Foster Feedback

4/3/15

Normally Banjo would be writing his own feedback, but we can't get him to stop chasing his tail long enough for him to get a full sentence out so I guess I'll write it for him. Banjo is a special needs dog. He needs someone who is willing to work on building trust with him, but not let him get away with things. Banjo came to us with a lot of distrust in people, he was kept in a bad place for some of his life and wasn't socialized at all. Banjo doesn't know how to greet people and he gets scared when they look at him so he starts barking and growling. Banjo needs a slow meet with people, he needs them to not look or acknowledge him so he can feel like a stealthy ninja and sneak up to smell their pant leg. Once he realizes you're not going to come at him, he will allow you to place your hands at your side. Once he sniffs your finger and you make it past that checkpoint you are then allowed to look at his majesty. That is the point that Banjo will build trust with you, he will know that your hands aren't going to hit him and your feet aren't going to kick him. Pet him a few times and then before you know it he'll be in your arms giving you kisses. This process can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how well you get along without looking at him.

After you meet him he is a fantastic lover boy. He will lay in your lap, watch your favorite movie or show (he has been on a Gilmore Girls binge for a little over a month). Banjo also does fine without being crated. I am a huge advocate for dogs being crated, it keeps them from getting into things that they shouldn't, like the garbage, the laundry, the laundry detergent, the list goes on and on. However, Banjo lived in a kennel and was forgotten about so it is a scary thing for him to be left in a kennel. If you are comfortable with devoting a clean and safe home for him to lay around in, then he is in good shape. He has been increasing comfort while being kenneled, but you should be prepared for him barking to remind you that he is there until he calms.

Banjo does great with people he has already met and deemed appropriate for his life style. He has no problem welcoming them back into his home. He does great with children who respect his space and won't push him to a limit where he has to make a bad decision. Banjo lives with other dogs both big and small. He tends to leave the bossy one alone, but will control the larger dogs. He will snarl when up on a couch or when he just doesn't want another dog near him. That is when you need to intervene and teach Banjo that that is no way to treat his friends. After being corrected a few times Banjo gets the hint and will move to another spot.

Banjo in a shell -
Is potty trained
Does well with people after given the proper introduction (see 1st paragraph)
Is crate trained but could be left with a clean free roaming house
Needs to be groomed every ~ 6 weeks
Does well with other dogs
Does well with cats
Does well with children who can respect boundaries and space
Can be lazy but also likes to chase his tail