Description
How big? Small
How old? Adult (around three years)
Male or female? Male
Living with kids? I can live with older children
Living with dogs? I can live with other dogs with the right introductions
Resident dog required? No
Living with cats? I’ve not been tested with cats
Where can I live? I’d like a calm, semi-rural home with a garden
Where am I from? Bosnia, now in North London
Reason for rehoming: Struggling to cope in London
About Banjo
Little Banjo is a Bosnian rescue pup. At three years old, he is a sweet and curious boy, full of character, and has made some lovely progress since arriving in his home. Unfortunately, the busy city environment in London where he currently lives has proved unsuitable for his needs, and he is now looking for a quieter place where he can feel comfortable, enjoy his surroundings and continue to build his confidence.
Banjo has a lovely independent side and is quite happy spending time doing his own thing. He doesn't constantly seek attention and is happiest when given the choice to approach people in his own time. As he has become more comfortable with his family, he has started to actively seek affection, enjoying a cuddle and even a little kiss on the head before bedtime. He is a very sweet boy who appreciates having his own space and a comfortable spot to settle down for a snooze.
Banjo enjoys his walks and loves having his nose to the ground, investigating all the interesting scents along the way. He is generally very good on the lead and has also enjoyed exploring on a long line in the park. At home, he is quick to learn routines and has already picked up commands such as sit. He is a very clever little guy who enjoys using his brain and learns quickly. His favourite activities include searching for hidden treats, enrichment games, working on a licki-mat and having a good chew on something tough. He also enjoys playing with a tennis ball and enthusiastically investigating cardboard boxes.
Banjo can be anxious around unfamiliar people, particularly visitors arriving at the house, and may bark at them initially. However, he has made considerable progress with this and has learnt that visitors can be a source of good things. When people give him time and allow him to approach at his own pace, he can gradually settle and become comfortable accepting affection. He is now happy around familiar visitors, including his trainer and close family. His new family will need to be patient and understanding, allowing him to build trust without putting pressure on him to interact.
His biggest challenge is his sensitivity to noise and other dogs. Banjo is particularly worried by dogs when out walking, and he is also sensitive to traffic, bikes and everyday sounds, even within the home. As you can imagine, living in London is therefore very stressful for him, and gives him little time to decompress between triggers. Once he becomes overwhelmed, his anxiety can spill over into reactions to other things around him, and barking is his immediate response to a rise in excitement or stress.
Despite these difficulties, Banjo has shown that he can make progress when his surroundings allow him to feel more comfortable. He has learnt to walk calmly alongside a neighbour's dog, ignoring her when he feels settled, although unexpected noises or other things that alarm him can still trigger a reaction. His behaviourist believes that he could continue to make progress in a quieter environment, where he can be given more distance from the things he finds worrying. We strongly suggest he has ongoing support from a properly qualified behaviourist who can help his new family understand his needs and work gradually on his confidence and reactions.
Banjo isn’t an energetic dog, and he would best thrive in a relatively quiet household in a calm, semi-rural setting. A secure garden would be a real bonus, giving him somewhere peaceful to relax and enjoy the sunshine, as well as opportunities for enrichment and play without immediately facing the pressures of a busy walking environment.
Banjo is a very settled boy at home and is happy sending time alone. He is comfortable relaxing independently and has shown no separation anxiety. He doesn't need constant attention or entertainment, but he does need a home that understands his sensitivities and can provide the right balance of companionship, space and reassurance.
Banjo is a lovely, intelligent little dog who has already shown how much he can achieve when given time, patience and an understanding approach. He isn't looking for a busy life or a home where he will be expected to cope with everything straight away. He just needs someone who can appreciate his independent nature, respect his boundaries and help him feel safe enough to explore the world at his own pace. In the right environment, with continued behavioural support, Banjo will blossom.
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