Here's your new shadow!

Last week Shadow was with another trainer and he did so well with his swap week team! He did all of his commands and didn't put up any fuss. This week we had final testing and... drumroll, please... Shadow is graduating! It seems like he enjoys doing his commands, like it's a game. Of course. he does like the idea of doing things to earn food. This guy loves treats! It has been an easy week for him, a pretty standard routine of running with him on the yard. If you give him room to stretch those long legs out, he will run, free and happy. He'll even run toward you but veer off as if he thinks you're gonna snatch him! It's so cute. He loves chasing and being chased.

Shadow enjoys doing his commands for two main reasons: one, he gets food or treats or lovies when he does them well, and two, afterward it's squeaky toy melee! He loves to toss them around and have you toss them for him to go get and lay on his day bed so he can chew on them. He is so happy when running, playing, doing his commands, or when he first comes out of his kennel in the morning. 

I could go on, but if you look at these blogs and read them, you know all you need to know about why you should love Shadow - and you'll see that there's so much more to him! He is such a good, loving dog who just wants a forever home. Will you give him that chance?

Laid Back Guy

The past week has been swap week for the dogs here at Second Chance Greyhound Academy. It is a time when the trainers swap dogs for a week to see how they react to being away from their primary trainer and to test for separation anxiety. 

This week, the lucky trainer who got Shadow had nothing but good things to say about this laid-back, all around great hound. He knows all of his basic commands and always comes out of his kennel with a wagging tail! He also loves to play after training sessions. 

He is a little shy around new people, but that's normal for greyhounds. He did amazing on his week away from his primary trainer and didn't suffer any separation anxiety. He is sure to transition very well from his time in school to his adoptive family's forever home!

Worth The Wait...

Training continues for Shadow and his inmate trainer is proud to say that Shadow responds really well to both verbal and hand signal cues.  He says that Shadow is the kind of guy that takes his time getting to know you.  He builds his trust before he jumps all in.  It’s well worth the wait and it makes it that much more special.  Once he gets comfortable he has no problem going up for attention and treats with his tail wagging the whole way.  When he’s with other dogs he runs and plays with such happiness.  Since he’s discovered squeaky toys he loves toy toss.  Once you toss it to him he catches it and tosses it around then finds a good comfy spot to chew on it. 

Zoooooom!!!

Since Shadow has come to Second Chance Academy of Excellent Companions, he's been so interesting and fun to be around. He learns quickly and is eager to please. In the beginning, he didn't really like to sit but now when it's feeding time, he does all of his commands quickly and happily!

Shadow is super easy-going and doesn't mind laying on his bed and just hanging out with humans and dogs alike. He is such a joy to work with and have around. You should see him when it is time to go outside! He is so happy and eager to play that he does circles in his kennel, tail just a-waggin'.

When he's outside running with the other hounds, you can tell how happy he is. Bounding away to chase one of his four-legged classmates, or his trainer. He loves it when his trainer takes off running so he can chase him! He'll run along his side, like "is that all you got, bi-ped?" Or he comes running toward you and zooms right past you.  Everyone "look at me!" He really enjoys a good run. 

Afterward, when it's time to get some water and take a nap, sometimes he's so tired he will roll on his back and roach and fall right asleep. His tongue may even be hanging out of his mouth - it's so funny! He is such an easy dog to train, and he is so eager to please. What more could you want in a lovable pup? 

That's all for now - stay tuned for next week's adventures!

Yes I'm Cute... And Available

The ladies from SCG came to check up on training status and Shadow did all of his commands with no problems!  He was eager to perform and blew it out of the water!  

Shadow’s inmate trainer says that Shadow has changed so much in the last couple of weeks.  He’s grown from an unsure boy who was not motived by treats to a confident, treat eating, tail wagging, ball of happiness.  He loves all types of squeaky toys, rubber balls, and more!  He likes for you to tease him with a toy then toss it for him to run and get.  He’ll run grab the toy and return to his bed and chew happily for a while before relaxing.  He doesn’t mind receiving attention while relaxing and chewing on his toy and does really well with the “give” command.

At feeding time he’s sitting down and doing the heel commands all before it’s requested. His inmate trainer says that he’s a smart boy who is well behaved.  He believes that Shadow will make a wonderful addition to some lucky family out there.

No more counter surfin' safari

 Congratulations to Shadow this week, because he is now "sitting" regularly when you give him the command! It took some time; basically, at feeding time, he would have to be in a sitting position before he got to eat. Also, each time before he would go into his kennel, he would have to perform a "sit" first.  Doing this every day over the past few weeks definitely paid off!

He is now sitting on command with no problems and seems to look forward to it since he knows he will get a treat afterward. His trainer is so happy and so proud of him! Like a proud papa. Shadow is SUCH a good dog.

Did I mention he's also a very handsome hound? A lot of people have commented on how shiny his coat is. He's a beautiful dog and so laid-back. No fuss, no muss. Just an easy-going guy who's doing really well on his commands!

He also worked on counter-surfing this week. His trainer puts food on a table to entice him, but then letting him know he isn't supposed to do that - he actually caught on pretty quickly!

His trainer is going to continue putting food on different surfaces at different heights. This way, by the time he goes to his new home, he should be a good boy even when you're not around! Although, a good steak might be too tempting even for him. It would be for me! :) Hey, we all have our weaknesses...

Well, this is all for this week. Keep checking back to hear about Shadow's adventures. Never know what this guy is gonna get up to! ;)

Take care - see ya next time!

Adventures with Shadow

Shadow was introduced to "jump" this week. Surprisingly, he took to it pretty easily! This will be a big help when you want to take him with you somewhere and he needs to jump into something that's kind of high off the ground. We're not too surprised at how good he was at this because Shadow is known for jumping high in the air to catch toys that are tossed for him!

Shadow will play with toys on his own, but he enjoys it so much more when his trainer teases him with a squeaky toy and then tosses it for him to run and get it, or catch it mid-air. Then, he will come and lay down on his bed to chew on it. He is great at the "give" command, so you can toss that toy over and over again and watch him go!  Sometimes, his trainer will give it right back so he knows it's a good thing to give to his trainers. Plus, Shadow is catching on that if he gives, he just might get it right back and continue to play!

Shadow is also learning "leave it" with toys, food, and anything else that's on the ground or a source of distraction. It really doesn't take much to make this guy do his commands. A firm "leave it" and he will shy away from it and look up adoringly at you. When he looks up, that is the moment he gets treated!

In the next few weeks, Shadow will be working on counter-surfing. This way, by the time he goes home to you, you shouldn't have to worry about this goofball snatching your food off the counter or table!

Shadow is truly such a good boy - laid-back as all heck, and so sweet. His trainer is working on making sure Shadow adapts well to being around large groups of people over the next few weeks. Until next time, take care and check back next week for an update on Shadow's adventures!

Chase Me!

This week, two of the professors from Second Chance Greyhounds Academy for Excellence came to check on how all the dogs are progressing in their commands and adapting to their surroundings. Shadow is doing so well, considering it's just been a few weeks. He performed heel, let's go, stay, here, bed and leave it today on command! He has been working with his trainer on sit, and has done a sit + down in his kennel on the bed on his own. Now it's just a matter of getting him to do it on command. 

When his trainer feeds him, he has him in a "sit" position while he eats out of his bowl. He can actually hold that position for quite a while! When he went to the big yard one day this week and ran, you could see how happy he was. He runs with one of the other girl greyhounds a lot. So, he runs over to her and bows with his tail wagging until she takes off, then he goes chasing her!

When he gets tired of chasing her, he chases his trainer. He runs very fast toward his trainer and then veers away! He does it over and over again, an affectionate taunt as if he's saying "you can't catch me!" But at the end when his trainer called him, he came to him. 

Shadow is a very laid-back dog. He's not super excited all the time or full of energy. He will run, play, and do his commands, but he is calm most of the time. He gets excited when he runs and when he plays with squeaky toys. Otherwise, he's just as easy-going as can be. Stay tuned for more of his adventure!

Smart Boy!

This week Shadow was introduced to walking up steps. He was a little unsure at first and needed encouragement, but he did finally go up and down them. He did better the second time going up and down, and his trainer believes that he will keep getting better the more he does it - and he'll become more confident.

Shadow has done all of his commands except for one on his own without any prompting from his trainer. He has "sit" in his kennel on his bed, done a "down" in his kennel, on his bed, and more. He is one smart boy!

He is also very laid-back and gentle. The only time he gets excitable is when he is playing with new toys, and for a little bit when he goes out to run. Today while he ran, his trainer got him to play and even chase him for a little while! Tail just a-waggin' the whole time as he ran up beside his trainer, or came running toward him and then veering off. 

His trainer thinks Shadow has fun when he springs across the yard and Shadow lopes beside him, not even breathing hard. His trainer wasn't bred to race like him! But still, it was fun. 

Considering it is only Week 2, he is doing very well. His trainer is slowly introducing new things to him and he is taking it all in stride. One thing everyone likes to mention is how shiny and soft his coat is; it is sleek and black and so smooth! He is such a good-looking dog - and one you will love having in your home!

That's all for this week. Take care and check back for more of his adventures!

The One You've Been Waiting For

TNT Havoc, or Shadow as he is called now, has had a busy, busy weekend! His first day here, he got bathed, had his ears cleaned, got weighed, and more. All of which he tolerated with no complaints. What a laid back guy!

The first few days have been spent getting to know each other, trainer and dog, master and young grasshopper. At meal time, his trainer hand feeds him for the first several days, so that Shadow learns to trust him, that his food comes from his trainer, and that food is a GOOD thing. For the family interest in adopting him in the future, try doing the same when you bring him home. It will make him feel so at ease. 

His trainer has petted him and put his hand in his bowl while Shadow eats, and Shadow shows no food aggression. Shadow has been working on leash manners. He either walks at your side or a little bit behind so that he understands you are the leader, not him. 

Shadow is a really laid back dog; he doesn't get excited about much and is calm and controlled. He does get excited when coming out of his kennel, or going outside. But he is learning that it is okay to be happy and even excited - just not to lose control.

If you are looking for a calm and laid back type of dog, then Shadow may be the dog you have been waiting for! If so, stayed tuned into Shadow's channel and check up on his progress as the weeks progress. Til next time - take care!