Graduation is Near!

Cutty's inmate trainer is reminiscing about their last ten weeks together making memories and having a good time.  Cutty enjoys just hanging out on his bed most of all.  Sounds boring but he keeps it exciting by occasionally getting up to make his rounds of letting people pet him. After a few minutes of getting loved on, he reports back to his bed for nap time.  He really seems to be enjoying his retirement.

In ten short weeks Cutty has taught his inmate trainer a lot about patience.  It's hard to say goodbye to these dogs but it helps knowing they are going to good homes where love is going to be lavished on them on a daily basis. 

Words could never do justice on how grateful his inmate trainer is for this program and all that it has done for him.  Thank you and good luck Cutty!!

Time For Swap Week

Cutty spent the week with a temporary trainer this week for swap week!  This is a week where the dogs spend time away from their primary inmate trainers to work on commands from new trainers. 

Cutty knows his basic commands, but didn’t really want to do them for his temporary inmate trainer without a treat.  His attention span was short in this new environment and he wasn’t very interested in holding the sit, stay, or down positions for any amount of time. In his mind there was some exploring that needed to be done and this new trainer dude wanted to play commands!     

Cutty didn’t care for being left alone in his kennel this week.  He chewed the brass ID tags and caused his gums to bleed.  He did a lot of pacing and panting while in his kennel showing his desire to be out.  Outside of the kennel he is very happy and affectionate and seeks physical contact from everyone he comes in contact with. Being out with humans is Cutty's preference.  

Cutty is a sweet boy who will need time to bond with his new family and adjust to his new environment.  He is a people person kinda guy who likes to be out and about with his human.  

The New James Dean

Cutty’s inmate trainer says that he believes that Cutty is James Dean reincarnated.  He says that Cutty has a rebellious streak that can be entertaining and fun to watch.  His inmate trainer says that it has made training a challenge because Cutty wants to do things his way, but in the end he’s fun to work with and a joy to have around. 

This week they added the whisper command to Cutty's already impressive list.   To whisper Cutty will bark, but with no sound!  His go to trick still remains to be “visit.”  His inmate trainer says that Cutty is the first dog he’s ever met that should have been born a cat.  He is courious like a cat, has his own ideas about things like a cat, and even lays his in his bed and strikes a regal pose with his head held high like a cat!  He says that Cutty will even give you a look like he’s better than you are, but it comes off more endearing than anything.

His inmate trainer is going to miss this lovable boy, but he knows that Cutty’s cute face and personality will win his new family right over! 

Sand!

This week Cutty has discovered his love for sand in the big yard.  He will run straight to the volleyball court and turn lap after lap in the sand then plop down for a quick breath.  After resting a bit he promptly starts digging a hole just so that he can stick his head in it! 

As far as his training goes his inmate trainer is in the process of replacing his food rewards with love and praise.  He loves to be petted and receive attention, but he’s not so sure about this new change.  For the sit and down commands he prefers to have a reward he can sink his teeth into and send to his belly.  For visit, kiss, bow, speak, and show me love a good ole scratch behind the ears is payment enough. 

Cutty loves attention and will make his rounds to anyone willing to dish out love for free.  His inmate trainer has been trying to limit all the free love  so that it can be used as a reward during training.  Cutty has other ideas and will turn his charming cute face and pleading eyes to his inmate trainer who has a hard time saying no.  

A New Man, er, Dog!

Gone are the days of Cutty being unsure of his surroundings.  He has now entered his rebellious teenage years.  His inmate trainer knows this because he has grown very independent and, at times, has a strangely endearing air of stubbornness.  He no longer runs and hides at strange sounds but prefers to put on his big dog pans and investigate.  Just like most teenagers, Cutty prefers to play rather than learn.  So, his inmate trainer uses the same system he uses with his own son which involves lots of homework first, then playtime afterwords.  This seems to work well with Cutty as long as his inmate trainer keeps the training sessions short and fun, which is what is recommended anyway! 

View fullsize

Too much training and Cutty looses interest.  But who can blame him?  His inmate trainer would also rather play with a duck that has rope legs and squeaks than do classwork all day. 

So, with lots of patience, sprinkled with treats and some creativity, we have found a formula that allowed Cutty to learn in a fun, positive way, and still lets him be that wild, spunky, curious dog that everyone here has grown to love.

Speaking of love, Cutty has an appetite for love that would rival that of a Sumo wrestler.  He will go from person to person doing his "visit" command, thus allowing them to love him and scratch behind his ears, until he decides its time for someone else to get the same opportunity. 

One thing about him, he doesn't play favorites.  Everyone is provided the same opportunity and everyone gets his love! 

Extra commands Cutty has learned include "bow", "kiss", "speak", "visit", "bounce", "show me love", "pick up your toys".

Goofy And Loving

The more Cutty comes out of his shell the more curious he becomes.  Even when he is unsure of something he perks up his ears and musters up the courage to investigate.  His inmate trainer says that this is great progress from when Cutty arrived and preferred to hide in his fortress of solitude, otherwise known as his kennel. 

Cutty’s love of being scratched behind his ears and to be loved on is insatiable!  For this reason his inmate trainer has taught him the visit and show me love commands.  Cutty will lay his head on your chest then stare into your eyes while you love on him.  His inmate trainer says he’s not sure who enjoys it more him or Cutty! 

The rest of training is going really well.  Cutty still needs a little more with the stay command, but he’ll get the hang of it.  Besides, sitting is harder for Greyhounds with all those muscles! 

Cutty is very frolicsome with his toys nowadays.  He will toss them in the air and shake them with a furry that would rival a hurricane!  This is followed by some prancing around until he finally retires to his kennel to stash the toy for enjoyment later. 

Cutty’s inmate trainer says that he is the perfect balance of goofy and loving!  

Mr. Lovable

Cutty’s training is starting to pick up steam!  Not only has be become completely comfortable with his surroundings he has also grasped the concept of learning!  His inmate trainer has taken advantage of Cutty’s new found confidence by adding a few more extras to his growing list of tricks! 

Since Cutty loves people and having his head and neck scratched his inmate trainer has taught him the visit command.  Pat your lap and say “visit” and Cutty will quickly place his head and neck on your leg for scratches and rubs!  He now speaks on command, but his inmate trainer says that his bark is a little dainty for a boy with a five o’clock shadow on his muzzle! 

Cutty has discovered toys!  He loves to toss them in the air and catch them.  His inmate trainer says that this is a big improvement over the dishrag! 

Cutty can be a bit on the stubborn side, but somehow manages to make it an endearing quality.  His inmate trainer says that Cutty is a lovable guy who’s a lot of fun.  His inmate trainer can’t wait to see what they learn next!  

Training For Treats

Hi ya!  Cutty here!  So I’m doing this new thing called training instead of racing and let me tell you it’s pretty cool.  My days are filled with treats, training, playtime, love, and did I mention treats?   I love the start of a brand new day!  I run around the prison greeting everyone, 2-legged and 4-legged, like they’re lost friends and we’ve finally reunited for the first time in years!  My inmate trainer says he loves to see me so happy. 

My inmate trainer and I do short training sessions throughout the day.  He says that I need shorter sessions because I day dream and lose focus.  There are just a lot of things going on that need my attention or that need to be thought about!  I don’t let this hamper my ability to learn though.  I’m already doing really well with all my basics and continue to improve every day!  I have let’s go, kennel, release, and heel down pat.  My trainer says that I need to respond a little faster to hurry, wait, here, sit, down, stay, bed, jump, kiss, bow, and belly.  No worries though I got this!  

One Handsome Boy

Just a little over a week has passed since Cutty made his grand entrance.  After a few hearty meals and a good scrubbing he has turned out to be quite the handsome man! Cutty’s confidence is growing daily, but he’s still not a fan of sudden loud noises and doesn’t like to be alone.  Cutty loves people and has yet to meet a stranger.  He hasn’t shown any interest in toys, well, he will play with a wash cloth.  His inmate trainer is not sure what that’s about. 

Cutty’s training is starting to pick up steam.  His attention span is short so his inmate trainer is working to make it fun.  They work on easy commands like kiss and bow to help boost Cutty’s confidence. 

His inmate trainer is looking forward to the weeks ahead and knows that the days are going to be fun and rewarding!

Ready, Set, Train

Cutty’s inmate trainer writes in to say that if you don’t believe in love at first sight then you’ve never laid eyes on Cutty!  His inmate trainer says that Cutty’s intense honey golden eyes have the ability to hypnotize.  Once you add in his permanent 5 o’clock shadowed muzzle you find yourself captivated by this unbelievably cute face! 

So far Cutty has been very curious about everything. He seems fearless of people and things, but does not like thunder or solitude.  It could be a reaction to the new environment and he may settle in and not have any future problems. 

Leash training is underway as Cutty likes to pull like a plow mule.  With positive reinforcement and patience Cutty is learning that it is possible to walk with his human and not for him.  His inmate trainer has been very impressed by how quickly Cutty has picked up the concept of walking next to his trainer instead of in front of him.  

Cutty’s inmate trainer is looking forward to the next ten weeks!  He can’t wait to see Cutty’s progress!