Such A Sweetheart

Niki had her final testing of all of her commands this week on how well she knows them, and if she will do them for someone other than her trainers.  She aced it!

Niki's favorite position is "down".  She does it a lot in her kennel, on her bed, and on the ground.  She also does a better "stay" from the "down" position.

It is hard for her inmate trainer to believe she will be graduating and leaving.  Although he is going to miss her he is glad to know she is going to a good home.

Niki's trainer said that whoever adopts this girl, you are in for a treat!  She is very loving, playful, outgoing and affectionate.  She loves going up to everyone, even people she does not know, to get petted, rubbed, scratched and loved on.  She's definitely not a shy dog. 

Niki also loves to play, especially with squeaky toys.  She will chase them and play with them as much as you will let her.  Niki doesn't mind if you take the toy from her either.  She's a sweetheart and her new family will enjoy having her in their life.

Love Bug

Niki is such an amazing greyhound!  She has been such an awesome girl since arriving at the prison.   She seemed to settle right in and go with the flow.  She is also a heart lifter.  If you are having a bad day, all you have to do is look into her eyes and what a smile she puts on your face.  Her love is unconditional, and she's ready to show you.

Niki knows all of her commands either spoken or with hand signals.  She also learned a few extras:  "water", "leave it", and "belly".  Belly is her favorite.  She loves a good belly rub.

Niki's trainers hope that whoever adopts this super sweet girl gives her the best of their love, because she deserves it!  She will give it right back to you ten-fold.

Sitting Like A Pro

Congratulations to Niki this week!  She finally sat on her own without any help or touch from her trainer.  Her inmate trainer is so proud of her.  Niki is just not a fan of sitting, but will do it now for a treat.  She also has to sit to eat breakfast and dinner.  Good girl Niki!

It is so cute when Niki sits.  She throws one paw up in the air as if she wants you to shake her paw, or she is just saying hi.  She could be one of the next Walmart greeters!

Each morning Niki will go around the dorm and stop at certain people so she can get some loving from them, whether it be petting, rubbing, or scratching.  She loves it all and soaks it all in.  

Niki is a loving dog and very playful at times.  If this is the type of pup you are looking for, then look no further, Niki is your girl.

Hide And Seek

Niki has come a long way on her training journey at the prison.  This week has been about the "stay" command.  Niki learned this command from watching and being in the same room as another trainer and greyhound.  She would stay in the "down" position until she was "released".  Her trainer could leave the room and come back with a toy and she was still in the same position. Such a smart girl, and cute to boot!

Niki loves to play "hide and seek".  Her trainer will tell her to "stay".   He will go hide somewhere in the dorm, and then call out "Niki here!'  She always finds him and gets rewarded.  Her trainer is going to miss lovable girl, but is happy to know she has a forever home to call her own.

Hard to Resist

Ms. Niki worked on stairs the week.  She had no problems going up or down them. She was almost eager to do them, so she could look and smell everything at the top. Such a curious girl. She is a little slow to respond to some of her commands, but still has time to master them, and her inmate trainer is confident that she will.

This week one of Niki's training highlighted moments was working on "counter-surfing."  No owner wants their dog to steal food or other things off of the table or counter.  So the inmate trainers take their greyhound into the training room and will put all types of food on a table. They walk their dog close to the table, and when they go to grab for the food they are told "leave it", giving a slight tug to reinforce the command.  If they are off leash they use a loud noise to reinforce the command as well.  Niki knows the "leave it" command and will look up at you for her next command.  Those big brown eyes and sweet face make Niki hard to resist. She's ready and waiting for her forever home.  Could it be yours?

For The Love of Peanut Butter

Niki loves to play!  She really likes squeaky toys!  She also enjoys chasing balls or pretty much anything being tossed.  Her inmate trainer says that if you run away from her with a toy that she’ll chase you and play having the time of her life.  

She knows the “here” command well, but sometimes you have to say her name to get her full attention.  She loves following through with commands when there’s a yummy treat reward involved!  She really loves peanut butter.  Two pieces of kibble with a bit of peanut butter makes this girl very happy!

The Master of "Down"

It's Niki time!  I know a lot of you are following this delightful girl, and are wondering what she has been up to this past week.  Her inmate trainer worked with her on the "down" command.  Usually they start on the "sit command first, but Niki kind of decided on her own to do "down".  She would go into the "down position in her kennel or on the bed, so with her already doing it, her trainer tagged it.  He would tell her good "down" every time she did it.  He would also give her a treat.  Now she seems eager to do it. 

Her inmate trainer also worked on her name.  If Niki's head is turned or she is looking away, he will call her name.  When she looks at her trainer, he gives her a treat.  Niki learns to focus on him, so she is ready for her next command.

Niki knows "hurry", "kennel" and "bed" well,  She needs to work more on the other basic commands, but this sweet girl will conquer them in no time.  Check back next week for more updates.

Training? No Problem!

Last week the dogs walked up some concrete steps for the first time and Niki seemed eager to go up after watching the other dogs.  She went up and down the steps twice with no problem. 

Niki loves to chase not only other dogs in the big yard, but has great fun playing chase with her inmate trainer as well!  Her inmate trainer got her to jog with him for two laps in the yard.

He says that he cannot express in words how loving Niki is.  She enjoys meeting new people and getting rubbed and petted by everyone for as long as they are willing.  

The “bed” and “kennel” commands are not a problem for this girl.  She still likes to roll over and expose her belly for rubs when her kennel door is opened.  Friday she she got to show everyone in the dorm what she’s learned so far.  She’s doing really well with “hurry,” “let’s go,” “bed,” and “wait.”

A Whole New World

Niki is a very loving and affection girl.  She loves to petted as long you as want to pet her.  She’ll rub against your leg and kiss your face for more!  

When her inmate trainer opens the kennel to put her leash on she will roll over for belly rubs.  Her inmate trainer says that he has been surprised by how calm she's been.  She doesn’t mind having her teeth brushed or her hair brushed. While in the training room she was laying down and another dog stepped over her and she didn’t make one bit of fuss about it.  She takes food out her inmate’s hand even when another dog is close by.  Her inmate trainer says this girl is simply amazing.    

Niki is curious about everything and loves to explore.  They’ve started working on her basic commands and she is learning the concept of performing a command and receiving a treat reward.  

Niki’s inmate trainer says that if you are interested in a calm, mild mannered, loving dog than Niki is the girl for you!