This week is Harper's last week at the prison and she is spending most of her time relaxing, with some playtime and training in between. She knows all of her commands, but she is still practicing them a few times a day to keep them fresh in her mind. You know what they say? Practice makes perfect.
Harper is in the home stretch of her true retirement. She will be out on parole and ready to meet her forever family very soon. I hope you are ready for an amazing greyhound!
It's swap week again at Second Chance Greyhounds Academy! Swap week is where the trainers exchange dogs for a week. During that week they test the dogs for separation anxiety and to see if they take commands from other people. It's also a good test for the trainers as well.
Harper's trainer for the week said she is such a cute, sweet little greyhound. She performed all of her commands with ease. Her favorite extra command is speak. Her eyes light up with excitement when asked to "speak". Harper is looking forward to "speaking" and telling you all about her prison adventures. It's all good.
Harper is also very well behaved. The swap week trainer had no problems with her leash walking or during playtime. She downs or sits when she sees a toy she wants and gives the toy up quickly when given the command "give it".
Harper made swap week a breeze, with her sweet and friendly personality. He is positive she will make her new family very happy.
Harper continues to respond well to all of her commands, both basic and extras, which brings her to a total of 18 in all. Wow! Harper is generally a happy, easy going greyhound with no real behavior or social problems. She does like to talk (roo) and let you know what's on her mind. It is just the cutest thing she does.
Her trainer says he may be biased, but you totally got lucky picking this gem of a girl. She may appear shy at first, but give her a few weeks to come out of her shell and her true personality comes out. You will love her. Everyone at the prison does.
Next week is swap week. I wonder what that trainer will have to say about Harper. All good, I'm sure. Check back next week to find out.
Harper has had another good week of training. In fact, she pretty much has all of her required skills down pat. Now her trainer is just reinforcing the skills that she already knows and is trying to teach her different fun ones. The newest trick that she's learned is spin. It's still a work in progress.
As far as her personality, Harper has lots of energy. She's restful and calm in the kennel, but it's not her favorite place. She'd much rather be out and about and part of the action and socializing. She loves to run, but she likes to do pretty much any physical activity. She loves to play ball into chew toys. Her favorite toys and orange tiger that squeaks. As her new owners, please make sure Harper gets a lots of exercise.
When you first meet Harper it may not be readily apparent that she has lots of energy because at first she will come off as a little bit shy, but give it time. Harper's true personality comes out after a few weeks when she feels safe and secure. Then watch out! She will tell you how she feels. She's not loud or barky, but she will roo or speak to let you know her opinion. Frankly, it's hilarious and her best quality, because it really sets her apart as the sweet goofball that she is.
Harper is doing great! She's a favorite in the dorm mostly because of her rooing. It's so funny! She roos on the "speak" command now but she also roos when she's exasperated. It's so funny when she does it then, because it sounds like she's having an argument almost with actual words. Sometimes she'll have to sit before she can come out of her kennel, and she roos like an endearing child rolling their eyes right before they acquiesce and comply with what you want them to do even if their friends will think they're a nerd. "Dad, you're embarrassing me!"
This week she nailed all of her commands and did "jump" without a bribe! She struts up and the stairs like she invented them. She's starting to learn "spin," which is where she'll do a quick turn around right in front of you.
Harper also continues enjoying running around in the yard. She is always prodding the other dogs to run with her! She likes to let them get a lead, and then catch up and pass them all at the end. So much drama! Over and over again she does this until the others stop, their efforts at keeping up with this girl proven futile. The champion reigns, the legacy continues. Tune in next week for more hot intel from Harper Daily!
Woo Hoo!! The news it out! Harper has a forever home waiting for her after graduation. Her trainer said someone got very lucky and are getting the best greyhound out of the group. (He may be a little biased). Seriously, get ready to laugh. Harper is a hoot! Once her personality comes out, she'll have your rolling. Her rooing, playfulness and attitude in one word is FUNNY. Get ready to be amused.
Harper knows all of her basic commands and her trainer is working on few extras. She is a fast learner, which makes it fun to teach her new things. So far she is learning shake, bow, belly and speak, which is a work in progress. Harper is going to be an awesome pet. See you next week!
Harper is really starting to open up and let her personality shine. She has the energy and playfulness of a puppy and the willfulness and fortitude of a champion. Her trainer can't believe her racing career wasn't longer, because he's seen her run and she loves it! She's always the leader of the pack in her group. She can also be very quiet, passive, gentle and sweet.
The funniest thing Harper does is try to "talk/roo". There are a lot of rules at the prison for the dogs and trainers to follow. Harper is doing great about being calm in the kennel before she can come out. She has to "down" before she can come out or before she gets fed. Sometimes Harper expresses impatience at the waiting process. She sounds like she is arguing, but it's so cute, her trainer can't get mad at her. It's his favorite thing she does. Now if he could only get her to do it on command...stay tuned.
Harper is doing great this week! She made some real progress on her leash walking and her commands. She pretty much does everything eventually or with a nice treat bribe, but she's not quite ready for prime time. But hey! It's only week 3. She'll be ready when the time comes - her trainer has no doubt about that.
This week they added sit, down, and stay to the repertoire of heel, bed, kennel, hurry, and let's go. These are her bread-and-butter commands, and she will continue to have them reinforced throughout her time here. They say repetition is the key and that's what we have in spades here: time and repetition
When she's not training, Harper loves to play. She's a natural at fetch as she brings the ball back, and I mean all the way back, to her trainer 90% of the time. She even drops it at his feet. This is without any training, mind you. She loves to run. He doesn't know how her racing career went, but on the yard she leads, not follows, the other dogs when they're running around.
Finally, she loves to talk. I say talk and not bark because it sounds like she's trying to form words. For now this happens spontaneously, usually when she's frustrated, but her trainer wants to teach her to speak on command. We'll keep you updated on her progress! So long, until next week.
Harper is adapting well to her 1st stop before her forever home. She has come out of her shell and is starting to show her big personality. She is a very sweet young girl that's curious about everything. Running on the big field and playing fetch is Harper's specialty. She even brings the ball back and drops it at her trainer's feet. It's her absolute favorite thing to do.
Harper's training is progressing well. She can heel, bed, sit and does well leash walking. Next week her trainer will introduce down and stay.
No secret is safe with Harper. She loves to "talk". Right now she just talks when she wants out of her kennel, but her trainer is working to get her to speak on command.
Harper is a super cute, friendly little greyhound wanting her forever home. Harper is talking to you. She says... "Adopt me."
Harper is a very sweet and loving greyhound that is very curious about everything around her. She is highly motivated by kibble and treats. She's not very interested in toys, but that will probably change as she gets more accustomed to prison life.
So far Harper knows her name and is making progress with some of her basic commands like: wait, hurry, let's go, kennel and bed. Starting next week her trainer will introduce her to sit, here, stay and down. She's a smart girl so her trainer is sure she will catch on quick. Harper is up for the challenge. Check back next week to see her progress.
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