Great Graduate

It's closing in on Jackson's time to go to his new forever home. He has been such a joy to train and to hang out with. He is such a character! Sometimes he'll play dumb if he wants, but he is anything but dumb. He is a smart boy and very independent and low-maintenance. Jackson is so lovable and loves to learn and do tricks and commands. At feeding time, his trainer will hold his bowl of food up and tell him to do the different commands that you really want ingrained into his mind, and he'll bounce around you joyfully trying to do anything new or anything that's already been taught that he knows like the back of his paw. Just remember, he has a dog who is a few years old and it might take him a minute to trust and get to know you. And short weeks of giving him love and understanding that your home is new to him, he'll become part of your family and you will be so glad because he is such a joy.

Forever Home, Here I Come!

This past week was swap week and Jackson nailed all of his basic commands, and he even knows the hand signal for almost all of them. His extras so far are leave it, shake, give, and bow. He's so excited to meet his new forever family!

Jackson "Heel"

Ms. Patti paid a visit to the greyhounds in training this past weekend.  It is an exciting time because they get to show off how much they have learned.  Jackson ran through his commands like a pro!  His trainer can have Jackson do his "heel" on leash or you can have him "stay" and walk across the room and say "heel".  He will run across the room, do a little circle and get by your side.  It's cool to see, so don't forget to try it when Jackson gets to his forever home.

Next week is swap week.  This is the time to see how the dog reacts to being without their primary trainer, and give them an idea of how well they will do when they go do their forever home in just a few short weeks.  Jackson's trainer is sure he will do fine.  Show him compassion, patience and kindness.  This will earn his trust and he will do back flips to please you.

A Perfect Boy

This week Jackson did another stair climb and this time it was with his secondary trainer. He ran right up the stairs up and down without pause or hesitation. Some Greyhounds have silly little qualms that are beyond a person's understanding. Jackson, when he goes outside to the bathroom, is not crazy about walking in the grass if it's wet. But he goes on potty break at 4:30 a.m. and then at 7:45 a.m., then at 1 pm, 5 PM, and 8 p.m. Greyhounds can always muster a pee. But whether his potty break is 8 hours or 6 hours or 3 hours, the whole time that his trainer has been his caretaker, he says he has not once needed to go to the bathroom until it's time to go. Jackson is such a great greyhound, and even though he was a little behind because he had a trainer change, he is at the top of his class and getting better every day. You will love him so much. Just give him compassion, patience, and kindness and within weeks of him getting to know you, he will literally be doing backflips to please you!

All Around the Best!

Jackson and his trusty human companion get up at about 4am every day, where Jackson does his business. Then he eats breakfast, dry dog food which he loves with warm water to help soften it up. It's like gravy to him, a taste he can't resist. Jackson learns really well through food motivation in training. His trainer gives him a taste, then uses his food to move through the commands. He does a sit, eats a little, does a down, eats a little more, and so on, earning reward after reward. Jackson is a really smart dog, and by the end of this program he will probably be able to file your taxes for you!

Jackson can be a little bit stubborn, as all geniuses are, but he responds very well when you are understanding. And the stronger your bond, the better he gets at doing anything you ask of him, even when clowning around and playing. Every day he is just opening up to doing his commands at the drop of a hat. It is so funny to watch that moment when a greyhound realizes he's doing well, then prances around to show off his technique. Tune in next week to find out how Jackson and his classmates fare on America's Next Top Greyhound! (Spoiler: they're all the top greyhound winners, because they're all amazing!)

Play Time!

Jackson is progessing like a champ! We did a stair walk for the greyhounds and Jackson went up and down them without a moment's hesitation. Also, we did a jump where Jackson jumps up on a platform on command and then off. This training means he'll know how to get in and out of a car or the back of a pickup truck. He's a real trooper. 

Jackson gets several toy play sessions every day and he loves stuffed animals and chasing the little ball. His trainer isn't sure who has the most fun - Jackson getting hyped about his toys, or his trainer getting to play around with a handsome lil guy! 

Every greyhound is great and has their own special personality, and Jackson is a great pup. He loves to play and is smart as a whip, but when you need him to be calm he will be. You can put him in his kennel and go right to sleep. Until next time! 

Check Me Out

Hi Peeps!  Jackson here!!!  Yep that's my name.  Don't wear it out.  I'm doing great here at my temporary home.  I am meeting lots of new people and learning lots of new stuff.  My trainer only has to ask me once to do a command and I'm on it.  I'm top of the line on smart and a 10 on the cuteness scale!   You can't go wrong with a guy like me.  I know my forever family is going to be thrilled when they meet me for the first time.  I can't wait!  

I can get from 0-40 mph in seconds, but show me a fluffy bed and I'm cool as a cucumber, just as fast.  My trainer says I'm low maintenance and lazy as they come.  Us greyhounds are like that.  I hear we are a lot like potato chips too.  You can't have just one...

Here Comes Jackson!

This week Jack has been working on all of his commands. His new name is actually Jackson and he seems to respond to this name better. The only command that he still seems to have a problem with is sit, which at week 3 is pretty awesome. Jackson is a very smart dog. He loves to play and loves to be petted.

Jackson is a very friendly, happy, playful grown puppy. His trainer is enjoying training him and will miss him when his time here is over.

Smarty Pants!

Basic commands are no sweat for Jack, the smart and easy to train Greyhound.  He already knows bed, heel, wait, here, hurry, release, kennel, leave it, easy, stay and give.  Whew!  That's a bunch in just the first week!  His trainer is working on sit and down.  He's not real comfortable doing these two commands.  No worries.  He'll catch on.  He's super smart.

Playing with squeaky toys and running with the big dogs are his favorite pastimes.  I guess you should include his ever-so-many naps during the day too.  He's a loving goofy boy that's sure to make you smile. 

Jack is his trainer's favorite dog so far.  He's playful loving boy and will be a great companion for any family.  Take a look and you'll be hooked!

Handsome Goofy Dude

This is the first week with handsome Jack and it’s been all about getting used to his new surroundings. He adapts very well and has not cried at all. He’s a very happy, goofy dog, and is one of the only Greyhounds in the whole program who plays with toys his first time in the toy room! Jack is easy to maintain on a leash, which is good since he’s so big and strong. His trainer is already falling in love with this Greyhound and knows Jack will make an incredible addition to his forever family.