You've Come A Long Way Elton

They say all good things must come to an end and his training time at the prison is almost over.  Elton's trainer said it has been a real joy getting to know him.  He is always in a good mood and not a day goes by where he failed to put a smile on his trainer's face.  He will be greatly missed.

Final testing was this week and of course Elton passed.  His trainer was so proud of this big guy!  He feels warm inside to see all of the hard work has paid off.  Elton has come a long way in the short amount of time he has spent at the prison.

On behalf of Team Elton,  his trainer would like to extend his thanks to all the volunteers of the SCG program and all the people who open up both hearts and homes to these deserving dogs.  Take care of this sweet and loving boy, Elton.

Master of Commands and Treats

During swap week Elton did great! Elton is a very happy and energetic dog. He responds well to commands and performs them with ease for anyone. He loves to play and gobbles up treats almost instantaneously, making them seem like they were never there except for the small wet spot where they used to exist on your hand. He performs without treats with no problem but he very much looks forward to them (who doesn't?). He demonstrated no measurable signs of separation anxiety with his secondary trainer and seems to be a happy-go-lucky guy. Elton is a great dog and will make anyone proud to have him by their side.

Ready For A Kiss?

What do you teach a dog who already knows everything?  Well, you first have to take a good long look at his personality and decide what would compliment it.  In Elton's case, his trainers decided on "kiss".  After all, what gentleman is complete when he lacks the ability to land a good smacker on your face without being offensive?  Well consider the problem solved.  Now when you point to your cheek and say "kiss", Elton is quick to touch his nose to your cheek.  If you are lucky and he considers you worthy, you may get a lick as well.  Elton is just like that.  He is always in tune with the needs of others.

Elton's loyality is something his inmate trainer will always remember.  He considers himself blessed to have been the object of such a special kind of love.  Elton's cuteness, loyalty and love makes him an irresistible catch for some lucky family.  I hope it's yours.

Rock Star

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All the hard work Elton has put into training these past few weeks finally paid off. The ladies from Second Chance Greyhounds paid a visit to check on the dogs and their progress, and Elton's trainer confidently reportedly that Elton was the shining star of the show! He displayed excellent behavior and manners by laying on his bed like a good boy with zero fuss until it was his time to take the stage. He ran through all of his commands without any treats! His reward was a good petting and you better believe he relishes every moment of it.

He even showed off his extra command, "pow!" When he fell over like he'd been knocked out, everyone was laughing. Elton is a true rock star of the greyhound world. When he leaves his inmate trainer to come live with you, his trainer said he's sure they'll all hear a big announcement that Elton has left the building. 

Unlimited Supply Of Love

Elton is getting more and more into the whole retirement thing.  Once a wild all night partier, he now goes through short bursts of reckless wild behavior followed by tranquil laziness.  His inmate trainer has noticed that if he sits on the bed next to Elton and pets him, he will snuggle up to his inmate trainer and go to sleep.  It's as comforting as any hot chocolate on the coldest days to both of them.

Elton does all of his commands with ease for anyone and without treats.  So to keep him interested in training, his inmate trainer has added a fun extra this week.  It's called "Pow".  This is where you say "Pow" and act like you give him a right cross punch.   Elton falls over on his side as if he got knocked out!  It is definitely "YouTube" material, once he gets it down pat.

Elton's unlimited supply of love and compassion has warmed his inmate trainer's heart to a depth rarely reached.  He wants to thank everyone out there who open their hearts and homes to these wonderful dogs.  They are a breed above all the rest!

The Poster Dog for Unconditional Love!

Elton and his inmate trainer welcomed the new year with paws wide open. After rockin' in the new year with Ryan Seacrest (Elton's favorite), they spent some time in quiet reflection about where they have come from and where they are going. Elton seems to embrace the old adage, "life is change and you have to learn how to adapt." Elton has taken to domestication like a fish to water. Once wild, he now enjoys laying on his bed and taking naps. He has even learned how to give up and share his toys! And that's something that just a few weeks ago he was loathe to do. 

The hardest part of training Elton has not been falling for his ASPCA Commercial face and giving into his every whim. His trainer said, "I swear, I hear 'In the Arms of the Angel'" every time I look at him!" Elton is one of the sweetest dogs he's ever met. He'll do his commands for anybody and everybody. It is just in his nature to please people. His trainer says he could not be more proud of the progress he's made. Whoever adopts him is going to welcome into their home a dog who is going to rewrite the definition of unconditional love. Happy New Year from Team Elton!

A Visit from Santa

This week while explaining to Elton the ins and outs of Christmas, Elton's inmate trainer noticed that Elton was looking at him in utter disbelief. Elton had heard rumors at the track of a man in a red suit who passed out toys to good boys and girls, but never in his wildest dreams did he think it applied to Greyhounds, too!

Elton watched with wide eyes as his inmate trainer explained to him that not only did Santa visit all the good Greyhounds of the world, but he also relied on eight special retired racers to pull his sleigh full of toys (and treats!). He could tell Elton had his doubts, but was quick to point out that Greyhounds are faster than any ole reindeer. This seemed to please Elton immensely - so much so that he decided to learn "shake" this week in the hopes that he could shake Santa's hand and thank him properly on behalf of Greyhounds everywhere!

When Christmas Eve finally arrived, Elton stared at his trainer as if he were Moses descending Mount Sinai with stone tablets (made of treats, of course) as he clued him in on the final and most important step: making sure that they leave Milk Bones out for the reindeer and cookies for Santa!

Well, daylight turned to dusk and they both made up their minds that they would fight the drowsiness that precedes slumber and stay up to meet Santa. Next thing they know, they hear the distant roo-ing of Santa's eight trusted reindeer. Oh no! They missed them! But wait - the Milk Bones and cookies had been replaced with presents for Elton.

Just like all children on Christmas morning, Elton was bursting like a supernova to rip open his present and see what Santa had left him. Lo and behold, it was a new purple squeak toy! The Big Guy has yet to stop playing with it.

Elton's inmate trainer wanted to thank Second Chance Greyhounds for giving him the chance to experience the magic of Christmas in the least likely of places with such a wonderful dog. Merry Christmas from Team Elton!

Loyal Gentleman

Elton's trainer is convinced he was a rock star in his former life.  He has this charisma that draws people in, and with his dashing good looks, he pictures him crashing the red carpet at fashion week in Milan or maybe playing to a crowd of a half million people in Central Park.

Elton definitely lives everyday like it's his last.  So full of life!  He is also quite the night owl.  His trainer is not sure what mysterious activity keeps him occupied throughout the night.  He has yet to wake up during the night without finding Elton staring at him.  Maybe he feels it's time to come out and play, or maybe Elton's just that big grey watching out for his pack leader while he sleeps.  This isn't something that would normally comfort one while in prison, but hey, what can he say?  LOL.  Elton is what a good dog should be...LOYAL!  He is going to make his new forever family very proud.

Elton is doing great with his training.  He now "jumps" on command and can go up and down stairs no problem.  He is doing so much better having him in the "down" position for his training.   He knows "hurry", "let's go", "kennel", "release", "wait", "heel", "here", "sit", "down", "stay", "bed", "jump", "give" and "leave it".

Elton's trainer has no doubts that by the time he leaves the prison, his behavior will have mastered into that of an extraordinary gentleman.  He will have universal admiration as one of the finest Greyhounds in history!   Wait and see...

Learning the Ropes

This week the gallant, likeable Elton is learning that life after the racetrack has boundaries.  Bouncing off the walls is no way for a gentleman of such high morals and reined character to act.  To help curb his training team has spent the last week teaching him that by going into the "down" position, he gets what he wants. Want your dinner? Go "down".  Want out of your kennel"  Go "down".  Want a treat? Go "down". Want a bite of this delicious peanut butter sandwich I'm eating?  Go . . . hey, wait a minute mister! You are not tricking your inmate trainer out of his sandwich. No people food for you!  He has tried which in a way is good because it tells his inmate trainer that he is learning that by being calm and going into the down position he gets what he wants.

He loves toys that squeak and looks forward to his playtime after each training session.  Elton is a quick study and has already picked up all his basic commands except jump which they are working on next week.  His inmate trainer believes Elton has learned everything so fast because he understands two things.  First, that by paying attention he earns a tasty treat and second, that he always gets to have playtime afterwards.

Elton is a true rock star of the Greyhound world.  His inmate trainer looks forward to working with him for the next few weeks.

Special Boy

From the minute Elton walked through the door his inmate trainer could tell he was special.  His head was held high with regal confidence.  It was obvious he was ready to leave his past behind and begin writing the next chapter in his life...Retirement.

Elton has a great attitude.  His inmate trainer has yet to see him stop wagging his tail for more than a few seconds.  This shows his love for life and seems to be infectious, because everyone who points it out always has a smile on their face.

When you combine all of this with his handsome, "GQ-esk" good looks, you have a dog that is going to steal the hearts of everyone he meets.  His inmate trainer knows this, because in a blink of an eye, he has already stolen his.  Could yours be next?