31/01/2025
Bandit!
RESCUE ONLY DEADLINE, 5PM 02/04/25
He will steal your heart!
Name: Bandit
Animal ID: A821336
Age: 2 years
Weight: 58 lbs
About: Bandit, whose former shelter name was Big Guy, is actually more of a schmedium guy. This handsome blue merle heeler mix has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. He first arrived at the shelter in September 2023 as a stray, with an injury to his eye that ultimately led to its removal.
During his time in the shelter, volunteers said the following about Bandit:
“Bandit went out on a long walk around the lake. He is a good walker, doesn’t pull but does zig zag a bit. He was interested in all the people and dogs walking by. Would be a great hiking dog.”
“Today Bandit spent the day away from the shelter- he did great! Good in the car and is so good on the leash. Knows how to go up stairs and is sociable with people and interested in other dogs. He’s also very sweet and cuddly!”
Bandit found a loving home and spent a little over a year there, becoming a cherished member of the family. Unfortunately, life had other plans, and Bandit found himself back at the shelter, searching once again for his forever family. In his adoptive home Bandit was housebroken, well- behaved when left home alone, and was described as an affectionate dog who loves toys.
While his previous owners described him as very loving and deeply attached to his primary person, they also acknowledged that Bandit has some behavioral quirks that require a dedicated and understanding owner. Bandit’s main challenges revolve around resource guarding, a trait he exhibits towards both dogs and humans. This means he can be protective of his food, toys, his people or even his favorite spots, and might react defensively if he feels these resources are threatened. His previous owners managed this by crating him or keeping him in a quiet area when visitors came to the house, allowing him to relax without feeling the need to guard. Ideally, Bandit will thrive in a home without other dogs, or with an owner experienced in managing resource guarding in a multi-dog household.
Most importantly, Bandit is not a good fit for a home with young children. A minor bite incident with the toddler in his previous home occurred. Bandit needs a calm, predictable environment where he feels safe and secure, and where his resource guarding can be addressed with the help of a professional trainer.
Bandit is a deserving dog who needs help from his future family to be the best boy that he can. Please ask about him!
Adoption Process:
Interested parties:
Must visit PACC before the 5:00 PM February 04, 2025, deadline to meet with an adoption counselor who will go over notes and then introduce you to ensure that it’s a good fit.
Are encouraged to reach out to a rescue group ASAP (even before coming to PACC), to start the rescue approval process. Have the rescue contact PACC at [email protected] if approved to pull.
Collaboration with Rescue Groups:
Rescue groups are encouraged to reach out to PACC early if they are able to pull this animal into their rescue (and what requirements they would have: interested adoptive party, alteration etc.)
If an IP has not already contacted a rescue, PACC will notify all partnered rescue groups of an interested party and request their assistance.
Rescue groups are encouraged to start their adoption process with any interested parties who have contacted them directly and email PACC at [email protected].
Please note that it is ultimately up to the rescue group's discretion to decide whether to proceed with adoption. Partnered Rescue Groups can pull any dogs on Rescue Only Deadline at any time without an interested party.
Home Management Plan
Bite History
• minor bite- Bandit was resource guarding the toddler's couch, toddler approarched him and was bit on the nose.
Resource Guards Food/Toys/Attention/Space (from dogs)
• Feed your new dog at set times. Do NOT free feed.
• Feed in separate SAFE spaces where dogs cannot access each other. (recommend feeding in kennels or separate enclosed rooms)
• Do NOT give treats to both dogs side by side. Treat time should be separate.
• Train drop it and leave it behaviors.
Resource Guards Food/Toys/Attention/Space (from people)
• Time feed your new dog, Do NOT free feed.
• Don’t take food or toys out of the dogs mouth forcefully, work on drop it and leave it behaviors.
• Give dogs a safe space to enjoy their meals (recommend kennel training)
• Don’t ‘tease’ them with treats or toys (dangling food in front of their face, having them chase while its in your hand)
• Treat swap! Offer something else if you need to get something away from them.
Possibly People Selective- seen in previous home with men
• Your new dog doesn’t like all people and likes to pick their human friends.
• Muzzle training will help with safe introductions.
• Make sure to put your new dog in a separate space when new people visit.
Stranger Danger
• Your new dog is uncomfortable with new people, they may bark, snap, or flee from new people in their home.
• They need a slow introduction to new people, we recommend muzzle training for safe introductions.
• May need a safe place to be put away when new people come to the house.
• Your new dog would likely do best walking in quiet areas without a lot of traffic.
