05/12/26 14:44 from foster: Cootie is an energetic, sweet, and silly girl. She loves running in open fields, rolling in the grass, and playing tug-o-war. She does have one bite on record as a result from play. While I tried to grab a stick to play fetch, Cootie got too eager and accidently bit my hand in an attempt to grab the stick. The bite did break skin. Regardless, she is not an aggressive dog. Her bark may seem intimidating, but she is just scared of the world. When I first met Cootie, she did not make eye contact and tried to avoid my pets. After four hours in my house and a new toy, she opened up and showed her real self! If you are patient and provide a gentle and loving environment, she will be a loyal companion. She would thrive in a quiet and patient household who will take her on outings in low-distraction environments to show her the world isn't that scary. She is reactive to cats and small mammals. She is dog selective. It is best to introduce her to one dog at a time in a controlled environment and avoid dog parks. Although she plays well with most dogs, Cootie prefers to be the only dog in her house. She wants all the pets and attention to herself! She is trainable. In 6 weeks, I taught her how to sit, lie down, leave it, and was working on roll over. She also improved on her leash behavior. 04/03/26 09:40 From the foster: Meet Cootie, a small but mighty sweetheart who is officially ready for her forever home! Cootie is the perfect blend of high-energy fun and calm companionship. She is famous for her daily zoomies and her absolute love for rolling in the grass, playing tug-o-war, and settling in for some serious cuddle time and kisses. In the home, Cootie is a total dream. She isn't a barker, doesn't jump on counters, and isn't destructive, making her a very easy houseguest. She is also perfectly content being left alone for long periods and is an excellent passenger on car rides. While she is polite and indifferent toward strangers on walks, she does prefer to be the only dog in her world and isn't a fan of meeting other pups. Cootie is loving girl who just needs a patch of grass to roll in and a human to adore. If you’re looking for a loyal, well-behaved companion who will keep you entertained with her joyful energy, Cootie is your girl! 03/19/26 Looking for a cutie to adopt? Meet Cootie! Cootie has been waiting for her new family to show up since November 2025. The stress of being in the shelter has made her not present well in the kennel; but the second she's out Cootie blossoms! Cootie is a super easy dog to leash and she walks amazingly on the leash. She liked to take her time once she's in the yard, but after spending some time with her and giving her some positive interactions she really starts to open up. Cootie just needs the chance to get to know her new family that she has been waiting so long for. Cootie is only looking for a chance. So if you have the room in your home and the patience to give her time to open up, Cootie would love to meet you. 02/21/26 15:34 MH In a kennel, Cootie's true colors don't shine. When on walks and in yards, Cootie greets staff and volunteers with a relaxed posture and soft tail wag. She can be selective with who she warms up to but with positive reinforcement, she does come around. Cootie has gone from needing a 'helper dog' to BEING the helper dog, and has been assisting many fearful dogs with acclimating to shelter life. Cootie (sometimes called Cutie by volunteers and staff) would benefit from a dedicated foster with experience in positive reinforcement training (PRT), she'd do well with another dog but this is not a requirement. If you'd like to give Cootie a break from the shelter and help us get more information for a potential adopter/rescue, contact us at sjrescue@sanjoseca.gov. Or come on down to meet her! Cootie is a 3-year-old gray pit bull with a gentle soul who is feeling overwhelmed by shelter life. She’s showing signs of kennel stress and can be hesitant to approach new people at first, but she allows full handling and warms up with patience and calm reassurance. One of the best ways to see Cootie’s true personality is around other dogs. When she’s with a helper dog of similar size, she becomes loose, wiggly, and visibly more comfortable. Having a canine friend helps her feel safe and brings out her happy, playful side. Cootie would thrive with: A rescue or foster who can help her decompress A home with another like-sized dog to build confidence An adopter who understands that shelter stress behavior can be different in a home With time, consistency, and maybe a dog buddy by her side, Cootie has all the potential to blossom into a loving, loyal companion. She’s just waiting for someone willing to go slow and give her the chance she deserves