12/10/24
My name is Vichai Saly. I’ve been tasked to handle the one, the myth, the legend people tell stories about at campfires at night - Athena. Here we have an American Pit Bull Terrier. She is 2 years, 2 months young. Coming in at a weight of 48 pounds.
My first impression of Athena is summed up in this one word “RELENTLESS.” This sassy spit fire cannot stop or will not stop until she feels that she has been satisfied. No matter what it is, she is relentless. She could be searching for your affection, playing, or pulling, she does it relentlessly. Trust me you will be tuckered out before she is. Please understand this is my first impression of Athena during our first week together. This spitfire has so much more to show us.
By the end of this 12 week syllabus, you will grow with her, get to know her, and she’ll let you take her home.
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12/19/24
At the moment the secondary handler and myself are planning to follow the 12 week syllabus. My major goal with Athena is her leash training. As of right now, she has no apparent training.
This first 3 weeks will be the honeymoon phase where we bond with our new dogs. We do this by showing them their place to eat, sleep, and showing them their toys. They can choose the toy they want to play with. Socializing with them, building that trust and finding that comfort zone for all of us to co-exist.
The first cue is sit. This is where you use a high value treat. You pinch the treat with your pointer finger and thumb. You bring it to the dog’s nose, then slowly move the treat up and towards your dog’s back like an arch, hopefully your dog will place their backside on the ground. Once that happens click and say “sit.” Repeat 5 - 10 times.
Second, is down, after your fluff-fluff masters the sit. You build on that to cue your dog to go down. While in the sit position, you pinch the treat, and slowly you bring the treat to the floor. Once the dog goes all the way down, you click, treat the dog, and say “down.” Repeat 5-10 times.
The third cue we do is stand. Once your dog has mastered “down,” you pinch the treat and have your dog smell it. You slowly pull back your hand towards your body. Once the dog stands up you click, give a treat, and say stand. Repeat 5-10 times.
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12/26/24
Athena:
Eager
Relentless
Happy
Adorable
Super Friendly
If you leave Athena alone, she will find something with your scent on it and bring it to her sleeping area. This thing mostly consists of your shoes or slippers…. But the things she brings to bed are never chewed or destroyed! She derives comfort from snuggling with something that smells like you while resting.
My favorite thing about my dog is her relentlessness to get what she wants. Athena doesn’t mind being in her kennel, she will wait patiently without whining. She’s so eager to please.
Athena’s energy level is moderate, matching whatever you put out. If you bring your energy up, she will do the same to match yours. You want her to get pumped up and she’ll turn up in return, you want some rest, she’ll cuddle up or go and mind her own business. Every morning I make sure she gets her morning energy out, goes to the restroom and then she’s ready to start training. I appreciate her charming personality and I think she acknowledges that by being the best dog ever.
Athena’s favorite toy is anything that squeaks! Currently it’s a green octopus. She’ll also happily chase any ball you throw for her. She LOVES to play.
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1/06/25
There I was on the side of the road, I honestly don't remember how I even got there. So I decided to try and hitch a ride! What do you know, a woman actually stopped and picked me up! She took me home and cared for me until I was brought to PAWS GH.
I’m not really sure how long I was at PAWS for but I’ll tell you what, I had so much fun! They have so many snacks and fun toys and games to play, everyone was so nice to me there. Then one day Allie, my best friend at PAWS, loaded me into the car and took me to Stafford Creek Freedom Tails! That’s where I’m writing this from.
When I first got here we got out of the car and walked towards this huge building with so many fences around it. Like magic all of the gates opened for Allie! When we got inside, we saw this whole new world! There were benches, grass and a fish pond too! That’s where we waited for my new human.
At first he didn’t even look at me, how could he?! Then all of the sudden, he bent down one one knee and I got to lick his hand. All of the sudden whatever fear was inside of me melted away. I knew I’d have him wrapped around my little paws in no time. 😀 Sure enough he has met my every need. I need to go to the bathroom? He takes me, and then cleans it up too! I want to play in the mud? Done! I do have to admit, I do not like the bath that comes afterwards. I was terrified of water! It’s getting better, a little….
Don't get me wrong, I listen to him also! There’s usually a treat in it for me afterwards. I love being with him. He provides structure and boundaries for me so that it’s easier to communicate with humans.
Did I mention I was terrified of stairs when I first got here?! This guy tried to get me to go up them. I was like NO FREAKING WAY MAN! I tried to run anywhere but towards those stairs. After a while my guy just swooped me up and walked me up the stairs. He did this two more times after that and well, then I felt safe because I knew he wouldn't let me fall. So next time we had to hit the stairs, I was able to do it all by myself! I was terrified when I did it and hugged the walls until I got onto solid ground again. But I did it! And I’ve been doing it! Now I can hit the stairs like a champion..
Alright, I’ll talk to you guys later!
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1/09/25
The cues we are working on this week are sit, stay and down. Athena has mastered sit, however down and stay are a work in progress.
Athena’s potty training is going well! She’s about 75% potty trained. She has no accidents, as long as we keep consistent potty breaks as part of the schedule.
______________________________________________________________________________Please apply to adopt at: http://www.pawsgh.org
