Martin
Reference Number: 36759
Background: Lost
Breed: American Staffordshire X Kelpie
Gender: Male
DOB: 15/9/2024
Size: Medium
Weight: 19kgs
Desexed: Yes
Adoption Fee: $202
Requirements:
Experienced owners
Must meet all family members in the home
Kids (any age/dog savvy)
Dog selective
Must meet all dogs in the home
Commands I know:
Sit
Shake
Down
Meet Martin,
Martin is an adventurous and spirited boy who’s ready to explore the world with his new people! He’s best suited to experienced dog owners who can give him structure and confidence, and he’ll thrive in a calm, quiet home where he can truly relax and settle in.
Martin loves being out and about — whether it’s hiking a new trail, strolling through the neighbourhood, or tagging along on weekend adventures. He enjoys meeting new people and taking in all the sights and sounds around him.
Once comfortable, Martin shows his gentle and affectionate side. He’s smart (very smart!) and picks up new things quickly, making training both fun and rewarding. Curious and outgoing, Martin brings an infectious energy to every day.
While he can occasionally feel a little anxious, his sweet nature and affectionate personality always shine through. With the right people by his side, Martin is sure to flourish into an amazing, loyal friend for life.
Ideal Home: Martin is suitable to live in a standalone home or on a farm/acerage, with a medium to large yard, and high secure fencing.
Family: Martin is open to meet kids of any age - but kids in the home should be dog savvy as he can be quite playful and may knock smaller kids over.
Martin is best to live with people who work part-time hours. Although he shows no signs of separation anxiety, he does prefer being around people more often than not. He is independent and able to spend time in the yard on his own, and would also like to be inside with his new family. When left alone we'd suggest leaving him with food puzzles as he likes to be kept stimulated.
Furry Friends: Martin is dog selective. And what we mean by this is that other dogs may be selective of Martin. Martin had a loose body during his dog assessment and he was eager to play and interact but came on a bit too strong for the other dog. With a little additional training for socialisation and desensitisation Martin will be able to acquire the necessary skills and manners. He's social but his manners need tidying up.
Martin is not suitable to live with cats and/or pocket pets.
Training & Development: Martin would benefit from post-adoption training such as training at home to cover basic commands/obedience. He would also benefit from group classes so that he can learn manners and etiquette when interacting with other dogs. Martin may jump on you to say hello - but he is quickly learning that this is not ok.
Martin is still learning his name, but he knows commands such as sit, shake and down. He is very smart and very trainable - he learns commands quickly.
He food motivated, and having treats on you during training to mark good behaviour would be an excellent idea. When Martin takes treats from you, he does so gently, too.
We always recommend post-adoption training whether it be at home or with a professional. Training doesn’t have to be a chore – it can be a fun experience for you both, it doesn’t have to take long & is a great way for you to bond with your new pal.
Play: Martin has mid-range energy needs & would benefit from exercise or walks from 20-30mins a day to keep him healthy and content. Martin likes to play with toys, he likes tennis balls and rope toys. He also likes going for walks, training sessions and personal play with his handlers.
Martin walks well on lead with some pulling - he usually pulls when he's like to go in a particular direction or if he sees another dog he'd like to say hello to. He is best to be walked on either a martingale or harness. Loose lead training should be incorporated into his usual training regime.
Staff Comments: Martin is a clever and eager-to-learn dog who thrives in a calm, quiet environment. He can be a little vocal when he’s seeking attention, but it’s just his way of joining the conversation. He genuinely enjoys training and benefits from plenty of mental stimulation to keep that smart mind busy. Above all, Martin is a sweet and affectionate boy who truly loves spending time with his people.

The 3-3-3 Rule of Adopting a Dog
Post Adoption Life: With all animals it’s important to understand that going into a new environment with new people may not be as seamless as we want it to be. It’s important to know that these animals have unknown histories - most are left in the shelter by their owners. The information we have is from observing the animal’s behaviours & reactions to certain stimuli whilst in our care. Adopted animals can take up to 3 months to properly decompress from post-shelter life & a lot of behaviours & quirks may surface during this time. All that we ask is that their new owners have an open mind & are patient.
