The Start of a Brand New Life

This has been a very busy week practicing for the SCG obedience test and Good Citizenship Certificate practice test.  Dexter did great with all of his commands and passed both tests!  His inmate trainer is very proud of Dexter’s accomplishments in just 10 short weeks!

His inmate trainer says that Dexter is a joy to be around.  He loves treats, toys, and people.  Be warned though that this sweet boy has a way of manipulating people into giving him a few extra treats!  Dexter’s inmate trainer would like to wish Dexter and his new family the best for a wonderful future!

Pleasant and Amazing

Dexter is doing really well going through his commands without a treat reward!  Sometimes he can be a little slow responding to “kennel” and “heel,” but he knows these commands well.  His extra commands are “bow” and “paws-up” which he knows well, but thinks about “bow” a little before following through.  His inmate trainer is proud to report that Dexter knows both verbal and hand signal ques and enjoys grooming time.  He doesn’t mind sharing his bed with other dogs and seems to have a very pleasant and enjoyable manner. 

Dexter’s inmate trainer says that he’s a joy to have around and is going to be missed after graduation.  He hopes that Dexter’s new family will enjoy their time with this amazing guy as much as he has.  

Do you know how smart I am?

Swap week this week means that I got to prove how smart I am!  My temporary inmate trainer is right on when he said that I’m well mannered, laid back, and brilliant (okay, so he said I learn at a fast rate but I know he meant brilliant).  

So my temporary trainer would request that I sit, down, then stay while he placed my food in the kennel.  I didn’t mind waiting because I knew I was gonna get it.  This seemed to impress him so that’s cool too.  (see how I reinforced the brilliance here?)  I have the ability to stay focused on my trainer so that makes things easier.  Besides, these humans are kinda fun to watch. 

I enjoy being with the other Greyhounds and watching a bit of TV after I eat.  I know all of my commands as well as “spin” and “shake”.  I do not have any problems with the stairs and didn’t mind being away from my primary trainer.  I enjoy playing with toys sometimes.  My inmate trainer says that I’ll be going to a forever home soon.  Not sure what it means, but I think it sounds pretty awesome! 

Mr. Friendly

Dexter has had a busy week.  He’s been going over all of his basic commands and working on a few extras; paws up, shake, drop it, and leave it.  He’s a little slow responding to the sit-stay command, but he’s improving daily. He had a trial test on Friday and made his inmate trainer proud by doing great!  

Dexter is having a lot of fun playing with toys and running in the big yard with the other dogs. His inmate trainer says that Dexter is a sweet, friendly dog who will be an ideal pet.  He says that sometimes Dexter will wake up around 3:30 a.m., but settles back in quickly when he sees that his trainer is nearby.  His inmate trainer doesn’t believe it really has anything to do with his snoring waking up Dexter – nah, couldn’t be! 

Preparing for Retirement

Hello there!  Dexter here.  I thought I’d write in and tell you what life is like here for me.  My inmate trainer is a bit loud disrupting my nap times, but he’s a pretty swell guy aside from that.  He gives me treats for these basic command things.  I’m pretty good too!  Don’t tell the trainer dude, but sometimes just for kicks I refuse to do what he’s asking.  Hey, a guy’s gotta have a little fun!  So this week I’ve been learning a few extras like paws up, shake, move, back, leave it, and give.  He continues to teach and I continue to act like I’m learning – hey, a guy’s gotta eat! 

Anyhow, I’ve started practicing for my AKC Good Citizens practice test.  My inmate trainer says that I’ll be ready to pass the real thing in just a few weeks! 

Well, let me get back to my toys and naps.  It’s important work this preparing for retirement stuff. 

Ice Ice Baby

Another week has already passed and Dexter continues to enlighten his inmate trainer with his learning ability.  His inmate trainer recently found out that Dexter likes to eat ice!  They tested this because when he drinks a lot of water he seems to get soft stool.  They cut back on his water intake and started giving him more ice cubes and this seems to work.  

He continues to improve with his basic commands!  He knows hurry, let’s go, and kennel really well.  He’s a little slow responding to release, wait, here, sit, down, bed, jump, paws-up, leave it, and drop it but his trainer knows that he’ll have them figured out soon!  Next week Dexter’s inmate trainer plans to start introducing some more advanced training commands.  

His inmate trainer would like to thank the Blue Dog Bakery for their donation of peanut and molasses cookies.  He says that Dexter loves them!   

Progress

Dexter is doing really well with his training.  They are working on his basic commands, some are coming along slower than others but there are many weeks left.  Not to worry!

Dexter continues to get along well with both people and other dogs.  He is getting better playing with his toys.  His favorite is the treat dispensing ball!  This being Halloween, he was given a few extra treats!

Dexter is an easy going, lovable Greyhound.  He is going to make his new family very happy!

The Gentleman

Another week has come and gone.  Dexter continues to impress his training team with his personality and easy going attitude.  He is doing well with his "sit", "down", "heel", and "here".  On Wednesday he was able to enjoy some outside time on the big yard.  He ran so hard he blistered one of his paws!  Of course, they "doctored" it and all is well now.

They are working on "paws up" and "jump" along with fine tuning his other commands.  When it's mealtime, he sits and stays outside his kennel until they use the "release" command and then the "kennel" command.  He then waits for his meal!  Such a good boy!

He is walking well on the leash with little correction.  And he is such a gentleman in the pod and on the big yard.  Never causing any issues with anyone.  No aggression towards any human, toys or other dogs.  Good boy Dexter, good boy!

Fast as Lightning and Graceful as a Swan

This week Dexter has been working on sit, down, wait, and bed.  His inmate trainer is proud to report that Dexter sat on command without assistance!  He has also started following through with the bed command without assistance.  His trainer says that Dexter works really hard to please his human and it’s a joy to teach him. 

Dexter doesn’t mind sharing his toys or having anyone around his food bowl.  The tennis ball has quickly become his favorite toy!  His inmate trainer says that Dexter is easy going and likes everyone he comes in contact with.  His trainer says that seeing Dexter run and play in the big yard with the other dogs is wonderful.  He describes Dexter as being fast as lightning and as graceful as a swan. 

He says that Dexter has a carefree personality and he has no doubt that this special guy is going to make some lucky family very happy. 

Ready, Set - Train!

Dexter has arrived at the prison for training.  His inmate trainer says that his first impression of Dexter is that he’s going to be a joy and pleasure to train!  Dexter has a calm and easy going attitude.  He’s friendly and very approachable.  He interacts well with the other dogs and enjoys playing with toys.  He loves to run with the other dogs in the big yard and his inmate trainer says that it’s a joy to watch Dexter playing and having fun. 

Dexter’s trainer has started working with him on the “heel,” “bed” and “kennel” commands.  Dexter is catching on and his trainer is confident that Dexter will have it all down in no time!