Demo: A Sweet, Shy Great Pyrenees Mix Learning How Wonderful Home Life Can Be
Location: Madison, Wisconsin at Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
Breed: Great Pyrenees and Mixed Breed
Age: Approximately 1 year and 9 months old
Date of Birth: Around November 19, 2024
Gender: Male
Weight: 79 pounds
Demo is a sweet, goofy young dog who wants to trust people but needs a patient family willing to let that relationship develop on his terms.
He was found as a stray in Alabama and grew up in a shelter with very little human interaction. Because he missed many of the experiences that help puppies become comfortable around people and inside homes, Demo arrived in Wisconsin needing to learn that humans could be safe.
Since entering foster care, he has made incredible progress. Demo now relaxes on the couch with his foster mom, sleeps in her bedroom, allows her to cuddle him, and sometimes presses his face against hers when he wants to be close.
The right home will not expect Demo to become confident overnight. It will celebrate each small step and give him the time, stability, and canine companionship he needs to keep growing.
Meet Demo
Demo is a 79-pound Great Pyrenees mix with a striking white-and-black coat. Although he is a large dog, he has a low-to-medium energy level and does not require constant activity.
His personality is a wonderful mixture of sweetness, playfulness, gentleness, and goofy charm. Demo enjoys playing with dogs, practicing scent work, lounging near his trusted people, and reminding everyone when it is time to go to bed.
Once someone has been fully accepted into his pack, Demo may sit directly on them—or on another dog. Personal space becomes far less important after this oversized sweetheart decides someone belongs to him.
Demo’s DNA Results
Demo’s foster family used an Embark DNA test to learn more about his breed background. His results were:
32.3% Great Pyrenees
28.8% American Pit Bull Terrier
22.3% Supermutt, with possible Komondor, Weimaraner, Staffordshire Terrier, and Boxer ancestry
16.6% Anatolian Shepherd
His mix includes several guardian breeds known for their intelligence, independence, loyalty, and strong bonds with trusted family members.
Breed ancestry cannot predict every individual behavior, but it may help explain Demo’s observant personality, excellent sense of smell, independence, and tendency to develop trust gradually.
Growing Up Without Enough Human Contact
Demo came to Fetch Wisconsin Rescue through an Alabama partner. After being found as a stray, he grew up in a shelter and received minimal interaction with people.
The socialization puppies receive during their early development can strongly influence how comfortable they feel later. Demo did not have enough opportunities to learn that unfamiliar people, household routines, and gentle handling were safe.
His shyness is not stubbornness or a lack of affection. He simply needs more time than the average dog to observe and understand new situations.
His adopter will need to let Demo:
Approach people voluntarily
Investigate unfamiliar rooms at his own pace
Learn household routines through repetition
Retreat when he feels overwhelmed
Build trust without forced touching
Watch a confident resident dog
Receive treats for brave choices
Rest without being disturbed
Experience new things gradually
Progress with a fearful or undersocialized dog is rarely perfectly linear. Demo may take several steps forward and occasionally need to step back. A patient family will understand that this is a normal part of learning.
Another Confident Dog Will Help Demo Thrive
Demo is truly a “dog’s dog.” He loves every dog in his foster home and uses them as guides when he feels uncertain.
When he meets an unfamiliar person, Demo watches the resident dog and mirrors its behavior. Seeing another dog approach someone calmly helps him understand that the person may be safe.
A confident canine companion could help Demo:
Learn the new household routine
Approach unfamiliar people
Navigate the home
Feel comfortable outside
Understand when it is time to play or rest
Build confidence in new situations
Settle more quickly after his move
Experience companionship while his humans are away
His ideal resident dog will be friendly, emotionally stable, and comfortable around a large, playful companion. A dog that enjoys playing would be an especially wonderful match.
Demo is respectful when another dog does not want to play. He will happily join a willing partner, but he generally listens when the other dog communicates that playtime is over.
He also attends doggy daycare, where he continues making new canine friends. When he sees dogs across the street during walks, he typically ignores them rather than becoming reactive.
Any potential canine companion should still be introduced thoughtfully, and Fetch Wisconsin Rescue should evaluate whether the dogs’ personalities and play styles are compatible.
A Playful but Manageable Energy Level
Demo has a low-to-medium energy level.
He may play with the dogs in his foster home for an hour or two in the evening—and potentially longer when a high-energy dog wants to continue—but he does not require nonstop exercise.
Demo is happy to take a daily walk, although he can also comfortably skip one occasionally. This flexibility could make him a good companion for someone who enjoys regular activity without wanting an extremely demanding exercise partner.
A balanced routine might include:
A relaxed daily walk
Playtime with a resident dog
Scent-work games
Supervised time in a fenced yard
Short confidence-building training sessions
Food puzzles
Time to explore through sniffing
Quiet naps
Evening couch or bed time with his family
Because he is young and large, his adopter should still provide appropriate exercise and monitor his weight, joints, and physical development.
Scent Work Is Helping Demo Build Confidence
Demo loves scent work and has shown that he is very good at it.
His foster family is currently teaching him to locate vanilla scent. This activity allows him to use his excellent nose while developing confidence working alongside a person.
Scent work is particularly valuable for Demo because it gives him a clear, enjoyable task without requiring overwhelming social interaction. It can strengthen his relationship with his handler while allowing him to succeed independently.
His future family could continue scent work by:
Hiding treats in easy locations
Using cardboard-box searches
Creating simple indoor scent trails
Teaching him to find a familiar toy
Continuing his vanilla-scent training
Taking a beginner nose-work class
Gradually increasing the difficulty of searches
Allowing him to work without pressure
Training should remain positive, predictable, and enjoyable. Demo does not need to be pushed through fear to build confidence.
Learning How to Live in a Home
Much of Demo’s foster-care experience has focused on teaching him how life inside a home works.
He is a creature of habit and finds comfort in knowing what will happen next. Predictable routines help reduce uncertainty and allow him to participate without feeling pressured.
Demo has learned to run into his kennel when it is time to eat. This routine combines something he understands—his crate—with something he enjoys—food.
His adopter should initially maintain a consistent schedule for:
Meals
Bathroom breaks
Walks
Crate time
Playtime
Bedtime
Training
Quiet periods
Changing everything at once could be overwhelming. Keeping his first weeks simple will help Demo begin learning the patterns of his permanent home.
Fully House-Trained
Demo is fully house-trained.
Although he understands where to use the bathroom, his new family should expect that stress or a disrupted routine could cause an occasional accident during the adjustment period.
Providing frequent outdoor opportunities, supervising him initially, and maintaining a predictable schedule will help him transfer his house-training skills successfully.
His foster family can explain how Demo signals that he needs to go outside and what schedule currently works best for him.
Comfortable in His Crate
Demo is highly food-motivated and enters his kennel easily because he associates it with meals and treats.
He can remain crated throughout the workday when positioned near the resident dog and other foster dogs. Their presence likely helps him feel secure.
His crate should continue serving as a safe, positive space rather than being used for punishment. Placing his crate near that of a confident resident dog may help him adjust to the new environment.
His adopter should ask:
How long he currently remains crated
Whether the crates are side by side
What bedding is safe for him
Whether he needs the crate covered
How he behaves when crated without another dog nearby
Whether he vocalizes or shows distress
What treats or meals he receives in the crate
Where he sleeps overnight
Demo and Cats
Demo currently lives with two cats. He is generally friendly toward them but can become overly interested because he wants to investigate and be friends.
He does not always understand that a cat running away is asking for space. As an enthusiastic sniffer, he may also bother cats that do not appreciate close canine attention.
Demo sleeps in the same upstairs bedroom as the cats, his foster mom, and the resident dog. He is making progress learning appropriate behavior, and both cats have become comfortable enough to come out of hiding around him.
A home with cats may be possible if:
The cats are confident and accustomed to dogs
They have elevated spaces and dog-free areas
Introductions are slow and carefully managed
Demo remains leashed or separated initially
The resident dog models calm behavior
The family supervises interactions
Demo is redirected when he becomes too nosy
The cats are never chased or cornered
A timid cat that runs whenever a dog approaches may not be a suitable match. Applicants should discuss their cats’ personalities honestly with Fetch Wisconsin Rescue.
Demo Is Nervous Around Young Children
Demo becomes uncomfortable around children approximately the same height as him. He may drool, cower, or move away.
These behaviors indicate significant stress, so he should not be placed in a home with young children. Children’s quick movements, higher voices, unpredictable behavior, and direct approaches may be overwhelming for him.
Demo has not been evaluated around teenagers in his current foster home. Families with teenagers should discuss their household directly with Fetch rather than assuming compatibility.
A quiet adult home may give Demo the best opportunity to feel secure and continue developing trust.
Building Relationships with New People
When Demo meets someone new, he follows the resident dog and watches how that dog responds.
His future family should avoid surrounding him with visitors soon after adoption. He will benefit from meeting people individually and having a confident canine companion present.
Visitors can help by:
Entering calmly
Avoiding direct eye contact
Ignoring Demo initially
Tossing treats without approaching
Allowing the resident dog to greet them first
Remaining seated or moving slowly
Letting Demo decide whether to come closer
Avoiding reaching over his head
Never cornering or restraining him
Eventually, Demo may begin choosing to sit near new people, accept affection, and reveal the goofy personality his foster family knows so well.
Becoming a Snuggly Companion
Demo’s relationship with his foster mom shows how much affection he can offer after trust has been established.
He now lies on the couch beside her and sometimes snuggles. He loves being on the bed and will allow her to cuddle him. He may even press his face against hers as he settles in.
These moments are meaningful because they represent confidence Demo had to build gradually.
His future adopter should not expect immediate cuddles. The goal should be to create safety; the affection can follow when Demo is ready.
Once his new family is accepted into his pack, they may find themselves sharing the couch with a 79-pound dog who believes sitting directly on someone is the perfect way to show love.
A Fenced Yard Would Help Him Feel Secure
Demo would do best with a securely fenced yard.
A private yard would give him a place to explore, use the bathroom, and play with a resident dog without immediately facing unfamiliar people or overwhelming neighborhood activity.
The fence should be secure and appropriate for a large guardian-breed mix. Gates should remain locked, and Demo should be supervised until his family understands how he behaves outside.
A yard will not replace walks, enrichment, or time with his people. It will simply give this cautious dog another safe setting in which to build confidence.
Grooming Demo
Demo’s coat is described as being more similar to a Labrador Retriever’s coat than the long coat traditionally associated with a Great Pyrenees.
He sheds and will need regular brushing to remove loose hair and keep his skin and coat healthy.
His grooming routine may include:
Brushing several times each week
More frequent brushing during seasonal shedding
Nail trims
Ear checks
Dental care
Occasional baths
Checking his skin for irritation
Using grooming sessions as gentle trust-building exercises
Because Demo can be shy, grooming should be introduced gradually and paired with treats. His family should avoid restraining him forcefully or rushing through handling before he feels comfortable.
Demo’s Health
Demo is listed as neutered. Fetch Wisconsin Rescue states that its adoption fees include age-appropriate rabies, distemper, and Bordetella vaccinations; a microchip; flea and tick prevention; heartworm prevention; and any additional medical care required before placement.
Potential adopters should request his complete veterinary records and confirm:
Vaccination dates
Heartworm test results
Current preventive medications
Microchip information
Known allergies or sensitivities
Current food
His ideal weight
Previous injuries or illnesses
Joint-health recommendations
Any medication or supplements
His comfort level during veterinary handling
His future family should establish care with a veterinarian and continue routine examinations, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and healthy weight management.
Demo’s Ideal Home
Demo needs a patient family that understands shy dogs and will allow trust to develop naturally.
His ideal home will provide:
At least one confident, friendly resident dog
A securely fenced yard
No young children
A quiet, predictable household
Patient introductions to new people
Positive, confidence-building training
Continued scent work
A consistent daily routine
Time to adjust without pressure
Careful management around cats
Regular brushing
Appropriate exercise and playtime
Plenty of comfortable places to rest
Lifelong veterinary and preventive care
Experience with fearful dogs, undersocialized dogs, or livestock guardian breeds would be valuable, but the most important qualities are patience, consistency, compassion, and a willingness to listen to Demo’s needs.
About Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
Fetch Wisconsin Rescue is a volunteer-run, foster-based nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating unwanted, neglected, and abused dogs from shelters across the Midwest, along with dogs surrendered by local owners.
Founded in April 2013, Fetch reports that it has rescued more than 5,000 dogs. Foster families spend time learning about each dog’s temperament, habits, and needs so the rescue can make thoughtful matches.
Fetch does not operate a traditional public shelter. Demo lives in a foster home, and approved applicants will meet him there.
How to Adopt Demo
Anyone interested in Demo should review Fetch Wisconsin Rescue’s requirements and submit an adoption application.
Demo’s profile:
Meet Demo
Adoption application and available dogs:
Apply Through Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
Adoption process:
Learn How Fetch Adoptions Work
Rescue website:
Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
The adoption process includes:
Completing an adoption application
Paying a nonrefundable $35 application-processing fee
Background and reference checks
A home visit
Application approval
A meet-and-greet in Demo’s foster home
An overnight waiting period
Bringing Demo home within three days if the placement is approved
The primary applicant must be at least 21 years old. The approval process generally takes approximately two to four weeks, although timing depends on volunteer availability.
Adoption Fee
As a young adult between 13 months and 7 years old, Demo’s adoption fee is $350.
The fee includes his standard veterinary care and reimbursement of up to $90 after completing an eligible training class.
Out-of-State Adoptions
Fetch accepts applications from outside Wisconsin. Adopters must travel to Demo’s foster home—likely in the Madison area—for the meet-and-greet and return after the required overnight waiting period to bring him home.
Contact Information
Adoption questions: Apply or use the returning-adopter contact form on the Fetch adoption page.
General inquiries: Fetch Wisconsin Rescue Contact Page
Mailing address: P.O. Box 930572, Verona, WI 53593
Give Demo the Patient Home He Deserves
Demo began life as a stray and grew up inside a shelter without enough opportunities to learn that people could be trusted.
His story could have remained defined by fear. Instead, his foster home gave him time, confident canine friends, and the freedom to move forward at his own pace.
Now Demo plays with dogs, enjoys scent work, rests on the couch, sleeps beside his foster mom, and sometimes presses his face against hers during a cuddle.
He is still learning—but he has already come so far.
Demo needs someone who will see the beauty in gradual progress: the first time he approaches without following another dog, the first time he asks for affection, and the moment he finally realizes that he is home.
Please share Demo’s story—especially with patient adults who have a confident dog, a securely fenced yard, and room in their hearts for a shy, sweet, wonderfully goofy companion.
