From Stray to Superstar: Azul’s Board & Train Transformation

Meet Azul—a resilient rescue pup whose story went viral after being saved from the desert. You might’ve seen his incredible transformation on The Dodo —and now we’re in the final stretch of Azul’s board and train program at Valor K9 Academy with me, Amy Pishner. He’s living his very best life with a loving family and a second chance at everything he deserves.

Read Azul’s full story on The Dodo

From the moment I met Azul at his initial assessment, I knew he was something special. He was open, social, confident, and eager to connect. I was impressed by his food drive and his natural adaptability—it’s not every day you meet a dog with such a remarkable temperament after such a rough start.

But like many rescues, Azul had some typical “untrained dog” behaviors to work through. He was a major puller on leash, jumped up for attention, barked in the crate, and had no recall whatsoever—he was a classic bolter. If he had the chance to run, he’d take it, and not look back!

 

 

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Building Trust, Confidence & Obedience

 

We started his board and train journey with a slip lead, food reward system, and lots of positive reinforcement. My first goal was to help Azul build trust, establish boundaries, and learn basic rules and limitations. He needed structure, guidance, and exposure—lots of it—to help him adjust from life as a stray to life as a loved, secure family dog.

Those first two weeks were focused on:

Foundation obedience

 Confidence-building

 Calm crate behavior

 Socialization & exposure to new environments

 Learning to respect space around food, water, and other dogs

And wow, did he show up and put in the work!

 

 

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Azul’s Board and Train Week 3–4: Off-Leash Freedom & Pack Life

 

Now in his final two weeks, Azul has leveled up to off-leash obedience using a training collar for added clarity and communication. He’s a completely different dog—biddable, joyful, and thriving in his training.

The first time I cut him loose and gave him true off-leash freedom, he literally bounced and bounded like a happy puppy. That moment brought tears to my eyes—he had earned that freedom and trust through consistency and training.

We’ve been doing:

Bike rides

Pack walks

Agility fun

Strength & confidence-building workouts

And yes—he is finally putting on weight and muscle! One of my big goals was to help Azul gain weight, which can be tricky when you’re using food for training. But with time and patience, he went from eating 3 cups a day to now over 4.5 cups, and he’s filling out beautifully. His owners even commented how great he looks!

 

 

 

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From Resource Guarding to Respectful Packmate

 

In the beginning, Azul showed some minor resource guarding, especially around the water bowl. He’d claim it, especially when it was running low. With structured social time and clear boundaries, he now politely backs away when another dog approaches to drink. He’s not an alpha dog—more of a happy-go-lucky middle guy—and he’s learning to be part of a pack with grace and confidence.

He seeks affection daily and checks in with me constantly. Our bond is strong, and his bond with his forever family will be even stronger.

 

 

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A Happy Ending for a Desert Dog

 

Azul’s board and train journey is a true testament to the power of resilience, training, and love. He went from surviving alone in the desert to running joyfully through fields with the pack, off-leash and trusted. I’ve also had the honor of training their other dog, Bodhi, another former runaway shelter dog who now enjoys a life of freedom and structure.

 

 

 

The McIntyre family has done an incredible job staying consistent, showing up for their dogs, and committing to the long haul. And Azul? He’s living proof that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Watch Azul’s first off-leash pack walk here

Azul, I absolutely adore you. You’re a beautiful soul and it’s been my joy to be part of your story. I’ll miss you dearly—but I’m so excited for all that lies ahead in your amazing new life.

 

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Written by Amy Pishner

 

About the Author: 

Amy Pishner is the Founder of Valor K9 Academy, a veteran-owned dog training company in Boise, Idaho. With over a decade of experience training thousands of dogs, Amy specializes in balanced dog training that builds trust, obedience, and lasting results.