Perfect Gentleman

Ernest is ready for his forever home! Ernest was his trainer’s first dog for whom he was the primary trainer, and Ernest was the perfect companion for the past 10 weeks. He will always be in his trainer’s heart! Ernest loves affection and it’s a guarantee that you will fall in love with this guy immediately. He is very curious and meets no strangers. His trainer is going to miss him sorely, and definitely got attached to this special guy while he was here. Ernest adjusted so well at Jenkins and his trainer is sure that he will adjust well when he joins your family!

Swap Week Sweetie

This week was swap week, when the trainers have the dogs go with a different training team to check for separation anxiety and to see if they will perform their commands for different people. Ernest did very well! He did his commands without any hesitation and showed no signs of separation anxiety. In fact, he was friendly, trusting, and welcoming to all four trainers on his swap week team.

His only challenge area was his leash pulling during walking, since he really likes to go! He loves playing with toys and is very good at releasing them when told to “give” them up, especially with some kibble or treats as an incentive! He also gave up his food bowl to his trainer without issue and ignored his trainer’s hand in his bowl while he was eating. With his outgoing, playful yet easygoing attitude, his swap week trainer expects that Ernest will quickly become a cherished member of his new forever family lickety split!

Good Time Guy

For the past few weeks, Ernest got to spend much of his time with his secondary trainer. This week, Ernest got to spend more time with his primary trainer. It's already week 8, and it seems like the session has flown on by! Swap week is upon us, so this week Ernest was hanging out in a new and different part of the dorm for just a few days. The reason for this is to see how the dogs handle transition and change of routine. It gets them ready for the big transition to their forever home, which will arrive in just a few short weeks. Based on how he handled swap week, his trainer foresees no problems for Ernest when he comes home with you.

Ernest is such a roll with the punches kind of guy. As long as he gets his exercise, Ernest will be happy. He loves coming out of the kennel as many times as his trainer will let him, even if it's just for a few minutes. No matter what, he always has a good time!

Pride and Joy

Ernest is progressing so well! He is learning his commands day in and day out and doing much better on his leash walking. This past week, they worked on give while they were playing the toys. He allows you to take the toy and pick it up as well. He really enjoyed squeaky toys, and usually he likes to play for about 10 minutes a couple of times a day. His training team enjoy spending time with him and he gives them hope and a sense of pride whenever they see him grow more confident during his training. In their words, "working with these dogs makes us feel like we have a great opportunity in an unlikely place." Awwww!

Here Comes a Special Boy!

Ernest is learning his commands so well! He and his trainer go through several training sessions daily, and Ernest progresses more and more each day. This week, his trainer introduced him to different scenarios involving toys. This was to teach him not to grab the toy while in your hand, and to give it up on command. He is doing really well in this area. He especially likes getting to make the toy squeak!

Ernest is an amazing animal with a great disposition. Training Ernest and seeing him progress gives his trainer hope and a passion to do his best by him. And Ernest deserves no less! He loves affection and praise and his personality is sure to glow as soon as he settles into his new home. Ernest is very strong and healthy, and he has adapted so quickly at Jenkins. His trainer says that it is an honor to be part of his life and growth!

Ernest Goes To Jail.... For Training

Ernest is progressing well for being at the half way mark of training. He’s mastered most of his basic commands, but needs to improve on “wait”, “heel”, “down” and “stay”. He is eager to please and full of personality. In his trainer’s opinion, Ernest is humble and majestic. He has adjusted well to being in training at the prison. Naturally curious and inquisitive of the new sights, sounds and smells. He has shown no signs of aggression around food, toys or the other greyhounds.

Ernest is a handsome and happy boy. He always greets everyone with a cold nose bump and a tail wag. No on is a stranger to Ernest. He is sure to brighten your day. His trainer is thankful to be a part of Ernest’s life and the SCG program.

Play Time

Ernest did great for his first show and tell! Not all tens, but great for week four! His trainer is really proud of him and they'll keep working just like they've been doing, so that he has everything down pat well before the session is over.

This week, he introduced Ernest to some toys, and of course he loves them. His favorite one is a green dinosaur. Ernest is such a sweet dog and he never gets possessive. He already gives up toys on command. His trainer also tried teaching him how to fetch out on the small yard, and he loved it. That's pretty unique for greyhounds! Other than playing and doing his commands, Ernest loves to sleep which is a good trait to have in a place where there are long stretches of nothing to do. Who can blame him? Sleeping is the best, and greyhounds live in the siesta zone. Until next week!

Black Beauty

Ernest is such a sweet boy with a great personality to go along with it. He has just the right amount of playfulness and gentleness and he gets along with everyone, dogs and people alike. His trainer loves his shiny black coat and he loves Ernest.

His commands are coming along as they should be for week 3. They are taking things slow and steady. This week Ernest is working on “sit”. It’s not his favorite thing to do. Gotta get those back leg muscles in shape. LOL He is very amendable to the training process and likes learning, so there’s no reason he won’t have all his commands mastered in no time.

The Importance of Being Ernest

Our boy Alan Alda has a new name: Ernest! His trainer is happy to report that he has taken to his new name very well and is responsive. Week two is off to a good start, and so far they have been focusing on the basics like leash-walking, wait, heel, kennel, hurry, let’s go, and bed. It seems like a lot for just one week but most of these commands work in conjunction with one another, and the rest are interspersed throughout the remainder of the session. The big stuff, like sit, down, and jump will come later over the next few weeks.

Ernest is a truly great dog – he is smart, sweet and full of loving energy. There are no signs of aggression whatsoever and he loves everybody he meets. He already has a great bond with his trainer and has adjusted very well to Jenkins. All signs point to having a great time with Ernest – and his trainer is looking forward to every minute of it!

Everything in Stride

The most unusual race name that Alan Alda’s trainer has ever seen, Hawkeye is one classic guy (even if he’s never seen an episode of MASH). The first 72 hours are critical for bonding, so Hawkeye and his trainer spent that time getting to know each other. The good news is that Hawkeye so far is not a whiner in the kennel, and he takes everything in stride. He is a very happy-go-lucky, fun dog who would be great with kids running around in the yard, chasing frisbees or biting streams of water from a garden hose. Time will tell if his personality changes over the next few weeks, but you’ll have to check back next time to find out!