I took Shadow out for a walk today. He was calmer this week, back to his usual self, and we had a lovely relaxed time wandering through the woods. He is a good boy out and about once he knows you. Shadow needs a special, experienced family with regular outings. He can be excitable coming out of his kennel but with no nastiness so with the right people and consistent training I am sure he will flourish.
I love seeing him sitting on his raised bed in the outside run just watching what is going on, he looks very regal
Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 RRemedies Centre
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
My first opportunity to spend some time with Shadow yesterday and I was not disappointed. He is such a lovely boy, soft natured and friendly and we just spent some time hanging out in the paddock together.
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
I really enjoy my time with Shadow. He knows and trusts me now and once that relationship is established he shows his soft, friendly nature. Yes, he is a bit excitable getting out of his kennel but that is just the relief and joy of having some freedom to run and bounce and relax and he does listen and respect me despite his impatience to get out. Shadow charges around in the paddock, the joy of running clearly seen in his face. He also rather enjoys cuddles and fuss and the last couple of times I have given his coat a good brush which relaxes him. Yesterday he rolled over onto his back for fuss.
Here he is in all his glory. (at the beginning of the video he was sitting on my feet)
Here he is in all his glory. (at the beginning of the video he was sitting on my feet)
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
Here is Shadow building a relationship with a new member of our kennel staff.
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
I popped to the kennels this afternoon to pick up Missy for a couple of nights rest and relaxation away from the kennels - Before heading home I spent some paddock time with Shadow - here’s Shadow leaning in for a snuggle with Paige ...
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Click here for our Dog Walking Questionnaire
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
Shadow the Dutch Shepherd is having a few days away with me in Reading while my gorgeous RR girl Roxie is away training in Wales.
Before I start and you all fall in love with this stunning chap he is an amazing and special lad who will need his new family to be very experienced with the breed and all of their traits. Couple this with heightened guarding of his human and very limited dog socialisation and you'll have an idea of what this boy needs to help him along.
Right, now that's out of the way, prepare to be amazed at the boy that is Shadow.
We started our day running around with Aunty Lynne doing a homing for Perry and then off to the vets for a booster. Shads was quite overwhelmed but luckily with the aid of his muzzle (it's pink with unicorns) he managed to have his jab without too much hassle.
We then jumped in my van and Shads travelled very well in his crate. A few head rubs and chin tickles saw him happy until we got home.
We went for a walk and considering this was a stressful scenario he was amazing. We met a large on lead dog and as predicted Shads was hyper, barking and jumping. His tail was waggling as it always does. This just highlighted the need to help with his socialisation. I always use the muzzle if a dog comes over as I don't want to be accidentally caught when he's adrenalised and don't want to see a negative outcome to the hello. Shads knows this and allows the muzzle to be put on without fuss.
When we got home I got the full rescue dog who's been in kennels too long treatment so the lead stayed on for 30mins to help him settle.
Throughout the night I got a few guarding growls and an attempt to dominate me when I was setting up his crate but with a 'Oi!! Pack it in' he stopped.
He's a total cuddle monster but an eye has to always be on keeping him from getting too excited.
He slept in my bedroom in a crate as he was just too overwhelmed and went from midnight until 06:40 when I got up. No messes or accidents.
Shads has calmed down nicely at home and is responding well to instruction to keep calm if he goes over to the silly side. I adore this lad
Here are some photos of the boy with Many more to follow...…….
Before I start and you all fall in love with this stunning chap he is an amazing and special lad who will need his new family to be very experienced with the breed and all of their traits. Couple this with heightened guarding of his human and very limited dog socialisation and you'll have an idea of what this boy needs to help him along.
Right, now that's out of the way, prepare to be amazed at the boy that is Shadow.
We started our day running around with Aunty Lynne doing a homing for Perry and then off to the vets for a booster. Shads was quite overwhelmed but luckily with the aid of his muzzle (it's pink with unicorns) he managed to have his jab without too much hassle.
We then jumped in my van and Shads travelled very well in his crate. A few head rubs and chin tickles saw him happy until we got home.
We went for a walk and considering this was a stressful scenario he was amazing. We met a large on lead dog and as predicted Shads was hyper, barking and jumping. His tail was waggling as it always does. This just highlighted the need to help with his socialisation. I always use the muzzle if a dog comes over as I don't want to be accidentally caught when he's adrenalised and don't want to see a negative outcome to the hello. Shads knows this and allows the muzzle to be put on without fuss.
When we got home I got the full rescue dog who's been in kennels too long treatment so the lead stayed on for 30mins to help him settle.
Throughout the night I got a few guarding growls and an attempt to dominate me when I was setting up his crate but with a 'Oi!! Pack it in' he stopped.
He's a total cuddle monster but an eye has to always be on keeping him from getting too excited.
He slept in my bedroom in a crate as he was just too overwhelmed and went from midnight until 06:40 when I got up. No messes or accidents.
Shads has calmed down nicely at home and is responding well to instruction to keep calm if he goes over to the silly side. I adore this lad
Here are some photos of the boy with Many more to follow...…….
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
Here are a few vids of Shadow out and about with me and also in my home on a foster break.
Shadow is settling in well at home and is following instruction to keep calm and settle when he gets a little hyper. He sleeps very well in his huge crate in my bedroom. This is just as he's here for a few days. If this was a forever home I'd work on him sleeping out of the crate but it's a good safe place for him for now.
Speaking of the crate, Shadow will go in and out when he wants and will also have a little nap with the door closed when I need to be out of site like having a shower. This is so he can see where I am but not get stressed about having a solid door closed between us. Again, if he was here forever then I'd work on this area.
We've done lots of work on him being settled and calm with me around his food, his toys and bringing him up to an overexcited level and then reigning this in. He has excelled in all of these which is a huge accomplishment as he can be expressive with his gob at times.
He has mouthed some of my cushions but not ragged them as I've seen him put them in his mouth and used our 'Shadow, let go' to great success. I've bought him some tug toys and have worked on appropriate tug with him. Since then the soft furnishings have been safe and he will play and settle much more easily. He enjoys the interaction so much.
He is still very guarding regarding other people and if given enough lead, he will lunge. To combat this he is on a specially fitted collar (with a secondary lead to his harness) and knows 'Close' and will walk with his jawline on my left knee and allows me to make the decision about who is safe. We have walked along the canal side every night at peak times using this method and he been great passing all types of scenarios. If you think along the lines of a working dog and risk assess accordingly tyou will get the idea of how this needs to be for now.
He's still a loon meeting dogs, but with the aid of the muzzle he can have some nice interaction, but in general he will need work in this area.
More to follow
Shadow is settling in well at home and is following instruction to keep calm and settle when he gets a little hyper. He sleeps very well in his huge crate in my bedroom. This is just as he's here for a few days. If this was a forever home I'd work on him sleeping out of the crate but it's a good safe place for him for now.
Speaking of the crate, Shadow will go in and out when he wants and will also have a little nap with the door closed when I need to be out of site like having a shower. This is so he can see where I am but not get stressed about having a solid door closed between us. Again, if he was here forever then I'd work on this area.
We've done lots of work on him being settled and calm with me around his food, his toys and bringing him up to an overexcited level and then reigning this in. He has excelled in all of these which is a huge accomplishment as he can be expressive with his gob at times.
He has mouthed some of my cushions but not ragged them as I've seen him put them in his mouth and used our 'Shadow, let go' to great success. I've bought him some tug toys and have worked on appropriate tug with him. Since then the soft furnishings have been safe and he will play and settle much more easily. He enjoys the interaction so much.
He is still very guarding regarding other people and if given enough lead, he will lunge. To combat this he is on a specially fitted collar (with a secondary lead to his harness) and knows 'Close' and will walk with his jawline on my left knee and allows me to make the decision about who is safe. We have walked along the canal side every night at peak times using this method and he been great passing all types of scenarios. If you think along the lines of a working dog and risk assess accordingly tyou will get the idea of how this needs to be for now.
He's still a loon meeting dogs, but with the aid of the muzzle he can have some nice interaction, but in general he will need work in this area.
More to follow
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
More of Shads loving his foster break with me
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
Shadow enjoying himself in Swinley Forest. An epic walk
Re: Shadow Dutch Shepherd DofB 13.06.14 Gatwick Kenns
We were just about to leave for our final walk before returning to kennels. Shadow just lifted his paw and showed me what a loving dog he is.
Broke me to pieces.
Love ya Shads
Broke me to pieces.
Love ya Shads