Shelby is my step-dog, she was my husbands dog before I was on the scene, and she’s an absolute sweety. We often joke about Poor Shelby, because she has the roughest life.
She’s a typical coonhound, loves to howl at things, loves to chase critters (which is pretty useful in our yard) – but she is never happier than when she’s sprawled out in the sunshine, or by a fire.
If you want to get technical? Shelby’s a redbone coonhound crossed with a redtick coonhound – which is something that is done for working hunting dogs, because both of these coonhounds have phenomenal noses and hunting ability, and the idea is that the cross can give you the best of both worlds.
The Name…
Shelby was actually named by her breeder! My husband says he isn’t creative, so he stuck with the name she was given. Simple one, huh? That said, I like to imagine it’s after the Shelby mustang, I love that idea – so can we stick with that one instead?
Age
Shelby is around 5 years, my husband doesn’t remember her birthday, but she’s definitely starting to relax and become a little less hyperactive than she was as a puppy. S
Diet
Shelby was always fed kibble, and her stomach is happy on the blue buffalo she’s fed. She’s getting some bone broth, a little liver as a treat? But her ultimate favourite treat is duck jerky. That’s her favourite thing
About Shelby
She is more nose than dog. I swear she can smell a deer from a few miles away, sometimes you see her staring into the distance, nose to the wind. Shelby can get obsessed with the hunt, the thing she was looking for? Can be gone, but because she can smell it, she can’t give up and can get totally fixated on it.
Shelby has a noise sensitivity that’s always a work in progress. Thunderstorms and fireworks are tough for her, but we’ve made a lot of progress if I’m honest. If you want to read more about this journey we’ve done with her? Check out the July 4th posts, including the plan and the success!
We’ve worked a lot on recall, and on counter surfing. Both of which she’s doing really, really well with and I’m really proud of her.
She has some boundary issues? And she doesn’t like dogs coming into her space (which can be a really big space!) when she’s snoozing. But we manage it pretty well.
Shelby is crate trained, and she loves her crate, and has featured in my video for setting up the perfect crate! She’s a nice little model, bless her, very amiable.
That said! Do you want to know Shelby’s way of saying she loves you? She nibbles your nose.
Equipment Preferences
Lots Of On Leash – Ruffwear Front Range harness (M)
Collar – Reg & Bob (Orange)
Tracker – Fi Series 2 Tracker
Shelby’s got a really deep chest, but quite a narrow frame, which is why we opted for the front range harness as opposed to the perfect fit. I find the front clasp on the perfect fit can be a little much for dogs with a narrower chest? So, I find the ruffwear front range works really well. That said? We tried the large front range and shelby almost slipped out of it! Lesson learned and she’s now in a medium.
The tracker though is the biggest, most critical part of Shelby’s attire. She’s a bit of a hound-ini (like a lot of coonhounds – I consulted for this piece for chewy by the way!) so the tracker gives me phenomenal peace of mind for me and her Dad.
Tricks Shelby Knows
Sit, paw, Other paw, lay down, side, spin, heel
Hey, she’s pretty, okay? Even these are hit and miss if I’m honest!
Author, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a professional, qualified, and multi-award winning trainer is the founder of rebarkable. She has always believed animals deserve kindness and champions force free methods. Believing that dog guardians will all choose the kindest options if proper information is provided, she aims to help all dog guardians who need it and make dog training as accessible as possible
Ali lives win Maryland, US with her husband and her three dogs.
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