Training Time Is Complete

It’s hard to believe it’s graduation time already.  Sugar’s inmate trainer says that Sugar is an awesome Greyhound who will never be forgotten! 

Sugar is a fast learner and can be taught anything!  She performs her basic commands very well achieving a pass score on her basic exam.  She also passed her AKC Good Citizenship practice test! 

She doesn’t like to share her toys and believes others should have their own toys and leave hers alone.  She’s a friendly girl who warms up to strangers fast.  She’s doesn’t seem to like things that roll, like wheelchairs or large containers. 

Her inmate trainer says that Sugar will always be a part of his life and that he will miss her dearly.  He knows that she’s going to be a blessing to her new home and anyone she comes in contact with!

Belly Rubs And Toys

Swap week time!  Sugar’s alternate inmate handler wrote in to say that this week with Sugar was so wonderful it felt like vacation!  He says that Sugar is truly a super sweet girl with the perfect name.  In fact, he says that she may be the sweetest dog ever!  He says that she will look at you with her beautiful eyes and your heart will melt.  Combine those beautiful eyes with her angel face and you’ll be hit with an overdose of love! 

As far as her training goes she knows all of her commands and performed them for her alternate trainer with no problem.  She loves a good belly rub and will rollover in a heartbeat to give you easy access!  If there’s anything she loves more that rubs her alternate handler says it’s got to be toys.  He says that she will carry a toy with her everywhere she goes if you’ll let her.  If she’s near a box full of toys she will pile them all over her bed and play with them until she passes out from exhaustion. 

He says that Sugar is an awesome dog who can be shy at first but once she warms up to you she’s your best friend!  

Happy And Loving

Sugar has had a great week!  She has moved out and will be working her magic with her alternate handler next week during swap week!  This week is needed for both the inmate trainers and the dogs.  The dogs get to experience time away from their primary handlers and the trainers get to face new challenges and experiences with different dogs.  Sugar’s inmate trainer readily admits that he knows he’s going to miss this sweet girl during swap week!

Her inmate trainer is proud to report that Sugar has come a long way accepting new environments!  She is doing really well with her basic commands.  He says that she is easy to train and happy to learn whatever you ask of her.

Her trainer feels blessed and thankful for this time with Sugar and the opportunity to be a part of the training program.   He says that having a hand in training the dogs has made him a better person.  He says that if you have a lot of stress in your life you should consider adopting a Greyhound!  Not only do they charge less for counseling sessions, but they offer hugs, love, and companionship!  

A True Blessing

Another week gone already!  Sugar’s inmate trainer says that time is passing too quickly!  He says he may be the only inmate in history to say that he wished time would slow down!  He says that Sugar has been a true blessing and he’s happy to be a part of her life. 

This week Sugar worked on stairs and did great!  She still wants to come down a little too fast so her inmate trainer is working to slow her down a bit.  She’s doing great with all of her basic commands as well as kiss, belly, shake, lap, leave it, give it, drop it, and bow!

Her inmate trainer says that Sugar is a sweet girl and that he’s going to miss her after graduation! 

Sweet And Cute

Hi there!  My name is Sugar and I thought I’d try my paw at writing my own blog.  They call me Sugar because I can have you eating out of my paw with one look.  Now that it’s week six it’s time to buckle down and get this training business on a roll.  I can sit, down, bed, heel, kennel, wait, here and release.  I also know hurry and let’s go.  I have no desire to jump, but my inmate trainer keeps asking me to do it.  I don’t like the slick surfaces that I have to jump on.  I may give in, but I’m not so sure yet.  I will do the belly command, but can be a little slow responding. 

I like to be handled gently and with care.  I’m a lady after all.  As you know, I’m not a fan of being approached by a human with a large object in his hand.  BUT earlier this week I was in the large classroom and someone lifted a chair over my head and it didn’t bother me at all!  I’m getting more comfortable and trusting that my human will not let anything bad happen to me.  He’s a good human, but I’ll tell you he’s gotten a little stingy with the yummy treats.  I show him though, I’ll agree to do a few commands without treats, but not too many!

I hear that I will not be living her forever so I hope that I find a really nice home that will love me.  I’m sweet and cute and I promise I’ll love you! 

Great Rewards

Sugar tried stairs this week and wasn’t too crazy about those weird things.  She was doing better by the third try, but her trainer did not want to push her too hard so he gave her a break and decided to return to it later.  He says that when she’s under a lot of stress she’ll turn into a Greyhound statue therefore he wants to keep things fun.  He rewards her efforts with play time and happiness. 

Sugar loves toys!  She does not like other dogs approaching her bed when she has a toy so her inmate trainer is working show her that’s it is okay to share.  He is also working on jump and stay.  He says that consistency and ending training on a positive note are key.  He wants her to have fun and look forward to training.  She is not a fan of loud noises, but has shown improvement.

Her trainer says that Sugar is a sweet girl who makes his days so much brighter!  He believes that life outside of prison is going to be wonderful for her!  

Time Is Flying

What!?? Week four already??!  Sugar’s inmate trainer says that the weeks go by so fast!  He says that he was just talking to Sugar about how fast they were flying by and she just rolled her eyes and said, “I run faster.”  Hard to argue with that! 

Sugar is doing great!  Her inmate trainer is working to build her confidence.  Sugar is not too sure about being approached by humans with large objects in their hands.   Her trainer says that Sugar needs time to adjust to new people on her own.  She may have read a book about stranger danger which has made her a little more cautious. 

At feeding time Sugar sits all by herself without being told to do so!  She will wait until given the kennel command to go in and eat.  She’s still a little slow responding to the down command, but will do it for a tasty treat!  She has great recall and knows her name well!  Her inmate trainer is very proud of her progress and can’t wait to see what she learns next!  

Gaining Confidence

Sugar has had a really good week!  She is a very fast learner!  Her inmate trainer says that she learns as fast as she runs!  Sugar can now sit and follows the down command wonderfully!  Her inmate trainer is very proud of her progress this week.  Sugar isn't crazy about someone approaching her with a large object in their hands.  

Her inmate trainer has allowed Sugar to come out of her shell in her own time rewarding her as she shows improvement. She still hasn't shown any interest in toys, but the squeaky gets her attention! Sugar is starting to wag her tail more!  She's still a little slow to respond to strangers so her inmate trainer has had other inmates approach her to help build her confidence.  He is proud to report that it's going well!  

Training Days

Sugar is a sweet girl who needs time to adjust to new environments.  She’s unsure of things she’s never been around such as loud noises and large objects.  Her inmate trainer believes that with patience Sugar will adjust and start coming out of her shell.  He says that she is already showing improvement and has no trouble performing sit, down or bed, especially if a tasty treat is offered. 

She does not have any problems being around the other dogs or humans.  Her inmate trainer believes that she is going to make a great addition to any family.  Her trainer says that he has all the confidence in the world that Sugar will do all of her commands by the end of training.  He's looking forward the days ahead with this sweet girl!  

Starting A New Life

Sugar is a beautiful fawn brindle.  She's a sweet girl and her inmate trainer says that the name Sugar is a perfect fit!  She was a little shy when she first arrived but warmed up fast!  She's still recovering from her spay surgery and can't run yet, but she's ready!  Her inmate trainer says that she has already picked up on the wait command and walks great on the leash!  She and her inmate trainer have also been working on kennel, wait, and heel. Her inmate trainer is proud to report that she's catching on fast!  

Sugar gets really excited at meal times and eats for food too fast.  Her inmate trainer has been putting a wishbone chew toy in her bowl to help slow her down.  

Her inmate trainer is looking forward to the days ahead with this sweet girl!