acreage
More consistent “Sit” response
Learning additional obedience commands
Reliability around distractions

The Training Approach

Rachel planned to build Raleigh’s obedience foundation from the ground up and then add distractions to make those skills more reliable. Since Raleigh had limited commands and selective responses, the training focused on consistency, clarity, and practical reliability.

Training focused on:

Teaching core obedience commands
Strengthening “Sit” so it becomes more consistent
Building a reliable recall
Improving puppy manners and reducing jumping
Making Raleigh more manageable around people
Practicing around distractions to improve reliability
Improving walking manners and owner control

The Results

This clip shows Raleigh’s starting assessment and the goals for his 2-week program. Rachel explained that Raleigh had work to do, including learning commands, becoming reliable with them, and practicing around distractions.

What improved as the training goal:

Better puppy manners
Reduced jumping on people
Stronger recall for outdoor safety
More reliable command response
Improved walking manners
Better manageability around people and distractions

Trainer Insight

Young dogs like Raleigh often know one or two commands but struggle to respond consistently when excited or distracted. A structured board and train can help turn selective listening into clearer obedience, while recall training adds an important layer of safety for dogs who live on larger properties.

Ready to Build Better Recall and Puppy Manners?

If your puppy jumps on people, listens only when they feel like it, or needs a safer recall for outdoor freedom, professional training can help build a stronger foundation.

Schedule a consultation today to find the right program and learn how to maintain the results at home.