I am currently at Stafford Creek Corrections Center as part of the FREEDOM TAILS Board & Train Program from August 8 - October 31. This popular program pairs a duo of incarcerated individuals up with a PAWS of Grays Harbor pooch for 12 weeks. Each dog has a primary and secondary handler assigned to the same cell, giving the dog 24-hour care and attention to meet its needs. During their stay at SCCC, these dogs receive specialized training to prepare them for adoption to the public. At the end of their 12-week stay, they enjoy a special adoption ceremony with their new families to show off their skills as they start a new journey. Find out more at pawsgh.org/freedomtails.
5 Tank Highlights!
1. Loves people
2. Very strong
3. Gets excited easily
4. Big marshmallow
5. Great with commands
8/15/24
What’s up world it’s that big dog Tank here coming at you live from SCCC Freedom Tails program where we’re sponsored by them cool cats over at PAWS of Grays Harbor, wait… did someone say cat?!?! Oh yeah, that was me! Anyway… I get here and they hand me over to this tall skinny human and his accomplice, a shorter stocky guy. I’m thinking to myself, this is going to be easy! I’m going to be able to do what I want when I want. But oh man was I wrong! They are not the ones to tango with, let me tell you. They got me stopping at doors and sitting, and to make things worse I can't walk through until I make eye contact and get the ok! I mean, I’m the biggest dog on this block! But the flip side of it all is that they really are just trying to make sure I succeed and get to a forever home with a new loving family. Till next time, Tank!
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8/25/24
What’s up big world? It’s your boy Tank Dogg over here at Freedom Tails. I have a joke for you…
Why did the cat cross the road? To run away from me of course!! LOL
Man, I’m funny but my handlers don’t think so. They’re like you better not be chasing cats. You hear? I just smile and say, yeah I guess so.
It’s time to tell you about my week. I feel great. I have not been this healthy in my life. This new chapter is starting out great. For me, I get personal trainers. They like to tell me what to do and give me treats if I do it. Not bad right? Hopefully I get my yellow bandana today. If I do, I will get more freedom and more work to do. That’s it for this week. Wish me luck!!!
Tank
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9/12/24
This is your boy, Tank!! And you know the rest. It’s been another week of training and cues; I am just getting ready for graduation. I can’t believe I’m already halfway through this program and I have learned so much in the time I have been here. I just hope they find me a good family that I can love and hopefully they have a big yard!!
Well, it’s time for me to get back to work. I will fill you in on the news next week!!
Ruff Ruff
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9/19/24
What’s up my peoples, it’s your boy Tank Dogg coming at you from SCCC Freedom Tails program. For all of you that are new and not yet wiped yet, Freedom Tails is the place that dogs go to for training in LIMA( least, invasive, minimal aversive training). So it goes like this; PAWS of Grays Harbor evaluates us and then sends us here for
a 12 week cues in behavior and basic obedience training. So yeah, that’s where I’m at and getting lots of training every day. Cues, cues, and cues. Sit, wait, with me, look/focus, down, stand, come, etc. At first, I was defiant and not willing to change my wild dog ways, but let me fill you in on something that they don’t tell you when get off
the change bus, these guys that have been down for a long minute have all the time in the world and patience to stand by and wait for you to do what they have asked of you. So, I found out the hard way at first. Now I just go along with them and do as I am asked; well for the most part! I’m coming around you can say.
Well I am going to take a nap. I’ll talk to you next week!!
Tank Dogg
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12/18/24
Hello everyone, I am Tank’s primary handler.
Tank is a 4 year old, 80 pound, male, American Bulldog pit mix. He is predominately shiny black with white markings on his feet, chest, throat, and has a white patch on the right side of his snout that connects to the white on his throat. He also has brindle-like brown markings ( brown streaks and spots) that are apparent when you look up close. He also has white fleck-marks on his face- making him an adorable companion.
At first Tank was quite mouthy when I would give him physical attention: lots of teeth at about 5% of his bite. This has been addressed appropriately over the last few weeks, and now he only does it when he gets ramped up and the bite has gone down to 2-3%. He has responded well to a nurturing kind approach. Tank is reactive to some people and dogs, yet with most people and some dogs he gets along just fine. We have been zealously working with Tank on his reactivity; consequently, we have noticed a remarkable change in his behavioral patterns surrounding his aggression which if I had to guess is merely his fear and anxieties produced by his environment-just my speculation. What I can objectively report is that Tank’s ability to calm down has improved significantly. A situation that was once uncomfortable is now much easier to maintain. His heartbeat, his whimpering, and his pull on the leash have all softened; and I can often get him to look at me in situations that previously he would simply refuse. This does still happen from time to time- especially if there are multiple distractions.
Overall, Tank is a wonderful, gentle dog that just needs the right environment to be successful. Tank is a healthy, happy, cuddly friend that will make a great pet companion. He has healthy teeth, nails, skin, and fur. He enjoys toys for short periods and he loves moderate to high value treats. He goes to his kennel when asked (most of the time) and he is 99.999% potty trained.
12/19/24
The required cues, this week, for Tank are sit, down, and stand. Tank is a very good sitter and does equally well with down when the ground is dry, wet surfaces not so good. Stand is a work in progress; however he knows the cue now, so it’s just a matter of repetition to perfect it.
Currently loose leash walking is our primary training to include “By Me.” These commands are asking Tank to sit by my left side and “with me,” which is asking him to walk next to me- similar to heel but less restrictive. Tank is making good progress in low distraction scenarios.
Tank is 99.999% potty trained and he talks to us saying, rabble-rabble-rabble when he needs to go outside. It is quite peculiar because it is as if he is actually trying to talk. As for “down,” at this point it is more of a flattened ready to pounce stance. We are working on getting him to lay on his side more.Please apply to adopt at: http://www.pawsgh.org
