Curious Cutie in a New World

Well it's week 10 and our time with Kylo is almost at an end. He has integrated very well into the system here and knows all of his commands well. He's a very calm and well-behaved dog. He really loves to be petted and he walks well with or without a leash. He likes to look at everything and visit anyone he can. 

Overall, Kylo is very intelligent and clever, he has learned very well and he still has room to learn so much more. He has also taught his trainers a lot. Helping to train him taught them to have patience and understanding with everyone. They've learned to have tolerance for others and Kylo has also helped them to see the world and all of its curiosity just as he does. They've learned to communicate well with others and they'll very much miss him when he leaves this week. But they know he's going to a good family and he will help them as much as he has helped his trainers. Thank you, and take care!

Perfect Pooch

Kylo is a well-trained pooch, and his primary trainer has done such a good job. Kylo is laid-back and easygoing. He's also a very handsome fella. Kylo enjoys relaxing on the daybed in the day room. He doesn't seem to have a great love for toys; however, he will bounce around and play with you. Kylo loves food and treats. Let him know you have food, and you can get him to do pretty much anything! Kylo has done so well during swap week with his whole team, and they all love him as much as his primary trainer does. He is calm, cool and collected and no separation anxiety issues were present. Kylo is going to make such a good addition to a loving family and is such an awesome pup.

America's Next Top Hound

One of the trainers the other day asked his trainer a few things about Kylo, like how was he when eating and how often does he go to the bathroom? Does he really love toys or not? Basically, did he do things too much or too little compared to other dogs. And, his trainer thought about it for a while. And what he came up with on just about everything was he's just right. Not too much or too little, not too high or too low. He is the Goldilocks of dogs. He's been the easiest dog his trainer has had as far as dealing with issues or quirks that all dogs have. He thinks this is a good thing and that Kylo is going to fit in wherever he goes and be such a great dog. He likes to say that he is a gentleman, because he gets along with all the other dogs. He doesn't impose his will on others, but he doesn't get pushed around either. He's very curious about new things, but he always follows through with his commands. He's just an all-around good dog. Swap week is next week, tune in to see how that goes!

Victory Dance!

I think we are ready to declare victory on "sits" and "downs"!  Kylo's trainer is so proud of him this week.  He can finally claim Kylo knows all of his basic commands.  He has known sit and down for awhile, but was reluctant at times to do them, especially sit.  Well.... this week Kylo did both "down" and "sit" on command for both his primary and secondary trainer!  Yay Kylo!!!  I knew you could do it!

Kylo is such a great dog.  He is so sweet and easy going, and gets along with everyone.  He is a loyal companion that will fit in to any household.  Are you getting excited for Kylo's arrival?  It's getting closer every day...

Kylo for Christmas

Christmas time is here and the dorm is all decorated up. We even have stockings hung by the fire with care. You'd have to see it to understand. It's all made out of cardboard. The dorm and the dogs are in a good mood. The training schedule is a little light this weekend because, hey, it's Christmas, and besides they're all doing so well. Especially Kylo!

His trainer is so proud of Kylo's progress this week. Down and sit are the last two to master and he can do them, but doing them on command the first time is the thing. Good progress though, as his trainer said. He pretty much has the down command mastered with good form. Sit is a command that he will do but he doesn't really like them. It's hard on his leg muscles, which is super common for greyhounds. They just have such big bodies and sweet little toothpick legs! However, at meal times, he's really motivated and does them right away. That's when his trainer gets a lot of his training in to really cement those commands. Until next week, Merry Christmas!

Handsome Holiday Hound

Halfway through! This is week five and Kylo is coming along nicely. He pretty much has all the commands down except for sit, which he can do, but he doesn't like it very much. It's just one of those things that can be tough for Greyhounds. He is building up those leg muscles everyday to make sitting easier. These dogs just weren't made for sitting! He'll get there though.

The dorm is looking a lot like Christmas. This is the first year we were allowed to decorate, all homemade of course, complete with a cardboard tree. Kylo seems indifferent to the new stuff.  By the way, Santa is hopefully going to bring  Kylo some marshmallows, peanut butter, and maybe some other goodies. He's been a good boy this year!  Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Kylo, his trainer, and everybody on his team!

The Perfect Gentleman

It's week four already and time is flying by. Kylo and his trainer have settled into a nice groove. He seems to respond well to a routine, which is good because so does his trainer. He already knows when to expect meals and all the dog runs which is good because in between those times, that means he's relaxed and lays quietly in his kennel and watches people. His trainer keeps the blackout flap open during the day so he can see everybody.

Training is going well and he improves every single day. Here, stay, wait are all down pat, and there's big improvement in sit, down, and bed. They did start training on the stairs and he went up without hesitation. Going back down he just needed a little encouragement. His trainer sees no issues and getting stairs down by the time he leaves and graduates.  His secondary and alternate trainers are both working with him now, taking him out and going through the commands with him. Kylo has just been such a great dog to work with. Take care! Until next week.

Kylo The Explorer

Kylo is progressing nicely in his training.  He knows "hurry", "let's go", "release", "heel", and "stay" well.   He needs improvement on the other basic commands, but it's only week 3, so plenty of time to work on them.  He's a smart boy, so his trainer knows he will have the hang of them in no time.

Kylo is very much interested in the world around him.  His ears are always on alert and his head is on a swivel in the dorm or outside.  He's very much the explorer.  Kylo loves to walk around the dorm and check out everything.  He's just a curious sweet boy that's comfortable in his own skin.

Kylo is a very gentle boy, that's not afraid of anything.  He gets along with everyone - two and four legged.  He is an all around greyt dog and will fit nicely into any family.  He's ready for his new adventure... Retirement

Certified Buddy-at-Law

We're off and running this first full week of training. Kylo has adjusted nicely to life here at Jenkins. His personality seems to be very easygoing and accepting of his surroundings. No whining or crying in the kennel so far. His trainer's bed is in the front of the dorm nearest to all the action of the day room. For some dogs, that can be intimidating if they are shy and prefer to be away from things. Well, that's not a problem for Kylo. He loves to watch everybody and see what's going on.

Kylo is the kind of dog that likes everything, but is not overly crazy about any one thing in particular. He likes treats, but won't freak out when they're offered. He likes toys, especially squeaky ones, but will play with them and move on after a few minutes. We think it's a good trait. It's like all things in moderation, but nothing to excess. One thing his trainer thinks he loves is hugs. Kylo and his trainer have already bonded really well and his trainer thinks that that's because he's a buddy kind of dog. Kylo will be your buddy for life and will make his new owner a loyal companion like Lassie. His trainer is so looking forward to the rest of the session. 

Ahead of the Game

A new session is underway! This trainer spent the first few days getting to know his new buddy, Kylo. Kylo is his first male dog to train. He's been looking forward to a slightly different challenge and there's no real difference between training males and females, other than the males tend to be bigger and you have to be a little more concerned with territory marking. So far, he can already tell Kylo is a really sweet dog. After only a couple of days he's already got leash walking down and gets on the bed when his human tells him to. This guy is ahead of the game! Oh, and he's responding to his name very well. This is going to be a good session and his trainer says he's looking forward to it.

By the way, Kylo celebrated his 3rd birthday on November 19th, so happy birthday to this handsome sweet boy!