Graduating To Retirement

Winston’s inmate trainer writes in to say that his time with Winston has been a very special experience and the difference Winston has made in his life is undeniable.  He believes that Winston is the perfect example of what a pet should be, loving and obedient.  Winston can be playful and silly, but also calm and passive.  He does not have any problems interacting with other dogs or sharing his toys or food.  He will lay on the bed with any dog and allow them to walk all over his bed and him. 

Winston’s inmate trainer is proud to report that Winston passed his basic exam and his AKC Good Canine practice test!  His trainer believes that with a little time and patience there’s nothing Winston can’t do! 

Winston’s inmate trainer says that Winston has inspired him to be a better person and that with a little time and work anything is possible!  

One Great Boy!

Winston spent some time with an alternate inmate handler for swap week this week!  His alternate handler says that Winston is a great dog whose basic commands are superb!   He didn’t seem to have any problems with spending time away from his primary handler and didn’t mind following instruction from a new human. 

His alternate handler says that Winston did great with the recall command inside and outside.  Winston did not mind sharing his toys and has no problems being around the other Greyhounds.  His alternate handler says that Winston is going to make his new family very happy and he hopes he finds a home that will fill his days with happiness and love. 

A True Blessing

Week eight went well for Winston!  They were given the opportunity take a practice AKC Canine Good Citizenship test and much of the week was spent preparing for the test. 

As mentioned before, Winston’s biggest struggle is the stay command.  His inmate trainer is proud to report that with much work Winston has mastered the stay command!  His trainer can put Winston in the stay position then walk away and back without Winston even moving!  His trainer says that Winston is like a loaded spring ready for action when the here command is given, but he listening!

Earlier this week after a game of fetch Winston and his inmate trainer were watching TV in the day room when some dogs on TV were making a lot of noise and Winston perked up and started barking and spinning in circles.  His inmate trainer says it has been a true joy to watch Winston become such a happy dog. 

His inmate trainer has no doubt that whoever adopts Winston is going to have a true blessing with this guy in their life.  

Exploring The World

Winston knows all of his basic commands very well and is doing many of them without treat rewards!  His inmate trainer is working to strengthen Winston’s stay.  He says that Winston would rather explore than hold the stay command.  Not to worry though, his inmate trainer knows that Winston will have staying power soon! 

This week Winston played it the big yard with the Jolly Ball!  He pushed it all over the yard barking, playing, and having the best time!  In all of the excitement he did tear one of his pads so he spent the rest of the week relaxing and healing. 

Winston wakes up each day happy!  He loves to cuddle and lay his head in his inmate trainers lap.  If you throw in a little ear and neck scratching he’s content to hang out for hours.  

Discovering Toys

Winston had a great week this week!    He worked on stair training and didn’t have any problems!  As Winston continues to come out of his shell he’s showing more interest in toys.  His inmate trainer spent most of this week showing Winston how to play with toys and how much fun they can be.   He really likes the cloth squeaky toys and tennis balls.  They worked on fetch, give, and drop.  Winston will play fetch as long as you’ll throw the ball!  He also learned to catch this week. While playing in the big yard Winston will push the tennis ball all around the yard with his muzzle. 

Winston has shown great improvement with his patience while waiting on food.  He will now sit and wait to get his meals! 

He and his inmate trainer will play hide and seek in the dorm and Winston finds him every time!  Once Winston gets his burst of energy out of the way in the big yard he will recall the length of the entire field. 

Winston’s inmate trainer says that whoever is lucky enough to get this guy is going to be very happy! 

Tail Wagging Happiness

Winston knows all of his basic commands so his inmate trainer is working to extend the time and distance in which Winston responds and holds the commands.  Heel is his best command and stay needs a little more work.  Winston learned to shake this week as well!  Winston still goes over the moon when he sees his food bowl, but he is now sitting and waiting before getting his food and entering his kennel!  He doesn’t mind anyone being around his food he just wants to eat it! 

Winston’s personality is really coming alive and his inmate trainer is having a great time watching the changes.  Winston is friendly and does not shy away from anyone.  If he gets really excited he will run in circles and stomp his front paws with his tail wagging 100 mph.  His trainer says it’s pretty funny to watch. 

Winston’s trainer says that if he is sitting down Winston will come up and put his paws or head in his lap.  He says that Winston could be happy as a 70 lb lap dog!  Winston loves to have his ears and neck scratched.  His trainer says that Winston has made his days so much happier and easier.  He hopes that Winston finds a wonderful loving forever home.  

One Friendly Guy

Winston seems to be enjoying his temporary home.  On the hot summer days he enjoys lying on the cool concrete floor and training for treats is not a bad gig either.  He’s a friendly guy with humans and other dogs. A good ole ear scratch seem to make him smile.  He’s curious and likes to investigate.  His inmate trainer says that food will get Winston’s attention faster than anything else!  With food in the picture nothing else seems to matter!  

Winston loves to play with squeaky toys and is happy to be free to roam in the big yard.  His trainer says that it’s cute to watch Winston prance around in the yard.  His inmate trainer says that Winston responds to recall very well!  Winston shows off his skills by sitting and waiting for a treat.  Stay is a work in progress, but is going well.  His leash skills have improved with much less pulling these days!  He is doing well in his kennel and doesn’t mind when his inmate trainer leaves.

Wonderful Days

Hello, my name is Winston and this is my story for the week.  I'm finally getting used to this new place they call prison.  When I first arrived there was a lot of stuff going on, but now I finally have some of it figured out.  I love to check things out and sniffing absolutely everything around me is very important.  It's pretty noisy here but I don't have any problems sleeping through it all.  My kennel is a nice place, but not as interesting as being out and about.  My two favorite times of the day are meal times and play times in the yard.  I get super excited at meal times and my inmate trainer allows me to eat once I calm down. I keep trying to tell him not to worry about all that and to sit the food down and I'll take care of it; he doesn't listen very well so I patiently wait to make him happy.  

My inmate trainer plays with me which is great fun!  I get along well with the other dogs, but Jackson is my favorite running buddy.  I've discovered these new things that squeak and roll, my trainer says they are toys!

So we have this deal... my trainer makes a request and if I follow through and get a yummy treats! I usually do things like heel, sit, down, bow, speak, and give kisses.  I really like learning new things and earning treats!  One thing I've noticed though I never see my trainer eat any of my treats wonder why?   

Curious Winston

Week two has gone very well for Winston!  His outgoing personality is beginning to shine!  He enjoys attention and the loud noises around the prison do not seem to bother him at all. If anything, it makes him want to go investigate the cause of the loud noise!  His inmate trainer says that if you look up the word curious in the dictionary you’ll find a photo of Winston there in the description!  He loves to investigate everything!

His inmate trainer says that Winston a happy guy who can get excited from time to time, but calms down nicely.  He’s doing great with training and loves treats.  In three days Winston was sitting like a pro! Winston has also learned how to give kisses which his inmate trainer uses as an easy confidence builder and treat reward.  The wait command is a work in progress, but his trainer knows that Winston will have it down in no time.  He is already performing jump and heel well.  Winston recalls from 20-30 feet! He enjoys toys, but is still figuring out how to play with them.  

Prison Training Time

Winston arrived at the prison a little unsure of this new environment, but that didn't stop his curiosity!  His inmate trainer says that Winston did great during his grooming and didn't mind having his paws and toes touched and worked with.  

During his first week at the prison Winston was running in the big yard and injured the pad on his front paw.  His inmate trainer noticed it right away and treated the area.  

His inmate trainer says that Winston is an out-going guy who loves to be on the move.  He is very attentive to his surroundings and his inmate trainer.   His trainer says that Winston shows a lot of expression in his face and eyes.  

Training has started and Winston has proven to be treat motivated which always makes training a little easier.  His first tasks are learning to sit and leash walking. He was pulling a bit on the leash, but is already showing improvement!  His inmate trainer is looking forward to working with Winston in the days ahead!