Breed
Boxer, Mix, Pit BullAge
Adult (18 months – 7 years)Gender
MaleSize
Medium (25 – 60 lbs) Learn MoreAbout Jasper
Jasper is a ~6 year old, 45lb pit-boxer mix (we think!). He has white and brown fur, cow spots on his nose and tummy, and a bottomless appetite for cuddles.
One important thing to know about Jasper is that he is incredibly snuggly. This dog wants to be on your lap or curled up against you as much as possible. If you let him, he will happily spend all day napping on you! Jasper has asked that we mention he would prefer a home that lets him sleep in the bed with his people 😴
Jasper loves to play tug, and politely offers you the toy if you lose your grip. He is a great communicator, and knows how to ask to be let outside, or remind you when it is time for his dinner.
Where did Jasper come from?
Jasper became a Rocket Dog after his person passed away earlier this summer. He & his person were unsheltered for much, if not all, of their time together. Jasper very well-behaved indoors, so he may have had housing at some point.
Jasper is extra-vigilant while on walks, especially if there are lots of people and dogs about. Being on his guard when out-and-about may have been important for his & his person’s safety earlier in life, so he’ll need help learning that he doesn’t need to do that job anymore and can let down his guard. Similarly, he can get worked up when visitors arrive at the door. With continued training, he can learn to be relaxed in these situations.
His foster parents would be excited to tell you about the fun games, puzzle toys, and enrichment activities that Jasper loves. Games and training are teaching him how to relax and focus on things other than stuff that worries him!
Jasper does have separation anxiety, which is common with dogs who have lost their person (and, he was with his original person 24/7, so he hasn’t had much practice enjoying alone time). It will take time and training before he can be left alone for extended periods of time, so we recommend he lives in a home where at least one person will be working from home for the next couple months. As he may be a bit noisy in the earlier stages of this training, the right home would be a place where barking won’t cause problems for his people. Jasper is already making progress on crate training at his foster home, though!
Jasper + Training = Success
Jasper is an especially rewarding and fun dog to train, and well worth the time you’ll put in. He is a VERY smart and inquisitive dog, and he has been thriving with consistent positive reinforcement training from his foster family.
The right adopter is someone who is excited about training their new dog! Training experience is not necessary if you can commit to learning quickly (we can suggest great resources).
Jasper knows:
- Sit, Down, & Stand
- Stay & Come
- Up & Off
- Drop it
- Touch
- and many new tricks… watch his progress on his foster parents’ Instagram: @foggyfosterdogs
The right family for Jasper
While Jasper is a friendly guy, he can get overwhelmed if he has too many new experiences at a time (for example meeting new people, while also being in a new place). His person/people will need to build Jasper’s trust that they will keep him safe and out of scary situations. Jasper needs help so he can learn he doesn’t have to worry about protecting himself.
It is very important that Jasper is in a home where everyone is dog-savvy enough and old enough to read his signals. Jasper sometimes needs his space or the option to exit an over-stimulating environment. Jasper should not live in a home with anyone younger than 16.
The right home for Jasper
Jasper has excellent manners in his foster home – he’s never had an accident or eaten/chewed on something he shouldn’t in the two months he’s spent there.
Because Jasper can be extra vigilant on walks, his new home should be outside of city centers, though with training such as classical conditioning he can grow into a more at-ease pup who may enjoy all types of environments!
Jasper needs access to a fenced-in yard where he can get exercise and potty breaks without having to go on too many walks, until he gets more confident and less anxious in new places/situations.
Currently, Jasper mainly needs, and is content with, lots of mental exercise. Multiple short training sessions, food puzzles, and games during the day tire him out like a big hike, so limiting his walks isn’t a problem. (This has been very handy during the recent smoky air).
FAQ:
Would Jasper make a good first-time dog?
Jasper requires an owner who is already dog savvy and good at reading doggy body language. If you have not owned a dog before, but have worked with dogs and are ready to learn about positive reinforcement training, please mention that in your application (and please note we do not adopt pit bull-type breeds to owners younger than 25).
Can Jasper live with another dog?
Here’s what we know: Jasper has gotten along with the dogs we’ve introduced him to, and he has been respectful around smaller dogs and dogs that were not super into him. We have never had another dog live in the same home as Jasper, so there are some unknowns. He’s very human-focused (always wants to be snuggling you) and there could be some potential for jealousy there, though we haven’t had an occasion to see that. So yes, we think it could work, but it would mean some careful training and learning so he and a new doggy sibling avoid having any bad experiences while they are getting to know each other.
Can Jasper live with a cat?
Jasper has not been tested with cats. However, he sometimes likes to chase small animals like birds and squirrels, so we do not believe he should live with kitties.
Can Jasper go to dog parks?
Right now, we think Jasper would be a bit overwhelmed by that experience, but he does not seem to be dog-reactive, so we think he could enjoy them once his confidence is built up!
What an adorable pup! How can I learn more about or meet Jasper?
If you think you are ready to let this sweet, snuggly guy who LOVES to learn and show off his tricks into your life, fill out an application and Rocket Dog will be in touch! (KF)
See more of Jasper, and watch his progress learning new tricks, on Instagram: @foggyfosterdogs