Graduation Has Arrived

Well, it’s the final training week for Fergie.  Her inmate trainer is going to miss her and her little antics! 

Fergie learned a new trick this week called spin!  Her inmate trainer says you extend your fingers outward touching the thumb then gently rock your arm left to right and say spin.  He says that she performs this command really well!  If she receives a treat she’ll continue to spin to see if she can get another one out of you!  She usually stops when told “enough,” but this doesn’t mean she won’t try something else to get another treat!  If she starts going through her commands her inmate trainer tells her “enough” in a firm voice without making eye contact.  He says that if you make eye contact with her she may bark in hopes that her cute voice will win you over. 

Fergie can also sit pretty, but needs the use of an arm to steady her.  She is in the beg position and will put both paws on her inmate trainer’s arm to steady her hold and gladly take a treat for a job well done!  The whisper command is still a work in progress.  She will whisper, but she’s not very consistent with it when she gets excited. 

Her inmate trainer says that he hops that Fergie’s new forever home will love her as much as he does.  He says that she can be stubborn and loving, but you can’t help but fall in love with this amazing girl! 

Doggie Brilliance

Fergie got to experience swap week this week!  She spent some time with an alternate inmate trainer to go over her commands and spend time away from her primary trainer.  Her alternate trainer says that at first Fergie missed her primary handler and didn’t really want to be in her kennel.  She was a little hesitate the follow through with the sit command, but by the end of the week she’d adjusted to her new surroundings and alternate inmate trainer.  She was performing her commands and showing off her doggie brilliance by the end of the week.  She loves to learn which makes training much easier. 

Her alternate trainer says that Fergie is a very sweet girl who’s going to make some lucky family very happy! 

Doggie Oscar Winner

Treats are a girl’s best friend.  Saying that Fergie loves her treats could be the understatement of the year.  Once she sees the treat she’ll run through everything she knows in order to get one!  Her inmate trainer has been working to remove the treat reward from their training routine, but Fergie doesn’t think this is a good idea.  Her inmate trainer says she’s a little stubborn without treats, but she says she’s a determined lady who knows her own mind – and belly. 

Her inmate trainer has taught Fergie to kiss. She supposed to touch her nose to your cheek on command.  Once Fergie figured this out she will kiss to get her treat then kiss again and again waiting for another treat.  In her mind who cares if she hasn’t received the command she’s performing beautifully and deserves a treat!  Heck, she should win a doggie Oscar!  Her inmate trainer does warn that in her excitement your chin, mouth, and well any exposed skin may be Fergie kissed! 

Her inmate trainer says that whoever adopts Fergie is getting a really great dog!  She’s friendly with everyone, will make you laugh till you cry, and she’s full of love!  

Performing Like A Champ

Fergie’s inmate trainer writes in this week with thoughts on the transition from the track to your home.  He hopes that this will help new families see the changes the dogs go through.  From the time the dogs enter the prison they are with their inmate trainer most of the day for ten weeks.  They’re learning all about toys, basic commands, and love.  They sleep in kennels located near their primary trainer and are put on a schedule for meal breaks and potty times.  For ten weeks they’re in an environment filled with constant noise.  He offered the suggestion of keeping the radio on when you leave the house to provide a little distraction.  When they leave the prison for their forever home they will adjust to the new schedule with their new family but it may take them a few days to figure out the new routine.  As your Greyhound becomes adjust to the new environment it’s like watching a flower bloom and it’s well worth the wait! 

Fergie’s inmate trainer is proud to report that Fergie has her basic commands down like a champ.  She knows all of her commands with verbal ques and has many of them down pat with hand signal only ques!  She also has quite the list of extras such as, off, paws up, kiss, belly, circle, speak, sit pretty, leave it, give it, drop it, and shake! 

Her inmate trainer says that Fergie’s forever family is going to fall head over heels in love with this sweet girl!  

Affectionate Girl

While in prison Fergie starts her day around 4:00 a.m. with a potty break at 4:30 a.m.  breakfast is served up at 5:00 a.m. Her inmate trainer says that she gets pretty excited about eating.  When they call for dog run she barks and spins around in circles in her kennel.  Her inmate trainer makes sure that Fergie calms down before he lets her out of the crate.  He says that he points his finger at her and she’ll get still until her reaches for the crate latch.  He gets her to calm down again before releasing the latch and opening the crate door.  He said that she knows what she’s supposed to do, but the excitement just has to peak out a little. 

At 7:00 a.m. it’s time for a run in the big yard! She loves to run and after a quick sprint she is ready to cool down.  At 9:00 a.m. it’s inspection time then it’s time for a 30 minute to an hour training session.  He says the length of training really depends on her attention span.  At 11:00 it’s time for the inmates to eat and for the dogs to nap!  After human meal time they put in a little more training then walk around the dorm so that Fergie can explore and receive attention from different people.  She’s a very affectionate girl and loves attention!  She also loves to have her belly rubbed.  Her inmate trainer says that if he stops she’ll raise her head as if asking why he stopped. 

At 1:00 it’s time for a potty and play break then they come back in and she works her inmate over for a treat.  He says that she will do every command she knows for a treat.  If she doesn’t get a treat right away she’ll start over until her trainer gives in. 

By 5:00 it’s time for the dogs to eat and have a potty break.   The dogs come back in for a nap then take their last potty break around 9:30 or 10:00 p.m.

Her inmate trainer says the Fergie is a great dog.  She doesn’t mind being handled.  He believes that she is going to make a wonderful addition to her new family!

Smart And Loving

Fergie now knows more of her basic commands and a few extras!  Her inmate trainer says that she’s a funny little girl!  He says that while he was writing this update she had just finished breakfast and was trying to weasel treats out of him by doing commands without being asked!  She works her inmate over by giving up and laying down then staring up at him and batting her pretty eyes until he gets up and opens her kennel door.  Once he opens the door she comes out and immediately starts doing commands.  If he doesn’t treat her right away she’ll do “belly,” and if that cute command doesn’t score her something yummy she’ll move on to “speak.”  Of course he caves with all the cuteness and gives her a reward.  He says he’s trying not to spoil her…. 

Her trainer says that Fergie is truly a great dog and he loves working with her.  He believes that whoever adopts is going to be very happy with their smart loving little girl!  

Too Cute For Words

Well another week has passed and Fergie has been doing really well!  She loves attention almost as much as she loves treats!  Her inmate trainer says that she is doing really well with her commands and is doing all of her basics as well as a few extras!  He says that they all need fine tuning, but he knows she’ll have everything down pat in no time! 

Her trainer says that if you give Fergie a treat she’ll get excited and go through every command she knows!  He says it’s hard not to smile or laugh at her when she does this!  Smiling or laughing is a praise reward so they think they’ve preformed the task correctly this means he has to work hard not to grin at her!   

Attention Hound

Fergie and her inmate trainer have had a long week.  Fergie has been sitting, but only inside her kennel.  He says that when she originally sat he rewarded her with a treat thereby marking motion with a positive response to help her learn to sit on command.  The problem?  She was in her kennel and now associates sitting in her kennel as the correct response.  After three weeks of work SUCCESS!  Fergie is now sitting outside of her kennel!  Her inmate trainer says he's never been so happy and proud of her!  He now plans to move to other commands like stay and a few extras.  

Fergie is an energetic girl and enjoys learning new things.  She is loving and seems to be happiest when she's be touched.  Her inmate trainer says that if he stops petting her she moves to the next person for attention!  

Affectionate

Fergie loves humans and will go up to anyone for attention!  She’s a very affectionate girl and wants to be petted and loved on all the time!  

She’s doing well with leash walking and potting on the leash. She does well with heel and her inmate trainer is working with her on sit.  So far she is sitting in her kennel but not when she's out and about.  She tends to sit on her side instead of sitting straight up.  Her inmate trainer knows that he'll have her sitting pretty outside of the kennel soon!  

The Next Steps In Life

Fergie is a little girl with a lot of energy and love!  She's very inquisitive and has to check everything out.  She loves attention and will stand next to her inmate trainer forever for rubs!  

He says to prepare yourself for this girls beautiful expressive eyes! She has a Roman Nose (think Spuds MacKenzie if you remember him but not nearly as pronounced as his).  She's a dark brindle and she's simply beautiful.  

Fergie is a loving girl who's eager to please.  She's doing great on the leash, waiting at doors and potting while on the leash.  She's off to a great start and her trainer can't wait to start on bigger and better things very soon!