Walter
Reference Number: 36287
Background: Stray
Breed: American Staffordshire X
Gender: Male
DOB: 3/2/2022
Size: Medium
Weight: 25kg
Desexed: Yes
Adoption Fee: $201
Requirements:
Experienced owners
Must meet all family members
Kids (any age)
Dog selective
Must meet all dogs in the home
Commands I know:
Sit
Bed (place)
Meet Walter,
Walter is a charming mix of curious explorer and gentle soul. This friendly boy is full of character and always up for an adventure -especially if it involves a walk. If you're someone who enjoys getting out and about, Walter will happily trot along by your side, tail wagging.
While he’s adaptable and can settle into most home environments, Walter would likely appreciate a quieter household where he can fully relax and feel secure. He’s a soft-natured, sensitive guy with an independent streak, and he’s come a long way from the nervous boy he once was. With time, love, and the right support, Walter has shown so much growth - and he continues to blossom.
Walter will need a patient and understanding owner who can offer gentle guidance as he builds confidence. Someone with experience around under-socialised/scared dogs would be ideal, as they’ll understand the importance of going at Walter’s pace.
Despite his cautious beginnings, Walter is now a very happy & very friendly dog who loves engaging with people. He’s excited to meet new faces, enjoys affection, and is always curious about the world around him. He’s social, sweet, and just wants to be included in the fun.
Ideal Home: Walter is suitable to live in a standalone home or on a farm/acerage, with a medium to large yard & high, secure fencing.
Family: Walter is open to meet kids of any age & is suitable to live with people who work full-time hours.
Walter is fine to spend time in the yard on his own, he is capable of entertaining himself (but lets be honest, he'll most likely just be found sleeping!) but he would also appreciate being indoors on occasion so that he can spend time with his new family.
Furry Friends: Walter appears to be dog selective. During his dog assessment he was unsure of meeting the other dog but he did his best as attempting to play. Most likely he has never met another dog before but he was open to the idea of a friend and play date. He will need further socialisation with other dogs before we can fully say that he is dog social.
As we cannot test, we are unsure how Walter would go living with or meeting cats/pocket pets. This would be up to the discretion of his new owners.
Training & Development: Walter would benefit from post-adoption training such as training at home to cover basic commands/obedience. Walter came in very unsure of himself - so a patient & understanding owner who is dedicated to his ongoing development and confidence building is a bonus.
Walter is still learning his name, but he knows commands such as: sit & bed (place). He is smart & is very trainable. He is food motivated and is known to be gentle when taking treats from you - so, having treats on you during training to mark good behaviour would be an excellent idea.
We always recommend post-adoption training whether it be at home or with a professional. Training doesn’t have to be a chore – it can be a fun experience for you both, it doesn’t have to take long & is a great way for you to bond with your new pal.
Play: Walter has low to mid to high-range energy needs & would benefit from exercise, play, or walks from 20-30mins every other day to keep him happy & content. Walter hasn't really shown any interest in playing with toys, he prefers and enjoys personal play & interaction with his handlers.
Walter walks well on lead but can pull a little sometimes. He is best to be walked on a martingale or harness.
Staff Comments: Walter is a very sweet, low maintenance dog. He doesn't jump, he's well mannered and he loves just being near you. He loves to cuddle, go for walks and would be a big couch potato in his new home. He doesn't ask for much, either!
Post Adoption Life: With all animals it’s important to understand that going into a new environment with new people may not be as seamless as we want it to be. It’s important to know that these animals have unknown histories - most are left in the shelter by their owners. The information we have is from observing the animal’s behaviours & reactions to certain stimuli whilst in our care. Adopted animals can take up to 3 months to properly decompress from post-shelter life & a lot of behaviours & quirks may surface during this time. All that we ask is that their new owners have an open mind & are patient.
