An Amazing Dog

Well, we made it!  Raider has been amazing since Day 1 and has just bloomed from there.  His trainer says he will always hold a special place in her heart, and she is so grateful to his family and Second Chance for the opportunity to train such an amazing dog. 

Raider has learned all of his basic commands along with a few extra tricks.  He is very smart and catches on so quickly.  He is the perfect mix of calm and laid-back but also playful and energetic.  To see him play, smile, and wag his tail always makes his trainers smile, and they’re sure he’ll bring smiles to his family’s faces too.

Sure to Love Him

Raider’s trainer is so sure that his forever family is going to absolutely love him!  She is going to be sad to see him go but is so happy that he is going to a home where he will be adored like he deserves.  

Raider knows all his commands as well as several extra tricks.  His trainer is still working with him on “bow”, which is something he does frequently, but she doesn’t think he associates it with the command just yet.  He loves his toys, especially rubber bones and stuffed animals.

Almost Too Good

So far Raider knows all of his commands except for “Jump”, which is a tough one for bigger greyhounds to learn, but it’s coming along. He also knows three extra tricks: “Paws Up”, “Kiss”, and “Show Me Love”.

His trainer says the best things about him are how well mannered he is and how he always sleeps through the night. The only negative she could come up with was that she has to work very hard not to spoil him because he’s just so lovable!

Raider is good around the inmates, the prison staff, and all of the other dogs. He’s really good about having his nails clipped and ears cleaned, and while he doesn’t enjoy baths or having his teeth brushed quite as much he is very good while having it done.

A Boy and His Toy

Raider’s trainer says that he is such a joy to work with, and he brings so much love and happiness to her days. She is positive that his new family is going to fall in love with him.

They have been working on lots of skills this week. Raider basically knows all of his commands, but there are just a few that they are perfecting, such as “heel”. He is very good at the “stay” command - his trainer can go all the way up the stairs and come back down and Raider will wait patiently to be released. His off-leash recall is also very good.

When he’s not working, Raider loves to chew on his hard plastic toy. His trainer says it will hold his attention for 30 or more minutes before he’s ready for a snooze in the bean bag chair.

Making Friends

Raider has started running and playing frequently with Pi, one of the other dogs in the program. They will run around the exercise room playfully barking at each other until they are worn out. Then Raider will find a cozy spot and fall asleep on his back, legs sticking straight up in the air! (A perfect roach!).

He is doing great with all his commands, now his trainers are being consistent with him following through with them. He likes working for dried liver and jerky treats, so that is helpful in training him. He doesn’t always want to eat his breakfast, but his trainer encourages him by adding a little water to his dish.

Such a Character

Raider’s trainer is so impressed with how gentle, calm, and playful he is. Even when he’s sleeping, he doesn’t startle when his trainer sits beside him and rubs his belly. He just loves receiving affection from his trainers and everyone else.

He also enjoys sticking his feet in the water bucket and pretending to swim. Hopefully his forever family will have a kiddie pool for him to play in!

This week they have been working on the commands “paws up”, “give”, and “heel”. Raider bows a lot, but doesn’t seem to connect it to the command, but they are still working on it.

Consistently Great

Raider has been doing better and better with his commands. He loves to play, and is very gentle and calm around the other dogs. His trainer describes him as a great, beautiful, smart dog.

Raider knows almost all of his commands very well. Together with his trainer they are working on the last few commands, including “sit” and “jump”. When he’s not working, he loves curling up with his buddy Sophie in a beanbag chair and take a nap. This happy, mellow dog is getting more and more ready for his forever home!

Such a Smart Boy!

The way Raider’s trainer describes him, he sounds like just about the perfect dog! He can be really silly and playful at times, but is also calm and relaxed when other dogs might get over excited. Raider is enjoying the toys more and more each day, although he hasn’t picked out a favorite yet. He’s already started roaching (laying on his back with his feet up in the air) which means he’s really relaxed and happy in his environment. He especially enjoys sleeping in the beanbag chairs in the TV room.

Raider is doing very well with his training. He knows most of his commands, but sometimes he wants to wait until he feels ready to follow them, so that is what he and his trainer are working on most right now. He is very good about being groomed and having his nails trimmed. By the end of the program Raider is sure to have excellent manners and be a perfect gentleman!

Take a Bow!

Raider has been getting into his new routine at Pulaski: he sleeps through the night and then wakes up ready to go!  His trainer describes him as a very laid back and happy dog.

Together they have been working on several commands this week, including “bed”, “kennel”, “wait”, “release” and “sit”.  She also has been teaching him to recognize the “bow” command, since he is bowing so much on his own.  He is also going up and down the stairs very well.  More news to come soon on this great dog!

Raider's Ready to Run

Raider’s trainer is so excited to be working with such a happy dog! She says he is a calm and sweet dog who everyone has already fallen in love with.

This first week the two of them have primarily been focusing on building a relationship and trust to build their training on, but Raider has already learned how to climb stairs in just one day.  He has not shown much interest in any toys yet, but he does seem to be looking forward to chances to run around the yard with the other dogs.  When he’s not running and playing, his trainer says he is a very active sleeper, and you can tell he’s having very sweet dreams.  There is going to be so much more to share in the coming weeks as this quick learner starts picking up commands.