UK9BG Club Member Spotlight: Shayla

Shayla began her dog training journey in 2021 after coming across a Cane Corso on Kijiji, bred out of the well known “Benny the Corso”. It did not take long for her to realize that this dog was far more than she had initially prepared for. Maverick possessed intense drive and a strong love for biting. Quickly challenging her and pushing her to seek out better knowledge, structure, and guidance. What began as an unexpected learning curve soon became the gateway into the world of dog sports.

Through Maverick, Shayla discovered a deep and lasting passion for protection sports and working dogs. She was drawn not only to the sport itself, but to the powerful partnership that develops between dog and handler, as well as the supportive club environment where members come together with a shared goal of helping one another learn, grow, and succeed. The camaraderie, mentorship, and collective dedication within the sport left a lasting impression and solidified her desire to continue down this path.

Although Shayla has not yet trialed or titled in protection sports, she was actively working toward her PDC with Maverick when their journey was unexpectedly put on hold. Maverick developed health issues that ultimately required her to step away from the sport for several years. During this time, she continued to learn, reflect, and remain connected to the working dog community, patiently waiting for the opportunity to return when the time was right.

She has since made her return to the sport with Panzer, a now 8-month-old Dutch Shepherd who is already proving to be worthy of his name. Strong, driven, and powerful, Panzer has quickly shown himself to be an absolute tank, reigniting Shayla’s passion and excitement for training and competition.

Outside of dog sports, Shayla’s other great passion lies with horses. She competes in the jumper ring with her 8-year-old Hanoverian, and between her involvement in both dog and equestrian sports, her life is fully immersed in constant learning, growth, and dedication. She is deeply grateful for the opportunities she is given each day to pursue these passions and continue developing as both a handler and a rider.

Shayla is incredibly thankful to UK9BG for welcoming her back and giving her the opportunity to be part of the club again. She extends special thanks to Connie Sandbach for starting this journey alongside her and for continuing to share her knowledge and guidance, as well as to Stan for believing in Maverick throughout his PSA career and encouraging them to keep moving forward during the most challenging moments. Shayla is beyond grateful to be back in the sport, enjoying the journey with Panzer, while Maverick proudly cheers them on from home. He is still playing his role by helping keep Panzer’s attitude in check and taking his farm protection role pretty serious. ❤️