Good Byes

Another week has come and gone and now Ryley's final week of the program is here. It would be so easy to simply summarize her last week as "excellent on all counts", but that would not be giving Ryley the bragging rights she deserves.

Scholastically, Ryley knows all of her commands very well and will obey them when instructed to do so. But then, any of the Greyhounds trained in the program will do that! Where Ryley truly amazes is her ability to warm your heart, even while she's following the commands you are giving. If ever you are feeling down, just spend some time with her. When she rolls over onto her belly and puffs out her cheeks and gives you her "check me out" stare . . . well, there's just no way to feel bad after that.

Ryley is a happy, playful animal. As much as she will be missed here, she is ready to join her new family. All she needs is a loving and nurturing environment and she will thrive. In return, she will enrich her owner's lives for many years to come.

Nearly immediately you will discover how great of a decision you made to adopt this retired racer. Enjoy her!

Where Have You Been All My Life?

Swap week has ended and Ryley has returned home (to her primary trainer).  During this week trainers allow their greyhound they have been working with, caring for, falling in love with, to be taken care of by another.  Ryley slept, ate and played at a new location with a different trainer.  The purpose of this time is to test the greyhound's adaptability.  It helps to ensure that they are able to interact and follow commands given by people not yet known to them.  As always, Ryley did superbly!

Ryley has proven capable of being respectful, happy and fun in any loving environment. Ryley's adopted family is going to be so pleased with this sweet girl, not to mention how enriched their lives will become once Ryley becomes a part of it.  They will wonder how they ever survived without this beautiful princess in their lives.

In only eight weeks, Ryley has shown just how smart she is, and clearly she has not reached her learning potential.  She is the smartest, kindest and most loving pet you could add to your home.  Without question, she will warm your heart for years to come, just as she has done to the trainers.

Can't Resist Ryley

This week was swap week for Ryley.  During swap week primary trainers exchange dogs for the purpose of testing for separation anxiety, as well as seeing how they perform their commands for other people.  Ryley's "swap week" trainer couldn't be happier to work with her for a week.

Ryley is such a sweetheart.  She is incredibly loving and playful.  So far he has seen zero signs of separation anxiety and she is performing all of her commands exceptionally well.  He has enjoyed his time this far with Ryley and has not been disappointed in the least with acquiring this adorable princess for the week.  She is going to fit in well with her adopted family.  They are lucky to add this sweet girl to their pack.

Wonder Dog

Just when you thought Ryley was finished learning new commands, she goes and adds two more extras to her bag of tricks in one week!  She loves to learn and definitely aims to please.  She now knows "belly" and "fix it".  Belly is a position she likes to do on her own.  She rolls on her back, paws in the air while showing her belly. Her trainer said it was just too cute not to tag into a command.  Ryley thinks she's pretty cute too!

"Fix it" is simply to make leash walking easier for the handler.  If you find the leash caught up under Ryley's leg, simply say "fix it" and she will lift her right front paw long enough to untangle the leash.  Her trainer has used this numerous times already with sweet Ryley.

When Ryley is not working (doing commands), if you can call it that, she enjoys a fun play time with a squeaky toy.  She runs around, and around, and around in circles. Ryley looks like a big goofy girl.  This is sure to put a smile on anyone's face.  Get ready for pure entertainment out of Ryley the wonder dog!

Plenty Of Love To Go Around

Ryley is an energetic and outgoing girl that has never met a stranger.  She loves to be petted and loved on.  She would make a great therapy dog with her sweet personality and size.  All the more love to go around...

She has mastered her basic commands and does a great "bow" as an extra command. She is very attentive to every command and always aims to perform at her best!  Ryley's trainer is enjoying his time with this sweet girl and can't believe graduation is only weeks away.  If only he could keep her...

Sweet And Lovable

Ryley is a star in her trainer's book.  She is the sweetest and most lovable greyhound he has met, and he has met quite a few.  She has a heart of gold.  Even some of the staff look forward to seeing her when they come to work. 

Toy etiquette was a focus point this week.  Her trainer wants to make sure she will easily release a stuffed animal toy without an argument.  With the simple "give" command Ryley immediately lets go of the toy she is playing with.  What a good girl you are Ryley!

Ryley has bounded to new heights this week on stair training.  Stairs were as easy as 1...2...3!  She had no problem going up or down them.  Her trainer is so proud of Ryley.  She is such a smart girl and  has easily earned the place as his favorite  greyhound trainee so far.  A greyt girl like Ryley doesn't come around often.  Get your ticket in now to adopt her.

Ryley, A Star Student

Each Friday the greyhounds at Second Chance Academy go through an evaluation of what they have learned so far. It goes without saying, but Ryley aced it! Perfect score! 10 out of 10, stuck the landing. It's amazing how quickly she picks up commands. Earlier this week, she was introduced to "jump." Within 10 minutes, she was jumping on command with ease. She was having so much fun! Shhh... don't tell Ryley that it was a training session. Now it's time for her to lay back, set cruise control, and enjoy the fruits of her labor: retirement, and the forever home waiting for her on the horizon of graduation. 

Retirement Looks Good On Ryley

It's only week three and Ryley is showing the performance of a greyhound in their sixth week of training.  She does most of her basic commands well (hurry, let's go, kennel, release, wait, here, sit, down and bed) and will do them for just about anybody.  "Heel and "stay" need improvement, but her trainer bets she has those down pat this week and they will be moving on to extras.  Ryley is such a smart girl!

Ryley is showing more interest in toys.  She is a playful girl but calms very easily.  This girl is definitely enjoying every bit of retirement.  You can see it in her cute face!  Don't pass her up.

Pet me!

After two full weeks, Ryley is now fully adjusted! Her true personality is beginning to radiate right out of her. So many of the people here beg to pet her since it is obvious that she genuinely enjoys it. She will just rest her head in your lap and when you try to leave, she just nuzzles her face back into you, saying "pet me again!" 

Ryley is very successful in her daily training sessions. She's now mastered "sit" and improving on "heel." Next on the agenda is "down." She learns so quickly! Though she will perform her commands for kibble, she goes especially wild for the dehydrated beef liver tips. She's a Greyhound with greyt taste! After each training session, there's playtime. Ryley gets wild on occasion, running around chasing a fluffy animal toy. It's so sweet to see how happy she gets.

Ryley is making very good progress and continues to impress every day. Come back next week to see how this sweet girl is doing!

Brains And Beauty

Today competes Ryley’s first week of retirement.  And like any new retiree, she is spending her time relaxing, playing and eating junk food.  LOL.  She is also enjoying frequent trips to the massage parlor; Such a typical lady.  Ryley will befriend anyone who is willing to give her a nice neck rub.  She is so sweet and loving and is also proving to be a smart girl.  She already knows her name, the “here” command, “bed”, “leave it” and the "wait" command at doorways.  Not only is Ryley a bright pupil, she is a gorgeous Greyhound, with a beautiful dark brindle coat.  What more could you ask for?  She’s got beauty and brains.

Ryley has spent time in the training room with the other Greyhound students and so far has been more then comfortable playing and lying around on beds near the others.  Don’t pass up the opportunity to give Ryley her second chance and make yourself a new best friend for life in the process.