Groot *In Training* American Staffordshire Terrier & Pit Bull Terrier Mix Sparta, WI

**Groot is currently in foster care with a trainer - he is still available for adoption, but we can schedule a time for you to meet Groot in his foster home after an application has been approved**

Meet Groot! Groot is a 1 1/2-year-old male American Staffordshire Terrier mix who is looking for a very special forever home.
Groot has been to a few different shelters in his life so far, so we're hoping to find him a family who will be dedicated to him in a way that ensures he never has to see a shelter again!

You see, some dogs do totally fine in a shelter! They love the new people, the friends, the excitement, etc....other dogs just don't dig the chaos and stress that can come with these types of environments. Groot was found living behind a shelter in Texas with his mom and litter mates... we don't know how they got there, but it sounds like they were somewhat feral (if not, just very fearful of people) and they were only caught by use of a livetrap. From there, the shelter was unable to find homes for Groot and his sister Frannie, who eventually made their way to WI to join another shelter. There, they spent about a month with no families coming forward. We decided to pull them in to see if we could help them in any way.

Groot is a boy who will need an owner that is experienced with shy/timid/fearful behaviors and OK with a dog who doesn't have a lot of socialization to the outside world. We haven't had Groot long enough to be able to exactly pinpoint every trigger for his fear, but so far we know it's new places, new people, and a lot of things that other well-rounded dogs wouldn't even blink an eye at. We've spent a lot of time with Groot just touching him, petting him, brushing him, and he even got a bath! He doesn't seem to mind human touch...he's just not quite ready to ask for it yet. That being said, he has already given little kisses to a select few of our staff! That's a big victory!

Because Groot can scare easily and may run off, it's incredibly important for him to have safe containment at all times--Leash, Fence, Tie-Out, etc., and he shouldn't be unsupervised outside at all during the first few months at least. Right now, we keep a leash attached to Groot when he's outside in our fenced-in area because if he feels scared he can be very hard to catch to bring back inside. We don't want to scare him more by chasing him, so we calmly step on his leash and lead him back inside. He seems to do well in his kennel, and we think a crate in his new home will be essential to have as his 'safe space'. He keeps it clean, so we think potty training him will be a breeze!

Groot can be selective on what dogs he responds well to, but currently in his training program, his trainer has suggested he live with another dog who is more confident - that way he can follow that dog's lead and become more secure in himself in his new environment. A Meet & Greet with your existing dog will be done prior to adoption.

His trainer also suggested that Groot live in an adult-only home, or with kids 16 years of age or older. He is very fearful of quick/fast movement and unexpected noises, so he will likely do better with older kids that can stay calm around him.

If you have never worked with a fearful dog before, it's important to research it. The key to helping these dogs is patience, open-mindedness (we don't know everything, and they tend to teach us more than we even expect to learn!), consistency, and team work. That also includes your dog...be his #1 fan! Be on his team! Don't punish him for not being 'perfect', but instead love him for who he is and do everything you can to make him feel like the best doggy there ever was. Working with a trainer will help too!

Groot might not ever be perfectly comfortable with new experiences....maybe he will grow to learn and be totally fine. There's no way to know...but his family should expect to love him no matter what level of progress he makes.

He's a sweet, lovable boy who had a really rough start in life and just needs a human to show him the way. If you think you have the room in your heart for him, he'd be happy to meet you (even if he doesn't show it right away).

Groot is fully vaccinated and heartworm negative, and will be neutered prior to adoption. His adoption fee is $150.00

**We can schedule a time for you to meet Groot after an adoption application has been approved. Please email us for an app at monroecountydogshelter@gmail.com