Graduation is Near!

It's the last week - graduation is in four days!  All the Greyhounds in the program were tested this past weekend and Blossom did great!  She is such a delight.  She has come so far in such a short time.  Her inmate trainer can only imagine where they could have gone with her training if they only had more time.

Blossom really came out of her shell this week, exploring around the dorm on her own, walking up to new inmates to the program (essentially strangers), sniffing them out, allowing them to pet her. 

He is truly going to miss this beautiful girl who touched his heart from the first day they met!  Have a great life Blossom!

Sweet Shy Girl

It’s time for swap week this week!  The inmates swap hounds for the week to work on training and the dogs get to experience new handlers giving commands.

Blossom’s temporary inmate trainer says that Blossom is a shy girl who needs time to build trust.  He allowed Blossom exposure to the dog day bed in direct vicinity of the water bowl and higher traffic area.  After some time she did start to open up by walking back and forth to the water bowl and training room unattended. 

Blossom perform all of her basic commands flawlessly for both her temporary trainer and the temporary training team!  She did not seem to have any problems being away from her primary trainer. 

Her temporary inmate trainer says that Blossom is a very sweet girl.  She’ll need time to come around in her new home, but has plenty of love to offer her new family. 

Sweet Progress

Blossom is coming right along!  She is getting better with the sit and stay commands.  She has improved with the bow command, but still wants to go into a down position.  Her inmate trainer says that Blossom is still shy, but has come a long way. 

She knows all of her command with verbal only cues and most with hand signal only cues.  She is still a little slow responding to heel, kiss, bow, and shake but her inmate trainer knows that she’ll have these down by graduation time.  

Breezing Through The Extras

It’s been a good week for Blossom!  She is holding her sit/stay longer and at a greater distance even with distractions! 

It has taken Blossom a little longer to trust and adjust to this new environment, but she’s making great progress.  She even started working on some extras this week; bow, kiss, shake, and paws up.  Her inmate trainer is proud to report that Blossom is catching on to these extras rather quickly! He even hopes to have her ready to pass her AKC Good Citizen practice test by graduation!  

She's a Star!

This has been a good week with Blossom.  She and her inmate trainer have been working on their 3 D's (distance, duration, and distractions).  Last week he indicated he couldn't get more than 3-4 feet from her before she would break position.  This week, he can walk 15-20 feet in the common area with mild distractions. 

Her inmate trainer's confidence in our positive method of training is growing with every new dog he is involved with.  Blossom is still showing sign's of being in flight mode, scattering when approached by people she doesn't know or other Greyhounds from behind, but this is improving every day.

He keeps a short but loose leash while walking to prevent her from running to far too fast and hurting herself by jerking at the end of the leash.  They are adding more distance of leash slowly as she progresses.

Extra's she has learned include "paws up", "kiss" and "bow".  She's a love and her inmate trainer is quite pleased with her progress. 

Keeping Focus

Blossom has been working on the stay command this week.  She likes to know what’s going on around her so she has a hard time focusing on the staying task at hand.  She is doing really well with all of her basic commands and responds promptly while in the training room.  Her responses are slower in the busy day room and outside in yard so her inmate trainer plans to work with more with her in those high traffic areas.  Her inmate trainer is proud to report that sweet Blossom knows many of her commands by hand signal and verbal cues!  

Sitting On Command

Blossom’s training is progressing very well!  She is sitting on command now!  She performs the down command, but is still a little slow on her response to this one.  No worries though, her inmate trainer knows she’ll be responding much better soon! 

Blossom is not a fan of being approached from behind and prefers to see who’s approaching her.  She is reluctant to drink from the community water bowl if anyone is near it, but this may change as she becomes more comfortable in this new environment.  She’s eating much better now and has added a little weight.  She still hasn’t shown any interest in toys or playing with the other dogs yet. 

Her inmate trainer is enjoying his time Blossom and he is looking forward to watching her emerge from her shell.  

Working For Retirement

Hi, my name is Blossom.  I’m in this new really, really, loud place.  I have a nice inmate trainer who’s working to help be feel more comfortable.  I’m not too crazy about strange people or loud noises.  I’d prefer not to be approached from behind where I can’t see you.  I’m working on my comfort level, but things are just so different!  I sure am thankful that my trainer is so kind and understanding it’s making this new place a bit easier.  He feeds me treats from his hand to show me it’s okay.  I’m learning that he’s right.  I’ve taught him that I like water in my food.  Who wants that ole dry stuff? 

I get treats for doing things like hurry, let’s go, kennel, release, wait, here, down, and bed.  I’m getting the hang of my trainer’s requests and I do like those yummy treats.

My inmate trainer tells me that I’m preparing for retirement in a forever home.  I’m not sure what that is, but he seems to think it’s a great thing.  

New Places And People

Blossom is a shy girl who’s not crazy about this new loud environment.  Her inmate trainer is taking training a little slower with Blossom to give her more time to adjust.  She will slowly accept treats from her trainer, but will not accept anything from strangers.  They’ve been working on leash skills and Blossom is doing quite well!  She doesn’t mind being brushed and she responds to the let’s go, kennel, and release commands really well. 

Her inmate trainer believes with time and patience Blossom will emerge from her shell.  

Training Time

Cherry Blossom has arrived for training!  Her inmate trainer will spend the first 72 hours bonding with her and helping her learn her name.  

Her inmate trainer says that she has a shy, calm personality and is already showing signs that training will not be too difficult for her.  She hasn’t shown in interest in toys yet. He believes that she’s a little unsure of what to expect and believes that she’ll open up soon.  He can't wait to watch this beautiful girl blossom!