09/05/2026
SUNSHINE 🌞 PUPDATE
Sunshine is our gorgeous white staffy that is deaf.
She is a young gal, about 1 yr, that needed help with basic obedience. The challenge is that she can learn like a dog that hears. So were working with RUFF Academy Real Life Dog Training . Sunshine is on Day 5 of training , and doing very well!!! Here is her report card from yesterday: View Report cards

Report Card for Sunshine
Board & Train | 2 Weeks
Updated on Fri, 09/4/2026, 7:16 pm by Rebekah Hintzman
Images and Videos
Select an image to view or download.
Report Card details
🌞>Sunshine has made good progress throughout her training, and we have spent a lot of time figuring out what works best for her as an individual, especially with her being deaf. Because she cannot rely on verbal communication, our biggest focus has been developing clear communication throughhand signals, leash guidance, body positioning, and the e-collar as a way to get her attention and redirect her focus.
🌞>We have worked consistently on her basic obedience, includingheel, sit, down, place, turns, and “watch me.”Her heel work has continued to improve, and she is learning to follow changes in direction and pay closer attention to where her handler is going. Sit has been one of her stronger commands, while we have continued building consistency with down and maintaining positions for longer periods of time.
🌞>One of Sunshine’s biggest challenges has beenfocus and engagement, particularly when there are interesting things happening around her. During her first public outing, she was extremely excited and wanted to look at everything around her. It was almost like watching a kid in a candy store! As we continued working, we used those distractions as opportunities to teach her that even when the environment is exciting, she still needs to check in with her handler.
🌞>The“watch me”command has been especially important for Sunshine. Deaf dogs can become very good at visually tuning things out when they do not want to engage, so we have worked on teaching her that looking back to her handler is an important part of communication. Once we have her attention, she generally understands what is being asked of her.
🌞>We have also worked on her obedience in different environments so that she learns her commands do not only apply in one training area. She has shown that she can work through distractions, although consistency and continued practice will be important as she moves forward.
🌞🌞>Overall, Sunshine has done well during training. She is a smart girl with plenty of personality, and there have definitely been moments where her expression says,“Oh please…ugh!”😂 But she works through it! The biggest thing moving forward will be continuing to reinforcehandler engagement, visual check-ins, and consistency with her hand signals and e-collar communication. Keeping those expectations clear and practicing regularly will help Sunshine continue building confidence and reliability at home and out in public.
😊🙏Sunshine does need a foster or adopter in a week so we can continue to enforce the training she already has learned. If you are interested in meeting her please contact us!! 🙏⬇️ Pawsuppetrescue18.rescuegroups.org
