Banjo

10/12/26 UPDATE:

After pausing adoption application intake for Banjo for few weeks, due to a bite incident followed by specialized training and foster care, Banjo is available for adoption! A brief synopsis of his time in America follows:

Banjo, rescued in Mongolia, arrived in Los Angeles on August 5, 2026, looking to find his new home.

Our first take was that Banjo would need patient and gentle socialization with new people and new situations to develop a level of comfort as a dog in a domestic environment.  He needs another dog in the home – preferably a larger dog – to help guide him and show him the way.

We soon found out that there was a little more to the story. While in Mongolia there were no reports of biting, nipping or air-snapping. But at the airport while waiting to get in their crates and on the plane to America, Banjo air-snapped at a rescue volunteer who had reached over to pet him on the head. Lots of unfamiliar noise and so much activity perhaps caused some anxiety that led to that response?  Another air-snapping event happened when a volunteer attempted to put his harness on over his head, shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles – but with a little help the volunteer was able to get the harness securely on him! The third event was, again, when a volunteer reached over his head to pet him, with the same hand that had previously been providing him with treats! But this time it wasn’t air-snapping. It was a bite. That caused us to put a hold on everything. In all three cases he was likely over-stimulated, and reaching over his head likely contributed, but we didn’t feel safe offering him for adoption until we knew more!

After some digging, we found a board-and-train trainer who kept Banjo for 3 weeks. This training was followed by foster care provided by a very special volunteer who seemed to intuitively recognize Banjo’s fears and needs, and has been able to get him to a place where, with the right adopter, we think he’ll be able to thrive.

This is what we’ve learned about Banjo as related to the incidents in question:

• Banjo is definitely fearful with overhead touch!
• Things that are overstimulating (for Banjo) can happen quickly and without warning, and will require an attentive adopter who will be cognizant of his body language and other stress-indicators.
• He really needs an adopter that will understand the effects of overstimulation on Banjo, and can support his “bubble” when he needs to decompress.
• Banjo will thrive with a routine that he can count on.
• Routine and predicability are his ally, and will help to build a bond of trust!

But wait, there’s more to Banjo, and we want to share that with you as well!

• he is smart and eager to learn
• he seems to sense when people do not like to be jumped up on and will stop trying
• he has only been mouthy (playfully) with his foster
• when he is eating, his foster can pet his back and he is not growling or guarding his food (this is relationship based, she did not try this right away before he bonded with and trusted her)
• he would do well with another dog that is larger than him (so he doesn’t overpower a smaller dog)
• a quiet fenced yard could become part of Banjo’s bubble
• he seems like a normal mouthy puppy that needs training, how to walk calmer, how to sit, stay, down, etc (he knows sit)

If you’re interested in being considered for Banjo, please start by submitting an application HERE so we can get to know you!

*Please note that any age provided is only an estimate, based on veterinary examination.

Stay tuned for new details and further updates as we get them.

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