Zoomin' Around

Well, Ash passed his final testing with no problems. He has always performed well for whoever handles him. These past ten weeks have been a pleasure since Ash is such an easy dog to work with. He has built up a confidence about himself that he didn't have when he first arrived. In the big yard runs, most of the dogs get tired out and come in and passed right out. Ash doesn't though - he has a tremendous reserve of energy! He gets along with the other dogs well. His inmate trainer knows that Ash is going to make a lucky owner proud.

Toys Please

This past week was swap week.  Swap week is where the trainers swap dogs to make sure they take commands from others and see how they do away from their primary trainer.  Ash did great!  He did all his commands with no fuss. 

Since Ash's training is complete, he got to spend time doing things he enjoys.  The top of the list is toys.  This silly boy loves chasing toys.  He will wear himself out playing with them.  When he gets tired of one toy he will stare at the toy box in the sit position until you throw him a new one.  This would go on and on all day, if you let him.

Ash seems to enjoy life to the fullest.  He's decided retirement is pretty sweet too.  His swap week trainer only got to spend a week with this wonderful boy and he already earned a special place in his heart.  Ash has a lot more love to give and is dreaming of a forever family.  Could it be yours?

Learning to Shake

This week Ash and his inmate trainer worked on some extra commands. He is beginning to learn "shake" but he puts his paw kind of on the side of his trainer's hand instead of on it (still so cute!), so they're working on that one. Ash was given his testing on Friday by his alternate trainer and he performed perfectly.

They have continued to work on his basic commands every week and try to improve on his leash etiquette more than the extra commands. Ash is comfortable with other people handling him now and comfortable performing commands for someone he just met, but he absolutely does not want to be physically put in a position. He is very reluctant to be touched in certain ways, and I have explained it to my team from the beginning how I wanted him trained because of it. This just means he's an extra special guy. Ash is a very lovable dog and gets along great. He can scare easily, so no Halloween pranks for this goober!

Greyt Personality

Ash is doing wonderful with all of his training.  He knows all of his commands very well.  He performs them for strangers, even without treats.  Ash has a great personality and attitude.  Any family would be lucky to adopt him.

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Ash loves to play with toys.  When he first arrived at the prison, he was unsure of what to do with them.  His ears would stand up and he would look at them in wonder.

Ash tries to anticipate which command his trainer is going to ask him to do next, so they change it up to keep Ash on his toes and attentive.  Ash loves to run out on the big yard and chase the big pink ball.  He is a great greyhound and will be an awesome companion.  He is going to make his new owner very proud.

Surfin' Right Into Your Heart

This week Ash and his inmate trainer started working on counter surfing situations. He seems to understand the first time that he's supposed to leave things alone wherever they are - except for toys!

Ash still gets excited at play time. Sometimes he needs a reminder to be patient and wait until released to play. The rest of the team has been taking a more active role in the training and other inmate trainers are also giving Ash commands. He performs very well for everyone!

Ash has begun to feel more comfortable performing "jump" and with being around lots of people and the accompanying bustle and confusion. He has a great personality and is nothing like the nervous boy who first arrived. His trainer reports that he believes Ash will transition well from his current environment to a home environment with no problems!

Yes To Treats And Training

The last seven days with Ash has been lots of fun with the holidays.  He was happy Santa visited him and brought him treats!  He was a good boy you know, and Santa never forgets the good Greyhounds.

Over the week Ash's inmate trainer worked on reinforcing all the commands he already knows to keep them fresh in his mind.  He knows all of the basic commands very well, all verbally and most with hand signals. He's a smart boy.   His trainers worked with Ash on sharing his toys.  He didn't like to "give" up the toys, but is doing a lot better with the "give" command.

Ash is very treat motivated and will try every command he knows for a new tasty treat.  Hey, it doesn't hurt to try.  He anticipates certain commands at certain times, so his trainer is switching them up when it's feeding time.  It's pretty amusing watching Ash go through every trick in the book to eat . . . and he loves to eat.

With all the rainy weather Ash has only been out on the big yard a couple of times, but he makes the most of his time when he has it.  His inmate trainer loves to watch him run, but has yet to see him at top speed.  He bets Ash is the fastest greyhound around!

Student of Commands and Toys

Ash has been doing well the past week, aside from a 24-hour stomach bug. Winter is definitely upon us! Ash's training is coming along smoothly and he has begun to get used to his surroundings and accustomed to being handled by his primary and alternate trainers. 

Ash has shown a strong interest in toys and they've been working with him on giving him the toy and making him stay calm when giving it back. Ash can be very playful when encouraged and he can be very serious when it's time to train. He is a very astute dog and knows what is expected of him. Ash would make a great companion for people of any age and is such a low-maintenance guy. 

A Truly Top Dog

Ash made GREAT progress during Week 3 training. He knows all of his commands, but his inmate trainer is still perfecting them. He says that for Greyhounds, sometimes it can be like knowing words in a language and getting them right most of the time, but when learning so many at once it's easy to get confused.

Starting in Week 4, they will focus on perfecting each of his commands. Ash is a very smart boy and his trainer was able to teach him "sit" and "down" without putting him through the goofy process of scooping him! Ash has started showing his personality as he's gotten more comfortable and he's got a unique personality for sure. He's a playful goofball, like an excited kid at a candy store. At feeding time he runs to his training pad and begins to do every command he knows as fast as he can - he's THAT excited to eat!

That being said, he's not too wild. He is very easy to calm down and knows when it's time to be serious and learn. His trainer imagines him being a great companion for anyone. Ash is well-behaved and laid-back once he gets to know you. His trainer believes he will be just as successful in retirement as a new addition to your family as he was in his racing career. And Ash can hardly wait for a forever home to love him and show him off at the park. 

Adjusting

Ash continues adjusting to life "inside" the razor wire. He is curious about his surroundings and is comfortable being out of his kennel. He and his inmate trainer continue to bond.

He is a bit resistant when being scooped into a sit but is progressing nicely. After two weeks heis he is learning sit as well as the other 10-12 commands.  As their bond increases and becomes stronger, his inmate trainer suspects his progress will skyrocket.

When Ash is running on the big field, you are only seeing a glimpse of what he is capable of. He gets to about half speed and then runs out of room and has to stop. It's amazing to watch him!

Ash gets so many compliments on his markings and his ears when they perk up.  He looks like a coyote.  His inmate trainer is eager for Ash to get to the top of the hill with his training.  They did introduce stairs training this past weekend. He did great although he was a bit nervous. A few more training sessions he'll be a pro at them!

Ash is a fantastic Greyhound with loads of personality. He is just beginning to blossom!!

Learning The Ropes

Ash is adjusting very well to his new environment.  He is unsure about some things at the prison, like running on the big yard, but once he gets over the newness of the prison and people, his personality is sure to emerge.  

Ash is a beautiful dog and everyone says he kind of looks like a wolf.  Can you see the resemblance?  He doesn't act like one though.  He is very sweet.

He is grasping the concepts of what his inmate trainer wants him to do when it comes to training. This week Ash is learning "hurry", "let's go", "kennel",  and "wait.  He's a little slow to respond, but will soon have it all figured out.  Check back next week to see what Awesome Ash has been up to.