Who Bourbon is
As the trainers describe him
Already knows a fair amount. The handler says his skills are coming back fast because of it. That also suggests prior training, but it is not stated.
On film
That happens very quickly. If you reinforce some things with a dog that already knows a decent amount, things start coming back super fast.
Likes the ball and the pool.
On film
Bourbon's in the pool! You like the pool, Bourbon? I think Bourbon likes the pool.
Sensitive to a sensation he is not used to, probably the e-collar (inferred; the tool is never named). He reacted this time but not the last.
On film
I don't know why you had such a reaction this time and not last time. You're sensey, huh?
I think it surprised him. I don't think he's used to feeling it.
Took minutes to settle in the car before he lay down.
On film
No, I'm just going to wait until he actually lays down.
The program, stage by stage
Settle in a car, free time, then a skills check
Uploaded 2026-07-07.
The handler waits for Bourbon to lie down and actually settle in a car, and only then lets him out. Free time and the pool follow. After a staff exchange about before videos, he reacts to what is probably the collar, which the handler reads as surprise. Sit and down are worked with markers. Then comes a loose-leash test on about six feet of line, with the handler careful not to hit the end of it; he 'seems to be following it'. Plan: more downs, then bigger distractions.
On film
As soon as he settles in the car, he gets to get off.
All right. Hang on. I'm just going to test out his loose leash walking here in a minute.
He seems to be following it for it.
I'll probably call it quits for this session after I do a little more D-O-W-N. And then I'd like to get him in front of a little bit bigger distractions.
Skills
Settle (in a car)
How it was taught
Wait; release only once he actually lies down and settles.
On film
As soon as he actually lays down, I'm going to let him get off. I want to see him actually settle in the car.
Okay. Okay. Bourbon, good.
Sit and down
How it was taught
Cue, marker ('At', probably a mishearing), praise.
On film
Bourbon, down.
Loose-leash walking (test)
How it was taught
Tested on about six feet, with the handler avoiding hitting the end of the leash.
On film
I've been really cognizant of where the leash is, and making sure not to hit it.
How the method adapted
Nothing is adapted specifically to him on film. The settle criterion is the general rule applied in a car.
What the family was told
In the family's own words
None.
Outcomes
What the trainers reported
Skills coming back fast because he already knows a decent amount.
The handler
On film
That happens very quickly. If you reinforce some things with a dog that already knows a decent amount, things start coming back super fast.
What the footage shows
He settles in a car after a wait and is released; he does sit and down on cue with markers; he walks on a loose six-foot leash in a short test.