 A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance |
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Falkor
Week 1 ║ Week 2 ║ Week 3 ║ Week 4 ║ Week 5 ║ Week 6 ║ Week 7
Week 8 ║ Week 9 ║ Week 10 ║ Week 11 ║ Week 12
ADOPTED!!!
Week 10
Falkor's handlers worked with him to hone his skills for his new family! His
leash manners are improving. "Falkor has been extremely well behaved walking
proper." His patience level also has greatly improved. In fact, Falkor will
stay in a wait position up to 30 seconds for a treat before his handler
gives him the "OK" signal to take it! Last week during class (a professional
trainer goes into the prison once a week to work with the handlers and their
dogs), our handlers were given the challenge of teaching their dogs two new
commands. Falkor learned his within minutes! "His potential is in the sky!"
Falkor's handlers are so happy that he found his forever home, but they're
also glad that they got to spend Christmas with him. The other day, Falkor
went over to one of his handlers, and rested his head on his lap, just to
say "hello"! "We will miss our little buddy. There's so much personality in
him! I've noticed that as much as I taught him, he's taught me as much." Be
well, little pup!
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Mack Justin Shelby Tia Isis Shiloh Oliver Molly
Week 9
Because of the weather this week, Falkor wasn't able to get as much yard
time for his morning run. His handlers, instead, kept him busy by involving
training in their every day activities, such as walking through doors.
Falkor will now sit and wait until his handlers walk through a door, and
give him the "okay" command before he crosses the threshold. "He is getting
very good at this and he is learning patience at the same time."
Falkor's mouthing episodes are subsiding! Positive reinforcement and praise
are really helping this issue. Falkor's "heel" and "with me" commands are
also coming along! Although he still pulls at times, he can do laps around
the yard without any pulling at all on a good day! This pup did get to play
with his favorite football, but he had to wait for his handler to give him
his okay command in order to do so. Once he got the command, "he went flying
for the football. He runs so fast and his funny legs are going in all
directions!" His handlers report that it was a "good week for Falkor, and as
always, we love our little guy."
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Mack Justin Shelby Tia Isis Shiloh Oliver
Week 8
Both of Falkor's handlers report that "he was really being a puppy this
week." Falkor decided that coat bottoms, sleeves and gloves were his new
toys. His handlers quickly adjusted their training plan to teach this pup
that this is not good behavior, and "it's working very well." Falkor's basic
commands are really improving. In fact, he knows his "watch me" command so
well, that one of his handlers reports that it has become a "staring
contest!" Falkor's handlers work with him a lot in the yard, going over his
walking techniques and other skills. They also give him recess, so that he
can run and play in between his lessons. As they reported last week, Falkor
thinks that hide and seek is the best! Despite the little setback this week,
his handlers report that "he is a very clever pup! He loves to cuddle up in
the cell. When I am sitting down, he will sneak up close to me, sit down,
and look straight at me, while leaning on me. He's very loving and
affectionate. If you didn't already know, we love our little guy a bunch."
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Mack Justin Shelby Tia Isis Shiloh Oliver
Week 7
Falkor was a busy little boy working on some essential commands this week.
His handlers report that "he is really showing much improvement, and that it
was a good week for Falkor!" His handlers also report that "everyone is on
the same page" about being persistent when it comes to his mouthing issue.
"He is a much calmer pup than he was a week and a half ago." Way to go,
little boy! Falkor now knows his "drop it" command. One of his handlers used
his favorite toy, a deflated football, (and a couple of yummy treats) to
motivate him to learn this task...with great results! Falkor's leash manners
are also improving, though still a work in progress. But, his handlers
know that he'll grasp the concept sooner rather than later! Falkor loves his
time in the doggie yard! "He runs a lot! When we go out to the yard, he goes
straight to the water dishes. I'll break the ice, and he takes it and licks
it. We play tag and hide and seek. He always has his eyes open with the
officers and women who walk by because he really enjoys meeting new people.
He definitely is a piece of work...his personality is one of a kind, and we
all love him. He is such an awesome dog and friend. He lets me know I'm his
friend by rolling on his back, stretching out, and giving me a smile that
says 'scratch my belly, please.' He is a very special little guy."
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Mack Justin Shelby Tia Isis Shiloh Oliver
Week 6
Falkor was introduced to a new handler this week. Although they are still
getting to know one another, things are going very well! His new handler
reports that he is still gaining Falkor's trust and he is looking forward to
working with him and "joining forces" with his main handler to make sure
that he gets adopted. Part of Falkor's homework this week was being
introduced to consistent time-outs to curb his love of mouthing . "When he
starts to mouth, we tell him to go into his crate for a short period of
time. We don't even close the door, we just tell him to stay until we give
him the go-ahead to come out. Everyone who pets him now can't believe that
they can visit with him without him mouthing!" Good boy, Falkor! His
handlers also worked on his recalls, touch downs, stays, roll-overs, and
walking with a harness this week (which has made a "huge difference" with
his walking skills). Falkor's handlers have been "working with his thought
process, playing find the treat and also his patience. "We are also working
on the 'watch me' command, to grab his attention when he is distracted."
Falkor loves chasing his little rubber donut. "He runs so fast, and doesn't
give up!" Sweet Oliver is back at the prison, so his and Falkor's handlers
decided to introduce their pups to one another. Because of the differences
in their sizes, their handlers kept a close eye on them while they were
together. By first appearances, however, there may just be a Mutt & Jeff
relationship in the making! Falkor really amused one of his handlers this
week. "I was getting ready to brush my teeth, and he came over to me with
the cup I use to give him water. I looked at his water bowl, and it was
empty. I guess he was saying, fill my bowl, please! He is definitely an
intelligent pup!"
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia Isis Shiloh Oliver
Week 5
Falkor is a little like a social butterfly. He loves all of the people
in his new world and loves all of the other dogs, too! He gets along
so well with everyone and is continuously making people smile with his silly
antics. This week, his homework included walking nicely on the leash,
recalls and meeting new people without using his mouth to say hello.
Falkor was never taught any differently, until now, so this has been a
struggle for him. For him, mouthing is like waving and is a perfectly
normal greeting. However, he is learning more and more everyday that
he only gets attention and playtime when his teeth are kept in his mouth.
He absolutely loves playtime out in the yard. Falkor is not picky about the game...as long as you're playing with him. He likes fetch, tug-o-war and chase. This week, his handlers also learned that Falkor thoroughly enjoys an afternoon at the doggie spa. He loves his bathtime and all of the attention that comes along with it. With a little patience, Falkor is going to be one top-notch pup ready for a home of his own.
Field Trip Alert (as told by HOPE volunteer MArgie) - Wanted to let you know how Falkor and I did. He is just too cute. I took him over to Lower Allen Park. I had a 20 ft lead with me that I used and also put a harness on him. He was pulling a lot and the harness really seemed to help out. I let him sniff to his heart's content and I think he had a ball. We came across 4 shelties being walked and he met everyone very politely including a couple of the humans. Later he met a couple of other people and again he was a good boy. There was no jumping or mouthing - just a lot of wiggling! The only time there was any mouthing was when we sat down in the grass and were doing some snuggling. Falkor started mouthing my hand, but as soon as I used the "aah" word, he would stop. We played a game - I put food in a fist and if he mouthed he got "aah" and "too bad". If he just nosed my hand, he got "good boy" and the treat. We practiced some recalls from 20 feet and he did well. Once we got back to the car, we switched leashes and practiced loose leash walking on his regular lead. As long as I used the harness, he did pretty well, but that's something that needs to be worked on. On the way back to the prison, Falkor apparently decided he wanted to ride in the front. He jumped over the seat and settled down on the passenger's side. I'm not sure if he was asleep, but his eyes were closed and he just looked so content. When we walked back into the prison, I had him sit while I swiped my card and then while we waited for the buzzer he laid down on the floor with both back legs straight out (froggy style). I guess he was pretty tired from his outing. What a little character.
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia Isis Shiloh Oliver
Week 4
"This week has been good. We are slowly seeing a change in Falkor's
mouthing. He is stubborn, but intelligent, and we are happy to just see a
little change every week." Falkor continues to do well with with all of his
basic commands, but he loves the cup game that his handlers added to his
training this week! "We've been putting three cups out and hiding a treat
for him to find. He's catching on fast. We are definitely giving him
something to think about." Falkor's coming to his handlers when they call
him is also improving! This sweetheart also has learned that some of the
other dogs in the program are pretty neat playmates! "He plays with his
girlfriend/Mom, Ginger very well. He also found a new friend in Georgie.
They run around the yard playing close to each other. He likes Shelby too,
and they play well together. He is a very friendly and happy pup with us,
and we love him a bunch."
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia Isis
Week 3
Falkor's handlers report that he's doing well with most of his commands. In
addition to the skills he had when he entered the program, Falkor now knows
how to turn over and his leave its are "pretty good." Falkor is also
learning to touch his handlers' palms with his nose when they say "touch,"
and he improves on his leash-walking every day. Wow, what a student! Now,
this boy has to learn not to mouth. That is what his handlers are
concentrating on the most. If Falkor gets excited when he greets someone and
starts to mouth, his handlers instruct the person to immediately stop
petting him and ignore him. When he settles down, they ask the person to try
again. Falkor only mouths one of his handlers when he's not focused on him.
"If I"m folding laundry or cleaning up, he gently puts his mouth on my hand,
as if to say 'pay attention to me.' When he does that, I say 'AT-AT and he
stops. He is getting better, but he is still a puppy, and I guess it's not
going to change overnight. Both of us are very patient and we love him. We
have nothing but time in here to work on it with him."
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia
Week 2
"Well, Falkor has been with us for a week, and he's showing us his true
colors." His handlers report that he still gets excited easily and still
tends to mouth. They are working on the latter to show him that it's not
proper behavior. "We show him love, and he loves us back. He is learning
that if he mouths, we immediately stop petting him and remove the focus on
him." Falkor as a result is grasping the concept, but he still loves his
cellies! This pup loves to go out to the doggie yard and play his favorite
game of tag! His handlers say that they use this as a way of "tiring him
out." Since he's still a puppy, he has a lot of energy to burn off! "Falkor
is most definitely a people person. He loves everyone, but he has his
favorites." As for his canine friends, he still favors Ginger and Shelby.
"We give him 5 or 10 minutes to play with them or until the other dogs have
had enough. He is still a puppy, and is learning when it's time to stop."
Falkor's eating and drinking habits are also improving. "He's now eating the
entire amount that we put down for him. We guess that he's realizing that it
will be there when he wants it. We hand-feed him some of his food and when
he's done eating, we pet and praise him to assure him that it's okay." After
just a short time at the prison, his handlers say that Falkor seems very
willing to learn. "Falkor has only been with us for a week, but he truly is
coming along fine." Keep up the good work, Falkor!
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Dutch Duke Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia
Week 1
"We met our new dog, Falkor, on Monday, the 18th, and he seems to like us."
His handlers are working with Falkor to see what commands he already knows,
and so far, he's responding well! "He sits on command, waits, goes down, and
even gives his paw. We also have started a game. We hide one of his favorite
treats under a cup, and he's catching on to the game very fast." Falkor is
also meeting his canine friends one-on-one." He already thinks that Ginger
and Shelby are possibilities in his pack. "and we think in time when he is
settled in, we'll give them more play time together." Of course, since he's
so new to the program, his handlers don't want to rush Falkor. "He is
settling in so far. We think he'll be fine in time. He has started to show
some excitement...running, playing with his red ball. He also mouths at
times, but very gently. So, we guess we're on our way! We both feel that
Falkor is a quick learner. He's very smart, and of course, the
obvious....he's pretty darn cute!" Enjoy your new friends, Falkor!
For information on adopting Tia, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Dutch Duke Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia
UPDATE - 10/18/10
Falkor started classes at the big house today. His handlers
are already having a good time getting to know their new canine cellie!
Falkor is a young pup who
needs some basic manners and a few lessons in pack leadership. Falkor
is a one year old interesting mix of American Eskimo Dog and Pit mix and is available for
adoption through
Diamond Dog
Rescue.
For information on adopting Falkor, please contact the HOPE Program by CLICKING HERE or calling 717-379-2511. You can complete an application online by clicking here.
Dutch Duke Cocoa Chi Chi Ginger Georgie Justin Shelby Tia
Hounds of Prison Education
A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance