Puppy Love

During his time with Micky, his trainer experienced unique things that he never would have guessed could have happened with a dog. They connected on a spiritual level within the first two weeks - he could read Micky's emotions and body language like he'd known him his whole life. Micky, through some supernatural form of communication, would let him know when he was comfortable or uncomfortable, or whether he wanted to play or relax. Micky is almost always ready to play or spend time with his human. He has such good energy and is an attentive dog who is fond of being rewarded for his stellar behavior! Soon he'll be greeting YOU with his signature paw-shake!

Good Boy!

Weeeee! Swap week has come upon us! This week, the trainer who normally gets to clown around with Harley got to spend some quality time with Micky, a big beautiful brindle boy. Swap week lets the trainers evaluate how each hound does when they're away from a person they've just spent two months learning from so that you know how they will adapt when they move in with you. They adapt to being in a different kennel, receiving commands from a different trainer - a regular switcharoo! Or as Micky would say, switcharoOoOooOo! 

It's important to test for separation anxiety so that you, Micky's new loving family, don't go in blind. And Micky did an excellent job the whole week his swap week trainer had him! Micky is a very well trained greyhound, and so smart! He knows all of his commands very well, but had to do a little bit of work on his leash walking. He likes to pull you - I mean, who can blame him? Look at that big snout full of room to archive new smells! So his swap week trainer worked on this with him. He kept Micky by his side until he said "let's go," but walk really slow to keep Micky at his side. And when he did this well, he got rewarded with an enthusiastic "good boy!" His swap week trainer kept Micky sharp on his commands. Micky wasn't too excited when it came to play time; he's just a classic low energy greyhound. He did run really well on the big yard with the other greyhounds. 

Micky is going to make ANY family some happy campers. He is a great greyhound who is laid-back and an absolute blessing and joy to be around. So please don't miss out on Micky! He just wants to be with a loving family that shows love in everything they do. That would be a blessing for your new four-legged blessing, Micky!

Brilliant Boy

This is "swap week" with the greyhounds, meaning they switch with one of the other trainers and take care of a dog who is new to them. It is a really tough week because by the time swap week rolls around, you've realllly bonded with your sweet lil greyhound and the fruit of your training work has really paid off. Micky was scoring 10s on his commands and walks perfectly by his trainers' sides, and performs his commands on cue. And it is really cool to get to know a pup that does not even know a name in a small amount of time to learning commands and tricks! It has blown his primary and swap week trainer's minds to see how smart these dogs are. 

Micky is a well-mannered dog and he does his commands so well. He even bows, shakes paws, and spins in a circle on command for a treat! I bet you can't wait to see this smart boy in action! Here's a little guide for how to do these three tricks on command for a treat:

1. Bow: Position your index and middle finger together like you do with "heel," but move your hand in a "U" motion and say "bow."
2. Shake hands: Just hold your hand out at his leg level and say "shake."
3. Spin: Pinch your fingers together at thumb, forefinger, and index like you're an Italian chef holding food. Do a little circle motion with your hand and say spin. Mamma mia! That's one belissima son of a mama! 

What a ham!

Micky is doing great taking commands from his other trainer.  He follows through pretty much the first time - that means he should adjust very quickly to his forever trainer - you!

Micky has done two stair climbs so far with his new primary and has shown no fear. When he was first learning to jump, he would stand frozen in place, but he worked his way up with small jumps until he built up his confidence. Micky learns fast! He learned "jump" and "off" like he had been doing it all his life after just a few days of practice.

As soon as he figures out what it is that his trainer wants him to do, he does it for a small reward or a treat. Micky is such a low-maintenance pup, very easy to train and take care of. You are going to LOVE this guy!

As Good As Gold

Ms. Patti paid a visit to see how the greyhounds are doing with their training/commands.  Micky is such a well mannered boy and stayed on his bed, until it was his turn to show off his new skills.  Micky did great!  He knows all of his basic commands with verbal cues and some with hand signals.  

Micky loves his daily run on the big yard.  He can be on the other side of the yard, and his trainer can yell "here" Micky, and 90% of the time he will hit 40 mph running back to his trainer.  That's great recall.  You never know when you might need to use it.  Micky responds well to a whistle and a call of his name too.  Sharpen up on your whistling skills before bringing this sweet boy home.  He is going to bring so much joy.  You'll wonder where he has been all your life.

Playtime!

Micky is starting to come out of his shell a little more each day and is getting more relaxed with where he is. When he's outside, he wants to play with you forever! He's now a little more interested in toys, so he should be able to entertain himself for a minute while his trainer relaxes. 

The more his trainer gets to know him, the better Micky responds to his commands. He is such a smart boy, very sweet and so loving. He just loves to hang out with his trainer. He is going to be an incredibly loyal pet and amazing family member for years to come.

More to come next week from Micky's primary trainer and number one fan!

They Call Me Mellow Micky

Week 4 is here and an update is, too! Micky loves to be outside. He loves to run with the other dogs, but when his trainer calls for him, he comes a-running and chases his trainer around! He likes to play with people more than he likes to play with the toys in the training room. He has such a playful spirit. He will play with toys, just not very much. He'll clown around with them for a little while then he gets bored and goes to his bed! Micky loves to chill out on his day bed and hang out with all the trainers. He's so sweet and mellow and would make an amazing companion for any couple. Could that family be you?!

Coolest Kid in School

It's been a good week for Micky! This gentle, sweet, loving boy has done very well in learning all of his commands. The hard part is over - now all he has to do is fine tune them and he will be as good as gold, a well-oiled machine of sweetness and affection. Micky plays well with other dogs and other people, and loves to kick back on a bed out in the day room and just chill out. Maybe even throw a few treats into the mix, some petting or scratching behind the ear... oh yeah, that's the ticket!

Micky gets super excited at meal time (honestly, who doesn't?) and sometimes you can even get a happy bark out of him and his tail helicoptering at top speed. Micky's the coolest kid in school, maybe I'll even start barking at meal time... wish I had a tail to wag, too!

Micky is just such a joy to be around and you cannot help but fall hopelessly in love with him!

Oh Micky You're So Fine...

Micky’s inmate trainer says that Micky is the sweetest boy ever!  He’s doing really well in his temporary home and plays well with all the other greys.  

This week the stairs were introduced and Micky did great!  He was a little slow going up at first, but he went!  His confidence will grow and he’ll be marching right up and down those stairs like a pro by graduation! 

MIcky’s inmate trainer says that when Micky first arrived he didn’t like his mouth touched so they’ve been working on teeth brushing and Micky is doing great now!  It seems that he just needed to gain trust with his trainer.  His trainer says that it brings a smile to his face when they are out in the big yard letting the hounds play and Micky will return when called from across the yard.  He’s proud of Micky’s progress in such a short time.   

Laid Back Fella

What a handsome and laid back fella Micky is.  The first few day with Micky have gone very well.  He’s a friendly boy that likes to check everything out and take the lead.  His trainer is working to slow him down and learn to walk beside him.  

Micky likes to kick back and relax, so teaching him kennel and bed have been easy peasy.  He is also learning heel, wait and sit.  Micky is doing great for only being at the prison less than a week!  Check back next week to see what else this smart and handsome fella has learned.