Graduation is Near!

Molly's inmate handler says this last week has been just perfect - a relaxed and enjoyable week of playing and perfecting what Molly already knows.  Molly is perfect performing her basic commands and most all of her extra commands.  Her only area of improvement would be when she meets new people she can go into this super-duper excited mode where she likes to jump on people.  A firm leash check and "off" command usually corrects the behavior.  Remember she does smile when happy and it's not aggressive at all.

The effect Molly has had on her inmate trainer's life is undeniable.  From the very first moment she walked through the door she has been the most happy-go-lucky Greyhound and that in itself has carried over into her inmate trainer's life.  She makes him smile and laugh even on his worst days. 

He states that much of Molly's success has been due to the cooperation and effort of Molly's entire team.  Every member spent quality time and training time with her and the end result is a sweet, happy, obedient Greyhound. 

Molly will truly be missed but her inmate trainer takes great satisfaction knowing she is going to a great home.  He hopes her family enjoys her as much as he and her team have!

Prepare To Fall In Love

Swap week time! This is the week where the inmate trainers swap dogs to work on training commands and separation from the primary training team. 

Molly’s temporary inmate trainer says that Molly is a very outgoing and friendly girl.  She absolutely loves everybody she comes in contact with!  He says that she has been trained very well by her primary handler and does her commands without any problems.  Molly tries to please her trainers at all times.  She’s an energetic girl who loves to play with toys and new people. 

Her temporary trainer says that this week with Molly has been great!  He offers compliments to her primary training team for the outstanding job they’ve done with Molly!  He says that whoever adopts Molly will truly love this wonderful girl!  

Sweet And Friendly

This week Molly has made her inmate trainer proud.  During her commands test she did great and even showed off a little by following hand signal only cues! 

Molly is a sweet and friendly girl who is never pushy.  She likes to lay her head on her trainers lap after a few minutes of play.  She learns really fast and has mastered two new extras!  Her inmate trainer can say “leave it” and place a treat on the floor in front of her and she will leave it alone until he picks it up and gives it to her!  Such a proper lady! 

She has also learned to “visit.” She will come over and place her neck and head into your lap for a bit of head rubbing/neck scratching attention!  She has mastered the give command.  She will release at toy to you when requested.  Her inmate trainer says that it seems like one of Molly’s greatest joys in life is any toy that squeaks!  Her trainer has been using toy rewards in the place of treat rewards toward the later part of each training session and Molly responds just as well! 

Her inmate trainer admits to getting a little misty eyed a couple of times when Molly has done such and outstanding job with learning!  

Happy Everyday

Molly’s inmate trainer believes that it’s very important to have a well behaved dog at meal times.  In the beginning Molly had some trouble with her table manners, but with work and patience she has her routine down!  Her inmate trainer starts by putting Molly in her kennel, leaving the door open and telling her to stay before he walks away to get her food.  He puts the food on top of the kennel then walks 5-10 feet away then tells her to heel, sit, and stay.  He walks back to the kennel and places her food inside and says “kennel” to release her to eat.  She knows this so well now that he doesn’t have to give her all of the commands. 

Her inmate trainer has also been working on verbal only and hand signal only cues.  Molly is doing great and will do all of her basics with hand signal only cues and about 60% with verbal only cues.  Molly’s training team has been very involved with training and she will do commands for anyone! 

Molly gets excited when meeting new people and wants to jump with enthusiasm, but her inmate trainer has been working to correct this behavior.   

Molly’s trainer says that she has been a true blessing to work with.  He says that Molly is all about playing and loving.  She is happy every day!  He says that whoever has the privilege of adopting Molly will be overjoyed with her. 

Toys and More Toys!

For Molly, this has been the week of toys!  Molly's training team has been working with Molly to be sure she plays well with toys and with others.  This training will help her in her new home with her new family when she graduates in October.  This effort has paid off as Molly now gives up toys on command - that would be the "give" command.

Other extra commands she has learned include "kiss", "shake", "bow", "belly", "visit" and "paws up".  She is one smart cookie!

View fullsize

They've also been working on just handling Molly, poking her, pulling ears, tails, and feet, all in an attempt to desensitize her to these activities.  Molly just ate up all that extra attention - she will be fabulous in her new home! 

Her alternate trainer also began working with Molly this past week. He says she is a joy to work with - just a loving, sweet girl who soaks up the attention from anyone and everyone.  She does her commands both verbally and using hand signals.

She will be a great addition to any family.

Kisses For Everyone

Molly loves people!  She loves to smile and gives lots of kisses when she meets someone. She is doing great with all of her commands and performs sit and down like a pro! She is making great progress with the heel, here, and stay commands.  Her inmate trainer says that Molly learns the best when she is having fun.  

Molly made her inmate trainer very proud as in two days’ time Molly learned how to formally introduce herself with shake!  She is doing really well with making eye contact with her trainer which is very helpful during the training process.  She has also learned to give her toy over politely when her inmate trainer reaches for it. Next week her inmate trainer plans to work on the belly and show me love commands.   

Molly is a sweet calm girl who’s going to make a great addition to some lucky family.  Her inmate trainer believes that she’ll be good with kids as well.  

Friendly And Outgoing

As the first month of training comes to a close Molly’s inmate trainer is proud to report on the excellent progress sweet Molly has made!  She is doing most all of her basic commands on the first cue and will do so for two to three cycles of basics!  She has made great progress this week with the sit and heel commands.  Her sit is a dainty side saddle sit which is quite precious.  During training she watches her inmate trainer with a cute little doe eyed expression that melts his heart.  She will recall with the here command as long he has her attention.  In the weeks to come he plans to work catching her attention no matter what she’s involved in. 

Her extra command for this week was kisses.  She will now give sweet kisses when requested.  Next week her inmate trainer is going to try bow and shake! 

Molly’s inmate trainer says that he believes that Molly is the friendliest and most outgoing dog he’s ever met!  He says that she absolutely loves people and will visit with anyone who will pet her.  She loves funny shaped squeaky animal toys and is happy to play alone or with someone.  Anything that squeaks catches her attention fast!  

Tail Wagging And Loving

Hi folks!  I’m Molly!  My inmate trainer says that I get all A’s on my progress report this week!  I now understand what I need to do for all the basic commands.  Down is my best, but sit and heel are coming along nicely.  I prefer shorter training sessions as it’s easier for me to pay attention.  I get a little bored with the long sessions.  I have to tell you my inmate trainer has added peanut butter to my treats and they’re to die for!  I even eat other treats now in hopes of finding just a bit of peanut butter. 

I’ve also figured out that if I wait before exiting or entering my kennel it makes my trainer happy.  It’s important that he’s happy since he manufactures all those treats.  I sit like a good girl for my food in the mornings and in the evenings my secondary and alternate trainers feed me by hand.  This has really helped me to understand that it’s okay to have someone near me when I eat.  Who knew they didn’t want my food too! (crazy, right?)

I love toys especially squeaky ones.  My inmate trainer says it’s very cute to see my ears spring straight up, but a girl’s gotta listen out for her toys.  I can happily play with my toys in my kennel for a long time.  I’m a loving girl and will wag my tail like crazy.  I’m really enjoying this new journey and can’t wait to see what’s up next!  

Kisses And Happiness

Molly has had a really good week!  Her inmate trainer says that she has a short attention span so he’s shortened her training sessions to 10 mins each.  To his delight he is proud to report that Molly has learned to heel, sit, down, wait, kennel, and bed!  Granted they’re not perfect yet, but she knows them and will get better!  She’s not very treat driven so her inmate trainer decided to make peanut butter and kibble sandwiches as a treat reward and guess what?  It got her interest! 

She doesn’t seem to mind anyone around her food or toys and as far as her personality goes her trainer says that she is a joy to have around.  She’s always happy, smiling, and wagging her tail.  She greets everyone with kisses and happiness.  She has already become a favorite!  

Princess In Training

Molly walked through the doors with her tail going 90 mph!  Her inmate trainer says that Molly is a happy spunky girl who’s loving and playful.  She’s also a smiler!  When she’s happy and excited she shows off a beautiful happy smile! 

On her first day at the prison she gave no problems with the bath or full inspection of her paws, eyes, ears, and body.  Once clean it can't be denied that she's truly beautiful!  Her inmate trainer says she’s the Victoria’s Secret of Greyhounds!  Her inmate trainer says that Molly doesn’t wag her tail, she actually moves it with a manner of grace and dignity.  She approaches every human and dog with an abundance of confidence. While she sounds like a proper queen we should tell you that she also has a goofy side and likes to jump and lick.  Her inmate trainer is working to control these actions with commands. 

Molly has picked up on her name very well.  She is also showing progress with the wait and let’s go commands!  They’re currently work on leash etiquette.  She’s not so much of a puller as she likes to walk on her own without a thought or concern for her human’s presence. 

Now, as we’ve mentioned Molly has some dignified behaviors which seem to pass on to her treat choices.  She’s is not one to be lured in by the common treat she would much rather have the good stuff!  On the bright side, she does like plain toys!