Edit Animal Info
In-Shelter Summary 7/2/2026
Monterey has gained some confidence over his shelter stay and has been pulling more strongly on leash. Did really well during grooming, demonstrating high tolerance to handling and other stimuli like water, brushing, etc.
In-Shelter Summary 6/10/2026
Very environmentally sensitive, exit motivated. PAs should have ample experience working with shy, timid dogs. Adopters should be prepared to ensure he is safely confined, and able to handle a dog of his size comfortably. Use of AirTag is recommended.
▶️ Watch My Video!
86488
Available
Monterey
Dog
American Pit Bull Terrier / Mixed
Grey
3y 4m/o
Large
76.4 lbs
Male
Yes
Dog I:1
YELLOW
Chase
Owner/Guardian Surrender
10/17/2026
ModerateMaybe
Unlikely
Unknown
Maybe
No
A Lot
Yes
86488
Available
Male
Yes
American Pit Bull Terrier / Mixed
Grey
Large
76.4 lbs
Dog I:1
YELLOW
Moderate
No
Available
Male
Yes
American Pit Bull Terrier / Mixed
Grey
Large
76.4 lbs
Dog I:1
YELLOW
Moderate
No
Monterey
Dog
3y 4m/o
Yes
Maybe
Unlikely
Unknown
Chase
Maybe
A Lot
10/17/2026
Owner/Guardian Surrender
Dog
3y 4m/o
Yes
Maybe
Unlikely
Unknown
Chase
Maybe
A Lot
10/17/2026
Owner/Guardian Surrender
Staff Notes 9/20/2026
Intake type
Stray. Finder reported they had dog in the home for 3 days with no issues. Blue Dot on intake. Dog was fearful on intake - timid and environmentally sensitive.
Handling
Generally easy to leash; approaches handler immediately with neutral posture and soft, relaxed body language. Easy to re-kennel. Takes treats very gently. Enjoys pets and leans in; occasionally solicits heavy affection (leans, face licks). Noted by vet staff to be a "very good boybx00 for vaccines.
Activities/Motivation
Extremely toy-motivated b will search fences, baskets, gates for toys. Highly motivated by treat-dispensing toys (wobbler, jolly ball); entertains himself independently, Strong interest in sniffing and yard exploration. Good engagement with bx00 find-itbx00 when not overly toy-aroused Loves running, agility on benches and tables.
Training
Solid foundation behaviors: sit, touch, paw, check-ins, eye contact. Working on down. Possibly housetrained - Soils kennel but eliminates immediately when outside.
Leash etiquette
Moderate to heavy pulling exiting building; sometimes excessive. Pulling decreases mid-walk, improving with handler check-ins.
Reactivity
Generally non-reactive or only mildly reactive; shows curiosity toward other dogs b tail wags, prancing, pulling. Generally loose and waggy greeting other dogs reciprocating neutral or loose body language at barrier.
Jumpy/mouthy
Can be jumpy, especially when frustrated by not being able to access toys or excited. Mouthy behaviors have generally been observed to be gentle (soft mouth, treat-taking gentle).
Playgroup
Loves playgroup; very playful with well matched medium to high energy / medium to high contact dogs. Enjoys wrestling. Some dogs can be overwhelmed by his size.
Foster
Has not lived in a foster home.
Offsite
Has not attended an offsite event/field trip.
Other notes
MUST REMOVE ALL TOYS FROM YARD AND WITHIN FIELD OF VISION PRIOR TO TAKING DOG OUT. HE HAS A HISTORY OF SWALLOWING TOYS AND WILL BECOME DISTRACTED BY ANY TOYS WITHIN SIGHT. DO NOT LET OFF LEASH IN ANY YARD WHERE TOYS MAY BE HIDDEN IN VEGETATION.
Medical Condition 8/18/2026
Diagnosis: Foreign Body
This dog ate a soft/plush toy while in shelter. Vomiting was induced and the toy was recovered. Adopters should be aware of this dogs history of ingesting toys as dogs that have a history of doing this are more likely to do this again.
This dog ate a soft/plush toy while in shelter. Vomiting was induced and the toy was recovered. Adopters should be aware of this dogs history of ingesting toys as dogs that have a history of doing this are more likely to do this again.
Staff Notes 8/18/2026
Monterey has ingested soft toys during his shelter stay. Adopter should monitor closely and ensure that Monterey does not have unsupervised access to toys, dog beds or other objects he might swallow so as to avoid risk of GI obstruction.B
Handling Eval 6/9/2026
Recommended for yellow by crew volunteers. Yellow volunteer took dog out, had no issue leashing, taking dog out of kennel, and socializing the dog, including petting, and rekenneling.B
Handling Eval 6/1/2026
Background: Stray intake on 5/28/26. Finder had dog at home for 3 days and noted that dog was calm, relaxed, and friendly with no issues in the home. Given blue dot on intake. Handling evaluation on 6/1/26. First time meeting both handlers.
O: Dog was standing near the front of the kennel. Stepped back with tail tucked and furrowed brow. Did not take treats. Lowered head and walked slowly out into the leash loop. Crouched/tucked body position and fully tucked tail as dog darted ahead in passing barking ward mates. Dog walked slowly down the hallway. Stopped to look through doorways and sniff cleaning cart. Tail fully tucked. Outside, dog darted to the end of the leash, changing direction several times. Eliminated x1 on entering the yard. Dropped the leash in the yard. Dog approached both handlers and accepted pets all over face and head. Untucked and wagged tail while stepping closer for pets after consent checks. Relaxed for all over handling of head, chest, legs, torso, including teeth check. Approximately 3 years old by teeth. Took high value treats (cheese) very gently. Dog pricked ears at squeaky toy. Followed tossed toy with tail raised to back height and loosely wagging. Sniffed toy, but did not pick up. Startled at unexpected touch from handler, but recovered quickly. Moderate pulling back to the ward. Darted around at the end of the leash in response to sudden noises. Walked quickly with tail tucked back to kennel. In kennel approached handler for pets around head with loose wagging tail. Ate dropped cheese pieces. Stopped eating and looked up with pinned ears when other dogs in the ward started barking.
A: Timid and environmentally sensitive, but affiliative. Appears to be low to medium energy, but may be higher energy once fully relaxed. Toy and treat motivated. Shows enjoyment with pets. Blue for in-shelter handling as dog is very environmentally sensitive. Unknown if dog knows any commands.
P: Make available for adoption. Recommend patient rewards-based approach to basic training (leash walking, basic commands) with structured and slow introduction to new environments/people. May do best in an adult only home or with older dog-savvy older kids as dog is very environmentally sensitive.
O: Dog was standing near the front of the kennel. Stepped back with tail tucked and furrowed brow. Did not take treats. Lowered head and walked slowly out into the leash loop. Crouched/tucked body position and fully tucked tail as dog darted ahead in passing barking ward mates. Dog walked slowly down the hallway. Stopped to look through doorways and sniff cleaning cart. Tail fully tucked. Outside, dog darted to the end of the leash, changing direction several times. Eliminated x1 on entering the yard. Dropped the leash in the yard. Dog approached both handlers and accepted pets all over face and head. Untucked and wagged tail while stepping closer for pets after consent checks. Relaxed for all over handling of head, chest, legs, torso, including teeth check. Approximately 3 years old by teeth. Took high value treats (cheese) very gently. Dog pricked ears at squeaky toy. Followed tossed toy with tail raised to back height and loosely wagging. Sniffed toy, but did not pick up. Startled at unexpected touch from handler, but recovered quickly. Moderate pulling back to the ward. Darted around at the end of the leash in response to sudden noises. Walked quickly with tail tucked back to kennel. In kennel approached handler for pets around head with loose wagging tail. Ate dropped cheese pieces. Stopped eating and looked up with pinned ears when other dogs in the ward started barking.
A: Timid and environmentally sensitive, but affiliative. Appears to be low to medium energy, but may be higher energy once fully relaxed. Toy and treat motivated. Shows enjoyment with pets. Blue for in-shelter handling as dog is very environmentally sensitive. Unknown if dog knows any commands.
P: Make available for adoption. Recommend patient rewards-based approach to basic training (leash walking, basic commands) with structured and slow introduction to new environments/people. May do best in an adult only home or with older dog-savvy older kids as dog is very environmentally sensitive.
Dog-To-Dog Evaluation 5/31/2026
S: Dog-dog evaluation with a male and female tester dog. Tester dogs selected due to their ability to politely greet and not escalate conflict.
O: At the gate, dog was calm and non-reactive. Tail wagging softly when the testers approached. Inside the yard, dog ran to the female tester, bumping her as he ran by. Female followed and both dogs started bouncing around. Started running around the yard with the female, mouth closed but bouncing up and down. Chased the male tester around. Body language was somewhat stiff, weight shifted forward.B
A: Chase, Medium-High Energy, Medium Contact, Neutral-Forward Social Dynamic, no Corrections or Conflict observed, Playgroup Size 2-3.
P: Recommend placement with appropriately matched dogs, or placed as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends.
O: At the gate, dog was calm and non-reactive. Tail wagging softly when the testers approached. Inside the yard, dog ran to the female tester, bumping her as he ran by. Female followed and both dogs started bouncing around. Started running around the yard with the female, mouth closed but bouncing up and down. Chased the male tester around. Body language was somewhat stiff, weight shifted forward.B
A: Chase, Medium-High Energy, Medium Contact, Neutral-Forward Social Dynamic, no Corrections or Conflict observed, Playgroup Size 2-3.
P: Recommend placement with appropriately matched dogs, or placed as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends.
Description
Monterey – Curious, Playful, and Full of Enthusiasm
Monterey is a 3-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing 79 pounds with a sweet, fun-loving personality and a zest for exploration.
- Enthusiastic explorer: Monterey pulls only mildly on leash and is eager to investigate interesting sights, sounds, and smells.
- Social and people-oriented: Although he enjoys exploring independently, Monterey is quick to greet people and happily comes over for attention. When called for a hand touch, he often enthusiastically raced over to make contact and reconnect with his person.
- Playful and energetic: Monterey enjoys zooming around the yard and also the game of fetch, dropping the ball at your feet for the next round.
- Gentle manners: While he doesn’t appear to know “sit” yet, he takes treats very politely. His food motivation make him a great candidate for continued training.
Monterey would do best with appropriately matched dogs or as a solo dog with dog friends outside the home.
Photos
