Panko
8 yr old male Shiba Inu, no kids, no pets –
Panko has been with one family his entire life. He is a very happy, social boy who loves meeting new people and is a bit of a cuddle bug! He enjoys long walks and never seems to get tired. He loves having a yard with grass to roll in and his favorite game is to play with the hose; he will chase and bite at the water spray. He has always been an only dog and has never lived with cats. He can be hit or miss when meeting other dogs but has been successful co-walking with other dogs on occassion.
Like so many Shibas, Panko has always been a bit of an anxious dog. His anxiety manifests in the guarding of precious resources (his food, high value treats, and his person). His humans have always managed this by eliminating high value treats, giving him his own safe space to eat his meals and following a specific feeding routine. However, after bringing home their 1st child, Panko’s anxiety increased significantly, making his guarding behaviors worse. His family recognizes it’s not good for him to live with this high level of stress all the time and have made the difficult decision to rehome him. Panko will remain with them until an appropriate adopter can be found.
Panko is kept separated from the child, so his interaction with his beloved adult humans is now limited. He still gets quality time with them during his daily walks, training sessions, and playtime and therefore, Panko’s joyful and sweet disposition remains intact. That being said, he would obviously be better off in a home where there are no kids (and no chance of kids in his lifetime), where he can have more freedom and be the center of his human’s attention.
We have invested in extensive counter conditioning training with a highly skilled and experienced trainer, and Panko has had incredible success. His guarding behaviors have subsided; he now allows his family to pick up his food bowl with no issues, however, we know that a transition to a new home will be stressful for him. He will need time (months) to adapt to his new environment, new humans, and new routine. During this time, the potential for his guarding behaviors to return is high. The presence of other pets during this time would add a layer of stress that shold be avoided. However, we believe he has the potential to socialize with other dogs, on neutral ground, with the proper approach.
Applicants experienced with resource guarding are encouraged to apply, but it is not required; just a willingness to learn, patience, and a high level of commitment. Adopters must be willing to meet with Panko and his trainer prior to placement. Continued training after placement will also be a requirement to ensure a smooth transition. All required training will be paid for by the rescue. For these reasons, Panko is not eligible for out-of-state adoption.
Panko is house trained, crate trained, good on leash, and a well-behaved boy. He is used to getting 2 walks a day, which helps with his anxiety, so he will need a family who is active. He is also accustomed to a yard and is not likely to adapt to a home without one. He is on a maintenance dose of an anti-anxiety medication that he will need to remain on. The cost is minimal.
If you are interested in Panko, please fill out an adoption application! If you are already on our waitlist, please reach out to let us know you are interested. If you would prefer to speak to us before filling out the application, please reach out. Email us at: adopt@coshibarescue.org or call/text us at: 720-491-1278.
