Ready For Retirement

Upon completion of Axel’s final week of training he is now ready to move from a life of hard work into a new relaxed life of retirement. 

His inmate trainer says that it is amazing to see how far Axel has come in ten weeks.  These days Axel exhibits self-control compared to the boy who first arrived.  Hi inmate trainer is proud to report that his arm and should are no longer sore from working to control Axel.  Axel is still a little nervous about walking on shiny floors, but will muster up the courage to step out on the reflective surface.  He has mastered his commands, but can be a little slow responding to new people he’s not comfortable with. 

His inmate trainer says that working with Axel has been a pleasure.  He believes that Axel will do well in his new forever home.  

Graduation Is Fast Approaching

Axel is a sweet happy boy who enjoys being brushed and rubbed on.  Axel has this ability to make people smile.  His inmate trainer says that Axel has touched many lives while in training.  He says that Axel has taught him stay focused and shown him that he can be a better person.  He is going to be sad to see Axel leave, but knows that this amazing boy is destined to have a life of happiness.  

One Great Dog

This week Axel spent his days with an alternate inmate handler.  His alternate handler was pleased to have been chosen to be Axel's temporary handler for the week.  He said that out of the twelve Greyhounds Axel has been his choice dog; the dog he'd take home if he could.  

During swap week Axel didn't have any problems being away from his primary handler.  He completed all of his basic commands with minimal treat rewards.  His alternate handler was very impressed with Axel's response to the stay command and his recall command.  He believes that Axel's biggest attribute to a new family will be his wonderful personality.  He says that Axel is a fun and loving boy.  His alternate handler says that Axel runs like a horse, plays like a kid and cuddles like a baby!  He has no problem with humans cuddling him, roughhousing him, or any dog walking over him, stepping on him or taking toys from his bed.  

Axel's alternate handler says that Axel is a great dog and he truly enjoyed spending time with him this week.  

Perfecting The Basics

Yet another productive week of training for Axel!  He and his inmate trainer have been working to perfect the heel, here and sit commands.   They have also been working on ignoring distractions and focusing on the job at hand.  His hesitation to walk on shiny floors is improving, but is still a work in progress. 

Axel, also known as Scooby-Doo, continues to bring joy to everyone in the dorm.  He enjoys relaxing in the grass and can be truly lazy at times. 

Next week the inmate trainers will swap hounds for a week to encourage command response and time away some their normal surroundings.  Axel will be missed by his inmate trainer, but he has no doubt that Axel will do well! 

Learning New Tricks

With each passing week Axel and his inmate trainer grow closer together.  His inmate trainer says that Axel is exactly the type of dog he would hope to own one day.  Axel interacts well with other dogs and has a calm but playful personality.  He stays attentive to what he's commanded to do and wants to please his trainer.  

This week Axel learned "bang"!  Pointing at him and saying "BANG" will make him fall over and play dead!  A sight to see indeed!  While working in some extra commands his inmate trainer continues to strengthen the basics as well.  

His inmate trainer says that with another week down and graduation approaching he knows that Axel will be moving on to his new life soon.  He's going to be missed, but his trainer knows he's going to have a wonderful future.   

Scooby-Doo

This week Axel and his inmate trainer have been working to reinforce the commands he already knows.  He is preforming wait, sit, stay, down, release and heel really well!  Training seems to come easier for Axel now (maybe it's the treats!).  Axel is still a little nervous walking on shiny floors, but his inmate trainer continues to work with him to build confidence.  

Axel is loved by many people in the program and is known to some as Scooby-Doo!  He is not a very vocal boy, but he has a fun and playful personality which makes him easy to love.  When he and Zoe play together it brings a smile to everyone around them.   

Training Days

Hi there!  My name is Axle and I'm learning all sorts of things from my inmate trainer! This week I learned all about going up and down stairs.  Being the amazing guy that I am I conquered those steps like a champ - maybe they should call me the stair master.  I went ice skating on the shiny floors this week and fell so I'm being a little more cautious on that slippery surface.  

I think you should know that I'm not only a handsome guy, but I'm playful and a bit goofy at times.  I never get tired of playing with my toys and I enjoy running outside. I'm happy to play with my fellow Greys or alone.  I also enjoy seeing my inmate trainer every morning!

Outgoing and Playful

Axle is a happy, lovable, outgoing, and playful dog.  Yet he can still be very laid back and would be perfectly content to lounge around on his bed all day if his inmate trainer would let him!  Axle also enjoys play time with his buddy Zoe.  

This week Axle has become more responsive to sit, down, and bed. He does not seem to care for dog biscuits, but grab a beef livers or turkey treat and you'll have his full attention! Axle has not shown any signs food, toy, or territory possessiveness.  His inmate trainer does keep an eye on him around less durable toys as they will become many smaller toys once Axle has had a go at them.  

Next week training will center on the recall and stay commands! 

Happy and Lovable

Tucker and Zoe love to play together running around in circles chasing each other.  His inmate trainer says that it is nice to see Tucker relax over the past week.  Just as he thought, Tucker is really starting to enjoy toys especially the ones that squeak!  His inmate trainer says that rooing causes Tucker to dance around in a fit of happiness which is just too cute.  

His inmate trainer has been working with him on leash skills and Tucker is doing great!  He still has times where he gets excited and pulls, but is doing well with correction!  Tucker is steadily improving on bed, wait, stay, down and sit.  His recall still needs some work, but his trainer has no doubt that Tucker will be successful with this in time.  

His trainer is enjoying his time with Tucker and is confident that this happy, lovable, obedient guy is going to be a wonderful companion to his new family.  

What Time Is It? Training Time!

Tucker is friendly, outgoing and always eager to see what is around the next corner.  He has only been in his temporary home for a few days and he is still a little unsure of everything.  His inmate trainer believes that once Tucker settles in he'll open up and enjoy playing with toys.  

His inmate trainer has been working with leash walking and has introduced wait, heel, bed, and down.  Tucker is catching on and showing improvement already!  He is comfortable in his kennel and has no problem sleeping in the roach position.  Tucker is adjusting to this new life well and his inmate trainer is looking forward to seeing Tucker's improvement in the days to come!