Booker

4/12/2024  This week Booker and I spent a lot of time on Level 3 training exercises. You can tell that he cannot wait for us to do something else because he will short change you of a completed command or cue and try to speed roll through it! Its is rather funny because he’ll sigh when we repeat it! He loves to play so much and would rather us be in the yard playing fetch, chase or tug!

Booker has a great athletic abilities and the speed to match,so a make your own course is created by me. He is an absolute show-off and with just hand signals,he follows my lead. My Super Dog has the wits to match! If you are looking to have fun, Booker is THE ONE!

…HOPE Trainer here…Booker went on an outing to support HOPE and Faulkner Subaru in Mechanicsburg, as they’re hosting a donation drive until April 26th for the HOPE dogs! Be sure to stop out there and drop off some goodies for your favorite HOPE dogs and if you can’t get out there yourself, contact Lynzee@hopedogs.org to schedule a pick up for donations too!

Booker T is sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance and you can apply to adopt him here, https://centralpaanimalalliance.org/apply-to-adopt

4/5/2024 With our dog yard being extremely muddy from endless days of rain, it seemed as though Booker would never get to release some energy.  Passing his Level 2 Obedience just a week after Level 1, he deserved some fun!  We, meaning, him and I came to the conclusion that “who cares how muddy it is” so the leash came off and the juvenile came out of him!  Surface water splashed endlessly, wipeouts could be seen over and over and when he finally exhausted himself, both of us were covered with a thick mud.  We looked like we just left a Monster Truck Rally.  Booker looked like he had a great time and so did I!  We needed a good hosing down but we are both squeaky clean and in a better place now!

Something you should know about Booker…he is willing to learn or try anything, as long as food in involved!  He now runs on the treadmill and has learned 6 commands in Spanish!  He’s my bi-lingual buddy!  He’s also a lover and seeks attention from anyone who will give it!  Our friendship is AWESOME!!!

3/29/2024 Booker LOVES his play time! We rotate dogs in the yard because he wants to have a friend with him for enjoyment. Loki, Merlin, Jaida, and Hazel are all dogs he wants to play with! Not a single one of them has his longevity when it comes to energy, so we rotate dogs in and out and he loves it! Youth usually prevails as we age in the energy department, and since he’s so young, he has amazing athletic abilities and no fear in showing them off!

Recently, a funny thing happened. Maintenance was on our block and had 500-600lbs of tools with them in a cart. When they finished the job and started pushing the cart, I had Booker help them push it! With his front paws on the cart and his hind on the ground, he walked well over 40 feet until they were at the door and off the block. Just as I was getting him to get down the words “and stay out” were yelled out as the other inmates cheered him on! Booker really showed them how to make an exit!

3/22/2024 Very often a tour group comes into the prison, and has a lot of different people.  Sometimes they stop just to see the HOPE Program dogs and get some information from the canine handlers and the stories of the dogs.  This is Booker's third week and he's been through two tours and two walk-throughs of the prison, just meeting, greeting and showing off his skills!

He absolutely LOVES people and does not ever discriminate on the circumstances on when or where he meets them.  Whether opening a door, sitting down, or on the walk, you're his friend whether you know him or not! Now he's being requested by so many to be seen daily, all day long!  His social game is off the charts!  He's known as the "cool ass dog" and I agree 100%!

3/15/2024 Booker is awesome with people and doing great in the prison environment. He and I have really bonded. 

Today, Booker passed his Level One Obedience Test after being here only two weeks! He's one smart dude and a very quick learner. I call him my "Super Dog." 

Booker can be quite pushy when he wants to go out and will bypass anyone in his way, without hesitation. I understand that he is learning but mowing people over is not acceptable! So, we spent a lot of time this week walking and sitting at doorways so he understands that we need good behavior and not a canine lawn mower. 

My "Super Dog" loves to play. He zig zaggs with the zoomies to start off for a good 10-15 minutes, releasing energy by the second. As I was watching him taking his laps around me and enjoying his athletic ability, I briefly took my eyes off him. Shortly after, with a full gallop, he collided into the backs of my legs knocking me right on my butt. So unexpected, all I could do was accept my defeat with a smile on my face. That's my "Super Dog!" 

3/8/2024 Booker and I spent the first week together working on his basic commands and socialization skills. We also spent a lot of time on "leash walking." He is a quick learner and definitely a magnet for people. His looks lure them in and his fantastic personality keeps them coming back. His charming capabilities need no assistance, and he could give me some pointers there! LOL. 

Booker only gets on the bed when invited, but he is a real cuddle bug. He crawls right up on me and then rolls over with his feet in the air for his belly to be rubbed. Hilarious. He is such a great dog!