What a Dream Boat!

Ruby's final week has been pretty laid back. Her inmate trainer used the time to have her work with some of the newer guys in the program so that he could see how she responds to completely unfamiliar handlers. He's happy to report she responded well for the most part.

She's not a shy dog so she welcomes strangers, especially ones that are giving her any affection or treat rewards. Your transition with Ruby into your home should be fairly easy. She doesn't demand much supervision because she is very well-behaved.

Within a week's time she should be a well-adjusted addition to the family. Her inmate trainer hopes you enjoy spoiling her as much as he enjoyed training her. She's a wonderful dog and he knows you will agree!

Shakin' and Takin' it Easy

Getting Ruby back after swap week made her primary trainer's heart jump over the moon. She's such a special girl and her trainer was relieved to know that Ruby was just as well-mannered and obedient with her swap week trainer as she is with him. Her transition to her adoptive home should be easygoing for both Ruby and her new family. She seemed to deal with the separation from her primary trainer in stride and showed no signs of stress. 

Some cool news: Ruby has learned how to "shake"! It's one of her primary trainer's favorites to teach. It's so cute and it's great for when the dogs go to meet and greets. Ruby loves doing paw-shakes! She is such a sweet and obedient hound. She's proven to be as intelligent as she is adorable and can't wait to meet you!

Toy Trance

It's swap week at the Pod for the Second Chance Greyhounds.  Ruby's trainer for swap week said she's the cutest little brindle he's seen.  She hasn't shown any signs of separation anxiety and she does all of her basic commands the first time.  She is also working on a few extra commands like, "bow", "shake" and "paws ups".  Ruby is a very well behaved and eager to please greyhound.  She knows when training time is done, that playtime is next.  Ruby loves squeaky toys.  She will lock her eyes and lick her lips while waiting for her trainer to throw the toy.  He does not throw the toy until Ruby lays down.  Now anytime she's ready to play, she will lay down quickly,  anticipating the throw.

Whoever is lucky enough to adopt Lil' Miss Ruby is in for a real treat.  She has brought so much joy to her "swap week" trainer in just one week.  He can only imagine having her for a lifetime. Don't let Ruby take her love to town.  She needs your company.  Adopt today.

Down to Clown Around

Ruby's getting good at taking commands from other people as long as she's approached calmly and with knowledge of the hand signals. Ruby knows her verbal cues very well, but the hounds sometimes need the hand signal to confirm that they're about to do the right one. 

She has gotten so good at "paws up," one of the cutest extra commands. She loves squeak toys and sometimes she even gets distracted if she hears a classmate playing with one within earshot! She goes into hunting mode to investigate the source of the magical squeak.

Ruby is a pretty low to moderate energy dog. Her leash manners are great and she is content with light walks and lounging around. She doesn't exude constant excitement so she wouldn't overwhelm you, but she still is incredibly playful if you're down to clown around with her. She is going to make such a wonderful companion to whichever lucky home she bounds into!

Paws Up

During training this week, Ruby continued to polish up on her response to her basic commands and taking them from other people.  Her trainer also introduced her to the "paws up" command.  This is where Ruby will put her paws on an object her trainer points to.  This is a cool trick to make Ruby look adorable... and that she is!

Ruby has a love for toys.  She is perfectly content playing on a bed with a toy until she has had her fill.  Her toy time is usually followed by nap time.  Go figure.  She's a retired greyhound and naps are what they do best!

Ruby loves meal time.  She will run through every command in the book to get her reward...food.  Her trainer is switching up the order of her commands, so Ruby can't predict which one is next.

Ruby is a wonderful dog and a joy to be around.  She is going to be a greyt addition to some lucky family.  She will brighten your day and take your blues away!

One Down to Earth Hound

More progress this week from Ruby! She has learned the "jump" command and she also did a little bit of stair-climbing. She handled both new commands and practices very well, and even seemed to delight in learning something brand new. 

Ruby's energy level has remained very calm. Even when she gets excited, it's always controlled. She doesn't mind just napping for most of the day, topped off with a light walk. That's usually enough to entertain this down to earth gal! She will play with toys, but she doesn't get too wild. It's usually a persistent gnawing, or just holding onto the toy while lying on a bed. What a sweetheart!

So far, she hasn't worked on any extra commands. She is such a low-energy dog and doesn't get too excited to do tricks, but she loves to be petted, rubbed, and shown affectionate attention in any form. She's such a lovable hound and adding extras isn't crucial to make her more enjoyable to be around. As she moves through the program, who knows - maybe she'll be ready to dazzle with tricks! Tune in next week to find out how she feels about doing spins and ollies on the halfpipe!

Fast Learner

Ruby has proven to be a great learner.  She has mastered all of her basic commands, however repetition and consistency can only make her more efficient before she goes to her forever home.  Her trainer will polish up on the basics and may add a few extra commands next week.

Ruby's primary motivation is still food and treats. The squeaky toys come in a close second.   She also enjoys being petted, hugged and loved on.  She doesn't shy away from any attention.

Ruby is a wonderful greeter and has a great personality.  She will make a great companion and someone's next best friend.  Could she be yours?

Getting Cuter All the Time

Week 3 was another successful week of progress with Ms. Ruby! She has grasped her basic commands and her primary motivation appears to be food and treats. Gimme those biscuits for a sit-stay!

This lil gal loves to snack, and she's not just motivated by treats - squeak toys are her second biggest motivator. She gets really excited and has the most adorable little pounce when pursuing the toy. She gets a squeak toy whenever she performs a command and boy does she love it. 

She goes to town on those squeak toys, but overall she has a very relaxed personality. She is comfortable around anyone and doesn't show any aggression or territorial behavior when approachd by her greyhound classmates. She loves her morning runs in the yard and mellows out after training. She likes to relax in her kennel with either a Nyla-bone to chew on or a treat in a Kong toy. It's so fun to watch her figure out how to maneuver a treat Kong at just the right angle to get the goods! She is so smart and you can really tell when she gets mentally engaged and puts all of her efforts into emptying that Kong. 

Ruby is also very inquisitive and curious. Anything that goes on around her gets her attention. She is curious but doesn't get riled up. She seems to be a laidback gal who would adapt well with other dogs at home. She's a greyt girl and only getting better!

Your Next Best Friend

Week two has been a good week with Ruby.  She has adapted to her new environment at the prison and is understanding that she can receive rewards/treats for obeying simple commands.  She is very treat/food motivated. so training should go smoothly.  Ruby is grasping the concept of the basic commands that have been introduced so far.  She knows "heel", "here", "stay", and "bed" well.  Her trainer is now working on "sit" and "down".  The "sit" position can be uncomfortable for a Greyhound and Ruby was no exception, but now she's getting the hang of it.  Good girl, Ruby.

Ruby is a sweet, cute, mellow girl and takes a nap like a pro in her kennel.  She gets excited to eat, run and for squeaky toys, but calms easily.  Her trainer says Ruby has been great and is making his experience with her very enjoyable.  She is going to make a great companion for any home environment.

Precious Girl

Baby Caroline, now called Ruby, is a calm and very adaptive Greyhound.  She endured the change of venue without whining, barking or any vocalism whatsoever, and settled in to her kennel in no time.  She was not a fan of the shiny floors at the prison to begin with, but with patience and lots of walking back and forth down the hallway, she now trots the halls as if she’s a finalist at Westminster.

Ruby’s trainer has spent the first few days just getting to know this cute, little brindle girl.  Her training has begun and she appears to be a fast and excited learner.  Ruby is going to be lots of fun.  Check back next week to see what she has been up to.