Hank, Melter of Hearts

Well, we have come to the end of this session with good ole Hank, and there is an unspoken longing in the atmosphere. Everyone knows that in a few short days, all of the sweet puppies are going to their forever homes. Hank's trainer said he's going to miss him fiercely. Hank has demanded a level of attention during the training process, showing an intense amount of personal discipline on Hank's part, and equally matched by his trainers. It was a task in itself not to give in to that sweet, cute puppy gaze, especially during feeding time. It was tricky not only to stay focused on the task at hand, but also to maintain his undivided attention - the answer, his trainer found, was lots and lots of positive reinforcement! 

By the way, Hank loves to try to multi-task. He is well known to be successful at investigating a scenario and completing commands all at the same time. Yes, Hank is definitely a one-of-a-kind fellow whose presence will be sorely missed. We hope you are ready to fall madly in love with this handsome guy, his upbeat attitude, wonderful personality and winning sense of humor! Prepare your heart for imminent melting!

Marshmallow King

We are proud to announce that Hank has successfully completed this session of "Swap Week"!  Typically a trainer will spend the first few days of swap week getting to know their new charge.  With Hank, it's as if he has been part of the family from day one.  He's smart, playful, energetic and very easy to love.  Hank obeys commands given from just about anyone.  And during his training session he gives his full undivided attention. 

During swap week Hank has learned how to "catch".  He's particularly fond of playing the game with marshmallows.  Simply show him a marshmallow.  Stand a few feet away.  Then toss it to Hank.  He will do the rest.  Throw it a little higher and he will jump for it.  It seems his trainer runs out of marshmallows before Hank tires of playing the game.  LOL

The Definition of Man's Best Friend!

So another week has come and gone with Hank, and it's a kind of bittersweet ordeal. Bitter because Hank is that much closer to leaving, and sweet because Hank is that much closer to leaving for his forever home. His trainer  knows that he will be so happy in his forever home, but his presence at the prison will be greatly missed. 

Hank possesses a special talent, which is, he can make you smile on cue. What's even more strange is that he carries a human trait. Sometimes, his trainer swears Hank will sense when he's having a tough day and Hank will do something off the wall so he can create an opportunity to do something cute to lift your spirits and make him smile. It's as though he can sense when you are uneasy, and that's when he immediately goes to work. I know you will fall in love with his puppy charm! 

Sometimes he will get so excited that he will literally bunny hop in circles or when he is walking beside his trainer he will do some kind of crazy looking single paw hop, or maybe more of a skip... Well, whatever it is, it is definitely one of those happy-go-lucky things that he does. Hank is a very fast learner, and at times will surprise even himself at how well he picks up on things. And it is obvious that he is happy when he has learned a new trick because he will show it to you over and over again!  Hank has been one of the most wonderful dogs that his trainer has ever had the pleasure to encounter.  And just think... you could be the next lucky human to have this all around fantastic boy in YOUR family!

Can't Resist Hank!

Hank’s inmate trainer says that it’s hard to believe how fast this training session is flying by!  He says that Hank has had another wonderful week!  Hank has been learning how to brush his hair this week!  He’s having fun and picking up on this new command fast!  

His inmate trainer had Hank lay on the bed while he was cleaning the kennel and Hank just hung out watching him even when he walked out of sight a few times!   His trainer says he can’t help but be proud of Hank’s progress!  Hank’s a smart boy who is learning something new all the time!

#1 Most Fun Pup

Another fun-filled week with Hank has come and gone. Hank has really shown a new side of himself this week. Hank is just so happy and excited.  When his trainer gets him out of the kennel for a bathroom break, training session, or just to play, he'll start bouncing up and down and spinning around!  Hank's just so cute with the way he does things. It makes his trainer a little bit bummed to think he only has a month left with this handsome guy. Hank is just so much fun and he learns so quickly. His trainer really loves this little guy.

Hank knows all of his commands and he's become quite the little sport with learning extras. So far, Hank has learned bow, spin, paws up and give. Hank and his trainer are going to start on something new next week, so make sure you check back to see what the surprise extra is! Hank just finished playing with one of the other dogs here, named Murphy, and they played really well together. They were sharing beds, toys, and chasing each other around. Until next week, Hank is doing just fine and learning something new all the time!

Antics for Days

Here we are, halfway through this session with little man Hank. His trainer has had so much fun training this guy! He does the most adorable things, and his trainer wishes that he had a camera to catch all these kodak moments. Maybe we'll start putting GoPros on all the trainers' heads!

At this point, Hank knows all of his basic commands and he performs them very well. They started working on some extras last week and he already knows spin, bow, and paws up. They've been working on stairs training and Hank doesn't really care for them too much, but he's getting better each time, and his trainer is confident that he'll be just fine before he leaves. Slow and steady always wins the race. Hank is going to make such a wonderful addition to some lucky family. The two things his trainer says he's going to miss the most about him are his playful ways and all of his cute little facial expressions. Well, until next week, Hank and his trainer are going to go and see what else he can learn!

Bundle of Fun

Another wonderful week with Hank has come and gone. His trainer can't believe that a whole month has already gone by since Hank got here. They say time flies when you're having fun, and Hank is nothing short of that. Hank is a 64 pound bundle of joy and he's got the cutest face his trainer has ever seen. He really loves this little guy.

Hank has proven himself to be a smart little fellow who loves to learn and he loves treats that come with the learning even more. Hank knows all of his basic commands and they're going to start working on some extras this week. Thanks to Miss Patti, they got new beds and little dog pillows for the kennels this week. And boy let me tell you, little Hank has been laying around and sleeping ever since. Hank is so cute with his little head laid up on his pillow! The trainer believes that the only other two things that Hank loves as much as his new kennel setup are running on the big yard and playing with his toys. Well, until next week y'all go on ahead and be shopping for Hank to get him a big ole nice bed!

Hank's A Little Charmer

Hello to all my fellow admirers out there.  I decided I would take over writing my own blog this week.  It's already week three of my 10 week trek from track dog to prison dog in training.  I can't say that I approved of this particular pit stop on the journey to my forever home, but our friends at Second Chance Greyhounds strongly insisted that these guys needed my great personality and wonderful charm to inspire them.  I'm learning a lot along the way too.  Like, all I have to do is "sit", I get kibble.  I lay on my "bed", I get kibble.  I "hurry", I get kibble.  I go to my "kennel", I get kibble.  You get the picture.  It's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.  I'm learning lots more and I think I've taught my trainers a thing or two.  Who says you can't teach old humans new tricks?   

Time to get more kibble!!!  I'll bark at ya later...  Hank.

Playtime Junkie

Week two has come and gone with Ole Hank. He has picked up very well on the bed, kennel and here commands. He has been working on sit all week, and he is starting to pick up on it! Slow and steady always wins the race, and training should always be a positive, fun experience for the hounds. That way, they'll keep learning for years to come! 

Hank and his trainer go out in the big yard with all the other dogs and their humans, and Hank has earned the nickname Big Yard Junkie! He really loves to run, and when they go out on a regular bathroom break, Hank always goes to the gate that leads to the big yard and just stares out at it longingly, then stares back at his trainer with those sweet dinner plate eyes. "Hey, let's go run!" those eyes say!

Hank also loves playtime with his toys and he plays very well. Its really hard to deny Hank of anything, because he's so cute!  His coat color scheme is so beautiful! Especially on his head, with the white stripe going down the middle of his nose, and the way he flops his ears around when he looks at you or is curious about something. 

That's it for now, so tune in next week! Team Hank signing out. 

Pampered Pooch

Thee start of another 10 weeks is here!  Hank’s inmate trainer says that he’s excited about the opportunity to train Hank. Hank seems to be adjusting to the new environment really well.  Upon arrival he received a bath, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and nail clipping and he didn’t seem to mind at all.  He loves being brushed and seemed to go to sleep while his nails were being clipped! 

Hank loves to wander around and check everything out.  He’s been working on the “kennel” and “bed” commands this week and has become quite the little natural at it.  He picks up on things quickly so his inmate trainer believes that this will help make training progress a little faster.  

Hank has discovered toys and loves them!  He slings them from one side of he room to the other, running and jumping to go get it.  His trainer says that it’s like he’s playing fetch all by himself!  His inmate trainer says that he’s really looking forward to the next 9 weeks with Hank!