Blanco is a strong, beautiful boy. He may appreciate slow introductions to men and new people in the home! He has been added to our Call to Action List because he is struggling to find a home and historically struggles in shelter care.Staff and volunteers have done amazing work keeping Blanco happy and helping him overcome some of his behavioral challenges. One of our Animal Care Technicians even took him out on a day trip for our `Long Stay Challenge` where he got to go on a hike and decompress with some yummy snacks and even made a few friends. He also recently participated in an offsite adoption event with a volunteer and did great!Blanco has displayed many positive traits over his time in the shelter, but can be a challenge as an adoption candidate requiring careful management of his behaviors for safety (including potential fear-based aggression (especially toward unfamiliar people/men), poor impulse control and rough contact - jumpy/mouthy, potential for strong escape behaviors - pushing through thresholds, low tolerance for handling during stressful situations like vet visits, some low level resource guarding of toys, and a lower sociability with other dogs).He is on our Priority 1 list due to his challenging placement and high priority need for a quick exit out of the shelter.In his previous shelter stay, severe kennel stress was impacting his welfare: Repetitive behavior leading to self-injury – staff observed dog pushing his nose, face, and occasionally paw against the corner of the kennel between the outside latch and wall repeatedly, leaving blood splatter on the kennel walls. Blanco has been placed on behavior medication for severe kennel stress. His appetite has also been declining, and even though our team is trying to help make food more appetizing by mixing in yummier wet foods to try to entice him, this decreased appetite is showing us he isn't coming as well as we hope. Update 8/8: He spent time in a foster home for the past few months and has been slowly coming around with support from his foster caregiver, but the challenges his original owner dealt with remain of high concern for safe placement. It took slow introduction to her family and neighbors and he is still working on some additional behaviors. We know he isn't an easy adoption, but we're hopefull for a partner to help Blanco thrive until he can find his forever home!!!Contact Info:Adopters: Come into our shelter any day of the week 1pm - 5:30pm to meet him!! For more info before you come in, email [email protected]: [email protected] @lilianaafelixx ADOPT MY BABY BOY BLANCO @Ventura County Animal Services ?? #adoptdontshop #vcaslongstaychallenge #venturacountyanimalservices #venturacounty #blanco ? BAD BUNNY INSTRUMENTAL - BastaCrafTTTTTT @vcanimalservices Blanco is officially Johnny approved! Johnny 13 years old and volunteers alongside his mom, Jen @Shelterdoglove ? love love love - darya