Saying Goodbye

This is the last week with Cooper!  It’s hard to believe that it’s time to say goodbye.  His inmate trainer says that words escape him when he thinks of the past ten weeks with Cooper, to say that he will miss Cooper is an understatement.  The truth is, he’s fallen in love with Cooper and doesn’t see how anyone couldn’t fall in love with this great guy!

Cooper’s inmate trainer says that Cooper can get excited at times and may jump up for treats or toys.  He usually walks Cooper around the yard or training area before he starts training work.  He says that Cooper does best when the training sessions are fun and exciting.  Cooper can turn bad days into good days.  His inmate trainer says that Cooper is a dog that can teach you more than you teach him.  He has the kind of love, loyalty, compassion, respect, kindness, and patience we all dream of! 

Cooper’s inmate trainer says that he has enjoyed the time he’s had with Cooper.  Cooper has taught him a lot and will never be forgotten.   

Preparing For The Big Day

Cooper’s inmate trainer says that time has flown by and he finds it hard to believe that his time with Cooper is almost over!  He knows that it’s going to be hard to let Cooper go, but says that it has been an honor training him.  He says that Cooper is a fun loving dog who is quick on commands.  He loves treats, but also does great without them! 

This week Cooper and his inmate trainer worked to reinforce the sit and stay commands.  Cooper is great with the recall command unless there is a big bouncy ball distracting him!  Cooper loves toys, but should be supervised when playing with them otherwise he will rip them to bits.

Cooper does well with other dogs, but does like to be the boss.  He has no problems with getting a bath, but he’s not sure why he needs his teeth brushed. 

Cooper’s inmate trainer says that Cooper is an unforgettable dog and that every memory he’s made with Cooper will never be forgotten!

Loving and Friendly

Cooper is a very fun dog and he’s always full of energy.  He loves to play and make his inmate trainer smile.  This week Cooper worked with an alternate inmate handler on his commands.  His alternate handler says that Cooper listens and follows through really well.  He is a loving and friendly dog with a great smile.  He loves to play with toys and humans. 

His alternate handler says that Cooper brightened his spirits and he really enjoyed his time with this great dog.  He believes that whoever is lucky enough to adopt Cooper will realize how special life is an how much a special dog like Cooper can change their lives! 

Unconditional Love

Cooper has done a great job this week with his commands!  His inmate trainer is very proud of him and the progress he has made!  They’re working to wean Cooper off treat rewards and he’s doing well with praise rewards!  But treats are soooo yummy and he deserves one every now and then for a job well done!

Cooper will chase balls until he flops over from exhaustion!  When playing ball it gets his full attention and he ignores his inmate trainers’ attempts to use the recall command.  They’re working on breaking his attention in order to receive a response to this command when given.  Copper loves his toys and gets excited when he sees them.  His trainer is working to teach him not to jump up after toys and that patience will reward him with playtime. 

At times Cooper may whine a little in a new environment, but his inmate trainer ignores him until he stops whining then treats him.  Next week is swap week where the dogs spend some time with an alternate handler.  This will help Cooper to understand following commands from other people and that time away from his primary handler is fun! 

Cooper’s inmate trainer says that if you have never experienced unconditional love and loyalty that goes beyond life itself then just adopt Cooper!  Cooper works hard to make is inmate trainer happy.  He is a fun loving boy and his inmate trainer is truly enjoying their time together.  

Accomplishments

This week Cooper's inmate trainer has been working with to wean him off the training treat reward.  Cooper still looks for the yummy reward, but follows through without it!  His "sit," "down," "stay," "heel," "release," and "let's go" come natural to him now.  His inmate trainer loves to watch him accomplish each task!  

Cooper's inmate trainer says that to earn the trust and respect of a Greyhound is like winning the lottery or falling in love for the first time!  He says that when he came to prison that he had lost everything and hit rock bottom, but thanks to this training program he has a new purpose in life!  He looks forward to waking up each day and spending time with Cooper!  

New Commands

It's been another great week for Cooper and his inmate trainer!  This week Cooper picked up two new extra commands; "paws up" and "lap."  

This week poor Cooper tore another pad while running so he's on running restriction until it heals up.  Cooper loves toys, but will tear them to shreds so his inmate keeps a close eye on him during toy chew time.  

Cooper's inmate trainer says that he can't think of anything that he's ever enjoyed more than being a part of Cooper's training!  He says that there are no word to express his gratitude for what this training program and the Greyhounds have done for him.  

Learning the Art of Sit

Yo!  Cooper here and I have news!  I've learned to sit!  You should see my inmate trainer he's over the moon proud of me.  Honestly, I'm hoping to earn a few more treats outta the deal.  Let me just tell you... do what they ask and they feed you!  How sweet is that?!  I've also picked up on the belly command.  I also know bow and down! The truth is I sometimes confuse bow with down, but I'm getting better.  

At feeding time I will lay down right in front of my kennel and wait for my meal.  It's pretty cool how I've trained my inmate to feed me on command. I also learned how to do stairs this week! Do I even need to say it?  Okay I will... I did great!  I do want to speed down them, but my inmate trainer tells me easy and to slow down.  Wonder if he realizes I'm a retired racer?  You know.. fast.  To make him happy I'll listen.

Okay, so let's talk about open doors.  There's a whole world outside there! Did you know this?!  I get excited to go check things out so I don't always wait.  My inmate trainer is working with me on this.  

You should also know that I love to chase balls!  We have a great big ball we play with in the yard and it's soooo much FUN!  

Well, I gotta go eat... huh, learn a new treat - wait, I mean learn a new trick.  Check back with me next week!  

Cooper's inmate trainer says that this was a great week with an amazing dog! Cooper's pads are healing nicely and he was able to enjoy some big yard time.  He says that Cooper goes crazy over the big bouncy ball.  His inmate trainer says that when Cooper attacks the big ball he lets out a war cry that sounds like his leading a pack of dogs to war! He also loves to fetch tennis balls.  His inmate trainer says that he truly enjoys watching Cooper play.  

Cooper is doing great with his commands!  His down, stay, and bed are much better! He knows hurry, let's go, kennel and release well! He's already working on shake and bow as extra commands! He sit command is still a work in progress, but his trainer knows that Cooper will have this mastered in no time.  

His inmate trainer says that working with Cooper has made him a better person.  He says that Cooper is very friendly and outgoing with any person or greyhound he encounters.  He believes that Cooper could melt the coldest of hearts and make a cat lover change their ways! 

One Incredible Guy

Cooper loves his squeaky toys! His inmate trainer says that he would rather play with his toys than anything else.  Cooper is a very quick learner and his trainer enjoys working with him! Cooper hurt his paws running on the concrete while playing in the big yard, but has healed up and is coming along nicely with his basic commands.  His inmate trainer says that whoever adopts this boy will be one lucky human!  He is a loyal boy who keeps his inmate trainer smiling.

Cooper gets tired of training in 10 mins unless his inmate trainer keeps things exciting.  They usually train for 5 to 10 mins then play before picking up training again.  

His inmate trainer says that he is honored to be Cooper's trainer and is looking forward to the days ahead! 

Training Cooper

This first week with Cooper has made his inmate trainer feel like a ten year little boy!  He says that he's in prison and Cooper keeps him smiling!  Cooper's brown puppy dog eyes will melt your heart the instant you see them so prepare yourselves!  

Cooper loves to play with tennis balls!  His inmate trainer already has him fetching and brining the ball back!  His trainer has been working on some basic commands like "here," "let's go," "wait," "heel," "here," and "kennel."  If Cooper is in his kennel and hears a squeaky toy he gets excited and wants out to play.  Cooper is a quick learner and aims to please.  

His inmate trainer is happy that he was the one selected to train Cooper.  He looks forward to training with this wonderful guy.  He believes that who ever adopts this beautiful loving boy will not regret it!  

Stay tuned to learn more about a dog name Cooper!