A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance
	Cole (formerly CJ) Week 1 ║  Week 2  ║  Week 3  ║  Week 4  ║  Week 5  ║  Week 6  ║  Week 7 Week 8  ║  Week 9  ║  Week 10  ║  Week 11  ║  Week 12  ║  Week 13  ║  Week 14 ║  Week 15 ADOPTED!!!   Week 15 Cole must have known that this would be his week.  He's been prancing around with his head up and a look of pride written all over his face...and it's not just because of the fancy new haircut!  Cole will be leaving us next week and he'll be leaving quite a mark on the people he has met.  He has been one of our toughest and most rewarding dogs.  It took a great deal of time, patience, structure and love to bring him back from the abuses that he suffered, but he never gave up.  In the last six weeks, he has made incredible strides and now he finds himself heading home to a wonderful family who will give him the life he has always deserved.  Way to go, Cole!               Week 14 Cole had a great week.  He got a haircut on Monday and he's been the talk of the prison ever since.  He's a very handsome boy...even more handsome than before!  He's become almost completely comfortable with other dogs approaching him head-on.  This was always a little frightening for him, but he's nearly over it.  He's also getting better at the "leave it" command when it comes to passing cars.  He's fascinated by cars, trucks, you name it.  He's keeping his paws crossed that this just might be the week that he gets adopted.  We're all pulling for him!!               Week 13 Things are definitely looking up for Cole.  There's been a lot of interest in him this week and hopefully he'll have a new home of his own before he can say sit, stay, good boy!  On the training front, Cole continues to do very well.  He has learned that he is not the boss and that following directions nearly always results in something wonderful whether that be petting, treats or his very, very favorite...CHEESE!!!!             Week 12 Cole had another terrific week.  He's really coming along by leaps and bounds now and we couldn't be more proud of him.  Since his friend Charlie will be heading home soon, Cole was kind enough to share his handler and let Charlie spend the night in his cell while he headed over with Charlie's handlers.  Both boys did a great job and proved that they have taken another big step toward leaving the big house and heading on to a home of their own.  Cole has come such a long way and we all have our fingers and paws crossed that his new life is just around the corner.             Week 11 Cole has officially turned the proverbial corner and is heading full speed ahead toward a new life.  He has improved so much over the last two weeks that it's hard to believe we're looking at the same dog.  He has his confidence back and is doing extremely well in his obedience and behavior classes.  He even headed out on the town this week for the first time since he started the program nearly three months ago.  The kind folks at Borders welcomed him on Thursday for a practice run for his special Meet & Greet.  He was a very well-mannered boy and greeted everyone with polite tail-wagging and even a few kisses.  On Saturday, it was the real deal and he spent three hours enjoying the company of strangers without any fear at all.  He invited some folks to scratch his belly, sidled up to others to get some scratches on his head and charmed every woman that walked through the doors.  As it turns out, he's quite a ladies man!!  Cole is definitely ready to start looking for a home of his own.  Way to go, Cole!!             Week 10 Well, it seems the handler change was just what Cole needed to jumpstart his training.  He's now responding to training from several different handlers and best of all...with or without treats.  Before, treats were an absolute must for this boy.  Now, he's learning that praise and petting are an excellent substitution and he's getting to the point where he's almost eager to please.  He loves to play "find it" in the cell and sometimes gets so excited that he just runs around in circles out of pure joy!  He's still not overly thrilled about giving up his "treasures," but he's definitely improving and there's a lot of cause for hope.  He's coming along really nicely and has definitely turned a corner and is heading in a terrific direction!           Week 9 Cole has been signed up for the same sort of boot camp as his good pal Kizzie.  Now that Cole has finally started to feel safe and comfortable, it's time for some of his less than desirable habits to be addressed so that he can soon e given the green light to head into a real home.  Not that there's one waiting yet.  Did you know that Cole has not received a single inquiry or application?  But, that doesn't bother him.  He knows he has work yet to do.  This week, he also has the whole team pitching in for his training plan.  Everyone will be feeding him, taking him in and out of his crate, walking him and just generally spending time with him.  We're hoping that this will widen Cole's "safety circle" and allow him to build on his newfound trust of humans.  He is really coming around and the change in handlers seems to be just what he needed to kick his training into high gear.  Keep your eye on this boy and look for a huge improvement in next week's journal!         Week 8 Cole had a change of handlers this week and we're hoping that it will be just the change he needs to kick his training into high gear.  This little guy has come a long way since he started the program two months ago and we're starting to see some real progress.  Now, it's time for him to choose.  Every dog comes to the point where he can stay on his current path or he can rise to the challenge of starting over.  Cole has been through so much in his life and we knew that it would be a long road back for him.  There's no rush, just a lot of hope surrounding him and a growing number of people pulling for him.  There's a "regular dog" in there somewhere, we just need to find it!!         Week 7 Cole took another few steps forward this week.  He has made a new friend in one of the other handlers and it's really sweet to watch them play together.  It's hard for Cole to completely trust people after the life that he's had, but he continues to show a willingness to try.  Watching him play with a new human friend and have such a good time is just a pleasure for everyone to see.  Cole made friends quickly with Charlie this week.  He's really coming along and just might be ready for a trip out on the town in the next few weeks...      Week 6 Despite the weather, Cole has absolutely no interest in playing in the doggie pool.  His handlers helped him dip his piggies into the cool water, but then he wandered off to explore some dandelions instead.  Cole still has setbacks her and there as he works through his fear, but they're becoming further and further apart.  A great deal of time was spent this week brushing him, handling his paws, cleaning his ears and touching his tail.  This was met with terrific success and the handlers will continue this process of desensitization over the next several weeks with all of the things that frighten little Cole.  Being picked up is still a great source of concern for Cole, but we'll keep working in baby steps with him.  We've started to see a glimmer in his eyes.  The little bit of hope that marks a turning point in the life of a rescue dog.  Fingers crossed...     Week 5 Cole had an impressive week with one small setback.  There are many, many layers to Cole which are the results of so many years of abuse.  As we continue taking baby steps forward, we learn a little more about him with each passing day.  This week, we learned of Cole's fear of being picked up so his handlers have new exercises to help him overcome those worries.  It's hard to believe that such a small creature was subjected to such cruel behavior at the hands of those he trusted.  But, with patience, compassion, lots of love and lots of training we're certain he'll find his way again.  On a positive note, Cole had an incredible week of learning.  His handlers showed off all of his newly learned tricks over the weekend and wow, were we ever impressed.  This little boy just loves to learn!  He had garnered quite a crowd of passing staff members by the time he as finished showing off and you could see the pride all over his tiny body!  He so badly wants to please people and be cared for unconditionally.  He looks as though he is finally starting to see that there is hope among the humans.  He had to go to jail to find it, but he has found it.  Now, it's just a matter of time before we see him turn a corner and head into his new life.     Week 4 Cole made a lot of progress this week.  He learned how to give a high five, pray, shake and count to three!  He even learned how to take a treat directly out of his handler's mouth.  He is getting braver and braver every day and learning that he can trust the people around him.  He is very, very bright and loves to learn new things.  So, his handlers have gone back to reading some of the trick books from the HOPE Program library so that they have new things to teach him each week.  Everyone who sees Cole has seen the progress he has made so far.  It's so wonderful just to see him happy again.  It's been a long time coming and this is just the beginning for this sweet boy.   Week 3 Improvement was the key word for Cole this week.  His handlers agree that they've seen improvement in every area of Cole's training.  The little boy who was afraid of everything during his first few days has hit several big milestones already.  He no longer has any fear of his food being taken away.  And, that goes for his water bowl too.  Now, his handlers can sit by him while he eats, move his food bowl, take it away and return it to me with no worries at all.  He's also become comfortable with people walking past his crate.  This simple act used to send him into complete tailspin, but now he just watches to see what is going to happen next.  This week, his handlers are working on Cole's safety level inside of his crate.  With good reason given his years of abuse, Cole protects that space.  His handlers will be working together with the rest of the team to show Cole that in or out of the crate, nothing will ever harm him again.  We've seen such terrific progress for this boy and can't wait to see him continue to progress as the weeks go on.   Week 2 What a difference a week makes.  Cole has learned that food and water are always available and is no longer showing any signs of resource guarding in that area.  His handlers have been so patient and careful to let him come around in his own time and that compassion certainly paid off.  Cole is beginning to relax.  He loves to play with Hanson and Bella and finds Steven very interesting.  We've found that he's quite an attention hog.  If there's petting to be had, then Cole is at the front of the line.  Which is great fun for the person doing the petting because Cole has an extremely soft coat that feels like the softest sweater you can imagine.  He's wiggling his way into everyone's hearts a little more each day and it's wonderful to see him start making progress on his long journey back. Week 1 Cole had a roller coaster of a first week.  He has so much fear rolled up into that tiny little body, that we weren't quite sure where to start.  Fortunately, Bella and Hanson were there to lend some much needed advice.  The place to start was playtime.  Cole started to relax and his handlers got ready to begin their work on Cole's long road back.  Their biggest issue this week was Cole's fear that food and water will be taken away from him and that he would go hungry.  So, his handlers have been feeding him by hand all week.  This routine helps to build a bond between the handlers and their new friend Cole.  It will take a long time before Cole will completely trust anyone again.  His faith in humans is pretty well shattered and it's now a matter of earning it back.  On the upside...Cole very much liked his bath and he now feels like a soft, snuggly sweater.  He really enjoys his playtime with Bella and Hanson and he's inching his way toward accepting Elroy into his circle.  Each little step for this boy is a leap of faith on his part.  We're so glad he found his way here and feel we owe him no less than our very best efforts.  With patience, gentle hands and soft voices, he'll find his way back.  UPDATE Cole is headed to the big house this week.  He'll be starting the program on Thursday, May 1st and we can't wait to start teaching him all of the wonderful things that can come from living with humans.  Stay tuned for updates on his progress!  Cole is available for adoption through Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center.
	Hounds of Prison Education A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance