Graduation And A New Home

Stella came into the Correction Center in the spring of 2016 on charges stemming from vagrancy. While not a serious offence it was bad enough to get her a 10 week stretch in state prison.  It didn’t take her long to adjust to her new environment.  An inmate who was also a chain-gang lawyer took an interest in Stella.  After reviewing her case he found the charges against her to be without merit.  He devised a plan to help Stella become a proper little lady so that she could find a forever home to love her; which is all she ever really wanted anyway.   

A training program began… day after day until Stella had all her commands down without hesitation.  At the same time an amazing thing happened, Stella's inmate trainer learned about patience, responsibility, and how to work through problems instead of just walking away.  Stella’s inmate trainer stuck by his word and Stella will be paroled on 5/5/16.  

Stella’s inmate trainer says that Stella is the sweetest and smartest dog he’s ever worked with. He’s going to miss having her around every day and hopes that she finds a future filled with happiness.  

Time For The Swap

Swap week time!  Which means it’s time for the inmate trainers to swap dogs to see how the dogs respond to taking commands from new people and spending time away from their primary trainers.  Stella’s alternate inmate trainer says that he feels lucky to have drawn Stella as his swap!  She is a very obedient and sweet girl, but be warned she may want to crawl up in your lap for loves and doggie kisses!  

Stella is an energetic girl which can show up sometimes when walking on a leash.  Her alternate trainer says that she corrects well and enjoys taking a walk.  She loves to play with toys, more precisely anything that squeaks.  Her alternate trainer started playing with toys before their walk and this seemed to help as well.  Stella does what the hounds do best… sleep.  She’s content to lay around and nap.  She does seem to prefer to be the only dog in her bed – more room to stretch out those legs.  

Stella’s alternate inmate trainer says that he’s had a great week with Stella and is happy that he got the chance to get to know her.

It's A Wonderful Life

Stella is doing great!  She’s a little slow waking up and being ready for training.  Her inmate trainer says that it takes her about 5 minutes to wake up and start commands during morning training.  She got a special jerky treat this week and her inmate trainer thought she was going to do cartwheels for it.  Seems like the promise of a special yummy treat acts a lot like coffee!

Stella’s inmate trainer says this special girl is going to make some lucky family very happy.  He's going to miss her but, knows that she is going to have a wonderful life ahead of her.    

Ready To Learn

Stella is sweet girl who’s willing to learn.  She has all of her commands down pat!  She and her inmate trainer go through her commands every morning to keep her response times pristine.  Her inmate trainer says that it takes Stella about 5 mins to wake up and be ready for training.  

Her inmate trainer is looking forward to the next few weeks with Stella, but knows that they are going to fly by and graduation will be here soon.  He believes that Stella is going to make some lucky family very happy.  

Miss Nosey

Hi, I’m Stella.  I’m at the prison training for this retirement thing.  My inmate trainer calls me Miss Nosey.  Honestly, I’m not nosey it’s just important that I know what’s going on, who has what, etc. I mean being in the know is important.  How can I gossip with my girls if I don’t know what’s happening around here?  

My training progress has been amazing this is not just my opinion might I add but my inmate trainer thinks so too.  I learn quickly and I like to see my trainer happy.  The yummy treat rewards don’t hurt either.  I know all of my commands with verbal or hand signal cues.   I even know how to shake your hand!  How impressive is that?!

Smart, Cute, and Happy!

Stella is doing great!  She knows all of her commands!  Her inmate trainer says that she is a smart and loving girl who is going to make a really great pet.  Stella is a happy, energetic, girl with a sweet temperament.  Her inmate trainer loves to watch her have fun running and playing in the big yard.  

Her inmate trainer says that Stella doesn’t mind her medical checks and hasn’t shown any aggressive behaviors.  She is the fourth dog he’s worked with and he believes that Stella is one of the smartest and well behaved. 

Beautiful Progress

Stella is making progress!  She does not pull to the left anymore when leash walking.  She’s doing a great job with “heel,” “let’s go,” “kennel,” “wait,” “here,” “sit,” “down,” “stay,” and “bed.”  She's a little slow responding to “release” and “jump” commands but her inmate trainer believes she’ll have these things figured out soon. 

Stella’s inmate trainer says that Stella is a very loving girl who is going to make someone a wonderful pet.  Her great personality is sure to win over the hearts of her new family members and her beauty is just icing on the cake!

Smart and Eager to Learn

Stella is a smart girl who is eager to learn.  She loves praise for her accomplishments and treats are never turned down either.  Her inmate trainer is working with her on her leash skills.  She likes to pull to the left sometimes so he’s working to keep her by his side.  

Stella will “sit” and “bow” if promised a treat reward.  She is doing well with her basic commands and her inmate trainer is confident that she’ll be responding quickly to them all very soon.  

Bouncing With Happiness

Stella has had a great week!  She’s already learned “sit” and “down”.  She’s even started learning “paws up” and “lap”!  Stella’s inmate trainer says that she loves to run and play.  She bounces around with happiness and brings smiles to everyone’s faces.  

Stella likes her kennel and loves both verbal and treat rewards.  Her inmate trainer says that when Stella enters her crate she looks at him as if to say, where’s my treat? Her inmate trainer can open the kennel door and tell her to wait and she waits like a pro until she’s told “let’s go”!  She comes out happy ready to tackle whatever the day may hold.  

Stella is a very friendly girl and her inmate trainer says that he’s truly enjoying his time with her.  

Training Time Has Arrived

Stella has arrived at the prison wide open and ready to begin this new adventure.  Her inmate trainer says that Stella has poured out love since arriving and will lean against you for attention. If she thinks there's a chance for belly rubs she'll flop right over for a bit of scratching. She enjoys her kibble rewards and understands that "kennel" means relaxing time and will go right to sleep.  

Stella hasn't had any problems with the shiny floors and seems to be adjusting really well.  Her inmate trainer believes that Stella is going to work hard and learn many things in the days to come!