Chicken Treats Please

Astro has been an energetic guy!  It may be due to the weather keeping them inside more often lately.  They’re all hoping the dog field will be in better shape soon, so the dogs can play and the inmate trainers can enjoy the show.      

He’s doing well with his commands and does a really good job listening. He seems to only like marshmallows if they’re free.  If work is required to receive one, he has no interest.  His inmate trainer says that he’s way too smart sometimes.  Astro loves chicken treats and beef comes in as a close second.  She says it’s hard to believe that training is coming to a close.  She’s going to miss this sweet boy. 

Good Morning!

Astro likes to feel the wind in his hair when he runs.  He loves early mornings and gets playful and energetic during the first potty break of the day. He’s doing well in his training. Although it seems like the marshmallow stage is over.  They no longer work as the yummy treat reward.  He’ll eat them, but his enthusiasm is not as great… now a beef lung or chicken treat…  now you’re talking his language!   Believe it or not peanut butter is a hit or miss with him.  His inmate trainer says that it is fun to watch him try to eat it though.  

Astro is doing well with his training and his inmate trainer says the days are always a bit better with this sweet guy around. 

Watch Astro Run

Astro was off and running this week!  His inmate trainer says it was wonderful to see him take off across the field.  She says he’s become proficient in all his commands.  He enjoys spending time in his kennel, he’ll watch his inmate trainer with interest throughout the day and became a stalker if she has his food or water bowl.  

His inmate trainer says that Astro is a joy to be around! He’s a happy guy who is a joy to be around.

Astro Can "Sit"

Astro has had a great week! When his trainer says great, she means super, wondering and amazing all put together. Astro had a breakthrough this week. Astro now sits!! It seems as though that command opened the flood gates to all the rest of his commands.

Astro gets more and more playful every day. Hopping around like a rabbit and seeing it, always brings huge smiles to everyone’s faces.

Likes His Routine

Astro is a complete and total goofball! His trainer is continuing to work on the sit command, as he is still refusing to do it on his own. It is taking less assistance, so his trainer is hopeful Astro will have it mastered by graduation. He knows most of his basic commands. He needs to improve on sit, down, jump and stay. Astro’s trainers are working hard on these commands to let him know these are fun to do too. All in all, Astro is a great boy and will be a joy to any family.

Bunny Hop

Astro continues to come out of his shell every day!  He’s so cute when he hops around like a bunny.  His inmate trainer says that it’s a true joy to watch Astro being happy and carefree.  Training is going well, but he will hold out on sitting for as long as he can.  He knows what he’s supposed to do, but just wants to do it on his time.  His inmate trainer says they’ll continue to work on this, but knows he’ll have his response time down pat before long.  

He likes toys, but doesn’t really play with them.  He’ll pick them up and carry them to his bed then lay down and hold it in his mouth.  He’ll eventually drop it, but he never really does much playing with it.  His inmate trainer says that Astro is a very good boy and easy to be around.  She says she’s enjoying her time with this sweet boy! 

Improving On The Commands

Astro has had a good week! He is doing very well with his training. He knows hurry, let’s go, kennel. release, wait, heel, here, bed and leave it. He is doing pretty good with sit, down and stay, but is not a fan of jump. His trainers will continue to work on the ones he knows and work extra hard on those he needs to improve on. He should have them mastered by graduation with no problem.

Astro is doing good with the stairs. He has a love/hate relationship with them. He will do them fine, with no problems and then not want to go up or down them at all. It’s a work in progress. His trainer works with him every day on them.

Handsome Boy

Astro’s doing really well with training.  He knows hurry, let’s go, kennel, release, wait, heel, stay, bed and leave it. They will work on here, sit, down and jump. Sit is his least favorite command, but they are showing him that sitting can be fun.

Astro slipped on the steps this week which was a small set back.  His inmate trainer has been working with him on the stairs everyday since the slip to help him overcome his hesitation.  She says that he’s almost back to normal and going up/down without as much hesitation.  She says she’s super proud of him for pushing through.  

Cuddle Bug

Astro has had a good week!  His training is off to a good start.  He knows hurry, let’s go, kennel, release, wait and heel.  He has started to come out of his shell too.  He does love to cuddle and is very affectionate, but also enjoys his alone time to rest.  

At the beginning of the week, Astro wasn’t sure about the beds in the day area, but after being around them, he will lay on them.  He will whine a bit when put in his kennel during the day, but quickly stops.  Acclimating to this new environment takes time.  There have been so many changes over the last few weeks.  Astro is settling in and getting more comfortable each day.  His trainer looks forward to getting to know the real Astro as he comes out of his shell.

Zoom, Zoom

Astro’s trainers are already in love!  He is a shy boy, but his trainers feel he will come out of his shell as he gets used to his new surroundings.  Some dogs take a little longer to settle in. It’s quite a change from track life.  

Astro gently takes his treats for following through with a command.  He knows hurry, let’s go, kennel, release, wait and heel.  His trainers can’t wait to see Astro come out of his shell as he gets used to his new environment.