The Gentlest Giant

This week, JD got to spend a week on vacation with... his swap week team! This is to see how he does with obeying commands he gets from a different set of people, and also to test for separation anxiety. He was such a good boy!

The first thing people notice about him is how big he is! At 85 pounds, he is a BIG boy! But don't let that scare you - he is so very gentle and happy when he comes out of his kennel, with that long tail just wagging left and right. His tail is so expressive! Especially when he runs in the big yard. He really comes alive when it's time to zoom! He's even taken a liking to running around with some of his classmates. 

He had no problems doing any of his commands. He  may be a little slow doing some, but he has been working extra hard to prepare for graduation. 

His swap week trainer got him to play with some toys. JD seems kind of ambivalent towards them, but he likes the ones that squeak! If you squeeze it and then toss it, he will go get it and find the nearest place to lie down with it. Tell him "give"  and he will drop it, and then you can toss it again!

He loves to be petted and rubbed and will sometimes lean against your leg, wanting to get some lovies. He is such a gentle soul and everybody can't help but fall in love with him. His swap week trainer says, "thank you for giving him a chance to be part of your family!"

Gimme the Squeak Toys and Free My Soul!

JD is doing GREAT! He is starting to really enjoy toys. A lot of greyhounds don't know what to make of toys when they arrive, and it normally takes a bit before they realize they can have an absurd amount of fun clowning around with them. In fact, JD will squeak his toy snake for as long as you let him! He also enjoys chewing on his Y-bone while relaxing in his kennel.

JD loves to walk around and get treats and petted from everyone who is willing to lend him a little scratch behind the ears. He loves crunching on ice cubes (the world may never know why greyhounds love this!) while watching TV in the evenings. He is so proficient in his commands and ready for graduation!

This hound is so loving and calm and is truly the total package! He can't wait to meet his forever family!

Laid Back & Loving Life

JD has had another stellar week!  His inmate trainer says that he’s working to keep training fun since he’s got everything pretty much in paw.  He can become a little distracted, but his inmate trainer thinks it’s because he’s thinking of running or maybe food. 

JD still hasn’t shown any interest in toys yet, but they are still working on that.  His trainer says that JD is the most laid back dog he’s had the opportunity to train so far.  He’s a complete joy to be around and will bring much happiness to his forever family!

Infinite Nuzzles!

Working with JD has been nothing short of an exhilarating adventure! He has acclimated so well to his surroundings over the weeks that he has been with his trainers. He does well in a stimulating environment; he really anticipates having to pay attention! He is so loving and always ready for affection, the kind of guy whose world lights up when his favorite human comes home. JD has learned his commands so well and despite his enthusiasm for affection, he also has the classic docile greyhound demeanor. 

He learned so quickly and is just so smart. He is going to knock your socks right off! Prepare your hearts for infinite nuzzles!

Handsome Boy

Hey guys and gals!  I'm back to fill you in on my week here at Jenkins.  I've got to tell you I think I finally figured out this "sit" thing.  I've seen humans sit, but really folks, our sit is sooo much harder.  And I'm a big boy!  Maybe I need to cut back on the treats...  No.  Not a good idea.

I also worked on "down" this week.  This is a lot easier than "sit", so I pretty much mastered that after a few tries.  Well, maybe more than a few.  I have to work that treat bag.  The more times I try it, the more treats I get.  Pretty smart, huh?

All know all of the other basic commands with verbal or hand cues.  So bring on the extras!  I'm up for the treats!  I mean challenge.    Until next week...  Later!  JD

The Word Of The Week..."Stay"

Okay, so I’ve made a new discovery… Milkbones!  Oh my, let me tell you… those things are super yummy!  I could eat those things all day long!  During training my inmate trainer will ask me to “stay” then he walks away.  At first I didn’t get it.  I mean, he has the treats, so of course I’ll follow him.  He kept taking me back and saying that “stay” word again and giving me a treat.  Now, after a few times I started to understand that he wanted me to hang out in one spot so to make it interesting I put him through the paces a few more times, mostly just to watch him walk back and forth and to squeeze a few more treats from him.  It’s working pretty good I’ve taught him to speak, walk away then return with a treat! I’m pretty good at this training bit! 

Working On This Thing Called "Sit"

Okay, okay, I’m back to tell you about the week.  But I gotta say this one was a lot like last week.  My inmate trainer is still trying to talk me into this whole sit thing.  I’m almost ready to agree to it, but I’m kinda having fun watching him come up with new ways to talk me into it.  My trainer is also doing really well playing with toys (snicker) I know he’s trying to interest me in them, but come on this is sooo entertaining.  Really, I wish I could video it for y’all. 

I really like retirement and once this training gig is over I got big plans for a dog bed.  I mean, I can just see it… me, a dog bed, some treats and a new family… sounds pretty amazing. 

Adjusting like a champ

Hey gang! I'm back with another week of adventures in my life to tell you all about. I'm starting to adjust very well here at Jenkins. They gave me my own kennel, which I'm starting to enjoy. This week my trainer has been teaching me stay, here and sit. I'm not a big fan of sit. I can deal with the other commands, because they are much easier.  I'm sure if he keeps dishing out the treats, I can humor him and learn to "sit".

I'm starting to enjoy toys a little, by which I mean I grabbed one, took it to my bed, and then had no idea what to do with it after that! Check back with me next week to see if I've made any progress on sit. I sure don't like it, but some of my classmates are doing it really well, and I wanna do it, too! Later!

A Whole New World

Hello there! I'm JD and this is my first blog ever. I'm not sure what to write, or how I'm holding a pen with my paw, but I'm adjusting well to my new environment. My trainer has helped me to overcome my fear of the new floors and I learned the bed command this weekend. I love it because I get to be lazy AND I get a treat for it! I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead, and I'm starting to believe my trainer when he says the floor isn't lava... until next week! JD signing out.