Week 17
Admittedly, it took awhile for Duke to enter the program. It also took
awhile for a family to realize just what a peach of a pooch he is. At last,
Duke went to his forever home over the weekend! He can't wait to play with
and share toys with his 6-year old poodle sister. He can't wait to sit
pretty, take walks and receive hugs from his new mom. And, he can't wait to
take rides in his new dad's pick-up truck! All of us in the HOPE program
will miss you, Duke, but we know that your handlers will miss your loyalty
and your antics the most. Thanks for being such a good ambassador, and enjoy
the loving that you so deserve!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 16
"Duke has been well. He still reacts the same way when he sees his HOPE
buddies and we're not sure that will ever go away as long as he's in here."
Duke's commands are great, and he walks with his handlers very well! This
handsome boy wasn't feeling quite up to par this week, so his handlers took
it easy on him with his training exercises. He's okay! Duke just had rest
for a couple of days. This pup can still be vocal at times when his handlers
go to work, "so sometimes we act like we are leaving so he thinks we're
gone, just to correct it. We think he's on to us about that, but we continue
to work on it." As his handlers have reported during his time at the prison,
Duke is a smart and loving dog. The HOPE volunteers love taking him on
outings because of his enthusiasm for sniffing, walking and being with
people. Now, Duke needs a family of his own where he can feel secure and
loved. We HOPE you find that home soon, sweet Duke!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Weeks 14 & 15
Both of his handers report that Duke is “doing great!” He still gets excited
when he sees the HOPE volunteers, but his handlers are using some exercises
to curb his enthusiasm when they enter the block. “Duke can do about
anything. His stay is very strong and he also walks along our sides because
he knows that he won’t be going anywhere unless he is there. Duke also sits
and waits to be leashed before going outside. He doesn’t even have to be
told to sit…when we pick up his leash, he automatically sits and waits. Duke
also waits to hear ‘OK’ before taking treats from our hands. His ‘leave it’
is also very, very good.” Duke still gets in his moods sometimes, but who
doesn’t? “He’ll sometimes play like he didn’t hear a command, but don’t be
fooled…he knows, but sometimes has to be told, ‘Duke…” This pooch loves to
snuggle and just be close to his handlers. We HOPE that you find your
forever family to snuggle up to soon, sweet Duke!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Weeks 12 & 13
Duke was introduced to an easy walk harness recently and his walking
exercises have improved greatly as a result! In fact, he improved so well
that his handlers stopped using it after just a week. "He stays right by our
sides, and when we stop, he sits most of the time without being told to do
so. We want him to walk as well for everyone as he does for us." Duke's
handlers train him for fifteen minutes at a time and then give him a break
to play ball. "He loves to fetch his ball, and will bring it back to us and
set it at our feet so we can throw it again for him." This pup is also very
loving and loyal to his handlers. "Duke really is a good dog. Once he learns
he can trust you, he is very affectionate and loves to be around you. He
greets us at the door wagging his tail every day. When we come back from
work, he is so happy to see us, he bounces around and rubs all over our
legs. It's like he wasn't around us in days!" Like Georgie, Duke obtained
furloughs for several events since our last update. He loved meeting all of
the different dogs and their people at CPAA's Woofstock event. He was a good
boy at Furever Friends' dog and car wash at Petco and he thought that being
out in the great outdoors at the Bark in the Park event at Colonel Denning
State Park was the best! He went on the nature trail a couple of times where
he enjoyed just being a dog...sniffing all of the new smells that he
encountered, loving the scenery and splashing in a creek. Duke's handlers
would have been proud of how well he walked with the volunteers! Of course,
Duke also loved the hot dog treats and pets that he got from those who came
over to him to say hello! Duke can still be stubborn at times, but this
handsome boy is ready for a forever family who will work with him to
understand that he can't always get what he wants. Is there anyone willing
to give this sweet boy a forever home? If so, we know that he'll soon greet
you like he hasn't seen you in days as well!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 11
Duke continues to do all of his commands easily, and he has made some
progress doing them even when he's in his "hard head" mood. "He loves to
play catch with his ball and he has no trouble sharing his toys with the
other dogs. Duke loves to run with Cody." The two of them chase each other
around the doggie yard with wild abandon! Duke knows that Cody is a smaller
dog, so he "isn't too hard on him" in the running game! Duke also loves
laying on his handlers' laps and falling asleep. "I don't think that he
knows he's not a lap dog. But, he is a very good dog and he will be a great
addition to someone's family." Duke is attending CPAA's Woofstock event, so
come back next week to hear about his adventures! He can't wait to find his
forever family!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 10
Duke knows all of his commands, but he sometimes still has selective hearing
when his handlers are taking him through his drills. "We are working hard to
get Duke to understand that we should only have to tell him once to do
something." Duke's handlers report that their pup definitely has mastered
his stay command. This week, one of Duke's handlers put him in a "stay" at
one end of the yard while his other handler walked the whole length to the
other end of it. Duke didn't "move an inch!" Considering that the yard is
half the size of a football field, that's quite a feat! "Duke is a wonderful
dog who needs a good home...somewhere he can be happy." We HOPE that you
find a good home soon, Duke!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week
9
Duke can be the best dog on the block, but he also can be a little stubborn
at times. He still gets a little distracted at certain sights and sounds,
but his handler is working with Duke to focus his attention on him. Despite
his selective hearing, Duke is a great dog! He continues to be very loyal.
He is always happy to see his handler when he gets back from work, or if he
hasn't seen him for awhile. Duke will even come go with his handler even if
all he wants to do is make a phone call. Keep focusing Duke, because
you're a charmer!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 8
Duke's handlers report that he's a very smart dog. He knows all of his
commands and does them with ease! Duke, admittedly, can get off-track when
he's excited or becomes "hard-headed." So, his handlers are concentrating on
his following their commands while in busy spaces. Even though he can become
distracted at times, "Duke is a fantastic dog. He's very loyal and loving.
Duke loves attention, and will walk with you, if only to put mail in the
mailbox. When he plays, he's not rough. He loves to play with his ball and
run with the other dogs."
Duke attended CPAA's Wags n' Wheels Car and Dog Wash event on Saturday. His
handlers are certainly right about his love for attention! He soaked up of
the all the pets and kisses that he got from the CPAA volunteers and the
folks who got a fabulous car wash for a donation to the Alliance! This
strong boy loves to go on walks, and thinks that car rides are pretty neat
as well! His handlers say that "he's a fantastic dog, and he is going to be
a wonderful friend to his forever family." Paws crossed, Duke!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 7
Duke is doing well with all of his commands! He has so much energy, his
handlers exercise him first thing in the morning before working with him on
his homework assignments. Duke loves to play fetch and this is when he gets
to run the most. His leash manners are getting better every day! His
handlers can tell that Duke is starting to slow down when they do without
tension on the leash. Way to go, Duke! This sweetie obtained a furlough to
attend the "Dogs Days of Summer" event at Ashcombe's on Saturday. His
handlers spiffed him up for the event. What a handsome boy! He was a
wonderful ambassador to the program. Duke accepted pets from
everyone who wanted to give him some! He also enjoyed the walks he took with
the HOPE volunteers. Duke also sat patiently and gently took hot dog treats
from one of the volunteers who the others know always spoils the "kids" with
hot dogs at meet and greet events. We HOPE you find your forever home very
soon, Duke!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 6
Our cute Duke just continues to thrive with his training. "His come recall
is beyond 20 feet and he can sit and stay for long periods of time, even
with distractions. He can be down from a distance and will also sit from a
down. When people walk by, he will ignore them and stay focused on his
handlers (for the most part). He can walk on a loose leash and heel for more
than a minute." If that isn't enough, Duke has done all of these commands
with other handlers in the program! Duke's handlers tested his reaction to
his new canine blockmates, and "he did great! He is very calm and laid
back." His handlers are looking forward to someone appreciating this boy as
much as they do!
Field Trip Alert (with HOPE Volunteer Susan) - Susan and Duke
headed straight for Petsmart for their first field trip. For the first
few minutes, she let Duke "just be a dog" and sniff and explore to his
heart's content. Then, it was on to the training portion of the field
trip. They found some store staff and customers who were more than
willing to to test Duke on his basic manners. He shined and kept all
four paws on the ground for the entire trip. He loved meeting the new
people and especially loved all the attention he recieved for being such a
good boy. He walked politely with the shopping cart and met people of
all sizes, as well as other dogs, with the manners of a pro! Then, it
was off to Home Depot where he again impressed everyone who met him.
His manners were excellent and we couldn't be prouder of our big fella'!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 5
This week Duke worked on his loose leash and no-pull walking. He is starting
to understand that if he pulls, he won't get anywhere. Good work, Duke!
"Walking Duke off-leash is easy, because he knows to stay close." This pup
also continues to excel in his basic commands! In fact, Duke is so friendly
with everyone on the block that he'll do all of his basics for anyone who
asks him to...even for "strangers!" Duke's favorite toy is his rubber ball.
He can't wait to get out in the yard for a good game of fetch with his
handlers. One of the HOPE volunteers met Duke this week, and she said that
"I fell in love all over again." We HOPE you find your forever family to
fall in love with you soon, sweet boy!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 3 & 4 Duke now has
two handlers, and he loves both of them! Duke continued to work on his
walking while on-leash manners and he's made a lot of progress! Sometimes
he becomes unfocused when he's in the busy cell block, but that too has
subsided! This pooch also worked on his homework assignments and continued
to go beyond what his handlers were teaching him! One of his handlers
reports that "he is a great dog and is very loyal. I think that someone
could take him anywhere. He won't run away when off-leash. He comes
running back to your side when you call his name. He is also a very
sociable dog who is very friendly to strangers. Duke loves to play fetch,
and will come up to us, drop the ball so that we can throw it again. He is
friendly with the other dogs, but most of the time he likes to just run
around and do his own thing. Duke is doing great!"
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 2
Duke's handler kept his training low-key this week because of the weather.
Even with that setback, Duke excelled in his studies! His handler reports
that just after two weeks, Duke has risen to the goals that our training
staff set out for the dogs after three to four weeks! Duke continued to work
on his "heel" and "no-pulling walking" because his handler wants Duke to "be
sharp on his basic skills." Keep up the good work, Duke!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
Week 1
Duke and his handler spent the week getting to know one another, and they've
already become fast friends! Duke's handler watched him for a couple of days
and evaluated his every move to map out his road to his forever home. "What
I found is that he isn't your normal dog. He is extraordinary. Duke is very
smart, and already I see his potential. My favorite aspect of his
personality is how loyal he is." Duke showed his loyalty one day when his
cell door was open. "He ran out, and I thought I'd be running after him, but
he just turned right around and looked at me like he was saying 'let's
go...are we going or what?'" Duke can walk easily on a leash, but with his
size even if he pulls a little, it's too much in his handler's opinion. So
this pup worked hard on his "heel" and "no pull" walking during his first
week at the prison. In fact, Duke is learning his "heel" command while
off-leash as well! His handler says that everything he sees with Duke is
positive. "He is full of energy, loves people and is very friendly." Duke is
still getting used to all of the new noises he's encountering at the prison,
but his handler is working with him to realize that they're just noises. "I
pick a spot out on the block and watch Duke closely. When I feel he is calm
and relaxed, I praise and treat him...and it's working." Duke's handler
wants only for his pup to feel confident in all environments while at the
same time keeping his focus on the tasks at hand. What a first week, you've
had Duke! Stay loyal to your handler, and we know that you'll find your
forever home soon!
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.
UPDATE - 6/30/10
After many months of patient waiting, it is finally Duke's turn at the
prison. Duke headed to the big house today. He's a big boy with a great
personality. He's waited a long time to get started on his training
and we know that once he gets settled in, he will be a star. Duke will
be working on all of the basics and learning expand his circle of trust to
include more than just the people he lives with. Duke
is a six year old Great Dane mix and is available for
adoption through Animal Rescue Inc.
For information on adopting Duke, please contact the HOPE
Program by CLICKING HERE
or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application
online by clicking here.