Mosi Labrador Retriever & Pit Bull Terrier Mix Trenton, ME

My name is Mosi, and according to some people that know me well, I am THE BEST boy EVER. Other people that don't know me as well think I'm a scary dog. I think I want to play and be with someone who makes me feel safe and confident in myself!

See, I am a very sensitive boy, and I don't have a lot of natural confidence. I resource guard objects, especially around new people or animals, but when I'm with my most-trusted friends, I am happy to share. I have a hard time understanding concepts like "impulse control", so a nice dog trainer named Whitney came by to the shelter and showed the staff how to do games like Touch and Stop and Go (Green Light/Red Light) to help me.

I still have a hard time controlling my impulses, especially when anxiety or boredom get the better of me, which can happen a lot in a shelter environment. If I was in a home with a single person (or maybe a couple that are on the same page), I would easily thrive with my training. I love positive reinforcement games and have been so receptive to it that I am like a completely different dog with my handlers versus how I greet a stranger. In my first couple homes, a common issue was that i guarded the couch because the couch just seemed like SUCH a special place, but with the right training and a consistent handler I can trust to respect my boundaries and read my body language, I have even been brought my favorite toys to my handlers while sitting on the couch just to share with them and enjoy a cuddle.

Really, I am a GOOD dog, I just need someone who is extra dedicated to helping me be my best self. Because of how much I need to stick to my routine and continue my impulse control training (trust me, it is for the safety of others but also myself since I sometimes resort to eating inappropriate items when I'm bored or anxious!), I really need to be an only dog. I have shown potential to greet other dogs in an indifferent or even friendly manner while on leashed walks, but I need as few distractions as possible at home to help me truly succeed. Plus, if I'm honest, I'm kind of like a giant puppy, so I don't think you'll need more than me!

I love to play games, and love learning new games. Games are the best way to teach me something. I also love to eat, sometimes too much since this has led to me eating my toys in the past and has caused a dangerous obstruction that I simply cannot have repeated. When I fully trust my humans, I will lean up against them, panting for butt scratches, and I love to bury my face in your lap when we sit together. Walking and hiking are amazing activities for me, and I love them all the more since I was taught a muzzle is a good thing that helps me stay safe if I run into something that scares me on a walk. I'm so good with putting my muzzle on, really!

If you have the time, and the space, and the room in your heart for a big lug like me, please fill out my special adoption application. Adopting me will require multiple meet-and-greets, since I will need time to get to know you and learn to trust you. But one thing about me is I never, ever turn my back on my friends. So if you can invest the time in me to learn what I really need and respect my boundaries, I promise you, I will be YOUR best dog ever.