I Sure Hope There Are Treats Where I'm Going!

Friday was Rascal's last and final testing. He did great! We made sure he would perform his commands for anybody.

Something to know about Rascal is that he needs to be in a standing stay position, not a down stay, if you want him to stay. Although Rascal knows the command leave it really well you need to be in the room to tell him. So make sure to take some precautions on what you leave out and in reach of him when you're not in the room. Just like you would if you had small children. Keep things he could get into high and out of reach.

Rascal's inmate trainer suggested that to check back on the Week 8 blog for things you can do if Rascal shows signs of separation anxiety. At some point you will be leaving him alone in the house while you're at work or gone off somewhere, and so if you plan to have him in the house while you're gone, these tips should help. These are things that you should do anyway even if you're not worried about separation anxiety because it will make his time alone more comfortable.

Another suggestion is to invest in a treat tote bag which is the little black treat bag the inmates wear on their sides to treat the dogs when they do something good. Rascal is very treat motivated and will do anything for treats. That bag comes in handy a lot and it's easier than carrying treats in your pocket or getting treats out of a large bag or box. Rascal's inmate trainer wishes you and Rascal the best!

Your New Best Friend

This was swap week and Rascal's secondary inmate trainer said he was fortunate enough to get Rascal. He is a very large Greyhound! But Rascal is a gentle giant. He is super sweet and he loves to learn and lean on people. And as long as you will pet him he will stay right where he is. Rascal's primary inmate trainer has done a very good job training him. He knows all of his commands and is eager to please. Rascal is a great dog that loves to be close but will be just as content to stay in his kennel.

"Sit, "Down", "Heel"

Weekly testing of their commands has turned into quite a show with Rascal.  He gets so eager and excited that he will be doing his commands before his inmate trainer asks him to.  Anything for a treat and he loves his treats!  He likes attention, but the way to this boy's heart is food!

Rascal's trainer can take him to the training room and just stand there.  Rascal will do a "sit", "down" and "heel" without asking.  Each time he will look up at his trainer to be treated, hopefully.  LOL!  The trainers try to mix up the commands, so the dogs can't anticipate what's next.  Maybe Rascal can read minds...

Starting today, Rascal will be spending the week with another trainer.  It's called swap week.  This helps the trainers see how the dogs take commands from other people and see if they have any separation anxiety.  Rascal's inmate trainer doesn't think he will have any problems with either.  Check in next week for more updates on the "go through all my commands for a treat" Greyhound, Rascal.

A Perfect Gentleman

This week the folks at Second Chance Greyhounds came down to see how all the dogs are doing in their training and to get some new pictures. It is also the Second Chance Greyhound's birthday! This week marked eight years that they have been going strong and they took pictures of the dogs with party hats and a banner in the yard. You'll see Rascal with his gold party hat on!

His inmate trainer had him go through most of his commands and he did so well - his trainer is so excited for you to see the pictures of him doing "sit." He's such a big dog and he throws one paw up when he sits, like he wants to shake hands (or paws). It's one of his cute little quirks that he does in order to stay balanced, but it's got the added bonus of being adorable.

Something else you will love about Rascal: when the light hits his eyes a certain way, they actually look green! 

After Rascal does his commands in the training room, his trainer lets him play afterwards. His favorite toy is a rubber ball that he likes to chase. Rascal doesn't have play aggression and is really good at "give." When you get a toy from him, as him to "give" and he'll let go and look right at you. You can also give him a treat to help him realize it's a good thing to give his toy up when asked. Sometimes he'll even bring the toy to you and rop it at your feet and then look up at you. Basically, this boy knows a treat is waiting. Anything for a treat!

As far as bones, he has several that he likes. He likes the "Y" bone the best but after a few days he'll enjoy playing with another one. Rascal also likes squeaky toys and to lie on his bed with them and chew on them. His inmate trainer said he is so proud of him and knows you will be, too!

Jumping. No Problem.

Guess what?  Rascal jumps!  His inmate trainer is so proud of him.  They set up several chairs with pads on them, side by side and facing each other.  And with a little enticing liver treat, he jumped right up there!  Now he will jump up there on his own with no problem.  Rascal has this look like "that's all I have to do to get that yummy treat?"  Easy peasy.

Rascal is doing very well with his commands.  He needs to improve on "stay", "leave it" and "wait", but there's plenty of time.  No worries.  He's a smart boy.

Rascal has a rubber ball he likes to chase and chew on.  His inmate trainer will bounce it off the wall and Rascal will run after it.  He likes squeaky toys too, but not as much as the rubber ball.

When Rascal goes out on the big yard, he will take off with the other dogs chasing them, at first.   Then he will just lope around for a while by himself.  He also likes chasing after the jolly ball on the big yard.  Give it a good kick and he's off!

Rascal loves treats and food.  He's easy to please and is a very laid back Greyhound. Rascal's inmate trainer knows his forever family will enjoy his company as much as he has.  Tune in next week . . . 

Tip-Toeing to the Top

Happy New Year from Rascal! Halfway into Rascal's training already and he is moving right along. A lot of what are known to be the tougher commands (sit, down, etc.), he's already doing. This has made training him easy, and it doesn't hurt that he's a smart boy! He loves to learn new things, especially if it results in food. 

Rascal and his inmate trainer worked on "jump" this week, and he was pretty reluctant to do, but he is learning. As big as he is, you'd think he could step up on most things. But his trainer wants him to be able to jump in the back of a truck or SUV in case he is going somewhere, like to the vet (or your home for the first time!). The more Rascal works on it, the more comfortable he will be - and eventually it'll be second nature. 

He has also been practicing "stay." He's getting there and starting to grasp that staying put is what gets him a treat. As far as the rest of his commands, it is really a matter of fine tuning them, or getting him to perform them quicker or stay in the position longer. 

Rascal is such a charming dog and one his trainer is sure you will love having in your home. He is very laid back and relaxed. One cute thing about him is a goofy little walk he does on concrete floors off the leash. He watches his steps and looks like he is tip-toeing across the floor. If you have hardwood or shiny floors, you might notice this when he comes home! He's not scared of them, just cautious. It's a little like playing "the floor is lava" when you're a kid. 

Watch out for some major tail wagging when he comes out of his kennel at first or at feeding time, and we'll see you next week with another episode of Rascal's adventures!

Anything for a Treat

Merry Christmas from our boy Rascal! Rascal got himself a Kong with peanut butter and dog treats stuffed inside - a true Greyhound favorite. Needless to say, he loved his present and it kept him entertained for quite a while in his kennel. 

Rascal is doing a lot better now that he is feeling better. Nothing serious, just a little tummy trouble, but he is over it and right back to being his normal self.

He's gotten better at "sit" and "down." His inmate trainer has him do one or the other each time before he goes back in his kennel and at meal time. "Stay" is still a work in progress. He's starting to issue the command at short distances and then a little bit farther. It will take time, but Rascal will get it - no doubt! Rascal is learning quickly and treat-motivated. He loves all treats! He's not a picky eater and will do anything for a treat. 

"Jump" is coming up soon. Rascal's inmate trainer wanted to start with commands that would be easy and less stressful. That way he can build his confidence before tackling the more challenging commands. 

Something to consider for when you welcome Rascal into your home is getting one of the black treat bags we put on our side while training. It can help once Rascal is with you and especially when he does something good and you want him to continue doing it. Plus, any time you can get Rascal to come to you with a "here, Rascal!" you can give him a treat for responding to the command and his name. 

Well, it looks like Rascal is being a Certified Good Boy again and it's time for another treat! See you next week!

Practice Makes Permanent

Rascal had his first encounter with stairs this week. There weren't a lot of stairs and they were bare concrete steps (not shiny and confusing ones!) and he did really well. The first time going up he needed a little help putting his back paws on the first step, but after that he came right up and right back down. The second time around he needed no help at all. The more he does this, the better he will get. 

Rascal's inmate trainer is very proud of him. Rascal has only been there for a few weeks and not only did he sit for the first time, but he mastered "down" as well! Normally it is several weeks before they even begin working on "sit" and "down" because they are some of the hardest commands. What a smart boy. 

"Down" is a tricky position to get the hang of, especially since it's a submissive position. But Rascal is making it look easy! Two of our Second Chance ladies came in this week to see how the dogs were doing. Rascal performed "sit," "down," "heel," "let's go," and "bed." He did really well and there will be a few pictures of him to melt your heart.

Rascal likes to walk with his inmate trainer, and with Judy and her inmate trainer out in the yard. Next week, he'll be working on getting him to do his commands without showing him a treat first. We call that "finding out." We still have a lot of time before graduation and his inmate trainer emphasized that Rascal is doing great. He's a very good dog all around and one he knows you'll enjoy having in your life. Stay tuned for more!

Complete Package

Rascal's inmate trainer says he isn't exaggerating about Rascal being the complete package when it comes to a greyhound.  He is a great dog.  He hasn't barked, whined or shown any aggression at all.  He doesn't jump on anyone, not overly excited and honestly a laid back dog. He is a "gentle giant". 

After breakfast Rascal and his inmate trainer walk around the dorm for 30 minutes. This has really paid off.  Rascal is very good about walking by your side.  He keeps up the pace with his trainer.  His trainer rarely has to use the leash to guide him in the direction he wants him to go. What a pro!

Rascal is doing very well with the "watch me" command.  His trainer is working with him, so he looks at him, then he can give Rascal a hand signal of what command he wants him to do next.  He is catching on quickly.

Tail Wagging And Curious

Rascal definitely fits the bill of "gentle giant'.  He is a calm, friendly and happy greyhound.  Some dogs come to the prison and are a bit skittish, but not Rascal.  He came in, tail wagging and curious about everything.

On intake day, Rascal got a bath, was towel dried, ears cleaned, and a medical check, yet he handled it like a champ.  Nothing seems to rattle this boys cage.  He takes everything in stride.

Rascal is already learning the idea of several of the commands. ("hurry", "let's go", "kennel", "wait", "heel", "here" and "bed".  It is amazing what he has learned in a few days. He will walk by your side (not out in front, leading you) and he will look up at you when you say his name.  He is such a smart boy.

If you are looking for a friendly, well-behaved, outgoing and calm dog you may want to put your app. in now.  He won't be available for long.