Shadowbar Shepherds K9 Coaching

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

So when you see those fabulous facebook K9 performances, think of the time and dedication it took to get there. How many times they had to change the pathway and fine tune the approach while all the time keeping their eye on the goal 🌹

Real sessions don’t look like the ones on Instagram.

There are sessions where the dog is off. Where nothing clicks. Where you’ve done everything right and it still falls apart at the gate.

Most people read that as failure. It isn’t.

Progress in dog training is rarely linear. It shows up after repetition — usually right after the session where you were convinced nothing was working.

But here’s what I’ve seen end more training relationships than anything else: the handler quits in the messy middle. Not because the dog couldn’t get there. Because the human ran out of patience right before things turned.

The handler has to learn timing too. Timing isn’t just a leash skill. It’s knowing when to push and when to back off. When to end on a win and when to ask for one more.

Consistency when you can’t see progress yet — that’s the real work. The dog is almost always ready before the handler thinks he is.

If you’ve had one of those sessions where nothing seemed to work, share your story.

Or tag someone who needs to hear this today.

06/03/2026

Working line shepherds from proven blood lines.

Miss Orange is the first Wombat to have an ear up!
One male and three female spots currently open in this super fun and exciting repeat breeding litter!
Von Cluskey “W” litter born 4/29/2026
Sire: SG Noris z Michalkinej záhrady, 5X5/55 P, IGP 3, hips and elbows SV A-normal, dm and mdr1 clear
Dam: Gen-Chi’s Uvonne, IGP 3, FH 1, hips A, elbows 0/0, full AKC health+ panel clear
https://sk.working-dog.com/breed/Von-Cluskey-323619

Hamilton, MT; can ship
www.voncluskeygsds.com

06/03/2026

Absolutely

The question is, do you want the dog to truly feel okay and learn to be comfortable being touched by strangers, or do you not care about the dog's feelings and just want a title?

If you have a genuine concern for the actual well-being of the dog, you will want the progress they make with being touched by strangers ie. examined by a judge, to be honest. Honest progress means the dog actually learns to feel okay. They aren't just standing stock still because they are so afraid of the handler that standing still is the safest thing for them to do.

I actually had a client tell me that their handler told them, "you need to make the dog more afraid of you than they are of the judge". Um, what? As disgusting as this sentiment is, unfortunately it's not uncommon. Many people, even those that are supposed to be experts, don't understand how to properly work through fear issues with a dog. And sadly, many don't care, they just want to get the dog finished and will do whatever is necessary to make that happen.

If you want the dog to truly enjoy showing and being touched by people, the work you do must be systematic and well thought out. It's not just forcing and drilling dogs. It's not blaming the dog or labeling him "stubborn" or "willfull" or "spoiled". There's no quick fix. Knowledgable and skilled behavior consultants know this and that's why we carefully design training plans that put the dog's well-being above all else, including winning ribbons or gaining titles.

If you want to learn how to best help your sensitive, shy or fearful dog learn to enjoy the show ring, check out From Shy to Showy. Available as a book, an audiobook, an online course or work with Vicki one-on-one.

www.showdogprepschool.com

06/01/2026

Congratulations, Russ and Buddy on your new SDS scentwork title. Nailing an exterior hide in sketchy weather is admirable !!🎉

05/30/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Sheena Ann Melone

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

05/25/2026

GSD pup-learning scent detection at Shadowbar.