Floppy-eared Friend for you

Wow! Week 10 already! Time flies when you're having fun. That's what Johnnie and his trainer have been doing, having lots of fun. Johnnie is very sharp with his commands and knows all of them very well. There are days when Johnnie seems to be stubborn and will stare into your eyes and look at you like he doesn't understand what you just said, but he's just being coy. All in all, Johnnie  has been a blast to work with and will be missed dearly. His trainer will miss seeing those ears fold forward and sit on top of his head. So cute! All the times in the training room, followed by playtime. Boy, does Johnnie love squeaky toys. The times Johnnie and the other dogs got to run on the big yard. Man is he fast!

There are so many great memories that his training team will never forget. When Johnny leaves here and goes to his new home, you will see just how sweet and loving he is. When you come home from work and need someone to talk to, Johnnie will be there to listen and he will never talk back. Isn't that great?

It has been an honor to be a part of Team Johnnie, and the team that trained him to become the great loving dog that he is. His trainer will cherish these memories forever. Now it's time to welcome Johnnie into your home and make your own memories that will last a lifetime. Johnnie, you're going to be a missed buddy!

A Certified Good Boy

Well it's swap week. Where to begin? Johnnie is one of the best dogs that his swap week trainer has ever worked with. He's such a big teddy bear of a dog. He knows all his commands and loves to play. He's full of energy. Johnnie has a great recall on the big yard and seems to have adjusted well to swap week. His swap week trainer says this guy has probably never met a stranger. He loves everybody and gets along well with other dogs.

Practice Makes Perfect

Johnnie here!  Checking in for my trainer.  He told me I had to write the blog this week.  Gosh!  He's so demanding.  He wants me to do too much.  Every day I have to sit, down, stay, wait, jump off, leave it, release, let's go, kennel and on and on and on.  Over and over again!  Sometimes two and three times a day.  He says it's for my own good, whatever that means.  I did give him a bit of a hard time this week with stay, wait and jump.  All I wanted was some extra treats and affection, and it worked!  Yeah.  I'm a pretty smart guy...

My favorite part of the day is playtime with my trainer.  He even makes me do commands to get my favorite toy, which is a blue dragon that squeaks.  Really anything that squeaks I love.  It makes me go crazy.   Not too crazy.  I just love, love, love them.  I can chew on that thing all day until I get tired.  Then it's kennel time where I can just be my lazy self.

I have adapted well the J.C.C.  I get along well with everyone, people, guards and greyhounds.  I hope when I leave here I have a loving family that will love me as much as I will love them.  I can't wait.  Forever home and family here I come!!!

Big, Lovable Hound

Johnnie has been spending a lot of time this past week with the rest of his training team.  His primary trainer said it's difficult to share this big, lovable guy, but it's for his benefit.  As we get closer to "swap week", it's important Johnnie gets used to others giving commands.  

Johnnie is such a fun pup to be around.  Just the other day, Johnnie jumped right up in a cushioned chair, turned around and sat down just like a person.  He has so much personality.  You can't help but love him!

Johnnie has mastered all of his basic commands and gets as excited as ever when it comes to toys.  With a few weeks left of training, who knows what crazy and funny things Johnnie will get himself into.  LOL  More to come next week...

Play Time!

This week Petey has gone through the adventure of learning a new identity. That's right - our pal has been renamed to Johnnie. His trainer was not surprised how quickly he picked up on it. The biggest hurdle has been with his training team saying "Petey, oops, I mean Johnnie!" Johnnie has shown big progress working on stairs and he can now climb up and back down again without issue. The dorm played kickball this week so his trainer brought Johnnie along for a little fresh air. He's certain that if he could talk he would say kickball is the best game ever. He was chasing the ball all over the field and it was such a funny sight to see. He's such a fun boy. Maybe a durable soccer ball-size Jolly ball would be a nice Christmas present for him. This boy does enjoy his play time!

Practice Makes Perfect

Hello!  This is the secondary trainer reporting in for Johnnie.  Johnnie has had a very successful week.  He knows most of his commands very well.  "Leave it", "jump" and "stay" are a work in progress, but I'm sure by the end of the week he will have them mastered. You know practice makes perfect.

Speaking of perfect.  Johnnie will be a perfect fit for any family.  He is very friendly.  Loves to be loved on and he loves to be petted, especially on his head and under his chin.  It is hard to stop, because his fur is so soft.

After a training session, Johnnie has playtime.  Johnnie loves to play with toys, especially if it squeaks.  He turns into a big kid and it's so much fun to watch him.

Johnnie is going to be a blessing to any family that's willing to accept him in their home with open arms and an open heart.  Johnnie's paws and heart is open.  Is yours?

Teddy Bear

Petey loves his name!  His ears perk up when someone is talking about him.    Even outside, when off leash in the big yard, you can call "Petey here", and he comes running.  He has great recall.  You never know when you might need to use the "here" command.

Petey minds his manners out on the big yard.  Even though he bounces up and down a lot when he is happy, he does not jump onto people.  This is definitely a plus for this 80 lb. teddy bear.

Stairs are a work in progress for Petey.  He is a little leery at going down them, but is taking them one step at a time.  Good job!  His training team is very proud of him and how far he has come.  See ya next week.

Bouncy Like Tigger

Petey has had a very busy week of training.  He started working on "sit" and has caught on to the concept nicely.   A little use of a lure and he's sitting with no problems.  Next week... No lure and I'm sure he will do great.

Petey made his first attempt at going up and down stairs.  While not a huge fan, he made it through and it became easier with each try.  New things can be a bit scary at first, but if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  Petey is doing just that.

Training session always ends on Petey's favorite thing of the day.  Playtime!  You have to have something to work for, right?  He loves his toys and it's so cute to watch him play.  Jumping up and down for the toy.  The wonderful thing about Tigger, I mean Petey, is he's the only one.  One special greyhound.

Petey is sure to bring a smile to anyone he meets.  From his occasional goofy moments, to his calm. loving personality,  he's a perfect fit for any family.  How about yours?

Soft and Sweet

Petey is taking full advantage of his retirement. Treats, play time, and plenty of time to relax. Petey is very comfortable just to lay out on a big dog bed near his trainer while they watch a movie and he is a huge fan of getting loved on and receiving affection. A good scratch under his chin and he melts into your hands. He is coming along well with his commands and training and although he started out not a huge fan of the kennel, he now rests comfortably and quietly until it's time to go to work. He knows wait, bed, and here very well already. Of course after work it is always play time. When holding a toy above his head, he does a funny little bounce up and down on his front paws until the toy is thrown. Also, Petey's fur is so soft! His trainer has received so many compliments already on his soft fur. This big beautiful guy is going to be such a joy this session.

Greyhound Hug

Petey begins his journey at the SCG compound with a profound optimism and curiosity.  Nothing seems too high or out of his reach.  He will "paws up" on a chair to check to see what's on a table or bounce up and down on his hind legs, like Tigger,  to see out of a window.  So many new sights and sounds to explore at the prison.  His trainer has found Petey is equally interested in treats and toys alike.  This will help tremendously during training.

If Petey seems bored, his trainer will toss a squeaky toy his way and he will keep himself occupied until he wears himself out.  He's so goofy and fun to watch.  Petey loves affection.  He will rest his head on his trainer's shoulder, giving him a doggie hug, all the while petting him to his heart's content.  There's something very uplifting about a greyhound hug.  Try it.  You'll love it!

Petey shows great potential and his trainer is looking forward to the coming weeks with him.  See you soon...