Shelter Staffy Shadow’s Training Update

Shadow is doing really well, but as to be expected there is a time in the day when Shadow struggles a little more and needs to be removed. We’re sharing this video with everyone so that it might help with everyone’s personal expectations of Shadow and her progress.
A while ago we shared another similar video of Shadow saying that there will be a period of time in her training where there will be seemingly big progress steps, but it’s important to remember that even then, there will still be a long way to go.
This is that time.
A dog like Shadow can be managed in life as she is. Walked on lead at odd hours of the day to avoid meeting anyone else with a dog along the way. Re-homed into a family with no other dogs at home. No park time off lead. This is a life that can be very achievable. We have people contact us all the time that this is how they manage. We considered this very early on for Shadow, if this was best for her, going straight into a loving home but living her life in isolation so to speak. OR the alternative, a very long road of intense training to rehabilitation.
We decided on the latter.
We know what it takes. We’ve done it before. Aggressive dogs is Luke’s specialty and his passion. It’s a lot of work, but well worth it.
Today Shadow went into fight mode just before the Swiss ball was released. Yesterday she sailed through that event and couldn’t make it through the swim session.
This is very normal for a dog like Shadow. She has done very well to be even next to 40 dogs playing frisbee or running etc. But there will be many moments that she will not likely breeze through. No disappointment here, we just continue on the road. Training every day. It will eventually be less and less and eventually no more. When? That’s up to Shadow. But we won’t give up on her. She will have a place here at the farm for as long as it takes.
We share with you all, usually a daily diary of progress. There’s not just one video of before and after. We want to take you along for Shadow’s journey. We feel everyone is very supportive of Shadow, well those that are followers or subscribers are, passers by like to cast judgement on the one video they have seen. But there’s no magic here, it’s just the right training and a lot of time invested. The great thing for Shadow is that there’s no rush no pressure for her to perform in a short period of time.
Anyway, there will be times Shadow won’t be participating. She’ll be removed. But we’re celebrating the times that she is present and the opportunities she’s making for herself to learn and grow. Shadow is a special dog, her story is and will be, something truly special.